EPISODE 123 - Wheelin' And Dealin'

"No,"  replies Lucy.  "Ann got word that her mother had had a massive stroke, so she and Bobby went to Gilmer. But, a little while later, the woman who called to tell Ann about her mother called back.  Ann's mother passed away."

 

"Oh, no,"  Courtney says, sadly.

 

"My God,"  says Christopher.  "Poor Ann.  First her brother, and now her mother, so close together?"

 

"Yeah," Lucy says.  "Ann has lost her entire family now. Except of course for Emma and her nephew, Shawn."

 

"That's not really true, Lucy,"  Christopher says.  "We're Ann's family, and we're gonna have to be there for her now."

 

"You're right about that, big brother,"  Lucas says.

 

John Ross, Alex, and Shawn walk in at that moment.  The smile disappears from John Ross's face when he sees his estranged wife.  "I thought you'd be gone by now,"  he says to her.

 

"Don't worry, I won't be in your hair for long,"  says Krystina.  

 

"Why does everyone look so down?"  Alex asks.

 

Lucas, Christopher, and the women all exchange looks.  "We, uh......we got some news,"  says Christopher.  

 

"What news?"  Asks John Ross.

 

 

 

"Shawn, it's about your grandmother," says Christopher.

 

"Marian?  What about her?"

 

"Shawn, I'm sorry.  Your grandmother passed away today."

 

 

 

"My.........my grandmother's dead?"  Shawn asks, obviously stunned by the news.  

 

"Yeah, Shawn,"  Lucas says.  "Ann got the news earlier this afternoon."

 

"She and Bobby tried to find you, but, they had to leave for Gilmer,"  Lucy says.  "Ann had hoped to make it there in time to see her mother, but, not long after they left, the call came that your grandmother was gone."

 

"Dude, I'm so sorry,"  Alex says to his friend.

 

"Yeah,"  Shawn says, showing little emotion.  "Yeah, thanks."  Without saying anymore, Shawn turns and walks out of the den and heads up the stairs.  

from her.

 

"Thank you, Mrs. Prescott,"  Ann says.

 

The other woman smiles.  "Oh, Annie, please.....after all these years, call me Lorraine."

 

"Alright, Lorraine."  Ann takes a sip of her coffee.  "Lorraine, I wanna thank you for bein' such a good friend to my Mama all these years."

 

"It was my pleasure,"  Lorraine says.  "Annie, I know your mother could be........difficult........at times.  But deep down inside, she was always a good woman.  I know that may be hard for you to believe right now.  But she DID love you."

 

"She had a real strange way of showin' it, if she loved me,"  Ann says.

 

"Sweetheart, your mother was a very proud woman.  I've known her for 48 years.  Ever your family moved next door to Mr. Prescott and I way back in 1968."

 

Ann nods.  "I remember.  I was 8-years-old."

 

Lorraine smiles.  "You were the prettiest little girl, and your mother was so proud of you."

 

"I know," Ann says.  "Everything just seemed to change, to fall apart, after my little brother Scotty became sick and died.  Nothin' was ever the same after that.  Little Scotty was Mama and Daddy's favorite.  After he was gone, Daddy started drinkin' and Mama became bitter."

 

"You and Mark never should've had to shoulder that burden,"  Lorraine says.  "Annie, I am SO sorry for everything you had to go through as a child.  Had my husband and I known what was happening, we would have done something."

 

Ann reaches across the table and takes Lorraine's hand as Bobby walks into the kitchen.  

 

"Everything alright, honey?"  Bobby asks.

 

"Everything is just fine, Bobby."

 

"Would you like a cup of coffee, Mr. Ewing?"  Lorraine asks.  

 

"I would LOVE one.  And please, call me Bobby," he replies as the doorbell rings.  "I'll get that,"  Bobby says.  He kisses Ann, then walks into the living room.  He opens the front door to find another older woman.  "May I help you?"  He asks.

 

"Yes.  And who are you?"  The woman asks.

 

"I'm Bobby Ewing."

 

"Aunt Shirley,"  Ann says, coming into the living room.

 

The older woman walks into the house and she and Ann approach each other slow, meeting in the middle of the room.  "Annie?"  The woman asks.

 

"Yes, Aunt Shirley.  It's me."

 

"Oh, my, just look at you,"  Ann's aunt says. "You look wonderful."

 

"And so do you,"  Ann says with a smile.  "You've hardly changed after all these years."

 

"And how many years has it been?  At least thirty?  

 

"It was Christmas, 1985, so, almost thirty-one,"  Ann says.

 

"It's wonderful to see you again, Annie."

 

"And you, too.  Oh, Aunt Shirley, I want you to meet my husband, Bobby Ewing.  Bobby, this is my Aunt Shirley, my Mama's sister."

 

Shirley looks at Bobby and smiles.  "I'm very pleased to meet you, Bobby."

 

"Very pleased to meet you, too,"  Bobby says, shaking hands with his wife's aunt.

