The search

[jrs]

'Bobby, I am leaving. Is there anything else you need before I go?'

'No, Phyllis, I'll be leaving shortly too. Have a good weekend. Se you Monday!'

Bobby sighed as he looked at the piles of contracts and plans on his desk. He hated paperwork...well at least this much. He enjoyed being out at the wells overseeing the operations on the ground. It was much more exciting than have to dot i's and cross t's, profit and loss, legislation etc etc. This sort of stuff was more JRs thing, he had a gift for it and could read and digest a management report with ease and make decisions quickly.

Bobby eased back in his chair and swung round to look at the lights of Dallas skyscape. The city was beautiful but he felt empty tonight, sad. He wondered where his brother was, was he out there?

It had been three years since JR had left Southfork and Ewing Oil. Bobby and the rest of the family thought it was only JR going off to lick his wounds somewhere but after few weeks, he hadnt appeared, no-one had heard from him. He hadnt contacted Sue ellen or John Ross.


As the anger and tension had eased, Bobby found himself missing his eldest brother. Sure, JR was calculating and ruthless but when he was behaving Bobby brought out the best in him. Talking about the football games and have a drink together. Bobby missed that. He hadnt experienced life without JR before and although there were less arguments now, he felt a void in his life.

[MrsSuperman93]

Why did JR leave?

[zephiey]

Great beginning. Wonder why J.R. left.

[jrs]

im getting there girlies...be patient...

[Laustsen]

Good start, why did he leave?

[jrs]

Three years earlier, JRs wheeling and dealing had led to Ewing Oil almost being lost but Miss Ellie had managed to gain control and removed JR from the company. the board had also lost faith in him. She replaced him with Bobby. JR was gutted. His whole life's work had been lost.


Then he had interfered in his mama's marriage to Clayton trying to break them up by trying to discredit Clayton. This was the final straw for Miss Ellie and she had told him to get out of her sight.

His marriage to Sue ellen was on the rocks again as she suspected he had been sleeping with Marilee Stone to set up yet another deal. He had looked at Sue ellen before he had left but she walked away from him. Disgusted and disappointed once again at his actions. What sort of man had she married she had thought to herself.

JR walked out that night taking only a small suitcase. No-one pleaded with to stay. Miss Ellie refused to speak to him. Bobby told him it was better if they all had some space whilst Pam sat in the background looking smug. She enjoyed seeing her brother in law get his comeuppance. He had made her life hell and tried to ruin Cliff's career over many years.His malice evident from the day she arrived in Southfork. She for one was definetly glad to see the back of him.

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

In the years to follow there had been a number of changes. Ewing Oil was now run by Bobby. He had built up a good reputation and good partnerships although it had lost the spark that JR had brought to it. Sometimes Bobby felt overwhelmed by it all. When he and JR worked together as equals, they had been very strong.

Miss Ellie and Clayton were still happily married. Miss Ellie never mentioned JR now except maybe when John Ross talked about him. It was evident that although she had been angry at JR, she had a deep sadness in her eyes at having chased her first born. She often sat on the veranda in the evening thinking about him, thinking about him as a little boy. And although noone knew it, she would go for a ride across the ranch and stop by the lake where she would sob to herself about losing Jock and having lost JR.

Sue ellen still lived at Southfork for John Ross's sake so he would be close to his grandma and Clayton. There was a big change in her life however, a month after JR left she found she was 2 months pregnant. It was his child, a daughter named Eleanor. A cherubic little toddler with her mama's rich brown hair and her daddy's blue eyes.

[Marmara]

So Miss Ellie kicked JR out of Southfork and he has a daughter he doesn't know about.

[jrs]

So Miss Ellie kicked JR out of Southfork and he has a daughter he doesn't know about.

In a nutshell...yes

[jrs]

Bobby drove home to Southfork. He had missed dinner and the house seemed quiet and deserted.

'mama!! pam!!! clayton!!' he shouted out as he walked through the hall and into the dining room. He headed for the kitchen to make a sandwich and found Miss Ellie having a mug of cocoa. 'hey mama' he walked over and kissed her cheek.

She smiled, her face crinkling into a kindly homely face. Her eyes however betrayed her loss. Bobby was a perceptive man, he had noticed her mood for a long time but noone could mention JR to her. He made some food and sat down with her.

'Long day at work, Bobby?' she asked

'Yeah mama, there's a lot to do; he said chomping away on his salami and tomato sandwich.

