A/N: Well it has been a while. Sorry about that let's get to the story.


The store was dimly lit but Eric could still make out mostly everything in the store. He was fine with almost all the clothes. While the colors were a little exuberant for his taste, he understood everyone has a sense of style, even if it was dreadful for him to look at. What really got to him were the suits, overly bright suits cascading the walls they passed to get to the back of the store. "The first week is always the worst, you will sit in a room for the first day, do what I think and have told corporate numerous times is an excessive amount of paperwork and watch a training video. Then you will shadow one of the associates for the rest of week. Now for the paperwork remember to", Mrs. Huckabee paused the one-sided conversation when she saw some excess clothes on the floor a bright yellow polyester shirt and some tan linen trousers, "Oh heavens, we missed a spot last night." She proceeded to pick the clothes up and turned around, "Um, where was I?"

"The paperwork ma'am," Jackie chimed, "How long is the paperwork ma'am?" Mrs. Huckabee stood there for about a minute, lost in thought. For Jackie and Eric, it felt like an eternity, likely because of youthful impatience. "Very," she noted, "should take half the day, the videos will take the other half then you'll be shadowing one of our associates tomorrow, so pay lots of attention."

"Don't worry ma'am", Eric smiled her way, "We'll keep each other in check." Jackie held in her laughter but gave Eric a quick side eye. They followed Mrs. Huckabee to the back section of the store. A wall with 3 doors lined up against each other stood in front of them. The men and women's bathroom had brown doors but the third door, a third door, white, matching the wall it was connected to, had employees only established on the top of the door.

"And voila, it is not much, most of our stock is outside. Follow me-." She gestured them into the room first and closed the door behind them, "You'll get keys to the room by today, I think." Jackie surveyed the room; save for a table, stacked up chairs, and a TV, it was basic, she could see a few rows of apparel on a wall in sections, she was right about the lack of stock. "Are we waiting for new clothes ma'am?" "Oh no, Over the years I've found that we cater to a, niche crowd you'll see what I mean later. "

Jackie sat at the table waiting for Mrs. Huckabee to finish setting up the TV, "now, the video is about an hour, it's all about our history and how we work here."

"Ma'am?" "Yes, Jackie?"

"Can Eric sit down?" Eric jolted out of his trance. He was taking in everything around him and forgot to move, he was used to the managers giving orders on everything he needed to do, "Sorry, spaced out a bit". Ms. Huckabee smiled at the two of them finishing notating the paperwork as they sat down. "I'll have to start getting the store ready, so you'll be here by yourselves. I trust your attentiveness to the film back here but like anything the work is best learned in the field. "Eric nodded, "I agree, Ma'am'. He could sense a slight eye roll on his left side.

"Once the videos done come out and let me know, we'll go over signing the paperwork". Checking the time, she put the movie in and left the room in quick pace, the company logo appearing on the screen as the door closes. A jingle played in their ears as video of people shopping in the store played,

"Have a nice day!" "Can I help you with anything ma'am" "Welcome to Janet's!"

"You know we're not going to watch this right?" "Oh Jacqueline Burkhart, that would mean not following the rules and on or first day." Eric feigned a shocked look on her face and was prompted to another eye roll. He lowered the volume down, "I really don't see us needing more knowledge, you do one job with a cash register you've done them all."

"Oh, I agree when I have the Luke Skywalker of customer service working with me. A smile here, 'anything I can help you with sir' there, and anything tough 'Eric here can help you with that."

Eric chuckled, "You got it all figured out." She shrugged and looked around the room again, "Did you eat breakfast, I forgot to get anything."

Her eyes moved towards Eric, he was reading the paperwork, "No, I forgo- Hey! What gives?" Jackie had moved the paperwork out of the way, on top of the TV, "It's a distraction from the plan."

"We're not even watching the movie and what plan?"

"The Summer Fun Plan!" she huffed.

"What?" "I thought of it last night, Eric is there any reason to read the paperwork when we're going to read it together, later. Especially when we need to be here planning on how were going to make this summer fun." Eric thought for a second, she was kind of right. There was a lot in the air, there were moments where the last few weeks did not feel real, that he was set on tunnel vision but recently, the fog had lifted. He began to speak but a finger appeared before his eyes, "One more thing, you've said nothing about my first day outfit either. Now, I know I look good, but I was going for 'breathtaking'."

"Uh, I mean…" before Eric could answer, Jackie got moved some feet away and did a twirl, the unabashed confidence was something he envied. He wouldn't go so far to breathtaking, but she looked great. If he'd ever pictured Jackie Burkhart at work this would be up there.

"Accessories" She pointed to the bracelets and earrings. Moved her hands to orange tie around her hair. "Then we match but not too much bring a neutral in there to soften it out you know." "I don't, Jackie.' She sighed and nodded her head she almost forgot who she was talking to, "Do I look pretty or not?"

Eric did not hesitate, there was no not, he'd seen this trap before but giving Jackie what she wanted still didn't feel right, not without a jab or two, "I didn't think The Jackie Burkhart needed my approval. This must be what power feels like." She snorted and sat back down, slightly leaning back in her seat, "Need was never said Eric, but as my friend, some confirmation is nice, I wouldn't mind that."

"Ok, I, understand, or at least I think I do." There was a pause before Eric looked at Jackie, "You look radiant, Burkhart and I'm going to be relying on you too around here and I don't think I'll be picking up any of your slack." "Oh you will be I already told you what I'm doing but I might treat you to lunch sometime."

"Yay. You know this means you're going to be around the group more often"

"Yes, well aware. Are we planning or not?"

"We're planning Jackie."

She smirked, "Good, I wasn't going to watch this."


A/N: I haven't written in forever so I'm trying to get the rust out. I do love this story and I feel this chapter is weak but instead of what I usually do I finished it. I'm not making any more promises, too many of those in the past. Be safe out there guys.

I love you, I'm lying about that.