Previously On DALLAS:
------------Jimmy became defensive when Justin suggested that Jimmy needs a good woman in his life.
------------Cliff paid a visit to Elena at the Channing home in California, and formed an alliance with Richard Channing to beat the Ewings.
------------Det. Steve Walden informed Bobby that the killer of Naldo Marchetta and Veronica Robinson, Andre Shuman, died in prison three years ago, so re-opening the case to implicate Katherine in the murders would be impossible.
------------The Westar board met and asked Cliff to resign. To his shock, the board appointed Jill as his replacement as CEO.
------------Cliff pledges war on the Ewings.
Southfork....late morning
"We'll leave the rest of this for now," John Ross says. "I'll have Maria bring the other bags in."
Krystina pauses in the drive and looks at the house. "As much as I hated to leave the Caymans, It sure feels good to be home."
John Ross smiles. "It sure does. Especially with my beautiful bride. Now, I can't wait to get upstairs and see my son."
A moment later, the two walk into the foyer and meet Ann and Lucy as they come down the stairs. "John Ross, Krystina," Ann says.
"Welcome home, you two," Lucy says, hugging Krystina.
"Thanks, Lucy."
"How was the honeymoon?"
"It was just great," replies John Ross.
"Oh, it sure was," Krystina. "It was so beautiful, and John Ross has promised to take me back there every year from now on. A promise I'm gonna hold him too."
"Anything interesting happen around here while we were gone?" John Ross asks.
"Oh, nothin' to speak of," says Ann. "The family did get our invitations to the Oil Baron's Ball. It's next Friday night."
""Oh, great," John Ross says. "That'll give me a chance to show off my lovely new bride to all of Dallas society."
Maria walks into the foyer. "Oh, Maria, would you please have the rest of mine and Mrs. Ewing's bags brought in?" John Ross asks.
"Yes, sir. Mr. Ewing, a letter came for you earlier," Maria says, picking an envelope up from the table and handing it to him.
"Oh, thank ya." John Ross takes the envelope and opens it. As he begins to read, the smile disappears from his face.
"John Ross, what is it?" Krystina asks.
Smithfield And Bennett.....later
"John Ross, why come to me with this?" Jay asks. "Especially after everything you've done to my family, why would you even think I'd be interested in taking your case?"
"Well, I admit, counselor, you weren't my first choice. I called Lou Rosen's office first, and he's out of town for the rest of the week. I needed the best, and aside from Lou you're the best lawyer I know. There's no rule that says you have to like me personally or I have to like you personally. I need a damned good lawyer to go up against these lawyers Richard Channing has hired for Elena to try and take my son away from me."
"Jay, you have to help us," Krystina says. "Or at least advise us on what to do."
John Ross looks at Jay and nods. "Thank ya, counselor. Ya know, if you and my little sister ever do decide to tie the knot, I might not mind havin' you for a brother-in- law."
"You have a real way with words, you know that, Ewing?"
"I get that from my Daddy."
"I'll be in touch in a couple of days," Jay says.
"Jay, thank you so much," Krystina says.
"You're welcome, Krystina."
John Ross and Krystina leave Jay's office. In the hallway outside, John Ross's cell phone rings. He takes it out of his pocket and sees Bum's number. "Darlin', I gotta take this, it's business. You go on down to the car. I'll be right there."
"Okay," Krystina says, kissing him. She takes the car keys and walks away.
After Krystina is gone, John Ross answers the call. "Bum, what's up?"
"It was just wonderful, but you didn't call me just to ask how the honeymoon was, did you?"
"Actually, no, I didn't," says Bum. "I was just kind hoping to break the ice a little before I tell you the news I've gotta tell you. We have a serious problem, John Ross."
"REAL serious, John Ross," Bum replies. "I think we need to talk about this in person."
"Fine. Meet me at Reunion Tower, the restaurant, half an hour." John Ross ends the call and puts his phone away, worried about whatever news Bum was going to give him when they meet. As John Ross starts to walk away, Jill steps off the elevator down the hall from Smithfield And Bennett.
"John Ross," she says when she spots him.
"Well, well, if it itn't my little sister."
"Course not. At least not yet, anyway. I'm jokin'."
"With you, I never know. By the way, congratulations on the wedding."
"You really mean that?" John Ross asks. "You did ignore my invitation and chose not to come, after all."
"I was......busy."
"Well, if you will excuse me, Jillian, I have to be goin'."
"John Ross, wait," Jill says as he starts to walk away from her.
"What?"
"There is something you need to know. And as majority shareholder and former CEO of Westar, you deserve to know, if someone hasn't told you already."
"Told me what? Would ya get to the point, darlin'? I have someplace to be."
"While you were on your honeymoon, the Westar board had an emergency meeting to select a new CEO."
The board met......without me knowin'?"
"Yeah, I think that was the plan," Jill says, smiling.
"So they did kick ol' Cliff Barnes out?"
"Well, not exactly. In order to let Mr. Barnes retain some dignity, the board asked him to resign, rather than removing him."
"So, they replaced Barnes with a new CEO?" John Ross asks, worried.
"Yes they did," replies a smiling Jill.
John Ross sighs with frustration. "Well, darlin' are you gonna tell me or not? Who the hell did they pick?"
"Yours truly."
"What? YOU?"
"That's right, big brother. The Westar board gave me back the position that you stole from me. Have a great day, and tell my new sister-in-law I said hello." Still smiling and gloating, Jill walks past John Ross and into the Smithfield And Bennett offices.
John Ross fumes with anger over the news, while at the same time continuing to worry about Bum's news.
Matt and Margaret's Home......Austin, Texas
"I can't get over how beautifully you've decorated and furnished this room," Donna says.
"Well, I get my sense of style from my beautiful mother," Donna says, walking over and kissing her mother on the cheek. "I'm glad you're here. But, ever since you arrived this morning, I've had a feeling that you have a reason for coming. What's going on, Mom?"
"You always could read me like a book."
"You're NOT that hard to read, Mom. So what's up? Everything alright with you and Dad?"
