What I Wrote to You

AN: Again thanks everyone for those wonderful reviews and all those that put this on alert! I actually didn't plan on posting this chapter for a couple more day but what the hell. I managed to type up a couple chapters so I figured I might as well throw this out here since you might not hear from me again until the end of the week. So enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own That 70's Show

Chapter 4: The calm before the storm

Eric grinned to himself as he held the bundle of paper in his hand. He had been fiddling with the old typewriter for the better part of the day and finally felt like he had a good handle on how to use the machinery properly.

The first few attempts he had at using the old thing had ended in a disaster. The paper was not place properly or his margins were all skewed. It took a few tries, and a few wasted trees, but he finally got it and fell in a roll just typing away whatever came to mind. He didn't even really form proper sentences, or words for that matter, when he began, he just liked the sound of the keys tapping and the shling sound it makes when he reached the end of the margin.

Oh he had trouble with mistyping words as well. Since there's no way of just backtracking and erasing a misspelled word it became a bit of a hassle having to whiteout the mistakes. Yet he still did it. He kind of liked the extra effort he had to put into making something looks prim and proper. He never had the neatest of handwriting, chicken scratch that would make a doctors handwriting look like calligraphy, so having his work typed out made things seem a little bit more special.

He never really considered there to be much to pursue in the field of English and writing but old Greta's words of becoming something echoed in his mind when he was staring down at the wad of freshly typed material. It had a weird sense of realness to it and frankly it was a much more appealing option than teaching.

Working as a teacher in Africa was not the best of experience for him. He did decent enough teaching all those kids but he didn't have a passion for it. He didn't want to do something for the rest of his life just because it was a career. No, he wanted something that he could wake up to in the morning and look forward to during the day. He couldn't say for certain yet that this was his thing but it sure beat the hell out of teaching.

Grinning at the pile of typed up paragraphs and sentences, when he was writing it was like words were just appearing in his head and his hands just moved on its own. A story just formulated and he spent the better part of the past couple of days typing away with no regards to health or hygiene.

His mom actually had to get his dad to threaten him with a foot up his ass to get him to eat something. He had relented at that point and ate a quick, but filling, meal. Still he only stopped when it seemed like he was at that edge of hunger finally doing him in that he stopped for some sustenance. His cleanliness though? Well that was a completely different story.

Satisfied that had finally unloaded the crazy muse that had stricken him Eric finally noticed that he was very tired. A few days of limited amounts of sleep and food had worn him down. A shower could wait; he had a date with his bed!

He placed his work on his desk right next to the typewriter, which he remembered to close properly, and jumped into his soft mattress. It didn't matter that it was only a couple of hours past noon. He needed the sleep and he would get it goddammit!

The softness of the sheet or the fluffiness of the pillows didn't even factor in his quick lull to slumber. He practically fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Perhaps he would dream of something that he could write about.

Soft shaking woke him from his slumber. He could hear someone calling his name but all he wanted was to drown out the noise and go back to sleep.

"Hey Eric wake up."

The hand shaking him wouldn't relent despite his groans of protest. Didn't this person know proper curtesy! There's a reason that he was asleep in the middle of the day and obviously it's not because he got a full eight hours last night.

"Go away I'm sleeping," or at least that's what it sounded like in his head but with the pillow pulled over his face to block out the noise it came out in jumbled muffles. "Just five more minutes mom."

The person giggled and continued to shake him, "Eric I'm not your mom. If I was well… then this would be a little awkward."

Groaning that the person just couldn't take a hint he grabbed the pillow from his face and threw it at whatever direction he heard the voice come from. "What's awkward it that I'm still awake right now and you're still… Jackie?" Eric squinted trying to see through his sleep bleary eyes. "Jackie what the hell are you doing in my room?"

She smoothed away her hair from her eyes and threw the pillow back at him with an amused grin. "Well I'm certainly not here for the show."

"What the hell are you talking about?" He asked rubbing his eyes to clear his vision.