 

"Annie, this husband of yours is so handsome, I might just have to steal him for myself."

 

"I'm sure Uncle Bud would have somethin' to say about that."

 

Shirley looks at Ann.  "Well, he probably would, but, unfortunately I lost your Uncle Bud three years ago."

 

"Oh, Aunt Shirley, I'm so sorry.  I had no idea."

 

Shirley smiles.  "It's alright.  Bud and I had 55 very happy years together. Can't beat that."

 

"No, you sure can't,"  says Ann.  "And what about your kids?  I'm sure you must have a whole bunch of grandkids by now."

 

"Mike is doing just fine.  He's a very successful doctor and he lives in Nashville now.  Linda lives in Florida, and is now on her fourth marriage and she recently became a grandmother, giving me my third great-grandchild. Adam is divorced now and lives with me.  Both of his sons, the twins, just graduated from junior college."

 

"And what about Brad?"  Ann asks.

 

"Brad........."  Shirley pauses a moment and takes a deep breath.  "We lost Brad, four years ago, almost a year before his father died."

 

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry.  I can't believe it.  Brad and I were the same age.  What happened?"

 

"Brad was a lot like your brother Mark,"  Shirley replies sadly.  "In fact, I remember catching those two boys getting high together when they were teenagers.  But, Brad died from years of alcohol and drug abuse. Bobby, Brad was my oldest son, and the wild one."

 

"Yes.  Mark and Brad partied together a lot when we were all young,"  Ann says as Lorraine walks in.

 

"And now they're both gone,"  says Shirley.  "My husband is gone, and now my sister. I feel like my whole family is just dying out."

 

"Aunt Shirley, I am sorry about Mama.  Were the two of you close?  Did you see her much?"

 

"Every chance I got, which wasn't very often the last couple of years.  I live in New Orleans, and with things going on in my own family, it wasn't always easy to make the trip here to Gilmer.  Lorraine, thank you for calling me about my sister."

 

"I was glad to, Shirley,"  says Lorraine.  "You must be exhausted after the trip.  I'll go upstairs and fix up the guest room.  Annie, why don't you and Lorraine sit down and get reacquainted?"

 

"I'd like that,"  Ann says.

 

"So would I,"  Shirley agrees.  "I wanna hear all about your life these past thirty years.  Your mother did tell me on the phone a while back that you have a daughter."

 

"Yes, I do.  Her name is Emma and she lives out in California now,"  Ann says, taking a seat on the sofa with her aunt as Bobby watches the two women, a faint smile on his face.  Ann had taken her estranged mother's death very hard, but he was glad that Marian's sister had arrived.  Bobby could tell that having her aunt here was a comfort to Ann.

 

"Morning,"  Alex says.  

 

"Hey, Alex,"  says Lucy.

 

"Has anybody seen Shawn this morning?  I woke up and he was gone."

 

"Yeah, he took off toward the stables about ten minutes ago,"  Lucas replies.  "Said he was goin' out for a ride."

 

"Thanks,"  Alex says.  He then walks away in the direction of the stables.

 

"Lucy, what are your plans for the day?"  Heather asks.

 

"Same old thing as always.  Nothing new or exciting ever happens in my life."

 

Heather smiles.  "Well, I know this isn't new or exciting, but, I'd like it if you'd go into town with me later.  We could have lunch, and do a little shopping."

 

"Heather I would LOVE the company, thank you,"  says Lucy.

 

"Since the two of you are goin' out for the day, I think I'm gonna take Michael fishing or something at one of the ponds,"  says Lucas.  "Spend some time with him.  Maybe I can get him to open up."

 

 

 

 

 

"I think that's a great idea,"  Heather says with a smile.  "Just let him open up at his own pace, though.  Don't try to push him to talk about what happened.  Michael has always been a little closed mouthed about his feelings."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Hmmmm......sounds just like his daddy,"  Lucy says.  

 

 

 

 

"Yeah, he's in the barn," replies the young ranch hand in a a Texas drawl.  "Seemed kinda upset."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Okay, thanks,"  Alex says.  As Travis continues with his work, Alex walks to the barn and goes in.  He finds Shawn sitting alone, his head down.  "Dude, what's up?"  Alex asks.  "I woke up and you were gone."

 

"Yeah, I just didn't wanna bother you,"  Shawn says.  "I needed to be by myself for a while.  Kinda hard to do in that house with so many people always around."

 

"You want me to leave you alone, then?"

 

"Nah, bro, you're okay.  I was gonna go ridin', but, I'm not even sure I wanna do that."

 

"Y'know, Shawn, if you want, you could talk about it,"  says Alex.  "Last night, you didn't even say anything about your grandmother."

 

"There's nothin' to say.  She's dead.  My Dad's dead.  One of my brothers is dead, and my other brother almost died.  A brother I only met once for like two seconds."  Shawn stands to his feet and sighs.  "Dude, I just don't know anymore.  I feel like this year my whole life is just turned upside down.  And my family.....God, could it get anymore screwed up?  

