EPISODE 190 - Karma Chameleon

 "Jimmy, what are you saying?"  Ashley asks after Jimmy has just confessed to paying Dr. Parson to change Clay's DNA test results.

 

"I paid the doctor to switch the results of the DNA test.  Ashley, this guy is our brother."

 

"Boy, you really would do or say just about anything to keep me away from your sister, wouldn't you?"  Clay asks.  

 

"It's the truth,"  Jimmy says.  

 

"Oh my God,"  says Ashley.

 

"Ashley, come on, don't you see he's lying?  He sees us getting closer and he couldn't think of any other way to keep us from seeing each other."

 

 

"Parson still has a copy of the original DNA test,"  Jimmy says.  

 

 

 

 

"Jimmy, how could you?"  Ashley asks.  "How could you do something that cruel?"

 

 

announced to the whole world that you were his son, at his FUNERAL!  And then you expected me and everyone else to just accept you into this family after that?"

 

"Jimmy, how could you do this?"  Ashley asks in tears.  "What kind of person are you that you could do this?"

 

"Ash, I was trying to protect you and our family,"  Jimmy says.

 

"Protect them?"  Clay asks.  "Protect them from WHAT?  From me?"  

 

"Yes, from YOU!!!"

 

"You didn't do this alone.  There's no way.  Did you really have the kind of money to pay someone to alter a DNA test?  Someone helped you, didn't they?"

 

"Is that true, Jimmy?"  Ashley asks.  "Did someone else help you do this?"

 

Jimmy remains silent.

 

"Someone DID help you, and I don't have to guess too long and hard to figure out who that person is,"  Clay says.  "It was John Ross, wasn't it?"

 

Ashley turns to her brother.  "Jimmy?  Is it true?  Did John Ross help you?"

 

Jimmy looks at her.  "Yes,"  he reluctantly answers.

 

"Oh my God,"  Ashley says.  

 

"That son of a bitch,"  Clay says.  

 

"Ash, I wanted to protect you, to protect our family after what this guy did at Dad's funeral."

 

"No, Jimmy.  You did this for YOU and only for you!"  Ashley says.  "And I don't even know who you are anymore."

 

"Ash....."

 

"No.......just leave me the hell alone,"  she says.  As Michael finishes his beautiful rendition of 'Silent Night', Ashley makes her way through the crowd and walks up to John Ross, who is standing with Krystina, Alex, Bridget, and Eric.  "You BASTARD!"  Ashley yells as she slaps John Ross hard across the face.   "How could you?!"  The entire room goes quiet as everyone's attention is turned on them.  

"Hey, what in the HELL was that all about?"  A stunned John Ross asks.

 

"I know what you and Jimmy did.  You paid that doctor to switch the DNA results."

 

"Ashley, what are you talking about?"  Krystina asks.

 

"Ash, what's going on?  Why are you mad at John Ross?"  Alex asks.

 

"John Ross paid that doctor at the DNA testing clinic to switch Clay's DNA results to make it look like Clay wasn't my father's son."

 

"Ashley, what are you saying?"  Bobby asks.  

 

"Clay is my brother.  Mine and Jimmy's.  James Beaumont was his father, too, and the DNA test proved it, but Jimmy and John Ross paid the doctor to switch the results."

 

"John Ross, is that true?"  Bobby asks.  

 

"John Ross, please, tell Ashley that there's a mistake and you didn't do this,"  Krystina says.  

 

"Darlin', I can't,"  John Ross says, looking at his wife.

 

"Then it really IS true?" Clay asks, walking over to John Ross.  "You and Jimmy hated me that much?"

 

"Could you blame me?  The way you came struttin' into this town, crashin' James's funeral.  Then you stole Stone-Barnes Oil right out from under me.. But none of this was my idea.  Jimmy was the one who wanted that DNA test to prove you had no relation to this fam'ly."

 

"Oh my God,"  cries Ashley.  "I can't deal with this anymore.  I have to get out of here."  The girl quickly rushes out of the house.

 

"Ashley!"  Jimmy calls as he starts to go after her, but to everyone's shock, Clay grabs Jimmy and forces him back 

 

 

 

"Clay, STOP IT!"  Bobby orders as he and Christopher pull the young man off of Jimmy. 

 

Jimmy then grabs for Clay, but Bobby holds Clay back while Christopher restrains Jimmy.

 

"That's ENOUGH!"  Bobby tells.  

Clay looks at Jimmy, who is struggling to catch his breath.  "This isn't over between us, BROTHER," he says.  "I came here to find my father and my family.  To find SOMEPLACE where I could fit it, and you tried to take that away from me.  You can be damned sure I'm gonna make you pay for that.  Both you AND John Ross.  Bobby, I'm really sorry.  I'm sorry that I ruined everyone's Christmas.  Goodnight."  Clay turns and walks out of the house.  

 

Jimmy looks at the rest of the family, as all eyes are on him.  

 

"Are you alright?"  Bobby asks his great-nephew.

 

"Fine.  I'm really sorry this happened tonight, Uncle Bobby.  Excuse me.  I'd better go and find Ashley.  I have to try and make her understand why I did this."

 

"I doubt you're gonna be able to make her understand this,"  says Christopher.

 

"Maybe not, but I have to try,"  Jimmy says as he leaves the room. 

 

Meanwhile, watching the drama from across the room are Conner, Dylan, Ben, Gavin, Courtney, and Lucy.  "Wow, that was quite a scene,"  Ben says.

 

"That's actually pretty typical around here, and with this family,"  Conner says. 

 

"You're kiddin',"  says Gavin.

 

"Unfortunately, no, he's not,"  Lucy says.  

 Meanwhile, Krystina storms into her and John Ross's bedroom, slamming the door behind her.  A second later, John Ross walks into the room behind her.  "Krystina, what the hell are you gettin' so upset about?" He asks.

 

"John Ross, how could you do that?"  Krystina asks.  "How could you do something so cruel as to have Clay Beaumont's DNA test altered?"

 

"Clay Beaumont is nothin' but a schemin', ruthless snake in the grass.  He crashed my brother's funeral, and then he came struttin' into my office at Ewing Oil actin' like a big shot AFTER he and that tramp of a mother of his stole Cliff Barnes and Brad Stone's comp'ny right out from under me."

 

"And you think that compares to what you did?  John Ross, you and Jimmy tried to take away the man's birthright.  What you did was cruel.  Clay is part of your family."

 

"He'll never be part of my fam'ly,"  John Ross says.

 

"Whether you like it or not, that young man is James's son, and despite your best efforts, there's not a damned thing you can do about it."

Justin's ranch....

 Jimmy walks into Justin's ranch house just as Ashley comes down the stairs carrying her suitcase.  "Ash, what are you doing?"

 

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

 

"Where are you going with that suitcase?"

 

"A hotel.  Anywhere but here!"

 

As she walks past him and to the front door, Jimmy grabs her by the arm.  "Ash, don't leave.  Just let me explain."

 

"You've already explained yourself,"  Ashley says.  "You hated Clay and you couldn't stand the thought of him being a Beaumont, so you and John Ross did everything in your power to take that away from him.  And not only did you hurt him, you hurt me, too, Jimmy.  After I found out that Clay wasn't Dad's son, I started to like him.  I started to have feelings for him."

 

 

"Ashley, PLEASE, for God's sake, tell me that nothing happened between the two of you,"  Jimmy says.

 The private elevator opens up into the small room leading to Clay's apartment.  Stepping off the elevator, Clay walks to the door of his apartment, unlocks it, and walks in.  Taking off his coat, he tosses it onto a chair.  As he is about to go into the kitchen, he is startled when his mother, Michelle, comes out of the guest bedroom.  

 

"Hello, sweetheart,"  Michelle says.  "Merry Christmas."