"Everything is wonderful between your father and me. Everything except one thing."
"What, Mom?" Margaret asks.
"You, sweetheart," Donna replies.
"Me? I don't understand."
Donna sighs and takes a seat in a chair. "Margaret, ever since your father and I got back together, I've had the distinct impression that you're not very happy about it. I think we should talk about that, and about what's bothering you. And don't tell me that it's nothing, because I can read you pretty darned well, too."
"Then what, EXACTLY?" Donna asks.
"It's just that, this is all very new to me, still. Unlike Matt, I've never had the experience of both of my parents being together. You guys divorced before I was even born. When I was growing up, it was you and Andrew, Dad and Jenna. I loved Andrew very dearly. He treated me like his own daughter, and I loved him as a father, even though I loved Dad, too. Just in a different way. When I was a little girl, I use to daydream about you and Dad getting back together. Then as I got older, I knew that was a dream that would never happen. Even after Andrew died, Dad was still married to Jenna, and I always thought they were in it for life. And now, I'm 28-years-old, and suddenly, my two parents that I've never known as a couple, are back together. I know this sounds crazy, Mom. But, sometimes when I think of you and Dad getting back together.......getting married again.......it scares me."
"Scares you?" Donna asks. "Why, sweetheart?"
Margaret stands from her seat and walks to the fireplace. After a pause, she turns back to her mother. "I get scared sometimes like a little girl, that you and Dad are gonna get married again, and then break up again. Isn't that stupid?"
Donna gets up and walks over to her. "It's not stupid at all, Margaret. I have those same fears. So does your father. This is new to ALL of us. That's why Ray and I are taking things as slow as we are, because we wanna make sure this is absolutely right this time, and that we can make it. Honey, I can't predict what's gonna happen tomorrow, or next week, or next year. I can't predict what's gonna happen with mine and Ray's relationship. I know what I want to happen. I wanna spend the rest of my life with him. And your father and I are gonna work on just that."
Margaret looks at her mother and smiles. "I love you, Mom. I should have come to you and talked to you about this a long time ago. I just didn't wanna sound like a silly little girl afraid her parents were gonna break up again. After all, I'm a grown woman and the wife of a state senator."
"Margaret, even when you become the wife of the President Of The United States, you will STILL be MY little girl. That's never gonna change."
"I really lucked up when it comes to mothers," Margaret says as she suddenly begins to feel nauseous.
"Margaret, are you alright?" Donna asks.
"Yeah, I just started feeling sick to my stomach all of a sudden. Second time this week that's happened."
"Do you need to lie down?"
"No. It's probably just a stomach bug or something going around. Mom, excuse me....." Margaret quickly runs out of the living room and hurries to the nearest bathroom as Donna remains in the living room.
Back in Dallas.....Reunion Tower
"Okay, Bum, what's up?" John Ross asks, taking a seat across from him. "You said we have a serious problem?"
"Oh yeah, we do. It's about Rhonda Simmons, you know, that witness Bobby paid off to say she saw Cliff Barnes in the bar that night J.R. died?"
"I know who Rhonda Simmons is, Bum. But what's the problem?"
"I've had a tail on her ever since then, as per Bobby's instructions. Rhonda had a visitor a few days ago. Elena Ramos and Michael Channing."
"Elena and Channing?" John Ross asks. "What the hell? How did they even know where to find her?"
"A private detective hired by Richard Channing found her."
"Damn. A while back, I asked you to dig up some dirt on Channing and hold on to it for me for when I needed it. Still got that?"
"Of course," Bum replies.
"Bum, we gotta move, and fast," says John Ross. "Elena is suin' me for custody of my son. If she and Channing have found Rhonda, that means they're gonna try and get Rhonda to testify as to what really happened the night J.R. died. Here's what I need you to do. Get her out of of Tuscon. I don't care where you relocate her, but just get her the hell outta there and make sure Channing's people aren't around to follow you when you move her. And pay her whatever you have to pay her to keep her mouth shut. Threaten her if you have to."
"Threaten her?" Bum asks.
"That's right. Just make sure Rhonda Simmons disappears and can never be found again by Elena or the Channings. I don't care what it costs. And Bum........if Rhonda won't cooperate, if she refuses to move or if she tries to blackmail us......." John Ross pauses a moment as he looks at Bum..........."then you do whatever it
"Consider it done," says Bum. "This is MY ass on the line here, too. After all, I'm the one that pulled the trigger on J.R. and helped frame Barnes." Without another word, Bum gets up from his seat and walks away.
After Bum leaves, John Ross picks up a fork from the table. The anger rising inside of him from all the bad news he's received today, John Ross finds it hard to control himself. He jabs the fork hard onto the table and pushes down on it until the fork is bent completely out of shape. Then he gets up and leaves the restaurant.
Jill's apartment.....that evening
"My Mom made the best chicken casserole in Dallas, and she taught me."
"You mean your mother actually cooked?"
"Haha, very funny. She didn't cook often, but, she did occasionally." Jill takes a seat at the small dining table beside him. "Jay, when I was arriving at your office today, I ran into John Ross. What was he doing there?"
"It was business," Jay replies.
"What sort of business?" Jill asks, concerned.
"He asked YOU? Of all the attorneys in Dallas, why you, after all the bad blood between John Ross and your family this year?"
"He needed a good lawyer, and his first choice, Lou Rosen, was unavailable."
"Are you gonna take the case?"
"Yeah, I am."
"How can you even consider it after what John Ross did to your cousin Todd?" Jill asks.
"Jill, I don't like your brother," Jay says. "I didn't much care for him before, but after what he did to Todd, I have even less use for him. But what Elena Ramos did to the guy.......telling him that his own son, his own flesh and blood, was dead......Jill, that's despicable. No one deserves that kind of pain, not even John Ross."
"Yeah, I do. But don't worry. I don't have any deep dark, long buried secrets that John Ross can use to blackmail me with."
