Author Note: Who the heck is Derek Goldman and what is he doing in this story and why is Brooke so interested…..
*
Chapter 10 – Doppelganger
*
"What's the emergency? I got here as fast as I could." Eric took the beer Brooke offered him.
Kelso handed Eric a manila folder with some photocopies in it. "Check it out. This is Derek Goldman, the guy Jackie's dating tonight."
Eric sat in the occasional chair opposite the couch. He opened the folder and saw an article about Mr. Goldman who was CPA of the year for 1983 and a driver's license photo. "Hey, he's nice looking."
Brooke huffed in frustration. "Eric, look closely, try to see what we see. Say his name."
"Derek Goldman. Yeah, so?"
"Say your name."
"Eric Forman."
Kelso rolled his eyes. "Dude, they rhyme! Jackie is dating you! Look at his picture, that dude could be your twin brother!"
"What?!?" Eric looked back at the driver's license and did see a resemblance. The only exception was Derek had darker hair. Brooke relayed part of Jackie's telephone conversation, "…shaggy hair, no wedding ring, works as a CPA, tall and lanky and he thinks I'm pretty….Sound familiar?"
"Sounds like me all right. Wait… this is a bad thing?"
Kelso was protective of his ex-girlfriend. "Eric, just how much time have you been spending with Jackie?"
"Not much, we talk on the phone – usually I'm complaining about my divorce or we're just making small talk."
Brooke looked over at her husband then back at Eric. "She has a crush on you and she's acting it out with someone that looks like you. I wonder what her therapist would think about this."
"Hey, in defense of the new guy – maybe he's not too bad. He sounds responsible…maybe this is the new type she's attracted to."
Kelso laughed. "Dude, it's not like your sexy or anything."
Eric frowned. "Dude, I can turn the sexy on anytime I want."
Brooke interrupted the argument, "Boys. There are different kinds of sexy. Don't start a fight about it. Eric, we just think it's important that you're aware that Jackie's attracted to you. She's taking a step forward by going on this date so if she calls you….try to be positive about it."
Kelso stretched his arms. "Well, now….shall we watch Return of the Jedi? I rented the tape this morning."
"I can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night!" Eric agreed.
*
Jackie was waiting outside her store when the red Thunderbird pulled up to the curb. Derek reached over the passenger side and pushed the door open. "Hey, you look great!" he shouted over Eddie Money blasting; Take Me Home Tonight, from the eight speakers.
I can feel your heartbeat faster.
Take me home tonight!
I don't want to let you go till you see the light!
Take me home tonight!
Jackie smiled and slid into the leather seats making sure her shirtdress didn't ride up on her legs. The peach dress was a great color and matched her heels perfectly. Derek gave an appreciative whistle and waited for her to buckle. He gunned the engine and swerved out into the street.
"I hope you like seafood, this place has excellent halibut." Derek gave her a full on grin. Jackie smiled back. "I love seafood."
Derek liked to keep his foot on the gas as they sped through the streets and arrived in Kenosha in record time. After he parked, he got out and fixed his hair in the side mirror. "Looking good Derek…." He complimented himself. Jackie waited on the curb while he groomed himself.
The diner was larger than she expected. There was soft music and an open atmosphere. The waitress led them to a nice window table and Derek ordered some red wine.
"How is the wedding plans going?"
Derek smiled. "It's great. Tuesday we have the rehearsal dinner and Wednesday is the BIG day. John can't wait to take Wanda to Bermuda."
"How long have you known John?"
"Well, considering, I used to date Wanda…." And the date went downhill from there. Derek loved to talk - about himself. Jackie drank the wine and then drank another until all of his words started running together.
The fish and salad arrived and to his credit, Derek was right. The halibut was delicious and the rice pilaf was perfect. Derek never asked her to dance…never asked what she thought of…well…anything! Derek was in love with Derek… until Wanda showed up.
Jackie swallowed a third glass of wine as the bride-to-be flew into the arms of the best man. "Derek, how could you bring a date to our place?"
Jackie, slightly off balance, slid out of the booth. "Hey, don't mind me…I was just warming the seat for you…I think." Derek totally forgot Jackie was his date as Wanda slid around the booth and planted a whopper kiss on Derek's mouth. Jackie leaned on the table. "I'm still charging full price for the flowers!"
She swayed and stumbled to the bar. "Is there a payphone nearby?"
*
"…the Love Boat soon will be making another run….." The telephone rang as Gopher was lifting suitcases for a buxom blonde. "Hello?"
"Eric, can you come get me?"
Eric sat up. "Jackie? Where are you?"
He could hear her crying. "My date left without me. I'm in some diner on Tate Street. I'm across from the Addison building."
