Author Note: …a little fun for a change?

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Chapter 08 – Checking You Out

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Kitty took Jackie to her first appointment since she had been released from the hospital. Jackie was anxious for the bandages to be off! The hospital Ophthalmologist, Dr. Johnson, had Jackie sit in the examining chair and a nurse carefully removed the gauze bandages. He touched the sockets of her eyes, feeling for lumps or scarring. He spoke softly as he examined her. "Jackie, I'm very pleased that the swelling has almost gone away but that doesn't mean you're out of danger. I need you to judiciously continue using the steroid drops to help in healing. I'm going to look at your retina and if you feel pain or see anything, let me know."

Jackie felt the doctors gentle hands probing and prodding and it was uncomfortable but didn't hurt. "Are my eyes still the same color?"

"Yes, you still look like a beautiful young woman."

Jackie smiled. "When are you going to look in my retina?"

Dr. Johnson sighed. "I've already looked. It seems that it's going to take some more time to heal. You must remember you were exposed to a chemical and the recovery period is often longer."

"Okay, but it is going to get better, right?" she pressed.

"I can't say this early in your recovery process. Are you still having pain at night?"

"Yes and its still itchy." She admitted.

"I'm going to prescribe dilating eye drops which along with the steroids should help speed the healing along."

"Okay but can I stop wearing the bandages? I mean, you said the swelling was gone."

"We don't want any foreign objects getting into your eyes Jackie."

Jackie pulled her Ray Charles frames out of her pocket. "My friend got these for me." Dr. Johnson laughed. "Okay. I do have some safety glasses that will work. They aren't pretty but we'll put some dark lenses in them and you won't have to wear the gauze anymore."

"Thank you!" She could have almost hugged the eye doctor.

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Jackie enjoyed the right home. She told Kitty that she could finally take showers and that just seemed to tickle her to no end! Kitty noticed that Jackie seemed much happier without the bandages. Her beautiful eyes were almost back to normal….except she couldn't see.

"Jackie, is there anything you need while we're out?"

"No…actually I have everything I need. I'd like to lie down and rest my eyes a bit. They feel scratchy again.'

"Okay, well Red and I are going to the Lodge for dinner. Would you like me to have Bob stop by?"

"Isn't Eric going to be home?"

"Well, yes…but sweetie, he can't cook. I guess he can make a sandwich. That should be okay. We'll be home pretty late so make sure he cleans up his mess okay?"

Jackie smiled. "Yes ma'am."

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Eric loved depositing his paycheck at the bank. He felt like a team player and the guys were talking about possibly making Eric a full time employee. He enjoyed driving Jackie's Mustang and hoped she didn't mind since the Vista Cruiser was on its last legs. Tonight he felt like he was on top of the world.

He pulled into the driveway and noticed the Toyota was gone. Then he remembered the meeting at the Lodge. That meant no dinner. Maybe his mom left something! He opened the patio doors and was surprised to see Jackie sitting at the kitchen table drinking a beverage.

Her eyes were gorgeous! He couldn't stop looking at them – the light from the stove top glinted in the dark pupils. "Hello Eric." She smiled. Could she see me? He kicked off his boots and slid into his loafers. Her eyes seemed to track him as he walked across the kitchen. He pulled out a chair and sat down. There they were… one beautiful blue and one green eye looking at him.

"I still can't see." She said.

That was hard to believe. She looked so completely normal that he was thrown for a loop. "No more bandages?"

Jackie held up the safety glasses. Eric didn't want to tell her how hideous they looked. "I have to wear these so I don't get anything flying in my eyes." She reached across the table and Eric gave her his hand. "Take me out somewhere tonight. Please? Your mom isn't here and I would love to eat pizza and smell something new and hear different voices."

Eric grinned. That was an easy enough request. She added, "It's the least you can do since you stole my Mustang."

Busted!

Eric laughed uncomfortably. "I didn't think you'd mind. The Vista Cruiser gets cold in winter."

"So…you'll take me somewhere?" she asked hopefully.

Eric took a deep breath. "Yes, but realize that no one is going to know you can't see so they'll probably be rude and patronizing. You need to stay with me the entire time okay? I don't want you tripping or slipping on the ice."

She squeezed his fingers. "Don't worry; I just want to do something different!"

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Eric didn't know why he was dressing so carefully. It wasn't like Jackie could see what he was wearing anyways and this wasn't a date. Why did it feel like a date? Oh hell, if any one asked, he WAS on a date with a beautiful woman. Why shouldn't Eric Forman have a lovely lady on his arm at a restaurant?