 

"Mom?"  Clay asks, surprised to see his mother.

 

"Mom, what are you doing here?"  Clay asks, surprised to see his mother in his apartment.

 

"Well, it's Christmas, and I wanted to come and spend it with my son."

 

"I've been trying to reach you for months."

 

"I'm sorry that I've been so hard to get ahold of, but I was traveling through Europe with some friends,"  Michelle says.  "You remember Johnny and Rosemary Paxton, don't you?  We rarely stayed in one place long enough for anyone to reach us, and we were often in places with horrible cell phone service.  So how is everything here?"

 

"Things have been........interesting,"  Clay replies.  

 

"Meaning what?" Michelle asks.

 

"I found out something tonight.  Something that changes my life."

 

"And what is that?"

 

Clay walks over to the window and looks out, then turns to his mother.  "I found out the truth.  I found out that James Beaumont really was my father."

 

"Clay, what are you talking about?  You've known for a long time that James was your father."

 

"But, until tonight, I was led to believe otherwise.  After you left town, I agreed to have a DNA test done to appease Jimmy, who still refused to believe that he and I shared the same father.  Well, when the test came out, it was shock to say the least, because it showed that there was no match.  James couldn't possibly have been my father."

 

"What?"  Michelle asks.  "That's ridiculous.  It's impossible.  James WAS your father."

 

"I know that now, Mother.  You see, my wonderful half-brother decided that he couldn't live with being related to the likes of me, so, he and my equally wonderful Uncle, John Ross, paid the doctor at the DNA center to switch my test results to show that James was not my father.  That's what I believed for months.  I wasn't able to get in touch with you so that you could clear things up for me."

 

"Wait a minute.  Jimmy and John Ross, they..........they had your DNA test altered?"

 

"That's right.  But the truth came  out tonight.  Jimmy admitted what he had done, and that the test proves that James was my father."

 

"That snake,"  says an angry Michelle.  "Those TWO snakes.  Those SONS OF BITCHES!  How could they do that to you?"

 

"They did it because neither one of them wanted me as a member of their family,"  Clay says.  

 

"Oh, they are gonna pay,"  Michelle says.  "Those two creeps are gonna pay dearly for this!"  Michelle grabs her purse and heads to the door.  

 

"Mom, where are you going?"

 

"To Southfork, to see John Ross, and then I'm going to see Jimmy Beaumont."

 

"Wait, don't.  Not tonight.  I already confronted both of them in front of the whole family, and, I don't really think they need anymore drama tonight.  It's Christmas Eve. It can wait."

 

Michelle walks over to her son.  "Oh, my darling, I am so sorry for what they did. I see nothing's changed, even after all these years.  J.R. treated me like crap, and so did James.  And now that damned family is treating my son the same way they did me.  Well, they're not gonna get away with it.  Not this time, and I can promise you that, Clay."

 

Clay embraces his mother.

Ann's apartment....

 Ann walks into her apartment late that night after returning from Southfork.  "Emma?  Emma, are you still up?"  She calls.  Placing her purse on the table, she walks down the hall and notices the door to Emma's bedroom is open.  Going to the room, she sees that Emma is nowhere in sight, and neither is Logan.  "Emma?"  Ann calls again.  She checks the bathroom.  Puzzled, Ann begins to worry, wondering where her daughter and grandson could be. Instinctively, Ann walks over to Emma's closet and opens it.  She is shocked to find most of Emma's things gone.  She also finds the baby's things are gone as well.  "Emma, where are you?"  She wonders aloud.  Going back into the living room, Ann takes her phone from her purse.  As she is about to dial Emma's cell phone, she sees the envelope Emma had left her on the coffee table.  Walking over, she picks the envelope up, sits down on the sofa, and opens it, 

taking out the letter Emma had written.  Ann begins to read the letter, and as she does, a look of complete shock and sadness comes over her face.  Reading on further, she begins to cry.  "Oh, dear God, Emma,"  she says in tears.  "Emma, what have you done?  What have you done?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, a private jet leaving Love Field Airport

 With Logan strapped into a seat beside her, Emma is seated on a private jet that has just taken off from Dallas-Love Field Airport.  Sitting back in her seat, Emma looks out the window at the fading city lights of Dallas.  Closing her eyes, Emma thinks back a couple of hours, to a moment after she left Ann's apartment:

**********************************************************************************************************************

Emma steps off the elevator in the parking garage on Ann's apartment building.  Heading to her car, she places Logan in his car seat, then places her suitcase and Logan's bag in the back seat.  Getting into the driver's seat of the car, Emma takes out her cell phone and speed dials a number.  On the third ring, someone answers.  "Hi, it's Emma.  I REALLY need your help,"  she says to the person on the other end of the line.

LATER....

As Emma sits in her car and waits in a deserted parking lot a short time later, a car pulls up and comes to a stop beside her car.  Emma gets out.  Cliff gets out of his car and walks over to her.   "Emma, what's going on?"  Cliff asks.

 

"I really need your help.  I have to get out of Dallas......TONIGHT."

 

 

Pamela wakes up with a start in her bed.  At first, she looks around the room, a look of confusion on her face as she thinks about the night before, wondering if it had all been a dream.  She hears the water running in her shower.  Then, Pamela realizes that the night before had not been a dream after all.  "Oh my God," she says softly.  The water in the shower stops running.  "Shawn,"  she says.  "Oh no.  What have I done?  What have I DONE?"  She looks around the room, trying to get her bearings.  A moment later, Shawn comes out of the bathroom, only a towel wrapped around his waist.  

 

"Good morning,"  he says.

 

"Shawn..........last night........"

 "Fine.  I'll go,"  Shawn says.  He unties the towel that covers his waist and lets it drop to the floor, standing naked in front of Pamela.  "If that's what you want."

 

Pamela looks at him, once again feeling an incredible, almost overpowering  physical attraction.  "Yes.  It's.......it's what I want."

 

"From the way you're lookin' at me, I get the feeling that's not what you really want,"  Shawn says, walking over to her.  She turns her back to him.  Shawn gently touches her bare shoulders, causing waves of pleasure to surge through her body.  "Now is it?"

 

"Yes,"  she replies, sounding unconvincing.  

 

"Pamela, we could be good together.  We could be SOOO good together."  With his hand, Shawn moves Pamela's hair out of the way and begins kissing the back of her neck.

 

"No, stop!"  She says, quickly breaking away from him.  "Shawn, get dressed.  It's almost 8 o'clock.  The boys will be up soon.  What if Hunter walked in and saw you like that?"

 

Shawn smiles.  "Okay.  I'll get dressed.  But, can I stay and watch my nephew open some of the gifts I brought him?"

 

Pamela turns and looks at the young man.  "Alright.  As long as you promise to leave right after."

 

"Sure,"  he says with a smile.  He walks over and picks up his boxer briefs from the floor beside the bed and slips them on.  

 

"Mommy!"  Comes little Hunter's voice from across the hall, startling Pamela.  

 

"I.....I'M COMING, SWEETHEART!"  Pamela says.  "Shawn, hurry and get dressed."  She quickly leaves the room.  After she's gone, Shawn smiles, confident that he is winning Pamela over.

 

 

 

Southfork....

 Alex and Jacob are on the living room floor with Little John as he plays with his new toys he got for Christmas, while Michael sits on a stool and watches.  Bobby, Lucas, Heather, Christopher, Courtney, and John Ross watch the kids.  "John Ross, why didn't Krystina come down with you?"  Bobby asks.

 

"Because she's still pissed at me from last night."

 

"Can't say I blame her,"  Lucas says.  "That was a pretty rotten thing you did, paying some doctor to switch Clay's DNA test to make it look like he wasn't James's son."

