Krebb's Ranch

Lucas sat looking out into the darkness of the night, it was so quiet and after the bustle of Europe the silence was keeping him awake. He had thought that he had heard footsteps outside his room earlier but then nothing. He opened the window and looked out into the night, as he did he show a car pull up with the lights down, he could just about, with the moonlight see the silhouette of a couple embrace and kiss. The woman eventually got out and the car silently drove away.

As far as he knew Margaret was supposed to be out with a girl friend and was sleeping over but it looked like she had definitely had a change of plan because as she walked into the light of the moon Lucas could clearly see the face of his stepsister. As he watched her enter the house Lucas waited a few moments and then went into the hallway, he was desperate for something to do so maybe he could hang out with Margaret for a while he thought. Timing it perfectly, he was stood in Margaret's path as she crept her way down the hallway. Putting her finger to her lips, Margaret grabbed hold of Lucas's arm and half pulling him led him into her room. Once inside the two teenagers stood staring at each other.

“So are you spying on me or what?” Margaret demanded.

“No I couldn't sleep and I saw you pull up in the car so I just thought I'd catch you as you came in to say Hi.” Lucas replied.

The thought that Lucas had seen her with Dean panicked her and so Margaret changed tact.

“Okay well that's fine then bro, I guess it's just strange for me to have other people in the house, takes a bit of adjusting you know.

Lucas nodded.

Sooo what's up, how's tricks?” Margaret said

“Well you know fine I guess. It's seems a bit strange to be back here in Dallas, I miss well...” Lucas's voice trailed off.

“What do you miss? Did you have a girl out there? Did you become a man while you was away?” Margaret teased.

“Well I guess I know a thing or two but no I am not pining for anyone special, it's just, well this place comes with a lot of old baggage to deal with.”

Margaret knew he was referring to his mother's suicide and his real dad. Hastily she tried to change the subject.

“I do know how you feel, it's taken me a while to get to use to been here, but you know I've made a few friends and it's not so bad. Maybe you can hang out sometime and get to know a few people.”

Luca's nodded “yeah that'd be cool.”

“As long as your boyfriend won't mind you having me tagging along.”

Margaret bristled at Luca's words.

“Boy friend, mmm think you are mistaken there. I am single and fancy free.”

“Oh right so who was the guy in the fancy car who's face you were eating out there in the dark.”

“Look you creep, I guess you were spying on me. What were you doing getting a cheap thrill watching me? What are you some sort of voyeur? You might not be getting any action now you've left all the easy European girls behind but here in the USA it's kinda seen as weird to be getting all turned on watching your sister make out.”

Lucas glared at Margaret for a moment dumbfounded by her over-reaction and then spoke.

“For one, it would take more then seeing a jumped up, spoilt kid like you, staying out after her curfew with the local jock to interest me and secondly you are not my sister. There is no blood between us and for that at least I can be thankful. I don't know who or what you are hiding but rest assured I've really no interest in finding out.”

Lucas turned and left the room leaving Margaret flushed and deep in contemplation.

Lucy's Room SouthFork

Lucy lay on her bed reading the latest Danielle Steele as Dean walked into the room.

“Hey you. I was beginning to think you were missing in action.”

“I am sorry sweetheart, I had one of those days were time just vanishes.”

“ What have you been doing? I tried you on your cell but you had it switched off”

“I've been driving around talking to some of my contacts, trying sort out some work for myself. I need to feel like I have a purpose again. Ever since the accident I have been sort of drifting, I guess it's taken me longer to get over my brother's death then I thought. And then of course meeting you has taken up a lot of my time,” he said with a wink of his eye, “But I really do need to get back to some type of work.”

“I understand honey but you don't need to go searching the streets, there is always a job here for you on the ranch. With Bobby and Ray no longer working at SouthFork it would be great to have a family member working hands on and overseeing things again. What do you think? I could have a word with Bobby and I am sure that between us we can teach you the ropes.”

Dean took of his shirt and began to undress. “I don't know about that, I am not sure that is something I want to do. I really think I'm more suited to working in the city. I'd like to put my management experience into practice. I was thinking of maybe trying to apply for a loan to set myself up in a business, maybe a convenience store or even a bar. Hey with the best looking women in Dallas under my wing maybe I should open up a lap dancing club, would you be interested in some work?”

Lucy pulled a fake cross expression and then lifted her hair seductively and began a mock striptease, unbuttoning her nightdress.

“Then again I don't think I want anybody else seeing this."

"Well if it's money you need then we can sort that out, I can help, although I am not sure how hands on I can promise to be that, that will depend on what you type of business you decide to go into."

"Baby this is for my eyes only, just you and me.”

“And baby makes three” Lucy murmured.

Dean looked at her intently; this was something he had mentioned a couple of times already.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes, I've checked with my doctor and she says that there is no reason that I can't still conceive. Time is obviously against me but its not too late.”