"I didn't think so. But just be careful, Jay. I've looked all my life for the man of my dreams and now that I've found him, I don't want my brother to screw it up."
Jay reaches over and takes her hand. "NOTHING is gonna screw us up, and ya know why? Because YOU are the woman of my dreams. And I would never let anyone or anything come between us. Especially not John Ross."
Ewing Oil....
"Didn't John Ross give you any idea what this was about, Dad?" Christopher asks.
"No, none. He just said he had somethin' real important to talk to us about, and for us to wait for him here."
Christopher looks at his watch. "It's after seven o'clock. I'm getting hungry."
"Yeah, so am I," Bobby says as he sees John Ross step off the elevator in the outer office and head towards them. "Here he comes."
John Ross walks into the office. "Hey, y'all, thanks for waitin'."
"You said this was important," says Christopher.
"It is. And I thought we should talk here where we could have more privacy than at home."
"Rhonda Simmons. Remember her?"
"What about Rhonda Simmons?" Christopher asks.
"I'm sorry to hear that, John Ross," says Bobby. "But what does that have to do with Rhonda Simmons."
"I got a call from Bum today. Elena and that guy she's livin' with, Michael Channing, paid Rhonda a visit the other day, thanks to Channing's daddy trackin' her down in Tuscon."
"Oh my God," Bobby says.
"It's apparent that Elena is plannin' on usin' Rhonda as a weapon to paint me as an unfit parent and take my son away."
"So what are we gonna do about this?" Christopher asks.
"I already sent Bum to take care of it," replies John Ross.
"Take care of it HOW, John Ross?" Asks a worried Bobby.
"Any way he has to."
"What do you mean by that?" Christopher asks.
"I told him to get her out of Tuscon and relocate her someplace where the Channings will never be able to find her. And if she refuses to cooperate or tries to blackmail us, I told him to do whatever he has to."
"I told him to do whatever he has to do to keep her mouth shut about the night J.R. died."
"John Ross, we don't handle things that way. We're not criminals."
"And what the hell do you call plantin' evidence and framin' Cliff Barnes for a murder he didn't commit?" John Ross asks.
"That was necessary to get Cliff out of our hair and end this feud once and for all. It was J.R.'s plan."
"Yeah, and that worked out real well now, didn't it?"
"You should've come to me and told me what was happening as soon as Bum told you, or better yet, HE should've come to me since I'm the one that implemented this plan in the first place."
"Uncle Bobby, no offense, but you've done a pretty piss poor job of handlin' this whole mess from the start. You said you had this whole situation handled and that there were no loose ends. Well, Elena found out what we did, and so did Pamela, and if that letter my Daddy wrote still existed for them to use as proof against us, we'd all be sittin' in prison right now."
"It was YOUR fault that Elena managed to get her hands on that letter in the first place," says Christopher. "You were careless, you let your guard down, went to bed with Elena, and let her steal that letter. So there's no way in hell you can blame my father for any of this."
"The point is, we sure as hell don't need to get into this any deeper by some harm coming to Rhonda Simmons," Bobby says.
"Then what would you suggest, huh?"
"We pay her off to disappear."
"That's what I told Bum to do first. And what if she don't?"
"She will," Bobby says. "She was more than willing to help us with J.R.'s plan for the right price."
"And what about Channing?" Christopher asks. "He's very rich and very powerful, just like the Ewings. He could pay her to help Elena."
"That's why we need to get Rhonda out of the country as fast as possible," Bobby says, taking his cell phone from his pocket.
"Who're you callin', Uncle Bobby?" John Ross asks.
"Bum. I'm gonna tell him to pay Rhonda whatever price she wants to get out of the country, change her identity and go into hiding."
John Ross sighs with frustration as Bobby dials Bum's number and waits for an answer. John Ross and Christopher exchange angry looks, while Christopher knows there's one thing he might be able to do to head off disaster for the family.
Southfork.....the next morning
"Christopher?" Bobby says.
"Morning, guys."
"Where in the world are you goin'?" Ann asks.
"I should be back by tonight. If not, then by tomorrow morning for sure."
"You didn't answer the question, son," says Bobby.
"I'm just ummm, gonna go and see what I can do to fix that business problem we were discussing last night."
"Christopher, please tell me you're not going to see who I think you're goin' to see. Maybe under the circumstances you shouldn't even get involved?" Bobby asks. "I already made a call and had Bum take care of things OUR way."
"Bobby, what was that all about?" Ann asks. "Where's he goin'?"
"California. To see Elena. To try and convince her to call off this custody suit against John Ross."
"I doubt he'll be able to convince her."
"There's somethin' else, honey. We promised each other no more secrets. But it gets worse."
"Do I need to sit down for this?" Ann asks.
"Elena and her new boyfriend Michael Channing tracked down Rhonda Simmons, the young woman that we paid off to say she saw Cliff in the same bar as J.R. in Nuevo Laredo the night he was killed."
"Oh good Lord," says Ann. "Bobby if they convince that woman to testify......."
Ann embraces her husband. "Bobby, I thought that whole nightmare was over."
"So did I," Bobby says, embracing her with a worried look on his face
Meanwhile.....John Ross and Krystina's bedroom
"I hear you talking to someone?" She asks.
"Yeah, it was business. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to skip breakfast this mornin', darlin'. I got an early meetin' at the office."
"John Ross, really? We just got back from our honeymoon yesterday and you're already neglecting me with business?" Krystina asks with a smile.
John Ross puts his arms around her. "I wouldn't go if this wuttin' important. But you know how it is runnin' an oil comp'ny. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"Another promise I'm gonna hold you to, Mr. Ewing," says Krystina.
John Ross smiles and kisses her. "I'll call you, and maybe you can come into town and have lunch with me. But I gotta go now."
"I love you."
"And I love you, Mrs. Ewing." John Ross smiles at her again, then grabs his jacket and brief case, and walks out.
Downtown Dallas.....a short time later
"Just fine. She put up a little bit of a fuss, but she calmed down when she realized we were just tryin' to help her. She's in there." Bum points to a closed door.