John Ross sighs.  "Lucas, I'm really in no mood for your crap this mornin'."

 

"Alright, you two, that's enough,"  Bobby says.  "It's Christmas Day, let's try and remember that."

 

"I couldn't agree more,"  Courtney says as the doorbell rings.

 

"I'll get it,"  says Christopher.  He walks into the foyer and opens  the door to find Ann on the porch.  "Ann," he says.

 

"Mornin', Christopher.  Can I please come in?"

 

"Of course."

 

Ann walks into the house as Bobby comes into the foyer.  "Ann,"  he says.  "I'm surprised to see you.  What brings you over?"

 

"Bobby, I need to talk to you.  And to Lucas."

 

"Let's go in here. Christopher, would you please tell your brother to come into the den?"

 

"Sure, Dad,"  Christopher says.  

 

Bobby and Ann walk into the den.  "Would you like a drink?"  Bobby asks.

 

"No, thank you."

 

Lucas and Heather walk into the room.  "Ann,"  says Lucas.  "What are you doing here?"

 

"I came over because...........there's somethin' I need to tell you all.  Somethin' I just found out last night."

 

"We're listening,"  says Bobby.  

 

"Last night when I got home, I found this letter.  It's from Emma."

 

"From Emma?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Ann, I don't understand,"  says Heather.  

 

"Lucas, the letter explains everything."  Ann takes Emma's letter from her pocket.  "It's from Emma.   In this letter, she admits everything."

 

"Everything?"  Lucas asks.

 

"She admits that she lied.  Lucas never attacked her.  Emma faked the attack."

 

"And did she happen to say WHY she did that?"  Bobby asks.

 

"Did she say anything about the fire?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Yes,"  Ann replies as she begins to cry.  "Lucas, Emma admitted in the letter that you didn't start that fire, at least, not on purpose."

 

"Ann, what does that mean?"  Lucas asks.

 

"Here.  I'll let you read the letter for yourself,"  Ann says.  She hands the letter to Lucas. 

 

As he begins to read, a look of shock comes over his face.  "Oh my God."

 

"Son, what is it?"  Bobby asks.

 

"Lucas, what does it say?"  Asks Heather.

 

"That day I went to Falcon Crest to confront Emma about Logan.  My God, reading this, I..........I can remember bits and pieces of that day.  Emma and I had a fight.  I turned to leave and.........."  Lucas pauses and looks at the letter again.  "She hit me."

 

"She hit you?"  Bobby asks.

 

"Yes.  She hit me with............with a fire poker and knocked me out.  She dragged me into the basement, and......"  Lucas again pauses his speech as he walk across the room.  "After I came to, I tried to escape.  We struggled, and, that's when the fire started.  Emma, she...........she almost killed me."

 

"Lucas, I am SO sorry,"  Ann says in tears.  "I can't even tell you how sorry I am for what Emma did to you."

 

"Oh, God,"  Lucas says, again looking at the letter.  

 

"Lucas, what is it?"  Heather asks.

 

"Emma says she's leaving.  She took Logan and she........."

 

"Yes,"  Ann says with a nod.  "Emma took the baby and she left.  They were gone when I got home last night."

 

"Did you call the police?"  Lucas asks.

 

"No, I didn't."

 

"What?  Why the hell NOT?  Emma nearly killed me.  She framed me for attacking her, and now she's skipped town with my son!"

 

"I know.  And I understand if you need to call the police, Lucas.  But I just couldn't on my own daughter."

 

"Damn right, I'm callin' the police,"  Lucas says.  He takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials the number of the Dallas Police Department.

 

Ann breaks down in tears.  Bobby walks over to her.  "Bobby, I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am.  If only

 I had listened to you, none of this might not have happened."

 

"It's alright,"  Bobby says.  "I understand your need to believe your own daughter, and to protect her."

 

"But I did so at the expense of our marriage.  Emma lied, and manipulated me, and I let her.  I let her almost destroy Lucas's life, and destroy our marriage."

 

"Annie, right now, let's concentrate on our grandson.  Getting Logan back should be our top priority.  Do you have any idea where Emma might've gone?  Did you try calling her?"

 

"Yes, but her phone goes straight to voicemail.  And I really have no idea where she might have gone.  I even called Harris, thinkin' that maybe he'd heard from her, but he hasn't."

 

"What about Cliff?"  Bobby asks.  "He IS her biological father.  She may have gone to him for money, or some other kind of help."

 

"Cliff.  Bobby, what's the matter with me?  I was so upset, I never even thought of Cliff, but he's probably the one Emma would go to.  I have to go and see him."

 

"Alright, I'll come with you,"  Bobby says.  He and Ann rush into the foyer, and as they are about to leave the house, Christopher and Courtney come into the foyer.  

 

"Dad, where are you two going?"  Christopher asks.

 

"To see Cliff,"  replies Bobby.  "Emma's disappeared with Logan, and Cliff might be the only one who can help us.  Lucas and Heather will explain everything."  Bobby and Ann hurry out of the house as Christopher and Courtney exchange puzzled looks.

Cliff and Afton's apartment....a short time later....

"No, I haven't heard from her,"  Cliff says.  "I don't know where she is."

 

"And would you tell us if you DID know?"  Bobby asks.

 

"Well, I guess that's just something you'll never know, isn't it?"

 

"Cliff, this is very important,"  Ann says.  "For our grandson's sake, if you know where Emma is, then please tell me."

 

"Nope, I'm sorry, I can't help you."

 

Ann looks at him.  "Alright.  Bobby, let's go."

 

Bobby looks Cliff in the eye.  "Cliff, I better not find out that you're lying to us right now.  Because if I do, you're gonna have ME to deal with."

 

Cliff looks at him and smiles.  "And a VERY Merry Christmas to you, too, Bobby."

 

"Alright, you said what you came here to say, now please leave," says Afton.  Bobby looks at her, and again at Cliff, then he and Ann leave.  Afton closes the door behind them and turns to Cliff.  "You were lying to them, weren't you?  You know where Emma is?"

 

"What makes you think that?"

 

"Because you left the apartment last night a little after 9, and you didn't come back until almost 11.  You left AFTER you got a phone call.  That call was from Emma, wasn't it?"

 

"Afton, I had to help my daughter,"  says Cliff.  "I've done the same thing for Pamela when she's turned to me for help.  You can't say anything about this, to ANYONE."

 

"Don't worry, I won't,"  Afton says.  "Cliff, that's one thing that I've come to love about you these last few years, and that's your love for your children.  Emma's in serious trouble, isn't she?"

 

Cliff nods.  "Oh yeah.  REAL serious.  And that's why I had to help her get out of town.  And I don't even know where she is.  I told the pilot to take her wherever she wanted him to, and I didn't even ask.  But I did tell her to keep in touch."

Clay's apartment....that evening....

 Ashley steps off the elevator into the small corridor outside of Clay's apartment that evening.  She rings the doorbell.  A moment later, Clay opens the door.  "Ashley," he says.

 

"Hi.  Can I come in?"

 

"Yes, of course.  I've been calling you all day,"  Clay says as Ashley walks into the apartment.

 

"I turned my phone off.  I didn't wanna talk to anyone, except my Mom, and I called her this morning.  I especially didn't wanna talk to Jimmy."

 

"Well, I can certainly understand that,"  says Clay.  "Where have you been?  I've been worried sick."

 

"After I left Southfork last night, I went to a hotel.  I just couldn't stay with Jimmy.  I was so mad with him."

 

"Well, that makes two of us.  I could've strangled him last night for what he did to me.  I knew the guy disliked me, but I had no idea he and John Ross hated me so much that they'd do this to me."

 

"Clay, I'm so sorry.  I can't believe Jimmy could do something like this.  John Ross, yes, but my brother, no.  Iust can't tell you how sorry I am."