"Man, believe it or not, I know how you feel right now,"  Alex says.  "I felt the same way when I first came here.  And I was pretty much in the same boat as you.  My Dad... .........or rather, the man I always THOUGHT was my Dad..... he was killed two and a half years ago.  After he died, I wanted to die, too.  I was so angry......angry at him, angry at my Mom.  Angry at myself.  But mostly, I was angry at God.  I started getting into trouble and stuff.  And then we moved here.  I hated this place.  Dude, I was born and raised in New York City, so when I moved here and we lived at Ray's ranch, I felt like I'd gone to hell.  But what I didn't know was that, the reason we moved here was because my Mom had cancer and she thought she was dying, so she wanted to be close to my Grandma and my Uncle Lucas, the only family we had."

 

"Your Mom had cancer?"  Shawn says.  "But she seems fine now."

 

"She is fine.  NOW.  She had a bone marrow transplant.  My Uncle Lucas was her donor.  Well, while my Mom was recovering, I started seeing this girl.  Her name was Ashley Beaumont.  Dude, she was so beautiful.  I fell in love with her."

 

"And what happened?  It didn't work out?"  Shawn asks.

 

"What happened is that Ashley is John Ross's niece."

 

"What?  But that would make her....."

 

"Yeah, I know, my first cousin,"  Alex says.  "But Ashley and I didn't know at the time.  Not until we'd already fallen in love.  And then.......then I found out that John Ross was my real father.  I didn't think that things could get any worse for me.  Dude, I HATED John Ross at first. And I was still in love with Ashley.  Finding out that we were blood cousins didn't make our feelings just go away, so, me being the dumbass that I sometimes am.......I stole a truck from Southfork.  Ashley and I were gonna run away together.  But we only got as far as the river bridge in Braddock County before we ran over the side of the bridge and crashed into the river.  John Ross's brother, Justin, saved both our lives that night.  Look, I know you probably didn't wanna hear all this, but, I just wanted you to know man, that, you're not alone.  My life was a mess, too, not that long ago.  So if you ever wanna talk, you can talk to me.  Because, as you just heard, I've been through some stuff of my own, so I know how you feel.  I lost a Dad, and I almost lost my Mom."

 

Shawn looks at him and nods.  "I appreciate that.  You're like the first real friend I've had in a long time."

 

Alex smiles.  "I feel the same way, bro.  It's really nice to finally have someone around here my own age I can hang out with, do stuff with."

 

"You wanna go riding?"  Shawn asks.  

 

"Yeah, but I got a better idea,"  says Alex.  "Let's take the four wheelers out.  Maybe we can find a good mud hole and do some mud bogging."

 

Shawn smiles.  "Dude, I haven't been mud boggin' in FOREVER."

 

"Then let's do it,"  Alex says with a smile.

 

 

"Well, well, if itn't my little sister,"  John Ross says.  

 

"Hello, John Ross."

 

"Jill, how ya doin'?  Married life seems to be treatin' you real well."

 

 

"Thank you, John Ross,"  Jill says.  "So far, married life has been treating me VERY well.  I'm sorry that you and Krystina are having problems.  I really hope you're able to work things out."

 

"Thank ya."

 

"Well, I guess that we're here for the same reason."

 

"Well if you're here to visit our little brother, then yes we are,"  John Ross says.  

 

Jill smiles.  "So I guess we should go up."

 

"Before we go up, Jill, I heard through the grapevine that Westar might be interested in doin' business with ColbyCo Oil out of Denver."

 

"And just where did you hear that, John Ross?"  Jill asks.

 

"Darlin', you should know me well enough by now to know that there aint much that happens in this town that I don't hear about, ESPECIALLY if it has to do with the oil business. So is it true?"

 

"Sorry, John Ross, but I can't divulge that information."

 

"I hear it's a real lucrative deal concernin' some wells ColbyCo owns in California."

 

"You obviously don't listen very well, big brother.  I said I can't talk about any deals Westar may or may NOT be involved in, especially with the competition."

 

"Alright, fine,"  says John Ross.  "But, just a word of warnin', little sister.......be real careful of Alexis Colby if you plan on strikin' a deal with that lady.  Krystina has told me a lot about her, and none of it was nice.  She's a real shark."

 

"Yes, so I've heard.  But don't worry about me, big brother.  Remember, I'm J.R. Ewing's daughter, and not only have I inherited his business savvy, but, after that little  scheme you pulled on me two years ago, stealing my job as CEO of Westar right out from under me, I've learned to always keep my guard up when dealing with sharks.  So, I'll be just fine.  Thanks for your concern."

 

At that moment, Amanda and Cally come out of the hospital, followed by a male nurse pushing Justin out in a wheelchair.  The group approach John Ross and Jill.  

 

"Justin, are you going home?"  Jill asks.

 

"So they tell me," Justin replies, a tone of bitterness in his voice.

 

"Yes, the doctor said Justin is well enough to go home,"  Amanda says.  