John Ross goes over and walks into the room, where he finds a frightened Rhonda. "Ms. Simmons. Remember me?"
"Of course I remember you. What the hell is this all about? Why am I here?"
"You were paid a visit a few days ago by a young couple named Michael Channing and Elena Ramos."
"Yeah, that's right. They wanted me to come to California and testify for Miss Ramos in a custody hearing."
"And what'd you tell 'em?" John Ross asks.
"Told 'em I'd think about it."
"Why, yes I am, Rhonda. And I don't make idle threats."
"Look, you just better let me go or I'm gonna call the cops."
John Ross smiles. "Why don't we just do that, Rhonda? Why don't we call the cops? I'm sure the Mexican authorities would be real interested in finally gettin' their hands on the person who really killed J.R. Ewing."
"What are you talkin' about?" Rhonda asks.
"I'm talkin' about you, Rhonda," John Ross replies. "I'm talkin' about how you spent the night with my Daddy in that hotel room in Nuevo Laredo. I'm talkin' about how you robbed him, then shot him dead right there in that very room, and then later lied and said you saw Cliff Barnes in the bar that night."
"You're crazy. You know DAMNED well I never killed anybody."
"No, we don't know any such thing, do we, Bum?"
"No, sir, we don't. In fact, I've got a couple witnesses who swear they saw this young lady go into J.R.'s room that night. And she was seen comin' out just before his body was discovered."
"You're framin' me?" Rhonda asks.
"Duttin' have to be that way, Rhonda. It's your choice." John Ross reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a bank book. "Now I'm prepared to set you up for life, with a real hefty nest egg." He hands her the book. "Just take a look in there."
Rhonda opens the book and looks at it. Her mouth drops open in shock. "Oh my...."
"Now Rhonda, you know you'll never be able to make that much money in five lifetimes the way you're goin'. I'm offerin' you a chance to get away from here. Go anywhere in the world you wanna go. Europe, the Orient. Anywhere. With a new name, new identity. You can start all over with that real hefty bank account, and never have to worry about a thing for the rest of your life. Or........" John Ross stops talking for a moment as he walks closer to Rhonda, walks around her, then faces her again......."Or, you can be on a plane back to Mexico this afternoon and spend the rest of your life in prison there for killin' my Daddy. All I'm askin' is that you get as far away from here as you can, and never come back, and never let on that you ever met me or any other member of my fam'ly. Now which is it gonna be?"
Rhonda looks at the bank book in her hand, then looks up at John Ross. "Alright. I'll do what you want."
"Good. Bum here'll arrange a flight for you to anyplace in the world you wanna go, as long as it's a long way away from Texas, Arizona, or California. Real nice seein' you again, Rhonda. You take care, have a nice life, and don't ever let me hear anything out of you again." John Ross smiles, then turns and walks out of the room.
The Channing mansion......Tuscany Valley, California
"May I help you?" Agnes asks.
"Is Elena Ramos here?"
"Who may I ask is calling?"
"I'm a........Christopher Ewing. I knew Elena when she lived in Dallas."
"Who is it, Agnes?" Asks a young man with blonde hair who walks into the foyer.
"Says he's here to see Miss Ramos, Mr. Kevin."
Kevin walks to the front door. "You a friend of Elena's?"
"Use to be."
"It's okay, Agnes. Please, come in."
"Thank you," Christopher says, walking into the house.
"Christopher Ewing."
"Ewing? Is John Ross Ewing your brother? I've heard Elena and Michael talk about him."
"John Ross is my cousin," replies Christopher.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Christopher?" Kevin asks.
"No, I just need to speak with Elena."
"Christopher?" Elena says, coming down the stairs. She enters the foyer and faces the two young men. "Christopher, what are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you."
"The baby? Is the baby alright?"
"The baby's fine."
"Then why are you here?" Elena asks.
"Could talk alone, please?"
"Yeah," Kevin says. "I'll be in the kitchen. Elena, if you need me....."
"Thank you, Kevin. We'll be fine."
Kevin nods, then turns and walks away.
"In here," Elena says, motioning for Christopher to go into the living room. She follows him in. "Now, what is it you want, Christopher? The last time we spoke, when I was in Dallas, you made it clear that you never wanted to see or hear from me again."
"Your cousin sent you here to try and change my mind, didn't he?"
"No, he didn't. He doesn't even know I'm here. Elena, I know what you did. I know that you and the Channings managed to track down Rhonda Simmons."
"That's right," Elena says. "Thanks to Michael and Kevin's father. And Rhonda is going to help me prove what a bunch of snakes the Ewings really are."
"Elena, listen to me," says Christopher. "If you go this route......if you bring Rhonda Simmons to testify to some nonsense about us framing Cliff Barnes for J.R.'s murder, the I promise you, it WILL backfire."
"It's not nonsense and you damned well know it."
"Isn't it?" Christopher asks. "You have no concrete proof. That letter that J.R. supposedly wrote, it was destroyed. So what proof do you have? The word of a woman with a reputation like Rhonda Simmons? The word of a bitter old man like Cliff Barnes who's made it his life's mission to destroy the Ewing family by any means necessary? Elena, think about it. You try to accuse my family of framing Cliff for J.R.'s murder, and it's gonna come back to bite you and bite the Channings. Because you know we're not gonna let that happen."
"How the hell did you even find out about Rhonda in the first place?"
"We've had Rhonda watched pretty carefully all along."
"So I take it that John Ross and Bobby also know?"
"What do you think?" Christopher asks.
"The point I'm trying to get across here is that, if you open a can of worms, a lot of people are gonna get hurt. People you once cared about. And what about the Channings? You're living here in their home, so obviously these people are good to you. Now you know John Ross about as well as I do. I've heard a little about Richard Channing, and you know that John Ross is gonna dig up any and everything he can use against you and against them. Is it worth it?"