"You tell me Forman. Is that a banana in your pants or are you just happy to see me?"

"What…?" Eric asked confusedly as Jackie glanced down at him with a shit-eating grin. His own eyes followed her line of sight and looked down to find the source of trouble for all men in the world after waking up in the morning. Never mind the fact it's not actually morning but it was still up and Jackie was staring with a barely suppressed grin.

"I'm flattered Eric but I think we're moving a little too fast here. I mean you haven't even taken me out yet!"

Eric let out a squeak completely reminiscent of his high school days and spoke in a high pitched tone. "I-I didn't— I mean, I"

The flustered reaction was too much for the girl who couldn't hold back the giggles any longer. She collapsed in a heap of laughter amidst his bright glowing face. This was just too much!

Taking the pillow and covering himself to regain as much dignity as possible he just glared at the girl which only caused her to laugh even louder. It got to the point where it became too much and Eric started to feel annoyed. He was sleep deprived and he was cranky and this was not helping!

"Alright enough, did you come here just to make fun of me or do you actually need something because if you don't well just kindly get out."

Having noticed the bite in his tone Jackie stopped her giggling but the amused smile stayed on. "Oh Eric I'm sorry for laughing so much but you have to admit that was a pretty good burn."

He just grumbled a 'whatever' and looked at her expectantly.

"I just finished my cooking lessons with your mom and came up to see if you wanted to chat."

Sighing to himself he rubbed his face still feeling the fatigue. He couldn't say that he was too happy about being woken up but they did kind of make plans to talk after her lessons but still he was sleeping! "Jackie couldn't you have waited until I was awake or something."

"Oh I would have but it's almost dinner time and I don't want to stay and see Steven. I know he still comes around for dinner and I would just rather avoid that if I can." She looked guilty as hell and he couldn't stay mad with that kind of reasoning.

"Fine, I understand. But that doesn't mean I'm happy about that burn! Or being woken up."

She giggled before lifting a hand to his face and running a thumb on the bag of his eyes. "Oh you poor baby. Have you not been sleeping properly?"

"I'm fine mom," he said but she just stuck her tongue out at him goofily.

"I'm sorry Eric I shouldn't have woken you up."

"Its fine I'm not mad about it anymore." He said grabbing her hand to keep her from continuing to rub his face. The sensation was starting to make him feel drowsy again. "So did you have something to talk to me about?"

"Well no," she said with a cute little frown on her face. "There wasn't a specific thing I wanted to talk about. I was actually going to let you sleep but…"

"But what," he asked with narrowed eyes as her face suddenly turned guilty. "What is it?"

"Well you were still asleep and you looked so peaceful and I just came in to have a closer look and you looked so adorable but then I noticed the typewriter you brought with you in the diner and I noticed the stack of paper right there and I just started reading and it was just so good that I couldn't stop and I'm sorry I probably shouldn't have done that but I couldn't help myself so please don't be mad I'm really really sorry you have to believe me."

Eric closed his eyes and opened them slowly. She was babbling and was speaking in run-on sentences. He might have been able to pick up on what she was talking about if he was fully awake and fully rested but at the moment he was neither of those things.

"Stop, stop," he said placing a hand on her mouth to keep her from talking. "Just stop for a second and take a breath." She glared at him and gestured that she couldn't do that with his hand on her mouth. "Right sorry. Now you can take a breath." He released her mouth allowing her to take a deep gulp. It was a little amusing that she actually did what he said. "Now can you repeat that but this time please take breaths in between. I'm running on fumes here Jackie so you have to work with me."

"Sorry I just didn't want you to be mad at me."

"Well go slowly and I'll try to be understanding."

"Right, so I came up here to talk to you but you were asleep and I noticed the typewriter you had with you when you came to the diner." She paused to take a deep breath as he nodded and gestured for her to continue. "I noticed what you had typed up and I got curious. I wanted to see what it was but when I started reading I just couldn't stop. It was very good Eric and, I don't know, I had to wake you up and tell you. It didn't hit me until I was shaking you awake that I read it without your permission and by that time I had already woken you up. I'm sorry Eric."