 

"But he'll have to come back three days a week for physical therapy,"  says Cally.

 

"For whatever good that's gonna do,"  Justin says.  "I'm still paralyzed, and I don't see how any physical therapy is gonna make me be able to walk again."

 

"Y'know, little brother, just a year ago after my hit and run, I was blind,"  John Ross says.  "Never thought I'd ever see a damned thing again, but look at me now.  Hell, my eyesight's better now'n it's ever been.  You'll be back on your feet again in no time."

 

"Wish I had as much faith in me walkin' again as everybody else seems to,"  says Justin.  "But I just don't see it happ'nin'  Let's get the hell outta here.  I'm ready to get back in my own house.....and my own bed."

 

Cally and Amanda exchange looks of concern over Justin's attitude of defeat.  

 

"I'll go get the car,"  Amanda says as she walks away in the direction of the parking lot.

 

Jill looks at her brother.  "Justin, are you still unable to remember what happened the day you fell?"

 

"Can't remember a damned thing about that day.  Everything I know about the accident is what Jimmy told me.  I just wish I could remember why I was so careless that day.  If I hadn't been messin' around and gotten so close to the edge of that damned cliff, I wouldn't be in the wheelchair now."

 

Jill looks at her brother, then places her hand on his shoulder in an attempt to reassure him. Jill also wondered about that day, and how her normally cautious brother could have possibly made such an error in judgement as to get so close to the edge of a cliff that he could fall.  Something about that accident didn't add up in her mind.

"You don't talk that much about your parents,"  Sue Ellen says.

 

"It's a bit of a sore subject for me."

 

"Well, whenever you're ready to share it with me, I would very much like to hear the Catlin Ewing story."

 

"The Catlin Ewing story.  Sounds like a bad movie of the week, doesn't it?  Well, in a nutshell, my father Fred was an abusive jerk, and my mother, Jeanne, was an alcoholic who cheated on my father.  For most of my life I thought that my biological father was a man my mother'd had an affair with.  But, thanks to the modern miracle of DNA testing, that belief was laid to rest and Fred Ewing was proven to be my father after all.  Of course this was years after both my parents died, so my father went to his grave thinking he only had one son, my brother Larry."

 

"It's amazing,"  Sue Ellen says.

 

"What's amazing?"  Catlin asks.

 

"Hearing the story of your parents.  It's amazing how much their story sounds like that of ANOTHER Ewing couple.......J.R. and I.  J.R. was the philandering, sometimes verbally abusive husband, and I was the long suffering, alcoholic wife who eventually cheated and thought she had gotten pregnant with another man's child."

 

"Cliff Barnes,"  Catlin says.

 

"Yes.  John Ross could've very well gone through life believing that Cliff was his father had it not been for a paternity suit Cliff filed when John Ross was almost a year old.  A paternity test proved that J.R. was his father, so, thank God my son never had to go through what you did.  But still, it's amazing how much you and John Ross have in common.  Maybe that will help the two of you find some common ground to build a friendship on."

 

"Well, well,"  says the voice of a woman behind Sue Ellen.  She and Catlin look up and see Brittany Ewing standing there.  "Good evening Catlin.  Sue Ellen.  Fancy running into you here."

 

"This restaurant has obviously lowered its standards,"  says Sue Ellen.  "They'll let anybody in the door these days."

 

Brittany looks at her rival and smiles.  "Yes, and they proved that when they let YOU in here," she says.

 

"Why you witch,"  Sue Ellen says, standing to face Brittany.

 

"Ladies, please remember that we're in a public place,"  Catlin says, also standing.

 

"Not to worry, darling,"  Brittany says.  "I have no intention of getting into a public brawl with this woman.  I simply wanted to say hello to my husband."

 

"I'm not going to be your husband for long, Brittany,"  Catlin says.  "I have an appointment with an attorney tomorrow morning."

 

"Well, good luck with that, darling,"  Brittany says.  "But of course, you know that I'm not going to give up that easily."

 

"Why don't you just do yourself a favor, Brittany?"  Sue Ellen asks.  "Make this easy on yourself.  Give Catlin his divorce, and leave town."

 

Brittany looks at her.  "No, I won't make it that easy for you, Sue Ellen.  You can ask Catlin. He's known me my entire adult life, and he knows that, when I want something, I don't give up until I get it.  You two have a pleasant evening, now."  Brittany smiles, then walks away from them.  

 

 

 

Sue Ellen and Catlin retake their seats after Brittany is gone.  Sue Ellen sighs deeply.

 

"I'm sorry about that,"  Catlin says.

 

"It's alright, it's not your fault.  That woman is absolutely despicable.  I cannot wait for you to get your divorce so you can finally be free of that witch."

 

"That makes two of us."

 

 

Meanwhile, as she leaves the restaurant, Brittany takes out her cell phone, opens her contacts, and speed dials John Ross's number.  After two rings, he answers.  "John Ross," Brittany says with a smile.  "You'll never guess who I just ran into at Perry's.  Your mother and my husband.  Are you busy?  I'd very much like to see you tonight."