"My son is worth everything to me," Elena says. "And if you or John Ross or any of the Ewings think I'm gonna just give my baby up, then you've got another thing coming. I came to you not long ago and asked for your help. I went to Ann and asked for her help, too, and you both refused. Not only that you told me you would help John Ross keep my son. And now you're here asking me to give up fighting for my son because you don't want your precious family embarrassed in court. Well no, Christopher. You can just go back home to Dallas and tell John Ross and Bobby that your mission failed."
"What's going on?" Asks Richard Channing as he walks into the room.
"Nothing, Mr. Channing," replies Elena. "Christopher was JUST leaving."
"You must be Richard Channing," Christopher says.
"That, I am. And just who are you?"
"Christopher Ewing."
"Elena's old boyfriend?"
"That's right."
"I came here to talk to Elena," Christopher replies.
"On behalf of that cousin of yours, I'm sure. I'd like it if you'd leave."
Christopher hesitates a moment. "Elena....."
"Christopher, you heard the man," says Elena. "Leave."
"I'll leave when I'm done saying what I have to say."
"Nope, you'll leave NOW, or I'll call my security and have you removed, and I can promise you that you won't like that at all, Mr. Ewing."
Christopher looks at Elena. "I tried to reason with you. You're gonna regret this." He gives Richard an angry look, then walks out.
Richard follows him to the door. "Mr. Ewing," he says.
Christopher stops in the doorway, then turns back to him.
"You tell your cousin John Ross that any further contact between your family and Elena or my family should be done through our attorneys. Anymore attempts to contact and harass Miss Ramos will be dealt with very seriously."
"You know, I've heard a few things about you, Channing. You think you're real big and powerful, but you're nothing but an aging thug. You need to be careful who you're threatening." Christopher quickly leaves the house.
Richard closes the door behind him. Elena walks into the foyer.
"Richard, I'm sorry."
"It's alright. If the Ewings want a war, then we'll damned well give 'em a war."
Back in Dallas.....Jimmy's apartment
"Hey, man," Jimmy says.
"Hey."
"What are you doing here?" Jimmy asks, taking his keys out of his pocket. He unlocks his apartment door.
"Just dropped by to see my best friend," Justin says, standing to his feet.
"Well, come on in and excuse the mess in my apartment."
Justin follows Jimmy into the apartment and closes the door. Jimmy puts his keys on the coffee table, then takes his back pack off and throws it to the floor in the bedroom.
"You want a beer?" Jimmy asks.
"Yeah, a beer sounds nice."
Jimmy goes into the kitchen and grabs two beers from the refrigerator, then returns to the living room. He hands one of the beers to Justin. "I'm real glad to see you," he says. "I was actually gonna drive out to your house this afternoon. I'm sorry about snapping at you the other day."
"Dude, you don't owe me an apology," Justin says. "In fact, I came here to apologize to you for meddling in your love life like that."
Jimmy smiles. "Hey, what's a best friend for if he can't meddle in your life once in a while?"
"Sure man. Just ask."
"There's no easy way for me to ask this except to just come right out and ask. Jimmy.........are you gay? I mean, it duttin' matter to me if you are, I still feel the same about you. I'd just like to know so I don't go stickin' my big foot in my mouth again."
Jimmy laughs.
"What's so damned funny?" Justin asks with a slight smile.
"You honestly think I'm gay?" Jimmy asks.
"I.......I don't know, bro, that's why I'm askin'."
"No, Justin, I'm not gay. Far from it." Jimmy lets out a deep sigh. "Okay, I'll tell you why I haven't been
"Jimmy, you don't owe me anything."
"Yeah, bro, I do. You're my best friend and the closest thing to a brother I've ever had. Truth is, Justin, love and relationships has never meant anything but pain for me. Terrible pain. I dated all through high school, of course, but, my first real serious relationship was when I was a junior, and into my senior year. Her name was Julie. And we met our junior year. We started dating in the spring after prom, and that summer, things got serious. I actually fell in love for the first time. She was the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. She had this long, flowing blonde hair and the most radiant skin. I planned to ask her to marry me after graduation. But, it wasn't meant to be. In the spring, after we'd been together for a year, Julie was taken from me."
"Taken from you?" Justin asks.
"There was an accident. Julie and her parents and little sister went to visit some relatives out of town one weekend. They were coming home on Sunday evening. It had been raining and the roads were slippery. This car lost control going too fast. The car skidded through a traffic light at an intersection and crashed into Julie's dad's car. She was sitting in the rear passenger seat, just where the car hit. She was killed instantly."
"Oh my God. Jimmy, I'm so sorry. Why didn't you ever tell me this?"
"Because it was too painful. I never talked about it with anyone until now. It took me a long time before I was able to move on. That's why I didn't start college right after high school. I was still too broken up over Julie's death that, I just couldn't. So I waited a while. Finally, I met someone else. We had a little thing going, and then I found out she was just using me to get back at her boyfriend. After that, it took me quite a while before I was even ready to go out on a date again. This friend of mine, he set me up on a date with a friend of his. Her name was Cassie. After a while, we got into a relationship, and for the first time since Julie, I fell in love again. Thought I was ready to move on. Cassie was very goal driven, almost too much so. She wanted to be a lawyer. She was just starting law school, and it was like becoming a lawyer and joining her family's firm was an obsession. And I supported her, to an extent. Then, she found out she was pregnant. I wanted to marry her, but she refused. She wanted to have an abortion, but I told her no, absolutely not. I wanted that child. So one night, without me even knowing, Cassie went to this abortion clinic in another town......." Jimmy stops talking as he fights back tears. "She aborted.......she KILLED my child that night, Justin. And then she lied to me about it. She told me she had a miscarriage. Man, I was devastated. And Cassie let me believe that lie for weeks. It wasn't until I accidentally found a bill from the abortion doctor that I learned the truth. I confronted her, and she told me that she didn't want kids anytime soon because it would interfere with her plans for her life. She didn't want that baby, MY baby, so she killed it! Dude, I was so enraged, I grabbed her, and I put my hands around her throat and forced her to the ground. I was choking her. I could've killed her, Justin. I wanted to kill her. But I couldn't. I let her go. While she was still on the floor, coughing from being choked, I got up, and I walked out of her apartment that night and never saw or heard from her again. I expected the cops to come to my apartment the next day and arrest me for assault or attempted murder or something, but they didn't. That's when I dropped out of school. The REAL reason I dropped out. That was three years ago. Three years ago last month, in fact. I've been in love twice man. One died, and the other one murdered my child because she didn't want it. Because her career was more important than a life that we created. After that, I didn't want any part of a relationship or even casual dating. So, that's why I'm alone. Because I don't wanna go through that hell again. It's not easy, ya know? I watch other people in relationships, like you and Amanda. And I envy that. I do. I'd love to find that kind of love. Justin, I haven't been with a woman......I haven't made love to anyone in three years. Not even casually. Do you know how hard that is? But I can't go through the pain again."