She started so strong and excited but the apology came out so meekly he could tell that she truly felt bad. He didn't know how to feel considering he had never really let anyone read any of his works. It made him happy that someone thought it was good but still it was a bit annoying that she would just read something off his desk without his permission.

"I'm really sorry Eric I didn't mean to."

Those large mismatched eyes were heartbreaking and he couldn't find it in him to be mad at her. She did like it a lot so at least there was that.

"It's alright sweetie," he said plopping back down on his bed. "I'm not mad, a little annoyed but I'll get over that. Just don't do it again, okay?"

She launched herself on him in a tight hug. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you. I promise I won't do it again Eric."

He just rubbed her back awkwardly. Was this how being friends with Jackie was like? Well he couldn't say that he hated it.

"It really was a wonderful read," she looked up at him from his chest with those bright eyes. "Are you going to finish it?"

He had to look away because he suddenly noticed just how amazingly attractive Jackie Burkhart was up close. Why had he never noticed how colorful her eyes were or how nice her lips looked? God what was he thinking about!

"Tell you what, why don't you let me finish taking my nap. By the time I wake up I'll probably have missed dinner so why don't I take you out somewhere to eat and we can play twenty questions again, say around 9?"

The beaming smile she sent him was practically blinding. "I can't wait!" She untangled herself from him and turned to leave. "Oh and Eric," she called back causing him to lift his head up to see what she wanted. "It's a date."

"What! It's not a date," that high squeak was back.

She just giggled and winked, "Yeah and it was actually just a banana in your pants."


The hot water felts absolutely wonderful, after days of not properly bathing himself the shower was very much appreciated. The water rinsed the sweat and grime off of his body and his hair finally didn't feel so oily anymore. It was like a huge burden was lifted off his shoulders.

Wrapping himself with a towel he lathered some cream on his chin and shaved off the little scruff that had grown and thoroughly brushed his teeth. He walked into his room and opened up his closet to rummage for any clothes that fit him. At this rate he didn't care if the shirt was bright orange or whatever he just wanted something that fit!

Dressed in a button down shirt and some slacks Eric made his way downstairs to find his parents lounging around watching a rerun of MASH. His dad was sitting on his old green lazy boy chair while his mother cooed at how handsome all the characters looked in their uniforms.

"Oh Red I do wish you still wore you're old Navy uniform. You looked so handsome in it ahahahahahaha!"

"I think I still have it lying around somewhere. Later why don't I put it on for you and we can…" His father gave his mom a suggestive look causing the woman to blush and giggle demurely.

Eric made a choking noise causing the two to turn their heads towards.

"Oh Eric honey, you're finally awake! I saved some leftovers for you in the fridge."

"About damn time you got up," Red said glaring from his spot. "I expected you to have a job by now, not lazing around like some deadbeat."

"Thanks mom but I'm going to grab some dinner with Jackie."

"Honey don't you think it's a little late now. Me and you're father were just about to go to bed. It's almost bed time!"

"You're going to see the Loud One?" His dad asked looking a little more interested in the conversation.

"Yeah, she wanted to hang out earlier but I was still asleep."

Red gave his son a long look before he did something that thoroughly shocked everyone in the room. "I'm still working on the Cruiser so take my car."

Eric was shocked at his dad's lending of his car that he almost dropped the keys that were thrown at him. Never in his life had Red ever allowed him to be near his car, let alone drive it!

"Oh Red that's so sweet of you! Ahahahahaha!" He just nodded dumbly not completely comprehending what had just happened. "Oh honey you should hurry along. Any later and Jackie will be angry with you. You can't keep a lady waiting you know."

He just nodded dumbly and felt his legs move automatically. He made it to the kitchen before he heard his parents talking from the other room.

"Now why don't you show me that uniform of yours Red Forman."

