Author Notes: …fluffy stuff abounds…..

xXx

Chapter 11 – Stormy Hearts

xXx

"…Okay…I just don't want us to confuse lust with love…"

"…I think I know the difference but I'm willing to wait…."

xXx

Eric had changed his bedroom sheets, just in case, but Fez was occupied in his room so there wouldn't be any awkward speed date discussion. Eric laid his head against his pillow and relived the truck kiss over and over in his mind. Was he attracted to Jackie because she literally saved his life and gave him the means to start over…or was he attracted to her because frankly, she was hot, sexy and great to be with? Both!

He couldn't choose and he wouldn't choose. It was obvious that Jackie wasn't on the same page as he was, but that was okay…she still had four years to find her Mr. Right and if Eric had any say in the matter, Mr. Right lived in Kenosha. She just had to open her eyes.

Jackie was lying next to a sleeping Betsy Kelso on her little Strawberry Shortcakes sheets. Eric had really surprised her with that achingly hot kiss. He was awakening feelings and body parts she had long forgotten about and he was just her friend. Right? She rolled on her side and wished that maybe she had let him go just a bit farther to see how bold he was…or how daring she was.

Eric was a fantasy. She would never allow herself to envision a future with a good guy since her past history was such a failure. Still….there was something about that Eric that was like a combination of boyishness and definitive masculinity and she found that to be very sexy. Maybe they were both just testing the waters…Hmmmm.

xXx

October 1986

Eric had been requested for an audit from a textile company just outside of Elkhorn. This was nearly a dream come true for him. Fez had been steadily dating the laying naked in a cemetery girl for the last few weeks. Erin seemed nice enough, but she gave Eric goose bumps for all the wrong reasons. He packed his suitcase and remembered that it was about this time two years ago that he broke down on his way from Waukesha.

He hadn't seen Jackie since the early May river raft trip which included little Betsy Kelso. Everyone seemed on their best behavior in front of the tyke and Eric couldn't seem to find a moment alone to talk to Jackie. Maybe they could talk over the next few working days.

He crossed his fingers.

xXx

Jackie was sweeping her porch when a familiar grey Honda pulled into the driveway. She leaned on the broom and watched as her beloved friend pulled his suitcase out of the trunk. He smiled broadly and waved. She waved back and watched him walk towards her. He was careful to notice the bear traps and Jackie wondered if he remembered them from his 1984 visit.

He set the suitcase on the porch and said, "You can slap me later." And then he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips firmly to hers, his hands framing her cheeks and kissing her senseless. The broom clattered to the porch as her mouth yielded and his hand curled around a fistful of her hair when his kiss became slow and hungry, yet at the same time…sensual. His other hand was stroking her bare arm and her cheek… leaving tingling sensations everywhere his touch roamed. She was drowning in him and it was so very good.

Eric broke the kiss and cupped her face. He watched as her blue/green eyes fluttered open. "I've been waiting for eight months to do that."

She took a trembling breath, "Damn city boy, you sure know how to make an entrance!"

Eric laughed and hugged her impulsively. "I missed you."

Jackie picked up her broom, "Me too. Can we go inside now? It's going to start raining."

"At least it's not snowing!" he said cheekily. Jackie swatted his backside with the bottom of her broom. "Don't be a wise ass."

A warm fire was burning in the hearth and the cabin smelled of Jackie's vanilla and flowers. Gone were the summer smells of chlorine and suntan lotion. It was quiet and peaceful and Eric could feel his soul shifting into a relaxed state. Jackie closed the door behind him and threw another log in the fire.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Got some ice water?" he replied.

She pulled a glass from the cupboard and filled it with ice and poured crystal clear water over the cubes. "Just a reminder Forman, I have a guest bedroom now, so put your stuff in the loft."

Eric grinned. He knew she wouldn't be sleeping with him and that was okay. He just wanted to be here in the cabin with her. He quickly drank the water and put the glass in the sink and then grabbed his cases and climbed the ladder to the loft. It was his first time up here and he was really impressed. He could see the tops of the pines through the skylights and the fresh pine smelled wonderful.

Little Jackie touches were apparent on the dresser. A framed picture of some river rafters from last year was perched on the corner. Eric chuckled at the sight of his life jacket hanging off one shoulder as he was dragging the raft to the eddy.

A second picture was of Kelso, Fez and Eric goofing off in the bed of the truck. They were playing to the camera and Eric barely remembered posing for the camera. It made him smile.

A gust of wind hit the cabin and he could see nearby pine trees swaying with the blast of air. A loud CRACK preceded the boom of thunder as grey skies darkened the loft. The rain started slowly and he watched it hit the skylights and then it began pelting down. Eric was so glad to be in this Burkhart cocoon.

"Eric, could you bring some extra wood from the bin?" He heard Jackie's request and climbed down the ladder. He knew this cabin as well as the back of his hand. Jackie was throwing her last log in the fire as Eric dumped a fresh load in the now empty bin.

"How long is it going to rain?"

She poked at the logs, "Just a couple days - should be gone by Tuesday. How long is your audit?"

