Eric and Jackie had woken up early and gotten on the road. Eric had said he wanted to get back and settled in before dark. Jackie was concerned by the fact Eric was worried about it getting dark. Was he scared of the dark?

Mombasa was a beautiful coastal city. Eric drove them to a small house structure and welcomed Jackie to his home, which was now their home.

The little four room hut was not much and was not at all decorated like Jackie would have liked. She was going to have to work on making it look nicer and Eric would have to deal. Jackie took the second bedroom and liked that the bed was at least a full bed. It wasn't much but it would be here home. She turned and smiled at Eric. He had been so welcoming and comforting to her, she hated that had been so mean to each other in the past.

"This is nice Eric. Maybe not really nice but I will make it better."

"Well you can change somethings but I don't want everything to pink and unicorns."

"I have grown up some since freshman year Eric!"

"Ok, before we change everything please talk to me about it first. We both have to live here."

"I will talk to you Eric but this place definitely needs a woman's touch and I am that woman."

Eric gave up and shrugged.

"Hey Jackie don't forget you wanted to call Brooke but wait until about midnight because it will be about 4pm back in Wisconsin. That or you can get up really early tomorrow and call."

"I never thought about the time difference, Thanks Eric!"

"Well I am going to call my dad and let him know you made it safe. I think he would fly here and put a foot up my ass if I didn't."

Jackie started laughing imagining Red getting off a plane kicking Forman in the ass and turning around and flying back.

"Hello?" Kitty answered the phone

"Hi mom!"

"Eric, how is everything sweetie?"

"Good! How is everyone back there?" Playing dumb because he isn't certain if his mom knows.

"Well we have had some craziness lately. Jackie has disappeared and I know you know that because Steven and Donna are mad at you. Why did you break up with Donna?"

"Because of Randy mom. She was all but cheating on me. Besides she ditched her best friend/ sister for a stripper. She isn't the same girl."

"Well I am sorry honey! Hang on your dad wants the phone."

"Dumbass, what is going on?"

"Everything is good dad! Jackie made it safe. I promise to take care of her until we get back."

"Good! I have to tell your mother because we moved the address for her here in case she gets any major mail."

"Want to talk to her dad?"

"Yes!"

"Jackie take the phone it's my dad."

"Mr. Forman?"

"Loud one, I can't keep this from Kitty. I am going to tell her where you are. She won't tell anyone. It's because we moved your mail here in case you getting anything."

"Ok Mr. Forman! Can you do me a favor please?"

"What now?"

"Can you give Betsy and Brooke a hug for me? I didn't do that before I left."

"I guess I can do that much for you. Only if you take care of Eric. I know he has been on his own for six months but he is such a dumbass sometimes."

"We'll watch out for each other. Thank you for everything Mr. Forman!"

Bye Loud one."

"Bye!"

Eric looked at Jackie. "Your dad wants me to take care of you."

"He made me promise to take care of you. What is he up to?"

"Well maybe he realizes it's just us over here so we have to at least be friendly if not friends."

"Well I would like to be your friend. I already lost two friends so it would be nice to have another friend."

"Well I already considered you a friend Eric. We may not have been close but why else would you invite me all the way to Africa?"

"True! Ok so not a new friend but a how about we talk and really get know each other since we haven't in the past. The crazy gang wouldn't have liked that."

"That's for sure! Wonder why?"

Eric and Jackie talked as he helped her get her room ready. He gave her some privacy to put her clothes away and he made dinner. She was shocked that he could cook. He actually made a decent meal. Thankfully the Europeans had been in Africa for a while so at least there was some stuff he could buy and cook. They sat around and talked about what Eric had been doing and Eric suggested she try both the teaching and nursing for a day and see which one see liked better.

About midnight Eric suggested Jackie call Brooke. Brooke answered "Hello?"

"Hey Brooke, its Jackie!"

"Jackie, where the hell are you?"

"Before I tell you are you around anyone?"

"No Michael works until 8pm tonight. Betsy is here but she won't tell. So where are you? I have had Hyde and Donna looking for you today and they aren't happy people."

"Well if I tell you then you are sworn to secrecy as in you tell and I will have Mr. Forman put his foot up your butt."

"Ok I swear on Betsy's life I won't tell. Where the hell are you?"

"I am in Afirca with Eric. He invited me and I am going teach with him or earn a degree in nursing. It's a long story. Mostly to do with Donna and Hyde."

"Africa? Wow what caused this? If I don't know already."

"Donna and Hyde wouldn't give me any peace. I needed to get away and figure out my life. Eric offered to help and I took him up on it. I am sorry I didn't tell you before I left but I couldn't stay around there."

"I understand. Michael is pissed off at those Dillholes too! I mean Fez is still ok but he is Fez and there is a stripper so he is useless. But Donna should know better. Did Eric tell you…"

"Yes! He broke up with Donna. He knows about Randy too so it wasn't just me. He is being really sweet to me."

"Jackie are you crushing on Eric?"

"Well he has changed in the last six months but right now we both just need a good friend. Thankfully he is in his room right now. He has more muscles than I remember. "

"Send me a picture of him if you can."

"I will. I have him take one of me too. I am going to miss you and Betsy so much."

"We'll miss you too! I won't tell Michael but he will figure it out sooner or later."

"I know but I will send you a letter. I don't want to make the phone bill too high. Goodnight Brooke!"

"Night Jackie!"

Jackie hung up the phone and saw Eric had already locked up and gone to bed. Eric had told Jackie they had to get up around 7am to get ready and such. Jackie was feeling the effects of jetlag and headed to bed.