I'm not digging this chapter a whole lot but it's necessary for relationship advancement, plus it's short as hell.

Chapter 8:

Jackie and Eric had settled into their seats in the back of the movie theater, arms laden with popcorn and cokes.

Eric shook his head in disbelief as he looked up at the towering movie screen, "It's amazing the things you take for granted."

Jackie knew he was referring to being at the movies after so long away from such luxuries,

but her mind was turning the phrase over and over. She struggled with the feeling that maybe she was only suddenly attracted to him because she was lonely or because she knew him.

But she reasoned that couldn't be it.

She may not have had many friends in Chicago but she was a beautiful girl and she was never wanting for dating offers and from plenty of handsome men. As for the fact that she knew him… well, she was coming to realize that she didn't really know him at all, at least not the way she thought she did.

The theater lights suddenly dimmed at the screen glowed with the previews of upcoming movies.

Jackie tried to focus her attention on the screen.

Unbeknownst to her, Eric's thoughts were similarly occupied.

He always thought Jackie was beautiful but now that he was getting the opportunity to spend time alone with her he was beginning to realize that there was more going on in her head than what movie stars were eating.

Fearing his thoughts were straying into dangerous territory he focused on the screen.

Both of them were able to watch the movie as normally as possible until it started getting too scary for Jackie to keep looking. At one point she jumped so badly that she found she was clutching onto Eric's arm for dear life.

Feeling embarrassed, she relaxed her grip.

Eric just grinned at her.

His reaction suddenly made her braver. Making a silent decision and to hell with the consequences, Jackie leaned over and hid her face in his shoulder. If there was one thing Jackie Burkhart was good at it was playing the part of vulnerable female.

And it seemed to work as far as Eric was concerned. He certainly wasn't complaining.

Jackie had her face buried in his shoulder every time something scared her. Eric, on impulse, grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Feeling a little nervous when Jackie pulled back, he chanced a look at her face.

To his relief she was smiling and she wasn't letting go of his hand

It was around noon when the movie let out.

"That was so scary!" Jackie said as they stepped out into the cold afternoon, "I'm sleeping with the light on for a week!"

Eric chuckled, "It wasn't that bad."

Jackie gave him a look, "You're a guy, the only that scares your kind is the beer running low and a chick who refuses to put out."

"That's not fair, I've survived without both for two and a half years," he said.

Jackie smiled wickedly to herself.

They found Kelso's car in the parking lot and got in.

"I have to do some grocery shopping, and I thought I'd cook Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday for Kelso and Brooke since they'll be busy with the baby. Do you want to help me?" Jackie asked.

Eric looked nervous, "I've never cooked anything in my life- well, I burnt toast once, but that's it. Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"You can open the cans."

Erin grinned, "I can do that. Hey, since when do you cook? I seem to remember a pie burning incident and some really bad cookies…"

Jackie stuck her tongue out at him, "I've had lots of practice since then, plus, well… I may have taken a class or two, but maybe it's just my natural talent." She smirked at him.

Once at the grocery store Jackie bought her usual groceries and also all the fixings for a superb Thanksgiving dinner.

She wanted to make this Thanksgiving special, not only to celebrate Brooke and Kelso's new baby but she found herself wanting to impress Eric and she knew that one of the best ways to a man's heart was through his stomach.

I must be nuts, she thought.

She thought it was even stranger that while she was thinking of pursuing this, she gave no thought whatsoever to either Donna or Steven.

I guess I really have moved on…Now it's just a matter of if he even thinks of me like that, she thought nervously, trying to recapture some of her self confidence that told her any guy would kill for a shot to be with her.

Eric was enjoying helping Jackie pick out what they would have for Thanksgiving dinner later this week. It felt so… domestic, and he found he rather liked the feeling. He liked even more that it was with her and he realized then that he must really be over Donna.

He was resolved then to pursue whatever this was turning out to be with Jackie and he didn't feel guilty about it at all.

Now, that's if she's even interested in me, he thought.

This was going to be a little more difficult than either of them thought

Okay so both of them are thinking the same thing and we know they want to see where this might go but they're too chicken to make a move! LOL. So… who, oh, who is going to make the first move?? Stay tuned!