 

"Hey, you have nothing to apologize for.  None of this was your fault."

 

Michelle walks into the living room.  "Well, Clay, I thought I heard you talking to someone."

 

"Ashley, you remember my mother.  Mom, this is........"

 

"Ashley Beaumont, James and Debra Lynn's daughter,"  Michelle says.

 

 

"That's right,"  says Ashley.  

 

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you."

 

"I thought you were in Europe or someplace."

 

"I was."

 

"My Mom was here last night when I got home from Southfork,"  Clay says.  

 

"Yes, I came to spend Christmas with my son."

 

"Ash, you said that you stayed at a hotel last night?" Clay asks.  

 

"Yes, I did."

 

"Well, look, I want you to stay here.  You can take my bedroom, and I'll sleep on the couch."

 

"Clay, thank you, but no, I couldn't."

 

"Yes, you can,"  says Clay.  "You said you didn't wanna stay with Jimmy right now, and I'm sure you don't wanna stay at Southfork with John Ross there.  So where else are you gonna go?"

 

"The hotel is just fine for now."

 

"It may be fine, but it's also terribly expensive.  I insist.  I want you to stay here with us until you figure out what you wanna do."

 

"Clay, thank you,"  Ashley says.  "Alright, I accept the invitation.  I just have to go and get my things and check out of the hotel."

 

"Okay, good.  Why don't you let me drive you?"

 

"You really don't have to do that.  Letting me stay here is enough."

 

"Hey, now, it's no problem.  I'm your big brother, and I have a lot of years of taking care of my little sister to catch up on."

 

Ashley nods as she fights to hold back tears, her heart saddened when she hears Clay talk about their new brother-sister relationship. 

Southfork....the next morning....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jimmy's truck drives up to Southfork and comes to a stop.  Getting out of the truck, he walks up to the house just as Lucas comes onto the patio with Bum.  

 

"Lucas, I'll get right on this, and I'll do my best,"  Bum says.

 

"I really appreciate this, Bum, especially you cutting your Christmas vacation short to help me.  But I want Emma and my son found."

 

"I'll go get started.  I'll be in touch.  Jimmy."

 

"Umm, hi, Bum,"  Jimmy says as Bum walks past him and to his car.  "Lucas, what's goin' on?"

 

"Well, I have a little good news,"  Lucas replies.  "The charges against me have been dropped."

the living room, where he finds Alex and Ashley sitting on the sofa watching a movie.  "Alex,"  Jimmy says.

 

"Jimmy, hey, man, what are you doing here?"  

 

"I came to see you.  Have you talked to Ashley since Christmas Eve?"

 

"No, I haven't.  I texted her yesterday but, she never replied. You mean you haven't seen her since the other night?"

 

Jimmy sighs deeply as he runs his hand through his hair.  "No I haven't.  On Christmas Evem she packed her things and left.  I have no idea where she went."

 

"Oh my God,"  Bridget says.  "What about her other friends?"

 

"I've called them all.  No one has heard from her."

 

"Have you tried your brother, Clay?"  Alex asks.  

 

"No, I haven't."

 

"Well, if no one else has heard from Ashley, then chances are, she's at his place.  The two of them had gotten pretty close."

 

"I should've thought of that."

 

"Jimmy, why, man?"  Alex asks.  "Why would you and my Dad do what you did?"

 

"Alex, I don't expect you to understand, but I had my reasons."

 

"And look where it got you.  Ashley's pissed at you, Krystina is so pissed at John Ross she isn't even talking to him.  And me?  Dude, I'm REALLY disappointed in both of you.  I mean, that was a really dirty, rotten thing you did."

 

"I know.  Look, Alex, I really hate to ask you, but, I'd really appreciate it if you would see if Ashley is at Clay's apartment.  And if you talk to her, tell her to call me, or to please come home."

 

"Why don't you contact her yourself?"

 

"Because I can't.  Not if she's at Clay's."

 

"Jimmy, the guy's your brother,"  says Bridget.  "You're not gonna be able to avoid him forever."

 

"Don't I know it?"

 

"Okay,"  says Alex.  "Bridget and I are going to see a movie this afternoon, and we'll drop by Clay's apartment before."

 

"Thanks.  He lives at Museum Tower, over by Warren Park."

 

"Alright.  I'll let you know if she's there."

 

"I really appreciate this.  I'll see you guys later."

 

"Bye,"  Bridget says as Jimmy leaves.  

Tracey McKay's home....

Shawn walks onto the front porch of Tracey McKay's home early that afternoon and rings the doorbell.  He waits impatiently.  After several seconds, he rings the bell again.  Tracey's maid opens the door.  "May I help you?"  The woman asks.

 

"Yes, I'm here to see Tracey McKay.  I'm Shawn Smith."

 

"Oh,yes, Ms. McKay is expecting you.  Please come in."

 

Shawn walks into the house.  

 

"You can wait in the living room.  I'll let Ms. McKay know that you're here,"  the maid says, then leaves the room.

 

Shawn walks into Tracey's living room and looks around.  Seeing several photos sitting atop the mantle, he walks over and begins looking at the various photos of member of Tracey's family........her father, Carter McKay, her older 

 "Tracey, I'm dead serious.  I want those shares,"  Shawn says.  

 

"Shawn, first of all, why would you want them?  And second, where would you POSSIBLY get the kind of money it would take to buy not only my shares, but to buy Hunter's shares from Pamela?"

 

"I have someone who is interested in backing me.  A partner with the money I need."

 

"And would that partner happen to be named Ewing?"  Tracey asks.  "As in John Ross?"

 

"Why would you think it's John Ross?"

 

"Because like his father before him, John Ross has been after Westar for years.  He used to run the company until he was deposed after his little hit and run accident 3 years ago.  He stole the company right out from under his own sister, Jill Cryder.  So naturally, when you come to me with a proposal like this, I suspect that John Ross is behind it, especially since I know you and John Ross's son are pretty close friends."

 

"Would it really matter if it were John Ross?"  Shawn asks.

 

"No, not really."

 

"Tripp left you those shares, but you don't want them.  I'm willing to pay you top dollar for them, Tracey.  With that, you'd never have to worry about money for the rest of your life.  And.......you'd FINALLY be free of Westar, a company you just said had cost you and your family so much over the years."

 

Tracey walks over to her mantle and looks at the photos of her family.  She wipes a tear from her face.  "You make a convincing argument for someone so young."

 

"Come on, Tracey,"  Shawn says.  "Do you really wanna be tied to Westar from now on?  To have to attend board meetings to vote, or either send in your vote by proxy?  Because that's what it's gonna be like if you hold on to those shares.  Sell them, and be free."

 

Tracey turns and looks at the young man.  "It's absolutely amazing how much like Tripp you really are,"  she says.   "You have that same fatal charm. You want those damned shares?  Fine.  They're yours.  But they won't come cheap."

 

"You've made the right decision."

 

"Shawn, how old are you?  18?  19?"

 

"19,"  Shawn replies.  

 

"Dear Lord, you're just a child.  Let me give you a piece of advice, young man.  I see in you right now that very same driving ambition I saw in your brother.  In BOTH of your brothers, but more so in Tripp than Hunter.  Their ambition destroyed both of them, and eventually got them killed.  For God's sake, don't let the same thing happen to you."

 

"Don't worry.  I won't,"  Shawn says.

Clay's apartment....

 Clay is pouring himself a drink in his living room when his doorbell rings.  He takes a sip of his drink, then puts it down on the table and goes to answer the door.  He opens the door to Alex and Bridget.  

 

"Hi,"  Alex says.  "Umm, Clay, I'm not sure if you remember me or not, but I'm Alex Walton, and this is my girlfriend, Bridget McKinnon."

