Eric and Jackie drama and smut ahead. This is after all an M rated story. If you don't like, don't read. Love to all my reviewers, you guys make my day when I see your responses to the story in my email!

Chapter 23

Several hours later Eric had finally completed his explanation to his parents. The story took rather longer than it should have between Jackie's additions on the parts that involved her (intimate details thankfully left out) and his mother's frequent outbursts of tears and hugs.

Eric was very much surprised that this father did not once interrupt to yell, insult, or otherwise, demean him. In fact, he calmly asked questions when clarification was needed and had actually told him, in front of everyone, that he was proud of him.

The Forman's, Fez, and Laurie had all listened with rapt attention. No one seemed to notice that Hyde was less than attentive but instead appeared thoroughly pre-occupied with his own thoughts. No one, that is, except for Jackie. A couple of times she found herself watching him and she could not accurately reason why but somehow she felt that something was wrong. Instead of taking pleasure in his obvious distress, she actually felt sorry for him.

Eric never felt happier than he had today. He was with his family, friends, and the girl he loved more than anything. He smiled at Jackie but she was not looking at him. She was watching Hyde, an indescribable look on her face. Eric immediately felt an icy shiver pierce his gut.

Jealousy? Fear? Anger?

He supposed it was all of those feelings. He squeezed her hand and she immediately turned to him. She smiled, leaned towards him, and gave him a kiss. She knew something was wrong when he didn't press his lips back to hers. Pulling back she searched his face but could read nothing. His eyes certainly looked troubled but she couldn't think of why that should be, she thought everything was going well.

Jackie tilted her head at him in question but he ignored it for the moment and turned back to his parents.

"So where are we staying?" he asked his mom.

Kitty looked somewhat reluctant, "Um, you and Jackie want to stay in the same room?"

Eric raised his eyebrows, "Mom, we aren't teenagers anymore and we're both tired."

Kitty laughed her trademark nervous laugh, "Well, then, sweetie… I suppose you can take the spare room upstairs. It's the second door on the left."

Eric stood up, "Thanks, Mom." He went over to her and gave her a kiss, "We'll be up in time for dinner." He turned to Jackie and she stood up and followed him out of the kitchen.

Eric was silent as he picked up their bags and brought them to the spare bedroom. Jackie started to get worried when he remained silent even after the bedroom door closed. He made no move to kiss her, he wouldn't even look at her. He kicked his shoes off and laid down on the bed and shut his eyes.

Jackie stood nervously by the closet and watched him, biting her lip.

She couldn't take it, "Eric. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, not opening his eyes.

"Something. Eric, please, tell me. What is it?" she said.

Eric sighed heavily, "Fine," he sat up, "Tell me the truth, Jackie. Are you still in love with Hyde."

Jackie could see that just asking the question caused Eric a lot of pain but it did not stop her from reacting explosively.

"Excuse me?" she asked in disbelief, her voice shrill. "How- how could you even ask me that, Eric? After everything I've told you, after everything you and I have talked about, you still believe that I'm in love with Steven?"

Eric stood up to face her, "I have to ask, Jackie. After the way I saw you looking at him downstairs. How could I not? It's obvious you still have feelings for him."

Jackie seethed, her face reddening. She forced herself to speak as calmly as possible, aware of the people just below them.

"No."

"No what?" Eric asked.

"No, I am not still in love with him."

"But you still have feelings for him."

Jackie hesitated but found she could not lie to Eric, she loved him too much to deceive him.

"Yes."

Eric let out a harsh laugh, "So what the hell is this, Jackie. Just what the hell is it you think we are doing? Is this all just some bullshit charade you decided to play because you were bored? Tell me."

Tears sprung into Jackie's eyes but she refused to breakdown, "Think about what you are saying, Eric."

"I am thinking about it, Jackie. I just don't like where this line of thinking is leading me. You need to tell me right now if everything you said about being with me and everything you expect to get out of this relationship is bullshit," Eric said, his jaw tight.

"It's not," she said, "I want to be with you."

"Then why-"

"You know why!" she said, starting to lose her control, "Ask yourself this, Eric. Do you still have feelings for Donna?"

