Two months later, Eric and Jackie have got into a good routine. They have become very close friends but now Eric is feeling as if he wants more. They just arrived home and Jackie was making dinner. They took turns as to who cooked and who did the dishes. Eric watched Jackie as she cooked. He had come to enjoy watching Jackie.

His opinion of Jackie had changed as they spent more time together. Eric's attentiveness to Jackie had not gone unnoticed by the former cheerleader. She was enjoying the attention he gave her more than she wanted to admit.

Eric and Jackie's closeness started growing when Eric had written Donna:

Dear Donna,

I know things ended badly between us. I had hoped that our love was meant to last forever. I know now that it was not meant to be. It took me coming to Africa to learn that. I want you to know I am not mad at you. I will always be your friend and love you like a friend. That being said we weren't meant for each other. It takes two to make a relationship work. I realized after coming to Africa that I was the one always giving in to what you wanted. It was because I just wanted you to be happy. I am not mad, upset, or sad about anything I did for you. Please go be happy and find your way in the world. I hope one day to be reading your articles from across the world. Please don't wait for me to come home because I would just disappoint you. I am closing the door on us. I know I seem as if I am being mean but I am not. Being mean would be to keep you on the hook until I get home. I am not certain when I will be home. I am enjoying my program and I am going to get a degree by staying longer. I came to get money for school but now I am earning my degree. Go on to school and move on with your life.

You're Friend,

Eric

Eric had gotten Jackie to read the letter to make sure it wasn't mean. That was when Jackie knew for certain that Eric was over Donna. Jackie had thought about seducing Eric but then why should she. She could see he was falling for her all on his own. Without the idiots from the basement to torment them Eric and Jackie's friendship grew each day.

One week after Eric watched Jackie cook. They came home from work and she went to cook dinner. Eric said "Jackie lets go out tonight! We have been working and cooking for two months. We need a night off."

Thankfully it was a Friday night and they didn't have to work tomorrow. Jackie's whole face lit up at the idea of going out. Jackie ran to her bedroom to find something to wear. She found a dress, it was a gorgeous purple spaghetti strap one. Eric went to his room and put on his only pair of khakis pants and a dress shirt.

When Eric saw Jackie come out of her room all he could do was whistle. Jackie looked drop dead gorgeous. Finally when Eric spoke. "Jackie, you have been a great friend these past two months but I have something to confess to you."

"What's that?"

Eric closed the distance between them and kissed Jackie like she had never been kissed. It was a knock your socks off kind of kiss and Jackie liked it.

"Wow Eric! Is that how you feel?"

"Yes!"

Before Eric could say anything else Jackie kissed him. She crushed his lips with hers. Eric responded and returned the kiss. Slowly he pushed his tongue into her mouth and she accepted it and pushed hers into his mouth. Eric let his hormones get the best of him and pushed Jackie up against the wall. Pinning her there and kissing her. Jackie was surprised by his boldness but decided it was good he was the one to make the moves. It meant he was finally becoming the man she knew he could be.

Eric stopped them a short five minutes later. Jackie said "I am glad we are on the same page."

"Oh yeah. I was nervous with doing that but I wanted to let you know how I feel."

"You certainly did but somebody said we were going out. Now we really have to go since I have a new man."

Eric couldn't argue with her. They headed out the door and to downtown Mombasa. They found a good place to eat. Jackie saw a dance club and dragged Eric there. Well that wasn't entirely true. Eric went willingly because he wanted to see Jackie happy. They danced to a few songs but mostly they didn't know them so they went to their own beat. Eventually they gave up and went home. Jackie was worn out from the week. She wanted to shower and crawl into bed.

Just not her bed. She wanted to take it slower with Eric than she had with Michael or Hyde. While she wanted to feel Eric hold her they weren't taking that step just yet.

Eric was the first in bed and was reading the latest Batman comic that Fez sent him. Fez could be counted on for sending Eric silly things like that. Eric didn't notice at first Jackie walk into his room. When he looked up from his comic there stood Jackie. She had stolen his star wars t shirt and pair of his boxers while he was in the shower. Eric's face told Jackie all she needed to know.