 

"Good,"  Ashley says.  "After what he did, he deserves to worry a little."

 

"Ash, come on,"  says Alex.  "Look, I know what Jimmy and my Dad did was wrong.  It was SO wrong.  But you should at least talk to your brother."

 

"I don't wanna talk to him.  And there's nothing he has to say that I wanna hear."

 

"So you're just never gonna forgive him?"  Bridget asks.  "Ashley, he made a mistake."

 

"A mistake?  Bridget, a mistake would be accidentally running a red light when you're distracted.  Paying someone to switch a DNA test result is NOT a mistake, it's deliberate act to hurt someone."

 

"Are you just gonna stay mad at him?"  Alex asks.

 

"Alex, I don't know.  Right now, I can't think past today."

 

"Would you guys like something to drink?"  Clay asks.

 

"No, thank you,"  replies Alex.  "We were just on our way to the movies.  We just wanted to see if Ashley was here and if she's okay.   Ash, what should we tell Jimmy?"

 

"You can tell him............tell I'm fine, and not to worry."

 

"Okay, will do.  Well, we'd better get going."

 

"Hey, listen, Alex, feel free to stop by anytime,"  Clay says.

 

"Thanks,"  Alex says.  "Ash, if you need anything, call me."

 

"Thanks, I will."

 

"Bye,"  Bridget says as she and Alex leave.  

 

"Ash, maybe you should at least talk to Jimmy,"  Clay says after they are gone.  "Obviously he was worried about you or he wouldn't have sent them here to check on you.  He IS your brother.  I know you're angry with him.  So am I.  But you're gonna have to face him eventually."

 

"I know.  I'll call him."

 

"Good,"  Clay says.  He looks at his watch.  "I'm gonna go and take a shower real fast.  My Mom should be back soon.  And then I'll take the two of you out to dinner.  Be back soon.  Why don't you call Jimmy while I'm in the shower?"

 

Ashley nods.  Clay smiles at her, then goes into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.  Ashley walks over to the

coffee table and picks up her phone.  She looks at the phone in her hand for a moment and pauses.  After a few seconds, she dials Jimmy's number and waits for an answer.  On the second ring, he answers.  "Jimmy, it's me," she say.  "Yes, I'm fine."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Ash, where are you?"  Jimmy asks.  "When are you coming home?"

 

"Jimmy, don't worry about where I am.  I just wanted to let you know that I'm okay, and.........I won't be coming back to Justin's."

 

"Ash, come on.  This is your home.  Please, at least come home so we can talk.  And, please tell me where you are."

 

Michelle Stevens is sitting at a table at Perry's that evening impatiently looking at her watch, when she sees John Ross walk in.  He is greeted at the door by the host and led over to Michelle's table, where he takes a seat.

 

"You're almost fifteen minutes late," she complains.

 

"I know.  I don't like bein' summoned to places.  Besides, I had things to do."

 

"Your server will be with you shortly,"  the host says.

 

"Thank you,"  Michelle says. The young man walks away.  "Well, John Ross, I must say you're looking well."

 

"So are you, for a woman your age,"  John Ross says.  "Michelle, why'd you call me to meet you here?"

 

"You even have to ask?  I heard what you did to my son, John Ross.  You and Jimmy Beaumont.  Switching that DNA test was despicable.  You really are J.R. Ewing's son in every way, aren't you?  That's something he would have done."

 

"Well, I did learn the art of deviousness from the very best," says John Ross.

 

"Just tell me why.  WHY would you do that to Clay?"

 

"Michelle, when that son of your came to this town, he weaseled a job at Ewing Oil under a false identity.  Then he disrupted my brother's funeral by announcin' that he was James's son.  And after that, he came bargin' into my office makin' all these threats about how he was gonna make a name for himself and be the next J.R. Ewing of this town.  And then you and your son swooped in and stole Stone-Barnes Oil right out from under me when I had my eye on it.  And all that was done before I even knew for sure Clay was James's son.  I may have been young, but hell, I remember what kinda woman you were.  For all I knew, that boy's daddy could have been any number of men in this city, including Cliff Barnes."

 

"And why switch the test after you knew the truth?"  Michelle asks.

 

"I don't owe you a damned thing, least of all an explanation, but I'm gonna give you one out of the kindness of my heart,"  John Ross says.  "By that time, Clay had already gotten on my bad side, and Jimmy didn't want him for a brother.  He knew how I felt about Clay, so when he came to me askin' for my help, I agreed to do it."

 

"You don't really expect that I'm gonna let you and Jimmy get away with this, do you?"

 

"That some kinda threat intended to scare me?  If so, it was a dismal failure."

 

Michelle smiles.  "If you had any brains, you'd be scared, John Ross.  Because you have no idea what I'm capable of. Look what Clay and I did to Cliff Barnes."

 

John Ross laughs at the comment.  "Well, it's nice to see you've developed a sense of humor over the years.  Anybody could beat Cliff Barnes and that dumb as nails son of his.  But if you threaten me, darlin', you just graduated to dealin' with the big leagues, and sweetheart.......you sure as HELL don't have what it takes to beat me in a game of chess, let alone anything else.  So watch who you're threatenin'."

 

"I know exactly who I'm threatening.  I've taken down bigger snakes than you.  And believe me, you're goin' down for what you did to my son."

 

At that moment, Daniel Cooper comes over to their table.  "Evening, Mr. Ewing," he says.  "Are you guys ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?"

 

"I won't be ordering,"  Michelle says, getting up from her seat.  "I'm choosy about who I have dinner with.  By the way, John Ross.........you grew up to be a very handsome man, just like James.  But you're a bastard just like your father.  It's gonna be a real pleasure to take you down."

 

"Yeah dream on, Michelle,"  John Ross says as she walks away.  "Well, sorry about that, Daniel."

 

"No problem, Mr. Ewing.  Umm would you like to order?"  Daniel asks.

 

"No.  That woman just made me lose my appetite.  But here......."  John Ross reaches into his wallet and pulls out a one hundred dollar bill, which he hands to the teenager as he stands from his seat.  "Here's your tip, anyway."

 

"Wow.  Thanks, Mr. Ewing."

 

"Please, call me John Ross.  After all, we might be fam'ly pretty soon.  From what I hear, my cousin Lucy and your daddy are gettin' pretty close again,"  John Ross says, then walks away.

 

 

"Oh, that's great.  That's all I need to make my life just perfect,"  Daniel says sarcastically to himself after John Ross leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southfork....John Ross and Krystina's bedroom....the next morning....

 

John Ross looks at his wife, her back to him.  "Krystina, how long you gonna stay mad at me over this?"  He asks.

 

She stops brushing her hair for a moment, but doesn't respond to his question.  

 

"I've already said I'm sorry a bunch of times, and explained why I did what I did.  If that's not good enough, then I don't know what the hell else I can do."  He pauses for a moment and lets out a deep sigh.  "Darlin', I hate this silence between us."

She finally turns around in her chair and looks at him.  "I hate it, too," she says.

 

"Then let's do somethin' about it."

 

"John Ross, what you did, it was just........"

 

"I know, I KNOW,"  he says.  "It was wrong.  And I know that. Am I sorry I did?  Maybe a little.  But only because of the pain I see that it's caused other people, like you, and Alex, and Ashley.  I'm not sorry that it hurt Clay Beaumont or his mama.  I'm sorry, Krystina, but I'm not gonna say I'm sorry for that when I'm not."

 

She nods.  "Well, at least you're honest."

