A/N: So I did it. I finally gave in and took the jump that everyone else took, and wrote an E/J story. Damn proud of it too, lol. Also, I got Word back (thus the bold text)! Anyways, please enjoy and review for me.

-Farewell, xo

June 18, 1981

Eric Forman sighed. He was supposed to be boarding a plane to London, where he had a layover flight leading to America, where he would (hopefully) safely land in New York City. However, he was currently stuck in Nairobi, Kenya in one of the few legitimate airports in the continent.

Of course this would happen to him. He always had bad luck. He was a dumbass. Good things didn't just come to Eric. The only good thing that happened to him was being with Donna, and he screwed that up by leaving the country. The last time he saw her was on New Year's Eve, 1980. They kissed, and the next day she said she couldn't keep holding on anymore, and that she had to end it for good, because she was leaving for college and Eric was returning to Africa.

Eric knew that he had definitely changed in the time that he had been gone. He had learned to endure harsh conditions of living and no longer considered living under Red's roof hell. His hair was longer, his skin was darker, and he had gained more muscle. He looked like the man he always should have been. All he needed was a little cleaning up and he could show his face to his family and friends again. Then again, what friends were really left?

The last Eric had heard, Kelso was still living in Chicago. Donna, obviously, was in college, away from home. Fez was still in Point Place, living under the Forman roof because he could no longer pay the rent for the apartment. Hyde had an apartment in NYC, which he just recently started sharing with Jackie. Eric was surprised to hear that when Hyde told him a week ago, but he didn't question. He was just excited for company, since Hyde said he could stay with them for a while.

"Spending a week or two with my best friend is what I was planning on," Eric thought. "Maybe Jackie grew up a little bit more. Plus, anything's better than going home right now. Too many memories…"

His thoughts were interrupted by three rings over the loudspeaker, and then a voice. "Flight 207 is now in the terminal."

Eric looked up at the woman by the entrance, who put on her glasses and then announced that they would start boarding. He stood up and went to wait in line; eager to leave, but not anticipating the long flight.

oOoOoOo

"Steven!" a shrill voice rang throughout the apartment. "Get the door!"

Eric knew that voice, although he only heard it through the door. It belonged to the infamous Jackie Burkhart. He knew that the second the door opened, he'd see regular old Hyde with an annoying, loud, and peppy brunette.

The doorknob turned, and Eric was instantly greeted by Hyde. He looked no different. He had his sunglasses and a band t-shirt on, just like he always did. He smiled at his old best friend.

"It's been so long, man," Hyde said.

Eric nodded in agreement; an awkward smile displayed on his face, and hugged his surrogate brother. As he pulled away, he looked seriously at Hyde. "Things are a lot different nowadays, aren't they?"

Hyde nodded. "Yeah. You've been kept up to speed with the big things, though. At least, I thought so."

Eric shrugged, and Hyde stepped away so he could come inside. Eric took this time to look at the apartment. It was small, and not too clean. He was somewhat shocked that Jackie could stand living there. Then again, maybe he had missed more than he thought.

"How was the flight?" Hyde asked as he shut the door.

"It was…" Eric shrugged. "Long."

"I bet." Hyde walked into the kitchen. Seconds later, he reappeared with two beers, and handed one to Eric.

"Wow, beer," Eric commented, gazing at the liquid. "Haven't had this in ages."

"Damn, Forman," Hyde said after sitting down on the couch. "How the hell did you manage?"

Eric shrugged. "You get used to it." He walked over to the couch and sat down as well. "So… what's the story? How'd you wind up in New York?"

"Grooves, man," Hyde said. "Good business, too. People are still eating up these records in the 80s."

"That's good," Eric said thoughtfully, and then Hyde turned to him.

"What about you?" Hyde asked. "Why'd you end up staying longer?"

Eric shrugged, looking a bit sad. "I wasn't ready to come home."

Hyde raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

"So…" Eric trailed off awkwardly. "Where's Jackie? Swear I heard her voice before you opened the door."

"Yeah, she's here," Hyde said. "S'in the other room. Jacks?"

"Huh?" she called.

"Come out and see Forman!" Hyde called back to her.

Eric heard Jackie sigh dramatically, but heard her start walking down the hall.

When Eric saw her, he was utterly shocked. She looked like a normal human being for once, but possibly worse. She looked tired. She was dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, with her hair looking frizzy and unbrushed. She didn't have makeup on, and she didn't have the annoying, yet bright aura surrounding her that she used to have.

"Hi, Eric," Jackie said with a little wave, smirking.

"Nice to see you," Eric said. He was sincere, too. Normally he didn't forward to being graced with the Devil's presence, but he had been lonely over the past year or so.

Jackie nodded and sat down on the couch. "God, I never thought I'd see this day."

Eric gave her a questioning look. Did she miss him or something?

She picked up on his confusion. "You look better than me," she clarified.

"Oh." Eric rolled his eyes, showing his displeasure in what she said. "Nah, I still… y'know. Gotta get my hair cut."

Jackie just shrugged and pushed her hair back. "So Eric," she started, "How long are you staying?"

"I'm just playing it by ear, I guess," Eric responded.

Hyde stood up. "I'm gonna go pick up a pizza. You can go unpack, Forman." Eric nodded. "Jacks, show Forman where the room he's stayin' in is."

"Okay." Hyde walked over to the door, looked back once, then promptly left.

"So," Jackie said, looking around. "Follow me." She walked down the short hall, and led him into the first room on the right.

"Wait," Eric said slowly, looking on the other side of the hall. "Who's room is that?" He pointed to another bedroom, past his room and the giant room that he assumed belonged to Jackie and Hyde.

"Oh, that's my backup room," Jackie said casually.

Eric raised his eyebrows. "Backup room?"

"If Steven and I get in an argument or something, I'll have a room to sleep in," Jackie said.

"There's a guest room right here," Eric said suspiciously. "Why wouldn't you just stay there?"

"We needed a purpose for this room," Jackie said quickly, and left it at that.

Eric shook his head. "Okay."