"Damn, bro," Justin says, a tear falling from his own eye. "I'm sorry, man. I had no idea you'd been through all that. Jimmy, that's not always gonna happen. Not every relationship ends in pain. Yes, you went through hell with Julie and Cassie. But if you close off your heart from even the possibility of finding someone again, you might miss what could be the best thing that ever happened to you. I'd hate to see that happen." Justin walks over and puts his hand on Jimmy's shoulder as jimmy cries.
Ewing Oil......evening
"Hey, Christopher, welcome back," she says. "Your father said you had to go out of town on business today?"
"Yeah, Courtney, I did. Listen, are John Ross and Sue Ellen still here?"
"Yes, they are."
"Good, would you please ask them to come into my father's office, and then you can go on home."
Courtney smiles at him. "Sure."
"Thanks." Christopher walks over to Bobby's office and knocks.
"Come in," Bobby says.
Christopher walks into his father's office.
"How'd it go in California?" Bobby asks, standing from his seat.
"Not good. I asked Courtney to get John Ross and Sue Ellen in here so I can you all in at once."
John Ross walks into the office followed by Sue Ellen at that moment. "Courtney said you wanted to see us," says John Ross.
"What's going on?" Sue Ellen asks.
"John Ross have you filled your mother in on the situation with Elena?" Bobby asks.
"Yes, John Ross has told me about Elena's custody suit."
"Did he also tell you that Elena and the Channings, the family she's living with, managed to find Rhonda Simmons?" Bobby asks. "The girl we paid off to say she saw Cliff in the bar in Nuevo Laredo the night J.R. was killed."
"That situation is under control now," says John Ross. "Bum got Rhonda out of the country today, and I set her up with a nest egg that will last her the rest of her life. I don't think we'll ever see or hear from her again."
"Christopher what is it you wanted to talk to us about?" Asks Sue Ellen.
"I went to California to see Elena today."
"I went to try and talk to Elena and maybe diffuse this situation before it gets outta hand. I was hoping she'd listen to reason."
"And?" Sue Ellen asks. "What did she say?"
"She didn't wanna hear anything I had to say. And then Richard Channing came in and acted like some guard dog protecting her."
"Yeah, you probably just made things worse," says an angry John Ross. "What the hell business was this of yours to get involved in anyway?"
"Yeah, well, from what you're sayin', you made this mess with Elena worse."
"Now wait a minute," Bobby says. "Christopher was trying was help. Your solution was to rough Rhonda up or worse if she refused to do what you said."
"Well, I got her outta the country, didn't I?" John Ross asks.
"Look, this family doesn't need to fight among ourselves right now," says Christopher. "We're gonna have a big enough fight on our hands with Richard Channing."
"What do you mean, son?" Bobby asks.
"Channing threatened an all-out war between us and him if any of the Ewings attempt to contact Elena again except through her attorney. I got the feeling that Channing is a very ruthless and maybe even a dangerous man."
"Oh, he is," John Ross says. "Hold on a second." As the others exchanged puzzled looks, John Ross leaves the office. A few seconds later, he returns carrying a file folder, which he hands to Bobby.
"What's this?" Bobby asks.
"A while back, I had Bum to do some checkin' on Richard Channing and he compiled this folder. Just take a look."
Bobby opens the folder and begins reading. The file on Richard Channing's past arouses Bobby's interest. "Channing was in prison back in the late 80s. Good Lord, some of the things this man has been accused of, he makes even Cliff Barnes look like a saint."
"Exactly," John Ross says.
"So how do we use this?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Channing may be ruthless, but I think he's a proud man," John Ross replies. "I'm sure he wouldn't want all his fam'ly's dirty secrets come out anymore than we want ours exposed to the world. If we could see him and show him what we have on him, it might convince him that Elena's not worth it. If we could get him to toss her to the curb, Elena wouldn't have a chance without the protection of the Channings."
"That's not a bad idea," Bobby says. "But I don't think that either of you should do the negotiating with Channing. He's already aligned himself with Elena against John Ross, and Christopher's alienated him, too."
"Then I should do it," Sue Ellen says.
"Why you?" John Ross asks.
"Richard Channing might be slightly more willing to listen to a woman than to a man. Besides, over the years I picked up a few of J.R.'s techniques in dealing with people like Channing. So it's up to me."
"No, Sue Ellen," Bobby says. "We don't know what kind of man this Richard Channing really is, and according to this file, he's pretty ruthless. I don't want you to go out there and put yourself in harm's way. I'll deal with Channing."
"Bobby, I can take care of myself," Sue Ellen insists.
"I know. But I really don't feel comfortable with you doin' this on your own."
"Alright, then. We'll do it together. We'll both go and see Richard Channing."
John Ross and Christopher exchange worried looks as Bobby picks up his phone and dials a number
Matt and Margaret's home in Austin....
"Feeling better?" Donna asks, taking a seat beside her.
"Oh, yes. A good cup of hot chocolate always did help. Especially on a cold December night. Speaking of December, I really should pull out the Christmas tree and everything tomorrow and get it put up."
"Okay, I'll help."
Margaret smiles. "I'm so glad you're here, Mom. Especially with Matt in Washington for a few days."