 

"Okay.  So, Clay is my brother's son,"  John Ross says.  "I guess somehow I have to find a way to accept that, but, I don't think that I will ever be able to accept him into this fam'ly.  If he had come to Dallas and been honest with the fam'ly about who he was and what he wanted, then, maybe then.  But after what he did at James's funeral?  I mean, who the hell uses a man's funeral to get up in front of his fam'ly and a bunch of other strangers and announce to the whole world that the dead man was your father?  That right there shows the guy's either got a screw loose somewhere, or he's just a low down bastard with no feelin' for anybody but himself.  And then, the way he struttled into my office pretty much tellin' me he was gonna take me on and challenge me?  Not to mention he and Michelle takin' over Stone-Barnes Oil.  Krystina, I'm not gonna forget about any of that."

 

"So what are you gonna do, John Ross?"  Krystina asks.  "Wage war on your own nephew because he rubbed you the wrong way?  Don't you ever get tired of these constant battles and feuds?"

 

John Ross lowers his head for a second, then looks at her.  "To be perfectly honest, darlin'.......no, I don't.  Krystina, I THRIVE when I got somebody to go up against.  Now you knew that when you married me.  You knew that I was ambitious, and driven, and that I don't forgive and forget when somebody challenges me.  I'm sorry if that's a problem, but darlin', that's just who I am.  I get that from my Daddy, and I can't change it."

 Ann is surprised when she opens the door of her apartment and finds Bobby there.  "Bobby,"  she says.  

 

"Morning."

 

"Mornin'.  Please, come in."

 

"Thank you,"  Bobby says, walking into the apartment.  

 

"What brings you over so early?"  Ann asks.

 

"I came over to see how you're doin'.  When we talked on the phone last night, I know you said you were fine, but I could tell in your voice that you weren't."

 

Ann nods.  "You're right.  I'm not fine.  You always could read me like a book."

 

"Has there been any word on Emma?  You haven't heard from her at all?"

 

"No.  Of course,I don't expect to.  She said in her letter that she was leavin' for good."  Ann begins to cry.  "Bobby, I'm so worried.  What if we never see our grandson again?"

 

"Hey, now, don't even think like that,"  Bobby says, embracing her.  "Emma's gonna be found.  I just hope she doesn't do somethin' crazy."

 

"Bobby, no matter what she's done, Emma loves that baby, and she would never do anything to hurt him."

 

"I do believe that,"  Bobby says, looking at her.  He then notices an envelope on the coffee table.  "I see you got your invitation to the Oil Baron's Ball."

 

"Yes.  I had my mail forwarded here, and, I guess the committee still thinks of me as Mrs. Bobby Ewing."

 

"Well, you ARE still Mrs. Bobby Ewing."

 

"But I won't be by the time the Oil Baron's Ball comes around on New Year's Eve.  Remember?  Our divorce hearin' is tomorrow mornin',"  Ann says.  She walks across the room to the window and looks out at the city.  "Lord, everything's such a mess, itn't it?  I made such a mess of our lives."

 

"EMMA is the one who made a mess of our lives, Ann, not you."

 

"But I let her do it.  I didn't sleep a wink last night, thinkin' about tomorrow.  Our divorce hearin'.  13 years of marriage, gone, just like that."

 

"That's one reason I came over this morning,"  Bobby says, walking over to a table, where he looks down at a photo 

 of their wedding day in 2005.  "I remember this day like it was yesterday.  You made just about the prettiest bride I'd ever seen, especially with those flowers in your hair."

 

"That was a special day," Ann says.  "Happiest day of my life.  I remember you said you didn't wanna get married at Southfork this time because of the Southfork wedding jinx, and your marriages to Pam and April had ended in tragedy.  And you wanted us to make it.  And we did......for 13 years."

 

"Annie, like I said, that's one reason I came over.  I've been thinking.  In fact, I haven't slept a wink either since Christmas Eve when you came over.  I really think we should postpone our divorce hearing.  Or, maybe even cancel it all together."

 

"Bobby, what are you sayin'?"  Ann asks.

 

"For months, I've been angry.  Angry with you, angry with Emma.  Even with myself.  And all I've been doing is thinking.  For a time, Jenna and I began to get close.  Really close."

 

"I don't think I like the sound of this,"  Ann says.  "Bobby, did you........"

 

"Did I sleep with her?  No."

 

"And why not?"

 

"I almost did, one night.  But, all I could think about was you.  Annie, even through everything, as angry as I was and as much as I let that anger blind me, I never stopped loving you."

 

Ann begins to cry.  "And I certainly never stopped lovin' you, Bobby."

 

"Then can we stop this divorce before it's too late?" Bobby asks.  

 

"Oh, Bobby.  I've dreamt of this day for months.  But can you ever forgive me, for lyin' to you?"

 

"I already have.  I think the real forgiveness came on Christmas Eve.  Annie, I want ya to come home, to Southfork."

 

"Yes, Bobby,"  she says.  "And I make a solemn promise to you right now, that I will never lie to you again, or keep anything from you.  I love you, Bobby James Ewing.  More than you could ever possibly know."

 

"And I love you,"  Bobby says as the two embrace and begin kissing.

Ewing Oil....later....

John Ross steps off the elevator at Ewing Oil a short time later that morning, and heads toward his office.  "Mornin' Sally, mornin', Sly,"  he says as he passes by the secretaries' desks.  "I trust y'all had a good Christmas."

 

"Good morning, John Ross," Sally says.

 

"John Ross, you have a visitor,"  Sly says, pointing toward John Ross's office.  

 

He looks up and sees Clay standing beside his door.  "How long's he been here?"

 

"About fifteen minutes.  He insisted on waiting in your office, but I wouldn't let him in."

 

"You did good, Sly.  I'll take care of Mr. Beaumont,"  John Ross says.  He walks over to his office.  "What the hell are you doin' here?"

 

"Just came to have a word with my.........favorite uncle,"  Clay replies.  

 

"I got nothin' to say to you."

 

"The hell you don't.  Now let's go into your office, or else I'll make a scene right out here in front of everyone.  And if you call security, I'll give a press conference telling the whole world how John Ross Ewing of Ewing Oil paid a doctor to switch a DNA test to cheat his own nephew out of his heritage, and  his name.  So do we do this in your office?"

 

John Ross looks at him, opens his door, and goes in.  Clay follows.  "Say whatever it is you got to say and get the hell out,"  John Ross says, taking a seat at his desk.

 

"What, I get no apology?"  Clay asks.

 

"Apology?  You want an apology from ME?"

 

"Don't you think I deserve that?  You tried to take something from me, John Ross.  You and Jimmy.  You both tried to take my heritage away from me.  The father I never knew.  My name, EVERYTHING.  You tried to turn me into a nothing.  Someone with no identity.  You think you and Jimmy have the right to play God with someone's life?  You know what could've happened?  Because of you and that so called brother of mine, I could've slept with my own SISTER!  How'd you like to have that on your conscience?"

 

 

 "Well, maybe that wouldn't have happened if you had been datin' women your own age instead of tryin' to mess with a young girl fresh outta high school,"  John Ross says.

 

Clay leans over John Ross's desk and angrily looks him in the eye.  "Now you listen to me, you son of a bitch,"  he says.  "I meant word I said the other night.  I'm gonna pay you back, in SPADES, for what you did to me.  And you're never gonna see it coming.  You think you know all the tricks?  I know a few you've never even dreamed of, so watch you back, UNCLE.  When you switched my DNA, you declared war, and this is a war I'm gonna win, even if it means destroying both of us and the whole damned Ewing family to do it."

"Okay, you've said what you had to say, now get the hell out of my office and this building before I have you tossed outta here, head first, through the window,"  John Ross says.

 

"I'm going,"  says Clay.  "Like I said, watch your back.  Because uncle or no uncle.......I'm gonna take you down hard for what you did to me.  You, and Jimmy Beaumont."  Clay glares angrily at John Ross for a moment,then turns and walks out of the office, leaving the door open.  