 

 

 

Donna fights back tears.  "Oh, I do see, Ray," she says quietly.  "I see exactly how important this is to you.  And THAT'S what worries me."

"Good morning," she says.  

 

"Morning."

 

"Mmmmm, something smells REALLY good."

 

"Thanks.  Bacon and French toast."

 

Margaret walks over and looks at the bacon frying on top of the stove.  "Do you cook breakfast every morning?"

 

"No, not every morning,"  replies Dylan.  "Sometimes, Conner and I, we take turns fixing breakfast, you know, just to help Donna out."

 

Margaret smiles.  "Well, I guess my Mom and Dad are really lucky to have you and your brother around."

 

"Conner and I are the lucky ones.  I honestly don't know where I'd be right now if it hadn't been for Ray and Donna. I'll never be able to repay them for everything they've done for me."

 

"They care a lot about you, Dylan,"  Margaret says.  "My parents are good people."

 

"Yeah, they sure are."

 

"Dylan, can I ask you a question?"

 

"Sure."

 

"Has something been going on between my parents?  I noticed last night, there seemed to be a lot of tension, and my Dad just doesn't seem himself. I was just wondering if anything was wrong."

 

"I've noticed the tension, too.  But, I really don't know what's going on."

 

"Hey, what are you two talking about?"  Donna asks, walking into the kitchen.

 

"Morning, Mom,"  says Margaret.  "Dylan and I were just......getting to know each other."

 

"That's not what it sounded like to me.  Margaret, you never could lie very well."

 

"Sorry, Mom."

 

"Breakfast is ready,"  Dylan says, taking the last of his bacon out of the frying pan and placing it on a plate.  He then takes the grits off the stove.

 

"Thank you, it smells wonderful,"  says Donna.

 

"I'm gonna go and wake up Conner,"  Dylan says, leaving the room.  

 

"Seems like a really good kid,"  Margaret says.

 

"He is."

 

"Mom, is anything wrong?"

 

"Why would you ask that?"

 

"I saw how you and Daddy were last night,"  Margaret says.  "Things were kinda tense, and I was wondering if it had anything to do with Dylan and Conner. Or maybe......just Dylan."

 

"No, of course not.  Why would you think Conner and Dylan would be a problem?"

 

"Well, I mean, given Dylan's history.  His bipolar condition, and what he did to John Ross.  That must be stressful having him live here with that kind of history."

 

Donna sighs.  "Things are a little tense right now between your father and me.  But, I'm not sure if I should talk to you about it, at least not yet.  And I think your father should be the one to tell you."

 

"Mom, come on.  You're scaring me a little here.  What's going on with Daddy?"

 

Donna looks at her daughter, but remains silent.  The two women are unaware that Dylan is 

standing at the door, listening to their conversation, a sad and worried look on his face.  In his mind, Dylan believes, as Margaret had suggested, that HE is the problem between Ray and Donna.  

"ColbyCo, itn't that the company owned by Alexis Colby?"  Christopher asks.

 

"That's right, Krystina's daddy's ex-wife, and the mother of Krystina's four half-siblings."

 

"So what's the deal?"

 

"These wells were owned at one time by Alexis Colby's brother-in-law, Jason Colby, but after Jason's death his son Miles, who inherited the old man's comp'ny, sold the wells to Alexis.  And now, ColbyCo wants to sell half those wells.  I found out yesterday that Westar has made an offer to ColbyCo, and I think Ewing Oil should make an offer, too.  Try to snatch those wells up before Westar gets 'em."

 

"Sounds like a good idea, John Ross, but our capital is stretched pretty thin right now."

 

"Well, we do have capital comin' in from the wells we own jointly with Catlin Ewing and his son.  So, we could use that money to buy half those California wells from ColbyCo."

 

At that moment, Sue Ellen knocks, then walks into the office.  "John Ross, you wanted to see me?  Good morning, Christopher."

 

"Morning,"

 

"Yes,"  John Ross says, standing to his feet.  "I was just tellin' Christopher that ColbyCo Oil in Denver owns several wells out on California, and they're lookin' to sell half those wells.  Westar has already made an offer, and I think we should try to snatch those wells up before Westar has a chance to."

 

Sue Ellen looks at her nephew.  "Christopher, what do you think?"

"John Ross, I only have one problem with this,"  Sue Ellen says.  

 

"And that problem would be?"

 

"Alexis Colby runs ColbyCo, and from everything I've heard about that woman, doing business with her is like swimming in a pond with a great white shark.  The woman is ruthless and totally unprincipled."

 

"But, she's a damned good business woman,"  John Ross says.  

 

"Which is what worries me,"  Sue Ellen says.  "I have to say that I'm against this, and with Bobby out of town, we should wait and see what he has to say."

 

 

"If we drag our feet on this deal we're gonna lose those wells to Westar,"  John Ross says.