Eric laughed ruefully, "I should be done by Tuesday." Now he was glad he came up on a Sunday. "I guess I can just drive home when it's over."

Jackie sat down on the faux bear rug and watched the logs crackle and burn. "Aren't you an independent now?" Eric sat down next to her, "You know what? I forgot. I am. I don't have to go anywhere if I don't want. I guess I'm just so used to punching a clock that it seems unnatural not to do it."

"I was going to remind you that if you had any jobs in November, you'll want to stay in the city. Snow season starts in two weeks and I'm heading for Miami."

"Don't you miss Christmas snow?"

Jackie laughed, "Sometimes but I'd rather be warmer than freezing. I might stay for the holiday one year, but not this one! How are your parents?"

Eric leaned back on his elbows and looked at the fire. "They're good. Dad had fun last month hunting. Well, he says he did. Do you ever see him shoot anything?"

"No, I think he just goes out for target practice and to get away from your mom. Oh! He did catch a fish. Your mom made such a fuss about cleaning it but she cooked it for dinner and he was happy."

"Fez is still dating cemetery girl."

Jackie covered her mouth. "The speed date chick? Wow…how many dates has that been?"

"I think his 14th. He respects her." Eric added. Jackie grinned. "I think that's the longest he's ever gone with one girl. Is he being a better roommate?"

Eric closed his eyes and remembered the satin underwear hanging from the lampshade and the bottle of body lotion balanced on the television. "Let's say, he's not bringing it into my room."

Jackie laughed, "Oh poor Eric, you just didn't know what you were getting into. One day you'll get your own place and you won't have all the Fezzie need problems."

Jackie got up to look at the rain falling in sheets outside her dining room window. The wind would gust and pine trees would bend then a bolt of lightening would flash through the sky. "It's a good thing you got here when you did. This is a pretty hectic storm."

Eric rolled to his feet as thunder boomed overhead. "Your roof doesn't leak does it?"

She smiled at the window. "Nope, this is the safest place to be…unless there's a forest fire. Help me up, I need to start dinner." She stretched out her hand and Eric pulled her to her feet.

"Anything I can do to help?"

"I guess you could set the table. Oh, turn on the weather channel please. I want to follow this storm."

Eric found the remote control and turned on the TV set which was already on her favorite channel. The weatherman declared the mountains and ski resorts were receiving 25 to 30 mile an hour winds and rain. "Don't be driving unless you have too!" was said by a cheerful meteorologist.

xXx

Dinner was done and the dishes were clean. Eric could still hear the wind howl and the rain sheeting over the cabin but he never felt safer. Jackie put a couple more logs on the fire and sat on the sofa. "What time do you have to be at that business tomorrow?"

"They want me there by 9:00." He walked over and sat next to her on the couch. "Okay, I'll set the alarm for you but if it's still raining like this give yourself an extra half hour to get off the mountain."

"So what are we going to watch? I haven't watched TV with you since the basement." Eric declared.

"I know! I got so used to not having a TV and now I watch the stupid thing all the time! Tonight is TJ Hooker. I have this special crush on William Shatner."

"No!"

"Yes!" she laughed.

"I have a crush on Heather Locklear!"

"No!" she laughed again.

"Yes, if I ever get arrested, it has to be by her." He teased. He leaned back and rested his arms on the top of the couch. Unconsciously, Jackie scooted over and leaned against him. He smiled but didn't say anything to ruin the moment. He had a plan.

He would make Jackie realize that Eric Forman was the only man she could ever fall in love with. Oh, and he would get some of those delicious kisses in the process!

xXx

William Shatner always get's the bad guy whether in space or by police car and the end of this TJ Hooker episode was no exception. Eric yawned while the theme music played and was surprised to find Jackie had fallen asleep. He smiled and gave her a little nudge to wake her up.

"Jackie…TJ got shot. You missed the ending."

She rubbed her eyes. "What? He's dead? But I saw previews for next week and he's okay."

Eric smiled, "Just messing with you. It's time for bed…sleepyhead. I'll lock up."

Jackie pulled his arm around her. "Don't go yet. This feels nice." She rested her head against his shoulder. The storm had relented to a heavy rain and the monotonous pounding was relaxing. Eric stroked her hair away from her face and kissed the top of her head.

"Eric?"

"Yes Jackie?"

"Can we forget my sleepover rule just for tonight? I like you here and sometimes the thunder scares me."

She wants me to sleep with her? Or sleep with her? Who cares! "Sure sweetie. Let me bank the fire and you get ready for bed okay?" Reluctantly, she rose from the sofa and clicked off the television. Eric was already adding logs and turning off lights. By the time he got his sweatpants on, Jackie had set the alarm clock and pulled the covers back for him.

"I'm too tired to make a dam…I'm just going to trust you okay?"

Eric slid in between the sheets and just for the moment, held her hand. "You can trust me Jackie. Get some sleep." As she dropped off almost immediately, Eric loved listening to the sound of her even breathing. He rose up on an elbow and just looked at her with the glow of the firelight. She was so pretty and he felt so lucky in many ways…but would he get a good night's sleep lying next to a gorgeous brunette?

Lord, help me! He prayed

xXx