 

"Nope, Clay,"  John Ross says.  "It's YOU who's gonna be taken down."

Southfork....afternoon....

 "Oh, Ann, that's wonderful,"  Courtney says as she gives Ann a hug, welcoming her home to Southfork that afternoon.  "So good to have you back."

 

"Welcome home, Ann,"  Christopher says, kissing his stepmother on the cheek.

 

"Thank you both.  You're welcoming me back means the world to me."

 

"Ann, we're ALL happy to have you home,"  Heather says, hugging her.

 

"Thank you, Heather,"  Ann says.  She then looks at Lucas, who is standing in the den watching.  "Does ALL include..........everyone?"

 

Lucas walks into the foyer and faces her.  After a brief pause, he nods.  "Yes, everyone.  I'm glad you're home, too."

 

Fighting back tears, Ann hugs her stepson.  "Thank you, Lucas.  I think your welcome means more to me than anyones', because you were the one I hurt."  She looks at him.  "I'm so sorry, for everything.  Can you ever forgive me for keepin' the truth about Logan from you?"

 

"Ann, I'm gonna be perfectly honest with you,"  Lucas says.  "It's gonna be hard.  I may never fully get past this.  But my father loves you.  Everyone in this house loves you, and that includes me, despite what you did.  I'm gonna work really hard to get past it.  But right now, my main concern and focus is on finding my son."

 

"I want that, too,"  says Ann.  "And we WILL find them.  Your father told me you'd hired Bum to look for Emma and Logan."

 

"Yes, I did."

 

"I'm still not convinced Cliff Barnes was telling us the truth the other day,"  Bobby says.

 

"Well, if Barnes was lying, and he knows where Emma is...........then he's gonna have me to deal with."

 

Sue Ellen walks into the foyer.  "Ann!"  She says excitedly.

 

"Sue Ellen,"  Ann says, greeting her with a hug.  

 

 

"As soon as you called me and told me you were moving back to Southfork, I just had to come out and tell you and Bobby both how happy I am that you've worked things out."

 

Ann looks at Bobby.  "Well, we do have a ways to do yet,and some things to work through, but, at least now we can do it together and not apart."

 

"I couldn't be happier for two of my favorite people,"  Sue Ellen says.  "It's about time something good happened in this family for a change."

 

 

 

Ewing Oil....that evening....

 Sly buzzes John Ross's office.  "Yes, Sly?"

 

"John Ross, you have a delivery."

 

"A what?"

 

"A delivery.  It's, ummm......flowers."

 

"Flowers?"  Asks a confused John Ross.  "What the hell?"  Standing to his feet, John Ross walks out of his office and finds a young delivery man of about 18 holding a bouquet of flowers.  "Can I help you?"

 

 

"John Ross Ewing?"  The boy asks.

 

"Yes?"

 

"Here, these are for you, sir,"  the boy replies, handing John Ross the bouquet.

 

"What's this?  Who sent these?"

 

"There's a card, Mr. Ewing."

 

"Oh,"  John Ross says, taking a twenty dollar bill from his pocket and handing it to the teenager.  "Thank ya, son."

 

"You're welcome, Mr. Ewing, and thank YOU,"  he says, walking away.  

 

John Ross looks at the flowers curiously.  

 

"Who are they from?"  Sly asks.

 

"Well, let's find out,"  he replies.  He takes the card from the bouquet and opens it.  He smiles.  "They're from Krystina.  My wife has planned a romantic evenin' getaway for us at the Omni Hotel.  Just the two of us."

 

Sly smiles.  "Awww, John Ross, that's really nice."

 

"Yes it is.  That girl never ceases to amaze me.  Sly, you go on home.  I'm about to leave, myself.  I got a hot date with my wife tonight."

 

"Alright, I'll see tomorrow morning,"  Sly says.  

 

"Have a good evening, Sly,"  John Ross says as he takes his flowers and goes back into his office, closing the door behind him.  Placing the flowers on his desk, John Ross smiles, looking forward to his and Krystina's romantic night away from Southfork.  He quickly switches off his computer, grabs his brief case in one hand, his flowers in the other, and leaves the office.

Pamela's apartment....

 As darkness has fallen over the city of Dallas that evening, Pamela is putting Hunter down in his crib.  Randall is already asleep in his own crib, both children exhausted from their day.  Pamela looks down at first one of her sons, then the other.  After a moment, she leaves the nursery and heads down the hall.  As she walks into the living room, the doorbell rings.  Walking over, she opens the door to Shawn.

 

"Good evening,"  he says.

 

"Shawn, what are you doing here?"

 

"I came to see how you were doing.  Tried calling but......."

 

"I shut my phone off,"  Pamela says.  "I spent the entire day with the boys, and didn't wanna be disturbed."

 

"Good.  I'm glad you had that time.  Can I come in?"

 

Pamela nods.  Shawn walks into the apartment and she closes the door.  "As you can see, I'm fine."

 

"Are you really?"  Shawn asks.  

 

"Yes, really."

 

"Pamela, I don't think you're fine at all.  You've been crying.  Your eyes are all puffy and red.  You also look like you haven't slept well in days."

 

"Shawn, I'd like it if you would please leave,"  Pamela says.  

 

"Why, Pamela?  Are you uncomfortable around because of the other night?  Is that why you've been avoiding me?"

 

"We said that we would never mention the other night again,"  she says, fighting back tears.

 

Shawn walks over to her.  "Pamela, no matter how hard I try, I can't forget what happened between us on Christmas Eve.  And I don't think you can, either."

 

"What happened was WRONG."

 

"Why was it wrong?  Pamela, is it the difference in our ages that bothers you?  Because if it is, it shouldn't.  It's not like I'm an underage kid you took advantage of.  I'm a 19-year-old MAN, Pamela.  An adult.  WE are two consenting adults who shared a night of passion when we both needed someone.  We're two consenting adults who are.......... incredibly attracted to each other."

 

"No.  That's not true,"  Pamela protests.  

 

"Yes, it is Pamela,"  Shawn says, taking her by the hand.  "You are the most beautiful and exciting woman I have ever known.  And I can see in your eyes that you're attracted to me.  My heart is pounding right now because I'm standing so close to you.  Pamela, we're both alone, and we both need someone, just like we did on Christmas Eve.  Why should we both need when we can have?"

 

She looks at him.  "Shawn........"  she whispers.

 

"Shhhh.......don't say anything,"  Shawn tells her.  He kisses her passionately for several seconds, then picks her up in his arms, the two still locked in a kiss, and carries her down the hall to the bedroom.

Southfork....

 Ann walks into the foyer at Southfork as Krystina comes down the stairs.  "Ann, hello, I heard you were back,"  Krystina says, hugging her.   "Welcome home."

 

"Thank you, Krystina.  Are you headin' out?"

 

"Yes, I am. I have a quick errand to run and then I'm heading for a romantic night with John Ross.  Alex and Bridget are babysitting the kids, so, we're gonna be spending the night in town, just the two of us."

 

Ann smiles.  "Well, that's wonderful.  You have fun."

 

"We definitely will.  And tomorrow, we'll get together and catch up, okay?"

 

"Lookin' forward to it."

 

"Goodnight,"  Krystina says then walks out.

The Omni Hotel....