 

"Maybe that's not such a bad thing,"  says Sue Ellen.  "John Ross, there will be lots of other deals with business partners far more trustworthy than Alexis Colby.  I'm sorry, but, I have to go with my instinct on this."

 

"And I'm sure my Dad would agree,"  says Christopher.  "And so do I.  We should pass on this one."

 

"Gee, Christopher, I thought you had more guts than that, but you're nothin' but a lapdog for my Mama and Uncle Bobby."

 

 

 

"Oh God, it's so good to have you both back,"  Tracey McKay says as she hands Pamela baby Hunter and then hugs Tripp upon their return from Canada while Cliff, Afton, Mitch, and Tripp's mother Sharon look on.  "And Tripp, good Lord, you could've been killed."

 

"I'm just fine, Aunt Tracey, other than being INCREDIBLY sore,"  Tripp says.

 

"Which you probably will be for quite some time,"  says Mitch.

 

Holding her infant son tightly, Pamela begins to cry. "He's grown so much since I've been gone," she says in tears. "Hunter, I'm so sorry, baby.  I missed out on your earliest days.  First when you were in the hospital, and now all this time I've been gone."

 

"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore, sweetheart,"  Tripp tells his wife.  "You're home now.  You're safe, and that whole nightmare with Scott Van Buren is over.  You're never gonna have to worry about leaving our little boy ever again.  I promise."

 

"I wish it were that simple, Daddy,"  Pamela says.  "I wish I could just forget what happened and block it from my mind. But I can't.  I don't think I'll ever be able to."

 

"You're right, sweetheart,"  Afton says.  "Neither of us will ever forget what happened.  And I know that I will never forget Jan........."  Afton pauses for a moment and looks at Mitch.  "And I'll certainly never forget Jesse.  We survived the tragedy of what happened.  Now, all we can do is somehow try to live with the memories."

 

"At least Van Buren's dead,"  Mitch says.  "He can never hurt either of you again, or anyone else."

 

"If you'll all excuse me, I'm gonna go lie down with the baby for a while,"  Pamela says.  "I'm exhausted after the flight back."

 

"I'll come with you,"  says Tripp.

 

Pamela nods, then walks into the bedroom, carrying the baby.  

 

"Tripp, I have to get going,"  Sharon says.  "I need to pick Shawn up at Southfork, and, well, I'm not sure what I'm gonna do yet about going to Mark's mother's funeral.  Shawn was never very close to his grandmother, so I don't know if he'll wanna go or not."

 

"Okay,"  Tripp says.  "Listen, thank you for coming all the way to Canada."

 

Sharon smiles.  "You're my son, Tripp.  When I found out you had been shot, I had to come."

 

Tripp lowers his head and sighs, then looks at his mother again.  "It's just too bad that you didn't feel that way about me and Hunter when we were kids," he says, then turns and follows Pamela into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.  

 

Sharon shakes her head, hurt by her son's words.  "Well, I'll see you all later," she says.

 

"Sharon,"  Mitch says.  "I'll walk you out.  I think I'm gonna go out for a walk.  I'll be back soon."

 

"Alright,"  Afton says as Mitch and Sharon leave together.

"Sue Ellen, divorce law is often very complicated,"  Jay replies.  

 

"Brittany has already promised to try and drag this out by contesting the divorce," says Catlin.  

 

"Well don't worry,"  says Jay.  "I'm gonna do my best to not let this get dragged out.  I understand how anxious you must be to get this divorce behind you and move on with your life, especially after five long years, so I'll do everything I can to move things along swiftly.  But, I have to warn you, Catlin, that may mean that we have to attack your wife's character, and I understand that you have a son together?"

 

"Yes, Catlin, Jr."

 

"How old is your son?"

 

"He's thirty."

 

"Okay, good, so there won't be any children involved.  Now, Catlin, you said your wife walked out on you?  Had the two of you been having problems before that?"

 

"Yes.  My marriage to Brittany had not been a happy one for a few years before she left.  She had two affairs during the last several years of our marriage."

 

"Okay, then, we can use that.  Catlin, I have to ask......at any time during your marriage to Brittany Ewing, did you cheat on her?"

 

Catlin remains silent for a moment.  He looks at Sue Ellen, then back at Jay.  "Yes.  Once, years ago."

 

A look of surprise crosses Sue Ellen's face.  Jay looks at her curiously, as if it was obvious Sue Ellen was unaware of Catlin's previous infidelity while married to Brittany.

 

"Bum, we need you to find Courtney's son," Christopher says.

 

"I didn't realize you had a son,"  Bum says.

 

"Yes,"  says Courtney.  "When I was 15, I got pregnant, and I had a little boy.  I gave him up for adoption."

 

"And you want to find him now, for what reason?"  

 

"Does she really need a reason, Bum?"  Asks Christopher.  "Courtney was very young when she gave her son up.  Now she wants to find him to make sure he's okay, and that he's in a good home."

 

"And what about the child's biological father?"  Bum asks.

 

"He lives in California,"  Courtney says.  "Christopher and I saw him there when we went to Emma Ryland's wedding."