He shuddered when loud thumps of footsteps signaled that his parents had gone upstairs to sleep. He had never bolted from the house quicker. God he did not want to think about what was going to happen with him out of the house! There are some things a son should never hear about.

"Eric?"

His thought were broken by a voice that had haunted his dreams for the past year. He looked up to see Donna throwing out the trash. She was only wearing casual clothes but regardless of the simplicity he thought she looked absolutely stunning.

"Donna," he said suddenly finding that his mouth was dry. "Taking out the trash?"

God could this night get any worse? His parents were doing it right now and the dreaded confrontation was going to happen right when he least expected it. He should have just stayed asleep.

His words were met with a silent glare that had him cringing. Even with her hair blonde she still had that fiery spirit that made it seem like she could burn him. He liked the blonde look but god did he miss those red locks.

"I guess that was pretty obvious huh?" He said laughing awkwardly.

She just continued to glare at him in silence as she marched over. He squirmed under her gaze and when he thought that the tension would finally break him did she finally say something.

"You dillhole! When were you planning on telling me that you were back! I had to find out from your mom that you had even returned. I waited for you to come over and say something but you never did. What the hell man?"

God how he wanted to just kiss her and tell her he was sorry but the image of that New Year's night was still burning in his mind. He rubbed his sweaty palms on his slacks before answering, "Sorry about that it's been a bit hectic since I've been back. I've been jet lagged and I've just been too busy, really."

The answer didn't seem to appease her because she just furrowed her brows even more. "What the hell Eric, you couldn't have just taken five minutes to come over and let me know that you're back?"

"I'm sorry," was his lame response. For some reason speaking to Donna made him feel like he was that old twitchy teen again. He wanted to say something to her. Rage at her for that kiss he had witnessed, to tell her that he loved her more than anyone else and that they should be together forever, but he didn't. He couldn't seem to find the courage or resolve to say anything when it came to her.

Her face softened as she reached over and placed a hand on his arm. It felt like fire and electricity shooting through him. He didn't know if he wanted to throw it off or hang on tightly. "It's fine Eric but I really would have liked a heads up you know."

"I'm sorry," he said again. God why couldn't he say anything! He shouldn't be the one apologizing yet those are the only words coming out of his mouth.

"Stop apologizing already you dillhole, I told you it's fine. I'm over it." She took her hand away from his arm and the electricity coursing through him disappeared and suddenly he felt empty. Why did she still have to have that effect on him? "Listen can we talk later?"

"Talk?" His voice squeaked. God he was reverting back to his old self.

"Yeah talk," she said suddenly looking everywhere but him and at that moment he knew. This wasn't the dreaded confrontation, this was just the prelude. This was the calm before the storm. "There's some things we really need to discuss and I was hoping that we could do that."

"Sure," he said suddenly feeling like he was in third perspective and was just hovering over the conversation. "Why don't we talk now?" Where did that come from? He wasn't ready for this talk!

"Now's not a good time for me," she said looking away. His eyes wandered over to where she was looking and found that there was a car parked in her drive way. He didn't know whether to be angry that he was there in her house or relieved that he didn't have to do this right now. "So maybe we could get some breakfast in the morning?"

"Yeah that would be great," he sounded so fake, how could she have not picked up on it. "I'll see you in the morning."

The bright relieved smile she sent him just pierced even deeper than anything else. She was relieved that she wouldn't have to break his heart right now. That only made it worse because now he had a noose hanging around his heart until the dreaded time for her to pull that lever.

"Awesome, I'll see you in the morning then!"

He waved goodbye to her feeling like he had just taken a shot to the gut. He felt hollow and all he wanted to do was be anywhere but here.

Once she disappeared into her house he got in Red's car and started the engine. He drove without any real purpose, and like that night at New Year's, he left without a destination. He just needed to get away from it all. He just needed to go.

AN: I absolutely loved how the first scene came out. I couldn't stop smiling writing some of that... The next scene though was just a lil cliffy for all you folks out there! Cruel? Exciting? Maybe both!