 John Ross unlocks the reserved suite at The Omni Hotel where he and Krystina are spending the night and walks in.  Looking around, he smiles when he sees a bottle of champagne on the table chilling in ice.  He walks over to the champagne and finds a folded note laying beside it.  He picks up the note and reads it aloud:  "John Ross, I ordered this champagne for us.  Please go ahead and enjoy some champagne, and get comfortable.  I'll be there shortly.  Love, Krystina."  His smile grows larger.  "Alright, my love,"  he says, taking off his jacket.  "Think I WILL have a glass of this lovely champagne while I wait."  He picks up a glass, takes the champagne out of the eyes, opens it, and pours himself a glass.  He takes a sip.  "Damn.  Good stuff,"  he says, then takes a second sip, and a third, finally finishing off the glass with a fourth sip.  He pours himself another glass unbuttons the first two buttons on his shirt, and walks over and takes  a seat on the sofa.  After a few moments, he looks at his watch.  "Why are women always late?"  He asks himself.  He takes two more sips of his second glass of champagne, then, placing the glass down on the coffee table in front of the sofa, he notices that he is beginning to feel peculiar.  "Whew, it's hot in here,"  he says, unbuttoning the third button on his shirt.  He tries to stand to his feet, but is unable to, severe dizziness causing him to fall back onto the sofa.  "What the hell?  What's wrong with me?  I never felt like this before....."  The room begins to spin.  "Damn.  What the hell was in that champagne?"  Suddenly, John Ross becomes extremely sleepy, almost unable to keep his eyes open.  As he struggles to stay awake, he looks around the room, his vision becoming blurry and distorted.  He hears the door of the suite open, then close.  "Krys........Krystina, that you?"  He asks, his speech slurred.  

 

Suddenly, instead of Krystina, he looks up and sees a woman with blonde hair standing in front of him.  As he 

tries to force his eyes to focus, John Ross sees that the woman is none other than Michelle Stevens!  She smiles at him.  "Hello, John Ross,"  she says.  "How good of you to come."

 

"M......Michelle?"  He asks, groggily.

 

"Yes.  I know you were expecting your lovely wife, but, she'll be a little late this evening.  And that gives you and I a chance to get to know one another better."

 

"Wha......what the hell is this?  What did you give me in that......champagne?"

 

"Don't worry,"  Michelle says.  "It won't cause you any permanent harm."

 

"You.......bitch,"  John Ross says, attempting to get up, but, unable to, he falls back.  

 

Michelle looks at him and smiles.  "Wow, that drug is more potent than I imagined,"  she says as she begins removing her jacket, then her blouse.  

 

John Ross looks at her.  "Wha......the hell are.......you......doin'?"  he asks.

 

Michelle moves close to him, and removes her pants.  She stands before him dressed in only a black lace bra and panties.  "I always wondered what kind of man you grew up to be, and if you were anything like your big brother.  Now's as good a time as any to find out.  Better, in fact, since you'll be dead to the world in about two minutes, and I can just have my way with you."

 

"You're.......you're crazy......."  John Ross says.  "You can't do this......."

 

"Oh, John Ross......I'm doing it.  And won't your lovely wife be surprised when she walks in and finds you and me together?"

 

"You.........you set this whole thing up?"

 

"Damn right, I did,"  Michelle replies.  "I already had this planned when we met last night.  I warned you that I was gonna take you down, and I'm starting at your most vulnerable point.......your marriage and family.  You nearly destroyed my son, so........ payback is a BITCH."

 

"No,"  John Ross says, his voice very weak.  Unable to stay awake, he passes out.  Michelle smiles, then proceeds to undress him.  

A few minutes later....

Krystina walks into the front lobby of the Omni a few minutes later.  She pauses and takes a piece of paper from her purse.  Looking at it, she smiles, replaces the paper in her purse, and walks up to the front desk.  "Excuse me,"  she says to the young clerk on duty.

 

 

"Yes, would you like a room?"  Asks the young clerk, the very same young man who had delivered the flowers to John Ross at Ewing Oil earlier.

 

"My husband left word for me to go to suite 807."

 

"And who is your husband?"

 

"John Ross Ewing,"  Krystina replies.  

 

"Oh, Mrs. Ewing, yes.  Your husband said to be expecting you.  But, there must be some mistake."

 

"A mistake?"

 

"Yes.  Mr. Ewing left me the key to suite 809 to give to you."

 

"809?  Are you sure?"  Krystina asks.

 

"Yes, ma'am, Mrs. Ewing,"  the young man says.  

 

"Oh, well, I guess my husband made a mistake.  Alright.  809 it is."

 

"Here you go, ma'am,"  the young man says, handing her the key card to the room.

 

Krystina smiles at him.  "Thank you,"  she says.  She walks over to the elevator.

 

The young clerk watches her as she gets on the elevator, then he takes out his cell phone and dials a number.  "Mrs. Ewing is on her way up,"  he says. 

A couple of minutes later....

Krystina steps off the elevator in an elegant hallway on the 8th floor of the hotel.  Looking around, she follows the room numbers down the hall until she comes to room 809.  She smiles as she inserts the key card and unlocks the suite.  Walking in, she looks around.  She closes the door behind her and makes her way through the living room.  She takes off her fur coat, and lays it across the sofa.  Hearing a noise in the bedroom, she walks over to the 

bedroom door, which is halfway open.  Going in, Krystina stops suddenly in the doorway when she sees, further on, in a second bedroom, that door wide open, two people on the bed, a man and a woman, wrapped in each others' arms, looking as if they are asleep. Unable to see the man's face from where she is standing, and thinking she must be in the wrong suite, Krystina starts to leave, when she almost steps on a pile of clothes on the floor.  Looking down, she recognizes John Ross's coat, and his belt with his distinctive 'JR' belt buckle, a duplicate of the one his father once wore.  "Oh my God, it can't be,"  she whispers.  

 

"John Ross, you''d better wake up if you wanna meet your wife down the hall,"  she hears the woman's voice say from the next room.  

 

Slowly, Krystina walks closer to the door to the adjoining bedroom.  Looking in, she sees John Ross in bed, seemingly asleep, with an older woman beside him.  After a few seconds, Krystina recognizes that woman as Clay's mother, Michelle Stevens.  Without saying a word. Krystina turns and runs out of the bedroom, literally sickened by what she has seen.  Rushing through the living room and out the front door of the suite, she even leaves her coat laying on the sofa.  A few minutes later, she steps off the elevator in the lobby downstairs, almost as if in a daze, and begins making her way through the lobby.  

 

"Mrs. Ewing?"  A young male voice calls to her.  "Mrs. Ewing?"

 

Krystina turns around and sees the young clerk who had earlier given her the key to the suite coming toward her. 

 

"Mrs. Ewing, I am SO sorry," the young man says.

 

"Sorry?"  Krystina asks.  

 

"Yes.  I actually DID give you the wrong key.  I looked back at my note from Mr. Ewing, and it did say to give you the key to suite 807.  Mr. Ewing had actually requested TWO suites for this evening, 807 and 809.  I just got confused and gave you the wrong key.  This is only my first week working here, and I could get into a lot of trouble if my manager found out.  So, PLEASE......don't tell Mr. Ewing I gave you the wrong key?"

 

"Don't worry,"  Krystina says.  "I don't plan on telling Mr. Ewing anything."

 

"Thank you, thank you SOOOO much, Mrs. Ewing.  This job means a lot to me.  Just hang on, and I'll get you the right key, to 807."

 

"No, don't bother,"  Krystina says, then turns and walks away from him.

 

The young man watches with a smile as Krystina leaves the hotel.  After waiting a few seconds, he takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials a number again.  "Hey," he says.  "It worked like a charm.  She just left, looking like she had just discovered a dead body or something upstairs."

Meanwhile....

"Excellent," Michelle says on the phone, while sitting up on bed next to an unconscious John Ross.  "Thank you for your help.  I couldn't have done it without you."  Smiling, she puts down her phone and looks over at John Ross.  "Well, you sure didn't think I would keep my word this fast, did you, John Ross?  It's time to put Dallas on notice.  Michelle Stevens is back, and ready to even the score with anyone who's ever wronged her."  Michelle smiles triumphantly at her victory!

END OF EPISODE 190....