 

"Does he know about the child?"

 

"No, he doesn't.  And, I've honestly been very conflicted about whether or not to tell him."

 

"See, there's a bit of a problem there, Bum," Christopher says.  "When Courtney and the child's father had sex, she was only 15, but, the guy was in his 20s.  And he was under the impression that Courtney was 18."

 

Bum looks at Courtney.  "You led him to believe that you were 18?"

 

"No.  What I did was flat out lie to him about my age.  I even had a fake I.D.  I was living with my aunt and uncle in Florida at the time, right after my parents split up.  It was a one night stand, and at that age, I was young and dumb and I had no idea that I would become pregnant that night.  I never even figured on seeing the guy again.  Look, Joseph was basically an innocent bystander in all of this."

 

"He wasn't so innocent.  He had sex with a minor....."

 

"But he THOUGHT that I was 18,"  Courtney says.  "And that was because of the fake I.D. I showed him.  Joseph is a really nice, decent guy, and I just don't want him to get into any trouble because of that night, so for that reason, I'd prefer to keep him out of this."

 

"Alright, I understand,"  Bum says.  "Okay, I'll need some information, such as the hospital where the child was born, and the name of the adoption agency you used."

 

"I can actually do better than that,"  says Courtney.  "I know the names of the couple who adopted my son.  They left Texas several years ago, and I just wanna find them so that I can see for myself that my little boy is happy, and healthy."

 

"Understood.  And, my job should be a lot easier since you know who adopted your child."

 

"All the information is here,"  Courtney says, handing him a file folder.  "Including their names and their last known address."

 

Bum opens the folder and looks at it.  "Last known address was Houston, Texas, in December, 2008."

 

"Yes.  I asked around and they left Houston after the first of the year in 2009.  I have no idea where they went after that, or how to find out.  I asked a couple people who knew them in Houston, and no one else had any idea, either."

 

"Well, I'll get right on this,"  Bum says.  "And I'll be in touch."

 

"Bum, can't tell you how much we appreciate this,"  Christopher says.  

 

"No problem, Christopher.  Take care."

 

"Yeah, you, too,"  Christopher says as Bum leaves.  He turns to Courtney and embraces her.  "We're gonna find him, sweetheart,"  he says.  "We're gonna find your little boy."

 

"Christopher, I can't thank you enough for what you're doing for me."

 

Pulling out of the embrace, Christopher looks at her with a smile.  "You thank me every day just by being in my life."

 

"A lot of guys would've ran for the hills after I told them about my past."

 

"I already told you.  I'm not most guys, and I'm not goin' anywhere.  Not until you get sick of me and tell me to get lost."

 

"That's something you'll never have to worry about, Christopher Ewing,"  Courtney says.

 Sitting alone in his wheelchair in the middle of his and Amanda's living room, Justin is staring blankly at the television while Amanda is in the kitchen.  After a moment, Justin makes an attempt to move his right leg, but no matter how hard he struggles, he cannot move the leg.  Finally, using his hands, he picks up his right leg and places his foot off the wheelchair footrest and onto the floor.  He then does the same with his left foot.  Taking a deep breath, he grabs both arm rest of the wheelchair with his hands and attempts to lift himself up.  Once he has lifted himself out of the chair, he makes an attempt to stand on his own two feet, but as he does so, his legs immediately give way under him and he falls to the floor with a crash, knocking over a photo from a table as he falls.  Just as he lands on the floor, Amanda's brother, Jeremy Shepherd, appears at the sliding glass door and sees Justin fall.  Jeremy quickly slides the door open and hurries in.

 

"Justin," he says, rushing to the aid of his fallen brother-in-law.  "Here, let me help you."  Jeremy grabs Justin's arm.

 

"No, I can do it myself!"  Justin angrily snaps, fighting back his tears.

 

"JUSTIN!"  Amanda yells as she runs into the room.  Seeing her husband on the floor, she hurries over to him.  "My God, what happened?"

 

"I don't know, I came to the door and I just saw him fall,"  replies Jeremy.

 

"Yeah, I FELL,"  says Justin, now in tears.  "I tried to get out of this damned wheelchair, and I can't even stand on my own two feet."

 

"Here, come on, bro, let's get you up,"  Jeremy says as the doorbell rings.  

 

"Justin, let me help,"  says Amanda.

 

"No, just see who's at the door!"  Justin snaps at his wife.  

Amanda and Jeremy exchange looks.  "You go ahead.  I'll help him,"  Jeremy says.

 

Amanda nods, then walks over to the door.  Opening the door, Amanda finds Jill on the porch.  "Jill," she says.

 

"Hey, Amanda,"  Jill says, walking into the house.  She stops short when she sees Jeremy picking Justin up from the floor and placing him back in his wheelchair.   "Oh my God, Justin," she says, running over to him.  "What happened?  Are you alright?"

 

 

 

"He just took a little fall,"  Jeremy says.  "He's aight, though."