"These.......nausea spells......how long have they been going on?" Donna asks.
"A couple of days. Why?"
"I have an idea of what might be causing them."
"Oh? What?" Margaret asks.
Donna reaches inter her purse and pulls out a home pregnancy test, which she hands to her daughter. "I picked this up for you when I went to the drug store earlier."
"Mom, you think I might be........pregnant?"
"Well, you're having these random nausea episodes, and you have no fever or any other symptoms. Only one way to find out. Go take the test."
Margaret looks at the test in her hand, then looks at her mother and smiles happily.
Later....
"Well, did you take it?" Donna asks.
Margaret nods. "I took it."
"And?"
Margaret walks over to her. "See for yourself," she says, holding the test out to her mother.
Donna looks at it, her mouth falling open. Then she smiles as she looks at her daughter. "Oh, Margaret. I...."
"Pregnant," says a beaming Margaret. "I can't believe it, I'm.......pregnant."
"Oh, sweetheart," Donna says, embracing her. "A grandmother. I can't wait to tell your father. He's gonna be so excited."
"Oh, but Mom, you can't tell Dad just yet. Not until I've had a chance to tell Matt."
"Of course, Matt should be the first to know. Oh, baby, I'm so happy for you." Donna embraces her daughter.
Southfork.....the next morning
"That sure is a pretty sight," Ann says. "You there with the baby like that. You look like a natural mother."
"I don't think any judge in his right mind would let Elena have that baby back after what she did. Lyin' to John Ross that his son was stillborn? I still can't believe the Elena I knew would do such a thing."
"I can't believe any woman would do that to the father of her child. Especially John Ross. Watching him with Little John it's obvious he loves this baby very much. And he loves Alex, too. John Ross is trying hard to form a relationship with him."
Ann smiles as she takes a seat on the sofa. "This must be like a whole new world to you. Suddenly you not only inherit John Ross's crazy family when you married him, but, you find yourself the stepmother to a 16-year-old boy and an infant."
Krystina laughs. "I don't mind at all. Especially Little John here. He's such a sweet baby."
"Yes, he is. You and John Ross plan on havin' your own, don't you?"
"Oh, of course we do. I love children. I'd love to give John Ross five or six kids. But for right now, Little John keeps us busy."
"Krystina, I don't think I've told you this, but, I'm really glad John Ross married you. And I'm glad to have you here at Southfork."
"Thank you, Ann. That means a lot. I'm happy to be here, and happy to be a member of the Ewing wives' club."
The Channing home, Tuscany Valley, California......
"Morning, Dad," Michael says.
"Good morning. Have you seen your brother this morning?"
"Nope. I assume he's still asleep."
"I have a meeting with Mr. Ackerman this morning," says Elena. "To discuss the custody case."
"I'll come with you," Michael says.
"Oh, you don't have to. I know how busy you are at the paper."
"I'll take some time off."
"Michael's right," Richard says. "I'll take care of things at The Globe this afternoon, there's a few things I wanna do down there anyway."
"Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome," Richard says as his cell phone rings. He picks the phone up from the table and looks at it. "Excuse me," he says. He gets up from the table and walks away to answer the call. "Hello? Yes, this is Richard Channing....."
Back at the patio table, Elena pours herself a cup of coffee. "I'm really worried about this custody case. Especially since we lost Rhonda."
"Don't worry about that," says Michael. "We still have your testimony, and the testimony of Cliff Barnes and his two daughters."
"Will that be enough, though? And will the judge believe us? After all, I'm fighting the Ewings for custody of my child. Cliff Barnes has been trying to destroy the Ewings for many years, and it might look like he's poisoned Pamela's mind againt the Ewings. Besides, Pamela is John Ross's ex-wife. And Emma.......she'll be caught in the middle because she's not only Cliff's daughter, but also Ann Ewing's daughter."
"What's that?"
"I spoke to Tim Ackerman. And I brought something up to him, and he agrees with me."
"Well, what is it?" Elena asks.
"I think we'd have a better chance at winning custody if we got married."
"Married? Michael....."
"Why not? Elena, we've known each other for almost a year. We've been through a lot together in that time, and I love you and I wanna spend the rest of my life with you."
"How about.....'yes'?"
"Michael, I love you. With all of my heart I love you. But marriage is such a huge step, especially right now with the custody hearing coming up."
"Elena, we've been living together for months. We're practically already married, we just don't have the paper that says we're husband and wife yet."
Before Elena can say anything else, Richard returns.
"Who was that, Dad?" Michael asks.
"That was an advertiser who wanted to set up a meeting for this afternoon."
"What time?"
"1:30."
"Damn, that meeting with Tim is at 2."
"You go on with Elena to talk to Ackerman. I'll take care of this meeting with the advertisers."
"Are you sure?" Michael asks.
"Am I sure? I was handling meetings with advertisers before you were born, of course I'm sure."
Meanwhile....San Francisco....
"Well?" She asks.
Sue Ellen nods. "Good."
Back in Dallas.....Ewing Oil
"Thank ya, darlin'," John Ross says. He presses the '1' button and picks up the phone. "Ted, how ya doin'?
The San Francisco Globe......afternoon
His secretary walks in. "Mr. Channing, those people from McMillan Advertising are here to see you."
"Oh, thank you, Darlene. Send them in."
"Yes, sir, and here are those copies you wanted." Darlene puts a stack of papers on Richard's desk, then walks out.
A moment later, Bobby and Sue Ellen walk into the office. Richard stands to greet them. "Good afternoon," Richard says. "I'm Richard Channing, won't you please have a seat?"
"Thank you," Bobby says.
"Can I get either of you a drink?"
"No, thank you, I'm fine."
"No, thank you," says Sue Ellen.
"Now then, first of all I'd like to thank you for your interest in the Globe. What exactly is it we can do for you?"
"Channing, to be honest, we're NOT from the McMillan Advertising Agency," Bobby says.
The smile disappears from Richard's aged face. "Oh? Then who the hell are you and what's this all about?"
