A/N: I've been wanting to write a Jackie/Eric fanfic for the longest and finally decided to write one. A few things before starting this just for a background. I rewatched Season 1-4 so this takes place after Donna and Kelso left for California so it's that summertime, also the seasons timeline is...weird so I'm tweaking some things just so things make more sense for this now, that's about it. I hope you like and please leave leave reviews and critiques those are really helpful for me.

Janet's was probably one of the oldest clothing stores in existence and it seemed to have some of the most colourful and progressive styles of clothing that Eric had ever seen, save for anything Bob usually would wear. He shook his head after that thought, Bob…Donna he had to get away from that whole family, occupy himself over the summer, she was in California and he was here he had to do…something with his life and he saw this being that something. He needed money, very badly and Janet paid well and there would be women, adult women, with bodies and dressing rooms and; well the women part was enough.

He had just finished his interview with the store manager Mrs. Huckabee a very old lady, most likely widowed; he made an assumption; it would be impolite to ask.

"Well Mr. Forman, You'll start next week on Tuesday…. wait what day is it today young man?" Eric smiled, "It's Friday ma'am". She chuckled, "Oh yes, that's right you know I've always had a problem with days and things, my husband always used to say 'Mary-'that's short for Maribel sweetie 'Mary, you know you wouldn't know the days of the week if I didn't tell you, ahh the good days when he wasn't dead"

Eric partially zoned out during the conversation but he did hear about her being widowed, "Oh, I- I'm sorry for your lost ma'am." There was a pause, only the sound of the store music then the laughter of the store manager, "Oh he's been dead for years now and I'm doing just peachy! Anyway, uniform is a nice formal shirt and pants." Eric was relieved no more red smock working in the back of a department store stocking shelves, now he'd be standing in front of a cash register…or walking the store floor…. or…the store back section bringing out more clothes. But maybe there'd be a young girl he could talk to or help try on clothes and maybe he'd be asked to come into the fitting room with them and then…

Hello Penthouse Letters

" Are you alright sweetie?" He had been daydreaming again, he had a habit of going overboard sometimes, he shook his head out of the dream, "Yes ma'am I'll be here Tuesday, what time should I show up?" "Bright and early at 9:00." "Alright!"

Eric was actually looking forward to this finally there would be something new in his life. He wouldn't have to sit in his basement with Hyde and Fez. It's been two weeks since the "incident" and nobody would bring it up. It was like Donna and Kelso never even existed and Jackie…. oh Jackie. He hadn't seen Jackie since that fateful day, you would think they'd have talked about it but they were both stubborn about it. Eric on the side of wanting to forget and Jackie in a sense of denial that it never happened. Which is why she didn't want to come in the basement.

Walking through the mall he didn't have to walk past the cheese store but something told him to. She was part of their ragtag group, even if she wasn't there and it felt like it. But damnit he was getting sick of only hanging out with Hyde and Fez. He hated her, he knew he hated her, but under that seething sweltering unwavering hate was an unusual form of friendship and he knew he had to talk to her.

"Eric?" He froze he knew that voice he was almost by the cheese shop but not there yet, but that was the voice. He turned around and she was there, in her uniform, he always thought the uniform was; nice. He wouldn't say that out loud though.

"Jackie. Hey, what are you doing… here?" That was a stupid question, typical Eric. "I mean, isn't that obvious." She made a motion at her uniform, "Yeah, I realized how stupid it was during the sentence."

She folded her arms and nodded, " Mmhmm, well next time realize before ok? Anyway, what are you doing here, it's not like you to actually buy new clothes, you've been wearing the same outfits since Freshman year?" She chuckled at her own joke; hey, it was funny. She forgot the last time she laughed since the incident, all she did was work and go home to reflect on what had gone so wrong in her life to be stuck on one person, Michael Kelso.

"Very Funny Burkhart, I was here for an interview with Janet's and I got the job so, in your face missy"

"Wait, Janet's? Like Janet Janet's?"

"Jackie last time I checked there was only one Janet's and yes." "Eric…. I need you to do me a huge favor." Eric was befuddled the look in Jackie's eyes was determination and something else, something he hadn't seen in her or maybe he had never really looked. "Well Jackie, I'm not sure I can help you with anything but I can try." "Are they still hiring?" Oh…he could do that. "I'm not sure I can ask." "Great, let's go." She took his hand and led him to the clothing store.

"wait a second." He let go of her hand, the hand touching wasn't the problem, no it was her outfit. "You want to ask them for a job dressed like that?" Jackie looked at herself, she was in her cheese store uniform but, "I mean I still look amazing, and you looked like that and got the job and I just want to schedule an interview or just see if they are hiring cause right now you're no help but if you put in a good word for me you can."

"Ok first off Jackie, I look great and I literally just got this job, I haven't even started working yet I don't know if this is gonna work." "Eric are you going to be a pansy all your life?" Eric froze, pansy, he was a pansy? Jackie Burkhart just called him a pansy "I'm not a pansy Jackie." Jackie rolled her eyes, "Pansy may be overreacting but you look scared and I get being scared but honestly Eric this is small in comparison to a lot of other things we've done." She was a few feet away from him, she moved closer eyes never wavering from him, "All you're gonna do is ask your manager if she's still hiring and if she says yes you're going to put in a good word for me and then I'll take it from there now does that seem difficult."

He begrudgingly had to agree with her, "No, no it doesn't". He didn't realize how close he was to her or how close she had gotten. They were inches now. He's probably never been this close to her. He could smell her, strawberries.

"Okay so now that we're on the same page are you finally ready to go?" "Yeah but what about the cheese place?" Jackie sighed, "I just got off plus Todd's super weird and always implying we need to kiss to make Michael jealous." Michael was said with some disdain there was obviously some animosity there, why wouldn't it be. Eric nodded his head, "Okay, lets go but I don't need my hand held I'm an adult."

Jackie chuckled again and walked in front of him, "Sure you are Forman, sure you are."

Mrs. Huckabee was eyeing some dress shirts she needed to figure out where ti out, things usually were color coded but these were multi-colored, "Oh boy, this one's a doozy." "Um, excuse me Mrs. Huckabee?" She was so lost in thought about where these shirts should go that she didn't hear at first, that and her hearing aid was acting up again. "Mrs. Huckabee!" She was startled, " Oh! Yes? Oh Eric, It's not Tuesday is it? Did I forget to give you something?" "No uh, I was just wondering are you still hiring?"

Mrs. Huckabee thought for a second, "Actually I'm in need of an organizer, someone to color code clothes and among other things. Why do you know someone." "Actually my friend Jackie, she's very up to date with fashion, very very passionate about clothing and….such" She smiled, "Jackie huh? Well I would love to meet her." Eric turned his head Jackie was behind Eric he mothed 'you're up' and she became the peppy energetic Jackie who always gets what she wants, "HI, Jackie Burkhart, fashion extraordinaire nice to meet you, I love your hair is that Auburn?"

Eric laughed, that was a talent she possessed if she wanted something, she would do her best to get it. It wasn't long until Jackie had gotten Mrs. Huckabee to open up to her and by that time she had already made up her mind, "Eric this girl is wonderful, thank you so much for bringing her here I hope the two of you can work very well together, she'll start the same time you will, oh and Jackie I LOVE that dress". Jackie smiled, she was a nice old lady who did need a "young touch" to this store, Eric might not be good in that department but she'd pick up the slack for both of them. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to run the store." She hurried away.

"Eric was in shock, "wait, that's it? No interview no anything that's…that's bull". Jackie stared at Eric she smiled, "Sorry Eric, I'm just that good!"