 

"Yeah, I'm JUST fine," Justin says with gritted teeth.  "Jeremy, what is it you wanted?"

 

"I was gonna go over this month's feed bills with ya, but, I'll come back another time."

 

"Go over 'em with Amanda,"  Justin says.  "She'll be care of all that from now on.  And this ranch, or else just take care of it yourself."

 

"Justin, I don't know anything about feed bills and running a ranch,"  Amanda says.

 

"Your brother will help you.  After all, he's a real man.  He can stand on his own feet unlike your husband."

 

Amanda begins to cry.  "Justin...."

 

"Hey, sis, come on,"  Jeremy says.  "Umm, let's go over these bills.  Justin can take a look at 'em when he's feelin' better."  Jeremy takes Amanda by the arm and leads her out of the living room.  

 

After they are gone, Jill takes a seat on the sofa and looks at her brother.  "It's going to take TIME, Justin, before you're back on your feet again.  But you have to believe that you're going to walk again.  You sound like you're giving up."

 

 

 

"Why the hell shouldn't I, Jill?"  Justin angrily asks.  "Look at me.  I'm in this damned wheelchair.  Can't move or feel my legs. I try to get up, I fall flat on my face.  I can't work this ranch.  I can't.......I can't even make love to my wife, so you tell me what kinda man is that?  Why shouldn't I give up?"

 

 

"Now you just STOP right there, little brother,"  Jill says sternly.  "Justin, I know that right now, everything looks bleak.  But this giving up.......Justin, that's not you.  Remember who you are, Justin. You're a EWING.  I know that neither of us ever met our father, but from everything I've heard from anyone who ever knew him, J.R. Ewing was NOT a quitter, even when faced with defeat, and his youngest son isn't a quitter."

 

"I'm scared, Jill.  For the first time in my life I'm REALLY scared."

 

"I know, little brother,"  Jill says, embracing him.  "I know."

 

"I keep wracking my brain tryin' to remember the day I fell.  I know Jimmy told me everything that happened, but, I can't help but feel like there's somethin' missin'.  If ONLY I could remember that day."

 

As Jill embraces her brother, she listens to his words and realizes Justin is right.  Something about that day of his fall just doesn't add up to her, either, and only one person can answer those questions they need answered, and that person is their nephew, Jimmy.

"Come on, let's go to bed,"  Tripp says.  

 

"I don't wanna leave him."

 

"He'll be fine.  We have a camera in here, and the baby monitor.  And Aunt Tracey is right next door, and we're just across the hall.  We'll be able to hear him if anything happens."

 

Pamela nods.  "Okay."

 

"I wanna make love to my beautiful wife, and then I wanna hold you in my arms all night."

 

Pamela looks at Tripp, a look of sadness on her face, then walks out of the room.  Tripp takes one more look at his son, then follows his wife out of the room.

She looks at him, tears filling her eyes.  "Tripp, I'm SO sorry.  I love you, but.......I can't do this."  Pamela grabs her bathrobe from the floor and slips it on. Without another word to her husband, she hurries out of the room, leaving Tripp worried about his wife's emotional state, and leaving him wondering why she couldn't stand to have him touch her since the kidnapping.

 

Meanwhile, Pamela walks into the bathroom and closes the door behind her, locking it.  She walks over to the sink and looks at herself in the mirror.  She begins to cry uncontrollably, feeling dirty because of what Scott did to her, and she wondered if she would ever feel normal again; if she would ever be able to have Tripp touch her again without thinking of the brutal thing Scott did to her.  

 

John Ross walks into his bedroom that night and takes his cell phone from his pocket. He then walks over to his bed and lays down.  Picking up an address book that lays beside him on the bed, he begins looking through it until he comes to the number he needs, then he dials the number on his phone and waits for an answer. 

 

 

"Well, I must say I'm intrigued.  What is your proposal?"

 

"Not over the phone,"  says John Ross.  "I'd like to come to Denver to talk to you about this in person.  Sometime in the next couple days."

 

"Alright,"  Alexis says with a smile.  "Call my office tomorrow morning and have my secretary make an appointment for you.  I'll tell her to squeeze you in as quickly as possible."

 

"Thank you.  And I know you won't be disappointed.  Have a good night, Mrs. Colby."

 

"Yes, and the same to you, young man,"  Alexis says, smiling deviously.  She hangs up the phone.  "What a strange coincidence, J.R.'s son phoning me with a business proposition....... on the very eve of my tell-all book about his father coming out," she says to herself.  "This should be fun."

sighs.  "My own fam'ly has no faith in me,"  he says to himself.  "But I'm gonna prove 'em wrong.  Mama, Christopher, Uncle Bobby, all of 'em.  I'm gonna make this deal with Alexis Colby on my own, and then, when those wells in California bring in more cash than Ewing Oil will know what to do with.......then they'll thank me for bein' willin' to take a chance.  And, not to mention, if I get those wells........I will have beaten Westar."  John Ross smiles, confident that his plan is foolproof.