Author Notes: I'm pleasantly surprised to see my favorite readers are here! This is a new ride for Eric's character….he tries so hard and you can't help but root for the guy….

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Chapter 02 – People Change

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"You're too easy." He laughed.

"You're too cheap." She replied.

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The guests had all been seated and the groom's mother was drunk already. The bridal party was sitting at the head table as Cap slipped Eddie, the best man, the speech Eric wrote earlier that day.

Eddie stood up and rapped the blade of his knife against the crystal goblet and shattered the glass. "Oops! The champagne is very potent so LOOK OUT!" He laughed at himself and commandeered the microphone. "Okay…everyone except Grandma Hailey, who's had more to drink than me, please raise your glasses and join me in toasting David and Amber….

…I was supposed to give this wedding speech and my first thought was that if I'm the BEST MAN, then why is Amber marrying Dave? I just want to say that David Hailey is the best friend a guy could ever have. He's an avid book collector and I hope that one day he finally reads one of them….or colors in-between the lines…ha- ha…I would sing praises of this newly wedded couple but I'm a terrible singer so let's wish the Hailey's many years of happy marriage. Cheers."

There was a smattering of applause and then when Eddie passed out, the applause got louder. The band kicked into full swing and the guests just sat at the table. Jackie looked at the sad wedding party and nearly ran for the first exit.

She looked at the maroon clad Eric Forman. "I said two dances right? Let's get this over with!"

The band started playing the burning guitar riff for ZZ Tops Legs. The drums started as Jackie grabbed Eric by the white necktie and pulled him onto the empty dance floor.

He hissed, "We can't dance yet! We're up here alone!'" Jackie grinned and said, "Dance penguin."

She's got legs; she knows how to use them.
She never begs… she knows how to choose them.

She twisted and turned and swayed to the rhythmic guitars and Eric found himself a little groove he could dance to without looking like a dork. Jackie would spin in time to the music and walk away from him then saunter back sexily and he liked this!

She's got a dime all of the time,
stays out at night movin' through time.
Oh, I want her, sure, I got to have her,
the girl is alright, she's alright.

Other couples got up and began dancing and Eric was surprised when the Cap Man slipped a ten dollar bill into his pocket. "Chewie is going to be pissed." Cap laughed as he spun a bridesmaid onto the floor.

Pulling her hair from the ponytail, Jackie curtseyed at the end of the song. "I'm going to sit by the band. Can you get me something to drink?"

Eric saw Kathy looking for him and ducked, "I'll be right back." He felt bad for ditching his date but dancing with Jackie Burkhart was no chore at all. Maybe he could get out of this shindig without notice!

He asked for a couple of sparkling waters, not knowing what Jackie liked to drink and took them back to the dance floor only to find her surrounded by eligible bachelors looking for a dance partner.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, "I thought you got lost!" She made a shooing motion with her hands to get the single guys to move. Eric stepped into the testosterone filled circle and handed her the drink. Eric grinned when he caught a couple of envious glares shot his way.

"Thanks I was thirsty. So one more dance and I'm history."

Eric took her empty glass and set it on a nearby table. "Nope, you're having dinner at the Forman house remember?"

"What about tomorrow night? That way it's not such a surprise." Jackie smiled her brightest and hoped to win this little disagreement. That could work out better! Was Eric's first thought.

He took her hand as the band began to play Foreigner's, I Want to Know What Love Is. The haunting music was perfect for a slow dance and Jackie's feet were starting to hurt in her pumps.

Eric took her small hand in his left and put his right hand on her hip as they moved to the slow melancholy song.

I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older

Eric was surprised when Jackie pressed her cheek against his chest. On any other day, this could have been a romantic song…but this wasn't a date…it was a favor.

From the corner of his eye, Eric could see Chewie striding towards him. "Uh oh," he muttered in a low voice. "Trouble at 3:00 o'clock." Jackie looked up to see mole hair girl coming right at them.

"She was that your date?" she asked as he whirled her into the crowd. Eric nodded, "I've been trying to avoid her. We came in separate cars and I want to leave the same way." Eric gave Jackie a little dip and she could see an upside down mole hair looking pretty peeved at Eric.

Now this mountain I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
And through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder

Eric smiled at Kathy, "Oh….did I not mention my girlfriend was meeting me here?" He felt the kick to his shin all the while Jackie smiled. "Oh yes, I had to work during the ceremony which I'm sure was lovely, but I promised Eric I'd have a couple of dances with him after. I hope you don't mind.

Eric turned Jackie into a circle like he was trying to prove to Chewie that he really was on a date. Kathy stomped her feet. "Who am I supposed to dance with?" Jackie was swirled out and swirled back into Eric's arms, "Why not ask the best man? I think he might be awake right now."

Eric put his mouth next to Jackie's temple. "Thanks for saving me."

Jackie stepped on his foot and ground her toe a little, "Oh…you're SO welcome."

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life

Eric spun Jackie in a tight circle and apologized, "Okay, I'm sorry about the girlfriend remark, but if you were me….would you want to kiss THAT at the end of the evening?"

Jackie looked at Kathy as the woman drug Eddie by the lapels onto the dance floor. He could barely stand up so she gave him a bear hug and held him tight against her bosom.

Jackie smiled despite herself. "Okay…so maybe you needed rescuing, but Forman; this little dance between us is a negotiated business arrangement."

"Okay, fine…can we at least finish the song?"

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

Aaaah woah-oh-ooh

The song ended and segued into something fast by Madonna. Jackie grabbed Eric's hand and said, "If we don't leave now, we'll be stuck for the bride and groom dance. I'm so NOT reapplying her makeup for a third time!"

Safely outside the hotel, Eric and Jackie walked through the cigarette smokers and wallflowers on their way to the parking lot. Eric unknotted the tie and ripped off the cummerbund. "Okay, the penguin is going home!"

Jackie laughed as she unlocked her car. "Look, I'll be at your parent's house tomorrow. What time?"

Eric liked this little repertoire of bitchiness Jackie was tossing his way. She hadn't changed too much since New Year's 1980. "How about four o'clock-ish? I'll tell my dad what you need and he'll have some questions for you."

Jackie got in her beat up Mustang and rolled down the window. "That sounds fine. You're sure he won't mind?"

"This is Red Forman. You were the only friend of mine he ever really liked. What do you think?"

Jackie smiled from her car, "Well, I always liked your dad. Your mom wasn't real fond of me….she was more of a Donna fan."

Ruefully, Eric smiled. "Times change…people change. You'd be surprised Jackie. See you tomorrow." Lots of changes.

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