A/N: Here is chapter 7. Hope everyone enjoys!

Cruel Summer

Chapter 7

Jackie said her goodbyes to Bud and the others for the day and she never thought she would enjoy working like that as much as she did. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. On the other hand, she was preparing to go back to the trailer and have the inevitable conversation with Eric. She had put off the conversation all day because she woke up and realized that she had no idea what to say to him or even where to start. She made a stop at the Vista Cruiser before she made the walk to their temporary home, grabbing something she saw in there previously that could use as a peace offering. Jackie then ran around the back of the shop and saw Eric sitting in one of the chairs writing of his journal of all things. She then began to ascend the ladder.

When she arrived at the top, Eric was just putting his journal down next to his chair. "See Foreman, I told you that it helps." Jackie remarked with a smirk.

"Yeah, it kind of does. Just don't ask me what I almost did to it last night. What's in the bag?"

Jackie wore a slight frown thinking back to the other night. "Just what little peace offering I could find out here in our situation. I rescued this from your car today before Bud starts working it." She handed Eric a brown bag and wore a smile when he looked inside.

"Oh my god! I can't believe I forgot about this. Hyde gave it to me right before I left and I completely forgot about it until now. Thanks for finding it."

Jackie waved him off. "First off Eric, you're not supposed to forget things until after you put this to use. I saw it there the other day when you were in the store. It works well here, as it gives us something to do later and I can avoid adding "jailbait" to the list of names I have for you."

"Ooh, there's a whole list. Now where would I go about finding this list? I knew there was something I should have read in there last night."

"Lucky for you, I know you're too nice of a guy to do that. That being said, I guess we need to talk about last night."

"Jackie, I'm…"

"No, Eric. Let me go first. Nobody has ever spoken to me like that before. I mean, look at my parents. They're usually too busy or can't be bothered getting that upset with me. Their ideas of solving my problems are asking who they should write the check to. This honestly is the first time in my life where money can't make this situation just go away. So when everything happened yesterday as they did, I freaked out! I had no idea how to react, and my defense mechanism was to take it out on those around me. I was wrong to do that, especially to you. For that I'm very sorry and hope you can forgive me."

Eric took in what was said for a moment. He seemed shocked that she opened herself up that much to him and then began to respond. "Look, Jackie…"

Jackie held up her hand as he was going to talk. "There's one more thing Eric. While I'm on my honesty kick, I have something else to say. Since nobody else we know is around, this is probably the only time I'll get to tell you this. I know it probably seems in your mind that I've taken you for granted. I've confided in you almost as much as I have Donna. You're such a genuine and sweet guy that you just listened and given me your opinion on whatever issue I'm having that day. It was never lost on me and it's the first time I can tell you that I really appreciate all the times you've done that for me. That being said, it really hurt me that you thought I was trying to keep you and Donna apart. I just want the both of you to be happy and if you guys make each other happy, all the better. I want you to know that I would never do that to you on purpose, and I'm truly sorry if you feel that way about that."

Eric opened his mouth but no words came out at first. He didn't want to mess his side of this up. She had been brutally honest with him and he chose his words very carefully. "Jackie, you didn't cost me my second chance with Donna. I'm learning about being responsible here, so I have to take responsibility for what my actions were back then. I took for granted that Donna's first date with Casey would bomb, but it didn't. I could have done everything perfectly from then up to now, and I would still have wound up here. I just lost my temper last night and was wrong to say that to you. I'm sorry it hurt you that much."

"Eric, there's no need for you to apologize for anything here."

"But Jackie, I feel so awful that you…"

"No, Eric I'm the one that should…"

"Really, it's me that…"

"No it's me…"

"ME..."

"ME…"

"ME…"

They stopped for a second and simultaneously started laughing. Eric spoke "Look at us. We're arguing now over who's the most sorry about last night."

"Leave it to us to find something else to fight about, huh Foreman?" Jackie replied with a smile.

"Look Jackie, whether we like it or not, we're a team now. Nobody else is going to be looking out for us here, so we have to stick together. When we get the Crusier fixed and get to California, we can go our separate ways if we want. Until then, it's us against the world. Can we make a deal to try to make this experience argument free from here on out? What do you think?"

"It's a deal Eric!" Eric extended his hand for Jackie to shake it but Jackie had another idea. "Foreman, friends don't shake hands, friends gotta hug!" With that, she pulled Eric into a warm embrace.

Eric would have enjoyed it more, but something about it bothered him. "Jackie, you smell like gasoline."

"I do smell like gas. So this is what it's like being a poor person, huh?"

Eric made a face. "Uh...something like that. Before I forget, thanks for speaking up for me with Bud this morning. You really saved me back there today."

Jackie smiled. "Yeah, I really did. But it was the least I could do, really."

"You really liked that today huh?"

"Yeah, I guess I kind of did. Bud's not a bad guy once you get talking to him. I better get showered and get this stench off of me. I am still Jackie Burkhart after all!"

Eric laughed. "You'll never let anyone else forget it, believe me! Do what you have to do so you can come back up here and we can enjoy your Vista Crusier finding."

"Okay. I'll only be a few minutes. Don't go anywhere." With that, Jackie made her way down the ladder.

Later that night…

Guess what? You get Jackie time again! Not only that, but its happy Jackie time today. This seems like one of those days I'll look back on and say that it was a genuinely good day. Working at the auto shop actually suite me well. It's almost like cosmetics! Instead of people, I get to make cars look good by washing and waxing them. The pumping gas part in kind of smelly, but my cheerful personality gives my customers a moment of happiness in their otherwise dull existences without me.

Things really worked out well between Eric and me today. I did save his butt this morning out of pity that I may have cost him sleep because of our fight the other night. When he did get to work it was clear that he is NOT cut out to be a mechanic at all! He was even having dome dorky Star Wars fantasy while doing an oil change if you can believe that! Bud felt so bad for him that he paid him to go home and rest.

Things really happened with Eric and me when I got back from work. We had a really good talk about what happened last night and stumbled upon some common ground if you can believe that! That's not to say we didn't have any disagreements at all, but we both realize that we need each other if we're ever going to make it to California. I really opened up to him today, and he was a gentleman like he always has been. I'm relieved that he really doesn't blame me for the status of his relationship with Donna. I would never want to hurt him that much since he's done so much for me. I told him this among other things I've never told him before. Why is it so easy for me to open myself up to him like that? I shared more about myself with him today than I ever did the entire time when I was with…No, no, no. This is Steven's stash that I found in the Vista Crusier today talking. I don't know.

We just made soup and sandwiches for dinner, eating them quickly after enjoying the little treasure I found earlier. It was a lot of fun doing that under the stars and all. Eric's asleep up there right now, as the poor geek needs his rest. I get the bed tonight. I'll let you know if it passes the Jackie test later. I'll be back soon. Of course you're looking forward to it already, I know!

Love, Jackie