'You seem to be spending longer and longer nowadays. Christopher doesnt get to see much of his daddy'

'Yeah mama, i know, i need to change that' he sighed

'and John Ross...' she continued then her voice trailed off

Bobby looked into her eyes...the unspoken words that John Ross didnt get to see his father at all. They werent even sure JR was still alive. The family lawyers and Mcsween were able to tell that JR hadnt touched his bank accounts since before he left Southfork. It was a mystery. Bobby took her hand and squeezed it gently.

'mama, you need to talk about him..its ok' he said gently

'I know...Bobby...i know...where is he? i wish i hadnt sent him away' she had tears in her eyes. She felt this overwhelming urge to just breakdown but her internal strength and pride in being the matriarch of the Ewings held her in check.

'Mama, i want to look for JR...i think we need to know what has happened to him. If you dont want me to..but...' he paused

Miss Ellie finished his sentence 'but we need to ...its time. will Sue ellen want to see him again? he has a daughter who he has never met and she has never met her daddy'

[Jessie]

Awe where is JR, I pray he isn't married somewhere else? Love your new story, hope they find him soon. I can't wait to see how he reacts when he sees his daughter for the first time.

[Laustsen]

Good updates. Will they ever find JR?

[i love jr ewing]

Great start to your story. I hope they find JR alive.

[Marmara]

I think JR is so upset because nobody wanted him to stay that he decided to leave all behind and he will have made sure they won't be able to find him.

[jrs]

Bobby decided he HAD to find JR even if he didnt want to come back home. He HAD to talk to his brother, tell him that Miss Ellie still cared, tell him he had a little girl.
Previously Bobby had used JRs old buddy McSween but he felt that maybe had been a wrong move. JR could have paid McSween to send them on a wld goose chase. If JR didnt want to be found he would use every means possible to avoid detection.

This time Bobby would use one of the best private eyes in America Brad Harley. It would cost but then money was no object to the Ewings. Brad Harly agreed with Bobby that McSween was still one of JR's stooge and could be hiding something however he was sure that McSween would always cover himself and have hidden information somewhere that if need be could be used to blackmail his 'clients' if they ever got caught out and tried to land him in it.

'Leave it with me Mr Ewing, ill find out what has happened to your brother, ill start with McSween's office' Brad said confidently

'how will you do that?' asked Bobby

'put it like this Mr ewing, it wont be legal...but you dont need to know how'

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

Sue ellen was playing with Eleanor in the Southfork swimming pool, trying to get her used to the water. The little girl giggled and screamed as she splashed the water. Her giggles brought such joy to Sue ellen but from time to time she saw glimpses of JR in her features and mannerisms. However she couldnt allow herself to dwell on this. JR had caused her so much hurt over the years but she felt sad that he never knew he had a daughter. He was a good father to John Ross and she never quite understood how he could have left him.

Sue ellen was starting to enjoy dating again. She just hoped to meet a nice man who would accept her two children as well.

[jrs]

A few weeks later Brad phoned Bobby to arrange a meeting. 'I have some leads Bobby'

'Great ill be right down'

Bobby felt an uneasiness in his stomach. He met Brad in a bar.

'Bobby, we managed to get a few leads but they are somewhat contradictory so we need to check them out further if you wish to proceed'

'Yes yes, tell me'

'Firstly, we found this in McSween's files ..the files he keeps in his own private home office...here is a copy for you'. Brad handed him a photocopy of a death certificate...it was a for a John Ross Ewing, died 8th May 1983,buried in Newson Cemetry, Colorado. Bobby gasped 'oh no....'. Brad then handed him another sheet of paper...it was coroners report...stating the cause of death as suicide. Bobby went pale, how could he tell mama this. 'My brother is dead...he committed suicide'

Brad sniffed and took a drink of Jack Daniels. 'Mr Ewing, Bobby,can i ask you..was your brother the type of person who would take his own life?' he sat lack in his seat and looked pensively at Bobby

Bobby still reeling from the papers in front of them...swallowed and said 'No..but..he had lost the things he cared about most..'

'would he take his own life...think about it?' urged Brad

Bobby's resolve strengthened..'NO..he wouldnt'

Brad smirked a wee bit...'thats the attitude i like to see...from studying everything about your brother..i agree with you..and ive never met him. so i want to go to his grave in Colorado and have the em...body...exhumed and checked out'

Bobby gulped..'we can do that???'

'Yep, for the right money'

'Thats not a problem...i want to be there ..is that ok?'

'Sure!!! ill get it set up'

[jrs]

Bobby and Brad along with a guy on Brad's payroll who specialised in forensics waited as the labourers dug up the grave. Bobby shuddered as he saw his brothers name on the headstone. It brought home the reality of what they were doing.He felt nauseous ' I cant be here..this close..Brad'

Brad understood..his eyes wrinkled as he gave a comforting smile to Bobby ' go wait over there, bobby...you dont need to see'.Bobby headed towards the car.