"He left you there?" Eric asked incredulously. "I'll be right there."
"Please hurry, I'm scared!"
*
Jackie stepped back into the doorway of the diner. A couple of thugs were sitting on a car across the street and looked menacingly at Jackie and her purse. The diner and a dim street light were all that kept her quasi-safe. She clenched her handbag until her knuckles were white. She wiped her eyes with a napkin and saw the blue Honda drive around the corner.
Eric parked in the driveway and quickly got out striding around the side of the building. Jackie flew into his arms and held on for dear life. "Thank you Eric, thank you so much."
Eric lifted her chin, "Are you okay?" He saw a glint of tears sparkle in her eyes. "There are some strangers across the street…" He looked over at the four guys that suddenly had something else to look at. "
Eric took her hand and led her back to his car. He opened the door and waited for her to slide in. He buckled up and threw the car into reverse. Good old Derek didn't exactly take Jackie to the best part of town for a date!
"Jackie, why did he bring you here?" Eric asked.
She sniffed and wiped her eyes. "The bride was his old girlfriend and this was their place. Well I told her I'm still charging her for the flower order!"
Eric smiled at her impudence. "Good for you. He had some nerve making you a rebound date."
Jackie smiled tremulously, 'I know! I'm a good first date. Oh Eric, I feel like I just took two steps backwards." Eric pulled into the parking lot of his apartment. "Where are we?"
Eric got out and opened her door. "My apartment – it's late and I'm too tired to drive to Point Place." He took her hand as she stepped out of the car. He noticed that she looked exceptionally gorgeous tonight. Derek Goldman was an idiot!
"You can spend the night or we can call a cab." He led her to his tiny apartment and unlocked the door. Jackie was amazed at how plain it was. "Is there room enough for two in here?" she tried to joke.
Eric smiled. "Come sample my futon. I'm holding out for your sofa." Jackie set her purse down and kicked off the high heels. She sat next to Eric not knowing what else to do.
Eric lay down against the pillows and pulled Jackie down against his chest. She pulled her knees up on the blankets next to him. His arm fell over her waist and within minutes he was breathing evenly. Jackie relaxed and whispered softly, 'I only feel safe when I'm with you."
Eric opened one eye as she snuggled back against him and he listened as she fell asleep. She was soft and warm and smelled good – what a great way to spend a Saturday night!
*
For the first time in months, Eric slept through the whole night and didn't dream of Donna. He woke with a bundle of warmth snuggled into his chest. Her dark hair tickled his nose but smelled great. He dared to hug her closer. She sighed softly and murmured something. It had been a long time since a woman laid in his arms. This was nice and something he truly missed.
"Jackie." He said softly. "Don't freak out… but its morning."
She moaned a protest and snuggled deeper into the bed. "Jackie, would you like to go to breakfast?"
She stifled a yawn and opened her bright mismatched eyes. Eric's smiling face was looking at her and she didn't feel panicked. He saved her last night. She called him and he came and rescued her! She smiled up at him and he savored that smile. It was fresh and innocent and reserved just for him at that special moment.
"I'm going to have to get out of bed," he warned. "So either move out of my way or prepare to be tickled."
She rolled on her back. "You wouldn't." He smirked, "That's just a chance you'll have to take."
"Your futon is uncomfortable."
"Move…or be moved…." He held up a claw like hand and she squealed and jumped off the bed. Eric laughed and headed towards the bathroom. Jackie sat back down. Why didn't she call a cab last night? That should have been her first instinct. Eric's apartment was tiny! He had a bare minimum of furniture and now when she talked to him on the phone, she knew where he laid his head at night.
She pulled her legs up on the makeshift sofa and rested her cheek on her knees. What a horrible date that had been. Derek seemed like such a nice guy. I guess even nice guys cheat on their best friends in some way. Jackie tucked this away as a lesson learned!
Eric came back out, "All yours." He saw Jackie sitting still and lost in thought. He walked over and sat down next to her. "Are you thinking about last night?"
She nodded her head. Eric bumped her shoulder with his. "Well, at least your date didn't join the convent…" Jackie chuckled, "Don't try and make me laugh."
"Was he a meat eater?"
She muffled a giggle, "Yes."
Eric tried to get a little more past her defenses. "Did he wear glasses?"
Jackie laughed, "Like Clark Kent. I think that's what attracted me - stupid Clark Kent glasses."
"Well, maybe you were just so pretty, he couldn't help but ask you out. I know I would."
She lifted her head. "You would?"
"Well, if I came into a flower shop and saw a stunningly gorgeous brunette like you that was obviously unattached…I would ask you out in a heartbeat."
She licked her lips. "Then why haven't you?"
*