"N-"

"Don't lie. Think about it and answer honestly," she said before he could finish.

Eric stopped and took a breath. Did he still have feelings for Donna? It didn't feel like it but then he thought about it again. Was it because they weren't the same feelings as before? Did he still care about Donna? Did he care about what happened to her? Whether or not she was happy? The answer was clear.

"Yes."

"Why?" Jackie prompted, hoping he would see where this was going.

Eric thought for a moment again, "Because I loved her."

Jackie nodded though her tears, "Exactly! You loved her. You gave a part of yourself to her that you can't take back, Eric. Don't you see? You can't stop yourself from caring about the people you loved."

Eric dropped down to the bed. Jackie moved to sit next to him. She picked up his hand and held it.

"Still caring about someone does not stop you from loving again," she watched Eric for a reaction. He did not look at her yet but entwined his fingers with hers, which she took as a good sign. "I do still care about Steven. But am I still in love with him? No, I'm not. I'm in love with you, Eric."

Eric looked at her then.

Jackie's gaze did not waver from his. Her teary, blue and green eyes stared into his and he knew that she meant it. She meant it with all her heart and he knew he could not deny her now what she deserved to hear.

Eric cupped her face and kissed her softly, "I love you, Jackie."

Jackie gave a small hiccup and more tears came to her eyes but she smiled her beautiful smile and pulled him to her. They fell back onto the bed and exchanged passionate kisses, neither feeling that anymore had to be said but rather shown.

"I'm sorry," Eric said softly.

Jackie shook her head, "It's okay."

Eric kissed Jackie's nose, cheeks, and eyelids. Pulling back after each touch of his lips to her skin to see the look of happiness gracing her lovely features.

"Eric, please, make love to me," Jackie whispered, winding her arms around his neck.

Eric complied with her request and began to help her out of her clothes. When they were both properly divested and had worked themselves up into a frenzy, Jackie begged him urgently to take her.

"Now," she moaned, as Eric pressed kisses all down the length of her body. She was clutching at him as he paid close attention to her breasts. "Oooh, now, Eric."

"I love you, Jackie," Eric whispered in her ear as he settled between her legs.

Jackie arched her back and wrapped her slender legs around his waist, "I love you, Eric. I love you."

Eric pushed into her and Jackie squealed in pleasure.

Eric chuckled breathlessly, "Shhh. We don't want any unwelcome visitors in here."

Jackie squeaked and nodded, her eyes drifted shut and she and Eric began to move together. Her brushed the hair out of her eyes and kissed her as he thrust. Jackie moaned into his mouth and pulled him down until their chests where pressed together. Several minutes later, she could feel that she was on the brink.

"Eric, I'm close," she said with a small moan.

Eric was breathing heavily and he nodded. He reached between them and rubbed slow, deliberate circles over her clit as he continued to thrust.

Jackie yelped and tightened her legs around him. Eric kissed her again to quiet her.

With the added stimulation Jackie was soon falling over the edge, her inner muscles contracting and her legs spasming as she rode out her orgasm. Eric's mouth still pressed to hers as she struggled to quiet the sound of her release.

For his part, Eric was trying to think of every unsexy thing he could to hold himself back. But Jackie's sounds of pleasure, her kisses, and the feeling of her orgasm was getting to be too much for him.

Quickly, he secured Jackie's legs tightly around his waist and without pulling out of her, he sat up and helped a trembling Jackie to straddle him. Swinging his legs off the side of the bed, Jackie realized through her fog what he wanted. Gathering the remainder of her strength, and with Eric's help, she was able to move against him.

She knew he was close when his arms tightened around her. She, too, was feeling the shivers of pleasure again. Clutching at his shoulders, she brought herself down against him and held on as he reached completion. Eric let out the breath he had been holding and was able to move long enough for Jackie to reach the peak a second time.

They remained wrapped around each other for several minutes afterward, their breath evening out and heartbeats steadying. Eric collapsed backward on the bed, taking Jackie with him. He pulled the covers of the rumpled bed over their naked bodies and cuddled Jackie close to him.

Jackie sighed in contentment, "I love you."

"I love you," Eric responded.

And they both drifted off to sleep.