He glimpsed them trying to break open the coffin still in the grave.After some 15 minutes which seemed like hours had passed ...Brad rapped on the car window..and opened the door.

'Bobby?...its ok...please come and see'

Bobby looked anxiously 'i cant'

Brad said sensitively..'you can...i promise its ok'

As they approached the grave..Bobby peered in..to find..an empty coffin 'what???'

'As i suspected Bobby...it was a dud burial, a dud death certificate and coroners report...no body...a decoy. You brother, I believe is still alive...but really has tried his best never to be found'

Bobby sighed with relief 'this has been so stressful'

'well another thing we found in McSween's was a receipt for a one way plane ticket to South America...under the name of Southworth..does that mean anything to you?'

'yes yes...it was my mother's maiden name..'

Brad shot Bobby a big grin 'ok the search has only started then'

[Laustsen]

Really good.

[jrs]

Bobby flew back to Dallas, drained by the exhumation but exhilarated that there was a fresh lead. He had told Pam he was on a business trip to Colorado.The next stage would include more travel, more time away from her and Christopher. He needed to come clean.

'Pam' he greeted her

'Bobby, im so glad youre back. We've missed you' she ran to him throwing her arms around him 'how was Colorado?'

'it was interesting Pam but listen honey i really need to talk to you...'

He took her into the den and explained what had been going on. Pam was upset 'Bobby, i know for whaever goddam reason you care about JR but have you forgotten what he did to us all. The house has been peaceful since then...why rake up the past..he left..he doesnt want to be found..leave us in peace!!'

'Honey, he's my brother, my blood...mama's doesnt want to leave it like this...if it was Cliff'

'Cliff isnt like JR' Pam snapped

'and if he was??' Bobby retorted

Pam could see the pain in his face. She loved Bobby so much, she couldnt deny him this.'ok,ok..do what you have to do..but are you going to tell Sue ellen what your plans are? she should know.'

Bobby nodded 'yes..i will tell her.'

[jrs]

Sue ellen was surprised and almost shocked when Bobby told her of his findings and plan to investigate further.

'Do you not want me to, Sue ellen?' he asked as he noticed the look on her face.

'No, no..its just out of the blue. We have barely mentioned him since Eleanor's birth and life went on.'

'I think i need to....for Mama's sake..and I want to...' Bobby continued

'Bobby, if it helps to know...I guess I want to know for Eleanor and John ross's sake. John Ross still talks about him. As he gets older he will start asking more questions and I wont be able to give the answers. I am disgusted however that he felt the need to pretend he was dead to put us off his scent. why???'

'I dont know Sue ellen, I guess he felt it if we found the grave...it would give us closure..in a way'

'well, if we ever find him, I will give him closure alright!!' she said her tone stiffening.

'The PI Brad Harley, has found a lead in South America...we think he may be living there...under the name of John Southworth. I am going down with Brad next week as he has some people to talk to.'

[jrs]

Bobby and Brad had spent a week tracking 'John Southworth's' last known movements. He had apparently flown into Mexico and then got a connecting flight to Brazil. From here things got a little bit difficult but as Brad also had good connections all over the world, they traced Southworth's movements to Ouro Preto,a former colonial mining town located in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains with its well preserved Portuguese colonial architecture, with few signs of modern urban life.

Bobby looked in amazement of the beauty of the town but felt it would be a world away from what his brother would be comfortable. he turned to Brad 'Brad, where now? JR ? why would he come here?' Bobby sat down in the hotel lobby wearily. he missed Pam and Christopher..he thought to himself why did he ever start this crusade.

Brad sat down opposite offering him a traditional Brazilian drink called a Caipirinha. 'Lets not think about it tonight, Bobby, you are tired, its been stressful, lets have a few drinks, get an early night and look at it again in the morning'

Bobby nodded and started to drink...5 of these Caipirinhas later and a few beers and Brad and Bobby were out in the old town laughing and joking with the locals. Bobby felt better...it was stress relief.

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


The next morning Bobby awoke with a massive hangover 'OMG' he staggered to the sink splashing water on his face.

he made his way down to breakfast where Brad sat looking fresh and ready for business . Christ, Bobby thought to himself, how is he not suffering?

'hey Bobby' Brad laughed

'Please please no shouting' grumbled Bobby. Bobby ordered some strong black coffee, he couldnt face food.

'Bobby, i think we may be closer than we thought' Brad grinned

Suddenly, Bobby's head cleared a little 'really?? how come?'