"I'm Bobby Ewing, and this is my sister-in-law, Sue Ellen Ewing."
"EWING?" Asks an annoyed Richard. "I take it you're some more of John Ross Ewing's relatives."
"John Ross is my son," says Sue Ellen.
"Now look, I don't know what the hell you people are doing here, but I'm getting sick and tired of these unexpected and unwelcome visits by members of your family. Now if you don't get the hell OUT of my office, I'm calling security and having you both thrown out."
"Now wait a minute, Channing," Bobby says. "Just hear us out."
"And why should I do that?"
"Because there's a lot at stake here," replies Bobby, pulling the file John Ross had compiled on Richard from his brief case. "As you can see for yourself."
"What's this?" Richard asks.
"Why don't you just open it and find out?" Bobby asks.
Richard takes the file from Bobby and opens it. He begins reading. After reading the first page, he looks up at the Ewings. "Am I supposed to be intimidated by this? Frightened by this?"
"You have a lot of skeletons in your closet, Mr. Channing," Sue Ellen says. "There are things in that file that could embarrass you and your family. And lose Elena any hope of ever winning custody or visitation rights to my grandchild."
"What the hell are you trying to do? If you knew anything about me at all you would know that I don't give in to blackmail or threats. The Ewings have plenty of skeletons in their own closest. Framing a man for a murder he didn't commit. Cliff Barnes was absolutely right about you Ewings."
Bobby and Sue Ellen exchange looks. "Cliff Barnes?" Sue Ellen asks.
"That's right. Mr. Barnes paid me a little visit a few days ago, and he filled me in on all the Ewing family's dirty little secrets, including the fact that you and he were once lovers, Mrs. Ewing. I have to admire the man's taste. And then there's a little matter of who really killed John Ross's father, and we all know it wasn't the man you people sent to prison for it."
"Is Elena Ramos worth it, Mr. Channing?" Sue Ellen asks. "You don't know that girl as well as you think you do. She was my son's fiance, and she was also sleeping with his cousin Christopher. She seduced my son in order to steal something from him, and then ended up pregnant. She ran away, and then when John Ross found her here in San Francisco, she lied to him and told him that the baby, his SON, was dead. Now what kind of a woman would do that? Is that the kind of a woman you want your own son involved with?"
"That sounds like the pot calling the kettle black, Mrs. Ewing," Richard says. "I could run down a whole list of your transgressions Cliff Barnes and Elena have told me about, including shooting your own husband after he shoved your lover over the edge of a balcony."
Bobby and Sue Ellen stand to face Richard. "Channing," Bobby says. "Let me give you a piece of advice. Get rid of Elena Ramos. Because if you go up against the Ewings, you're gonna find yourself in a war you can't possibly win. We've faced a lot of enemies before, but none of them have been able to beat us so far. Just ask Cliff Barnes. He's been tryin' for almost forty years to destroy the Ewings, but he's the one who always ends up face down in the dirt."
"Because Cliff Barnes never had ME for an ally," Richard says. "And you said the right phrase, Ewing. No one has been able to defeat the Ewings......SO FAR. Now get the hell out of my office."
"Alright," Bobby says, angrily glaring at Richard. "If this is what you want, then ALL of my family's and all of your family's dirty secrets are gonna come out when that custody case goes to court. And I can promise you, the Ewings are strong enough to take it."
"So are the Channings," Richard says.
Bobby again looks at his new enemy, then turns and storms out of the office. Sue Ellen follows him, but she stops in the doorway and turns back to Richard.
An office in downtown San Francisco....
"Tim, good to see you," says Michael.
"You too. Now then, I wanted to go over a few particulars regarding the custody case."
"Yes?" Elena says.
"So what can we do about that?" Michael asks.
"I've petitioned the court for a change of venue. It's highly unlikely we'll be able to get the hearing moved here to San Francisco, but we may have a shot at Dallas. Our second obstacle, Elena, is the fact that you lied to child's father that his son had died. That's really gonna look bad in the eyes of a judge. Now I'm not saying that we can't win this. We CAN. IF we paint John Ross Ewing and his family as the biggest bunch of monsters since the Devil's Rejects. Another obstacle is the fact that you and Michael aren't married. John Ross Ewing just recently got married again, so the judge will look at that and feel that he and his new wife can give the child a more stable and permanent home environment than an unmarried couple. Now, Michael and I have already talked about this, but, if the two of you are planning on ever getting married, now would be a good time, BEFORE that hearing. That would put us on a slightly more even playing field."
Michael and Elena look at each other.
Southfork.....that night
"Well, how'd it go?" Christopher asks.
Bobby sighs. "It didn't."
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" John Ross asks.
"It means that Richard Channing was completely uncooperative and unresponsive to our threats," replies Sue Ellen.
"What did he say?" Christopher asks.
"Channing wants a war. But that's not all. He told us that Cliff went to see him a few days ago."
"Cliff?" Asks a shocked Christopher.
"What the hell was Barnes doin' there? And how's he connected to Channing?" John Ross asks angrily.
"Cliff probably went there to see Elena," Sue Ellen replies. "But the problem is, Cliff told Channing about a lot of our family's dirty secrets, even things Elena didn't know. When this custody battle goes to court, it's going to get ugly. And I do mean REAL ugly. For all of us."
"That duttin' matter," Bobby says. "If Richard Channing wants an all-out war, then the Ewings are sure as hell gonna give him one. That child upstairs is a Ewing. Your grandchild, Sue Ellen, and J.R.'s. I certainly won't allow him to be raised in the same home with a man like Channing. But first, there's one little loose end that we have to tie up so it won't come back to bite us in the ass anymore." Bobby picks up his cell phone and dials a number.
Meanwhile.....San Francisco....
Smiling, Michael leans in and begins kissing Elena passionately. After a few moments, the two stop kissing and Elena looks at Michael, this incredible man who she just married. This man she intends to spend the rest of her life with raising her son. But, despite the happiness she feels at this moment, Elena can't help but worry about the epic war that is coming between her new husband's family and the Ewings....