Jackie was already downstairs in the kitchen. She was wearing those kicky boots and some jeans and a nice tee shirt. Eric guessed she just grabbed whatever she could find and the result was nice. He wondered if she was wearing that pretty pink bra from last week! Eric, be nice!

She was nearly bouncing in her seat. "So where are we going?" Eric smiled at her enthusiasm, "I was thinking about that Italian restaurant they just built by the mall. Have you been there?"

She nearly gasped, this was like a date! "No, but some of my friends at work told me the food is really good." She stood up and turned around slowly. "Honest opinion, how do I look? I dressed myself this time."

Eric wanted to say drop dead gorgeous but she'd probably get a big head out of it so he simply said, "You look very pretty." That was good enough to earn him a smile. Jackie grabbed her Ray Charles glasses and the safety glasses. "Which pair should I wear?"

Eric laughed. "Go for Ray. It makes you look like a movie star."

She slid the frames on her face. "Really? Do I need more lipstick or anything?"

"Nope, you look fine just the way you are. You look hungry – let's get out of here before my folks get back." Or she changes her outfit!

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Jackie loved sitting in her car again. The leather upholstery smelled good and the door creaked twice before it closed. Her favorite radio station was tuned in, it was almost like normal. But she couldn't drive or yell at stupid drivers. She was the passenger on this trip.

She sat back and just enjoyed the ride. Eric hummed along with the Rod Stewart's Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? The blinker clicked on and Eric sang/whispered, "If you want my body…and you think I'm sexy…" Jackie smiled and said, "Eric, I can hear you."

"What? Oh, I'm sorry. I like to sing when I drive."

"That's okay; I'm just messing with you." She laughed. Eric pushed her shoulder. "If you keep messing with me, I might just sing the whole song!"

Jackie smiled and pretended to zip her lip. "That's better." Eric joked. Minutes later, they were pulling into a parking lot. Jackie waited for Eric to come around and open her door. She wasn't familiar with the parking lot or the restaurant so this was dangerous territory.

Suddenly, her door opened and she heard the cacophony of hundreds of voices and music and the smells were mouth watering. She stood up holding onto the door frame. She wanted to eat. She wanted to dance. She wanted.

"Jackie, do you want your cane or can you just hang onto my arm?" She turned her head in Eric's direction. "I think I'll hang on to you if you don't mind." Eric didn't mind at all! He wrapped her hand around his left arm and slowly led the way across the icy parking lot.

"Tell me what it looks like." She asked.

Eric thought about it and answered, "They have colored lights hanging from the eaves, the bushes have lights and there's a picture of a head with a chef's hat on it. There's a red and gold patio umbrella with snow on it and some drunken guy talking to a post."

Jackie laughed. "Love that. I can totally see that in my head."

Eric waved two fingers at the waiter and he said, "Follow me." Eric slid an arm around Jackie's waist to keep her from being jostled by the crowd and so she wouldn't trip on the chair legs. "We have a booth; I'll let you slide in first."

Jackie could feel the fake leather upholstery but she could forgive the tacky material because the aromas in the air smelled so delicious. They got settled and a waitress appeared automatically. "Would you like something to drink?"

Eric smiled, "I'd like a beer please." Jackie thought for a second and replied, "Red wine for me." She didn't know if she could mix the wine with her night time medications but figured the food would absorb most of the alcohol.

"Eric, read me the best stuff on the menu."

Eric picked up the green paper menu and started with the entrees. He read through the salads and finally the main course. "Oh, I'd like the Chicken Alfredo with garlic bread."

"I think that sounds good too." He agreed. The waitress came back with their drinks and took the food order. Jackie moved her hand along the table to the stem of her glass and carefully picked it up. The first sip was delicious. Eric was watching her and she was so smooth that he could hardly believe she was sightless.

She listened to a lover's quarrel…a man meeting his mistress over drinks…a woman telling her husband they needed to build a nursery for their new addition. All the conversations were wonderful and she felt privy to listen because weeks ago all she would have heard was a blur.

She heard a familiar beat in the background. It was Andy Gibb! "Oh Eric, could we dance one time? To this song? I love Andy Gibb." She was nearly bubbling over with excitement. "I guess… but don't go trying any solo stuff." He teased.

"I won't." She pushed against his leg in her rush to get out of the booth. Eric took her hand and had to stop for a moment. In all the time he'd known this little warrior, she never looked prettier than she did waiting for him to dance with her.

"What are you doing? We're supposed to be dancing."

"Oh….I'm just checking you out." He smiled.

"Well let's do it on the dance floor!" she laughed joyfully.

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