Dean stood in front of Lucy completely naked and then pulled her towards him and kissed her passionately. Images of Margaret and Katharine flashed through his mind for a split second, but he closed his eyes and as he felt his wives body responding to his caress his own body began to twitch into life. He could feel himself becoming hard, he pushed himself against Lucy and lifting her up he lay her back down on the bed and then placed himself beside her and kissed her again.

“No time like the present to get started then” he said.

"If we are going to try and bring another Ewing in to the world then I think I should be the one in charge" Lucy murmured. Positioning herself on top of him Lucy grabbed a tie from a bedside table and began to fasten Deans arms to the bed and slowly lifted herself on to him and began to rock.

As the couple began to make love their thoughts could not have been more different."

Pamela's House

Pam awoke abruptly from a troubled sleep and sat up. What had woken her? It sounded like movement downstairs. She wasn't sure if Becky was home and she didn't have any live-in help. Pam stood up and pulled on her housecoat. She felt mightily groggy but persevered and went out into the hallway. She could defiantly hear somebody downstairs, she stood, undecided what to do next. She sighed deeply and then thought, what the hell. She switched on the hall way light and moved down the stairs.

“Hello Becky, is that you?”

The voice that replied to Pam's question froze her in her tracks.

“Mum”

“Christopher?” Pam rushed into the dining room and almost collided with her son who was heading out at the same time. The two embraced and held each other tightly, Pamela was crying tears of joy without even realising it.

“Oh my God you are here, your really here” she said stroking his face.

"I am sorry, so sorry I didn't stay in touch.”

“Shush, your here now and safe. You're here now.”

Pamela held Christopher tight for several more minutes. The both slowly walked into the living area and sat down.

“I've got so many questions,” Chris said “I can't believe it was Wendell, and you God you were in prison. I wanted to come home so bad when I heard but I knew that I couldn't because of what I'd promised you. I couldn't bear it, I stopped reading the papers and watching the news. I couldn't stand it, I was helpless and what you must have been going through. I rang Lucy on her wedding day and I really wanted to call Dad too, to see what he was doing to clear you and get you out but I just couldn't. I knew he would make me tell him where I was and then he would be lying to the police as well.” Chris shook his head in anguish.

“Christopher, it's all over now. You did the right thing by staying away just like I said, the truth came out and that's all that counts. You're home safe now.”

“So where is dad, I can't believe you guys aren't back at Southfork. I came here instead of to the ranch because I figured it was too late to be calling unannounced and thought I would sleep here and then come to you in the morning. What are you both still doing here? Is Uncle JR still causing trouble?”

“Your dad's not here Chris, in fact he's not been here at all. We've separated I am afraid.”

“Oh God what have I done.” Chris put his head into his hands. “This is all so messed up, all of this just because of my crazy charade.”

“Charade? What do you mean?” Pam said.

“Oh nothing, just that this all started with me, Becky and John Ross and our childish antics. Now you and Dad are apart, you've been in prison and John Ross is dead. It's just so fucked up.”

“Christopher,” Pam said shocked at his tone and language.

They both looked at each and Pamela felt an uneasy feeling in her stomach. He was different somehow, he looked a little older what with his shorter hair cut and slightly unshaven appearance, but it wasn't just that, he seemed changed somehow, maybe older, more experienced, she couldn't put her finger on it.

“So what do we do now then? Are you guys apart for good?”

“I don't have those answers for you son. All I do know is that at this present time, you're Dad and I, well we have never been further apart. And before you start to wallow in guilt this isn't just about you and Jon Ross, there are many things that are wrong between us, things that are deep rooted.”

Well at least I'm here now and I can look after you. You look tired mum and thin.”

“Well I'd like to say it was the Atkin's but unfortunately not, prison doesn't seem to have suited me.”

Pamela laughed and tried to lighten the mood.

“So my God where did you go, where have you been, what did you do?”

Chris yawned, jet lag starting to creep up on him.

“I think I will wait for the answers to those question till the morning. Let's get you to bed.”

Chris nodded and let Pamela pull him from his chair. They hugged again and then walked towards the staircase.

“Is my old room still okay?”

Pamela nodded “This is your home son.”

They smiled at each both fighting back the tears in their eyes.

Krebb's Ranch

Ray remained silent sat in the darkness the gun in his lap. He had been just about ready when he had heard a car pull up and someone enter the house. Now he was willing himself to find the strength once again. As he stood up and picked up the gun the moonlight hit a photo he had on his desktop, it was taken years before in happier times. The smiling faces of Jenna and a young Lucas looked back at him. His hand began to shake and he dropped the gun. He couldn't do it, he wanted to die but he couldn't put them through what he had gone through after Jenna had killed herself. Two parents who commit suicide, what would that do to the boy? Ray stood in total despair, he knew he had made the right decision but he was just as certain that he couldn't stay either, not dependant like some child, a burden on the ones he loved. Suddenly he was clear what he had to do.

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