"Eric!" Kitty called as she watched her son exit the airplane. She rushed forward to greet him, stopping short to inspect him. To his mother, he seemed taller and more toned. He definitely had better color.

"Hey, Mom," he said warmly as he reached out to embrace her into a hug.

Behind Kitty, Red stood proudly, watching his wife reunite with their son. "Hello, Eric."

Letting go of his mother, Eric looked his father in the eyes and shook his hand. "Hi, Dad."

Red shook his hand firmly before pulling him into a quick head. Neither man spoke a word for a moment before Red spoke up again. "Hello, Jackie."

"Hello, Mr. Foreman," she replied quietly as she stepped out from behind Eric.

Eric turned and smiled at her, reaching for her hand. "Let's go home."

After retrieving their baggage, the four headed to the car. Eric spent the entire trip home animatedly describing everything about Africa, from the people and his students to the animals and the village. Every once in awhile, Jackie would add a detail or an observation, offering up funny anecdotes about the time they spent there together. Finally, Red pulled the vehicle into the car port and killed the motor.

Eric was the first one out of the car. He looked up at the house and then around the yard. His car was still parked in its usual place. "Wow, it's exactly the same," he sighed. Nothing really looked different, but somehow, everything felt entirely new. For the first time, he realized he was coming home to a new life.

Jackie was behind him. She stood next to him, leaning her head onto his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Welcome back, Eric."

"It's nice to be back," he said. "Mom, you didn't tell anyone, did you?"

Kitty shook her head. She had upheld her promise to Eric, keeping his relationship with Jackie only between herself and Red. The only other person who knew was Fez, and after talking to him a few days ago, Jackie had found out that he had kept their secret as well.

"No, I didn't tell them that you were coming home," she said. "But I did ask Fez where they were going to be today. They were going to spend the afternoon at the Hub."

"We should probably go see them," Jackie said as she looked up at him.

He could read the confusion and worry in her eyes. "It'll be okay," he promised as he buried his face in her dark hair. "I promise, it will all be okay."

Once they had stowed their luggage in Eric's room and talked with his parents for a few more minutes, they headed back out to the car port. Red had filled his car up as a welcome home present. He opened to door to let Jackie into the passenger seat before sliding in behind the wheel. Putting the Vista Cruiser into reverse, they headed for the hangout where they would break the news to their friends.

"I'm scared," Jackie admitted as she looked out the window.

"Me too."

She reached across the seat and took his hand in hers. "Eric, I have to tell you something."

"What's wrong?" he asked, suddenly worried by her expression.

It's way too early, but I have to do this, she reminded herself as she gathered the courage to make the confession. "I just have to tell you this now in case something happens and I don't ever get the chance to do it," she murmured. "I love you, Eric."

He pulled the car to a stop sign and pulled over to the shoulder. Throwing the car into park, he raced around to the other side and pulled her out of the car. Lifting her up off the ground so that she was eye level, he whispered, "I love you, too, Jackie."

Carefully, he sat her back on the ground. She pressed her forehead to his and peered into his warm eyes. "You do?"

He nodded silently and gave her a slight smile before leaning into kiss her. Cars passed by, but neither of them noticed. They were too caught up in each other to notice anything, even the car that had parked behind theirs on the shoulder.

"Eric! Jackie!" they heard a voice call. Looking up, they spotted Fez.

"Hey, man!" Eric exclaimed as they broke apart. He reached over to hug his foreign friend and clapped him on the back.

"You're back?" Fez asked.

"It was a surprise," Jackie said. "We were actually going to find you all right now."

"I'm on my way to the Hub, but I had to stop and get some candy first."

Eric raised his eyebrow and Jackie nodded as they exchanged a look. "Right, so, we'll see you there," Eric said finally.

"Uh, yeah," Fez replied awkwardly before getting back into his car. With a wave, he left the two of them alone.

"We should go," Jackie said.

The rest of the drive to the Hub was far too short. It felt like a matter of a few seconds before Eric and Jackie found themselves in the parking lot. Neither of them said anything, but the air was much more confident than it had been before. What was once a moment cloaked in fear and uncertainty was now revitalized with an air of assurance and strength as they climbed out of the Vista Cruiser.

"We can do this," she told him as he took her hand.