Disclaimer: That '70s Show and the various characters aren't mine.

A/N: This is it for me until after the New Year as I've got to go away to no-computer land for a few days. So Happy New Year!

Jackie shivered as she looked out her window at the cold, lonely night, which was made extra cold and lonely by the fact that she was alone again. She must have fallen asleep on the couch in the afternoon, and when she woke up, Eric was gone. It was almost 11, and it was dark out. She must have slept for more than six hours. There was a note scribbled on the back of the TV guide sitting on the coffee table. It said he went home to 'think', and as an afterthought he had added a 'call if you need anything, okay?'. Jackie read it and shook her head. He still didn't get it. She turned on the television and settled herself on the couch, preparing for her first night alone in what seemed like an eternity.

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Eric looked out onto the same black night, but took a step away from the window when he realised that most of his view was taken up by Donna's house. He hated to leave Jackie by herself right now, but he needed some time to think everything over. He was just one of those people; he couldn't focus on himself and his own problems if someone nearby needed something. Sometimes that was a good thing though. Sometimes he needed distraction. It helped him a lot in Africa, he was there to teach the kids, he had a job to do, so during the day he could forget all about how much he missed home.

All through the movie, all during the drive back to Jackie's apartment, all he could hear was Hyde's stupid voice in a stupid echo.. 'She's called a couple of times. Wanted to talk to you. Lucky for you I covered your ass.'
Stupid.

Hyde was angry at Eric now, he was sure of it. And if he was telling the truth about Donna calling, which Eric was certain he was, then there was no telling how much longer he'd 'cover' for him. But of course, he wasn't really covering, there was nothing to cover. There was nothing going on. But there was no stopping Hyde saying whatever he wanted, and that was the worrying part.

The truth was, Jackie really had given Eric a lot to think about over the past week. He had snuck into the house, and headed straight for his room. He stayed there for four hours behind the locked door, just thinking. By the end, he had come to one conclusion; she was right. Jackie was completely right about.. about everything. He hadn't taken a look around, he just stuck with what he knew, and that's why he ended up almost marrying Donna. And all that planning.. God, what were they doing? The promise ring, the moving to Madison, college, the wedding.. They were all overly planned, and how did they turn out? Where did they leave him? Square one. Square fucking one. Eric would have thought it funny if it was happening to someone else and they were as blind to it as he was. Unfortunately, he couldn't laugh at himself just yet. All he saw when he looked at the situation was wasted time. It was a powerful realisation, but it saddened him. And at the same time, it made him that little bit more confused. He loved Donna, he was sure of it. Almost. It was just.. complicated.

Satisfied with making some kind of breakthrough, Eric headed for the kitchen. All he'd eaten all day was popcorn at the cinema. He was glad to see Red's car gone and no sign of Kitty - they asked too many questions lately, and he really wasn't in the mood to talk. He was just sitting down to a bowl of cereal at the kitchen table when he heard footsteps behind him, from the living room. Boots. He'd recognise them anywhere. "Hey man," Hyde muttered coolly, plonking down in the seat opposite Eric at the table. "So.. what'cha been doin'? Where's.. she?"

Eric didn't look up from his bowl. "Where's Sam?"

"Shopping," Hyde answered abruptly. "Speaking of people who like to shop.."

"Jackie," Eric replied pointedly. "is at home. Why should you care?" He looked Hyde in the eye.

Hyde chuckled. "I don't. And I don't know why you should either,"

Eric banged the table with his palms, kicked his chair back and stood up. "Look man," He exclaimed loudly, keeping his gaze steadily on Hyde's eyes. "I don't know what you want, okay? I don't know what you're getting out of this. But you broke her heart, Hyde. You broke it, tossed it on the ground and stomped all over it. Now get over yourself, so she can get over you..!"

"Forman, I'm not doing anything. She's doing it to herself, man. It's not my fault if I find the whole thing pretty amusing. You should get this, you've always hated her." Hyde stood up so they were level.

Eric rolled his eyes, his voice still raised. "No I don't! Over the past week.. I've spent time with her. Lots of time. She talked, I listened. And vice-versa, before you say anything. Jackie told me things that she's never told you. How do I know that? She told me that too. Yeah, she told me she couldn't ever open up to you properly because she was afraid of you laughing at her. I saw who she really is - a person. A small, scared person, with opinions, and feelings, who just wants someone she can trust. You didn't deserve her. I might have thought you did at one stage, but not anymore, now that I've seen what the both of you are really like." Eric took a deep breath, and let what he said sink in. Not to Hyde, to himself. He had no idea that he'd formed such a good opinion of Jackie.

Hyde looked at Eric with disgust. "You'd better hope it's not me who answers the phone next time Donna calls, Forman." And with that, he took off out the sliding door, leaving Eric to his cereal.

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Hyde was still out when Donna called. Sam answered the phone. Eric wasn't sure what he thought of Sam. She seemed nice enough, and she was happy to do all the wife-type things, like getting Hyde a beer and asking him how his day was. She didn't ask questions, she didn't seem that concerned about what Hyde did outside the house at all really. Eric could tell that that was all Hyde really looked for in a wife. He wanted to like her, but he felt guilty when he tried.

"So.." Donna said a bit too brightly. "You've been busy lately. I've called, but you weren't around."

"Yeah," Eric's cheeks burnt as he searched for an excuse. He wasn't sure why he felt having one was so necessary, but something just didn't seem right about telling her the truth, no matter how innocent it was. "I've been out. You know, around. Reacquainting myself with Point Place. I forget how to get to the reservoir a few days ago, so I figured I'd better make sure I still know my way around.. by.. touring the town and.. such."

"Ah. Makes sense. A year's.. a long time. So how are you?" Donna sounded distracted, though Eric figured he sounded equally as distant.

"I'm.. good. You?" Eric closed his eyes. This was awkward. He couldn't remember a time when he felt like this talking to Donna before. He couldn't think of a single thing to say.

There was a pause on the line, then Donna came back with a "Um, I've gotta go now, they need me. Some records have.. gone missing and they need me to.. find.. Yeah. Well, bye," And suddenly the line was dead. She didn't wait for his response. She didn't say 'I love you'.. Come to think of it, they hadn't said it to each other since he got back. Eric put the phone back on the base. That was okay. They'd say it when she came home. She'd come home, and they'd be in love, and they'd be together, and everything would be fine. Wouldn't it?

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"Who is it?" Jackie said quietly to the caller at her door. It was just after midnight.

"It's Eric, open up," came the reply from outside. Jackie quickly unlocked the door to let him in.

She smiled at him. Hmm, that was weird. It was almost like.. she had missed him. And now she was glad he was back. "I thought you were.. 'thinking'."

"I'm done thinking," He looked upset. He rubbed at his eyes. "I talked to Donna,"

"Oh?" Jackie stood a bit closer to him.

"It didn't go too well. So just.. Talk to me. Tell me things. Distract me for a while or something, because I don't know what to.." Eric trailed off. He really did look lost. Before she knew what she was doing, Jackie had her arms tight around him.