A/N – A big Hi to those of you still reading this fic! I meant to put in an A/N at the start of chapter 5 but forgot to at the last moment. I am really sorry about the long 3 week delay between chapters 4 and 5 , and the subsequent 1 week time taken to put this chapter up.

It certainly doesn't mean I lost interest in the story, I was travelling a few weeks back and unfortunately caught a pretty nasty cold, it has been a rainy summer in northern UK !

I promise to update frequently, it took me only a day to write this entire chapter and I have started already on chapter 7 – will try to get that up by mid-week.

I can see from my chapter stats that a number of you are indeed still reading this, please do drop a short review if possible to let me know what's going well and what isn't and any other ideas you may have. Thank you!

Chapter 6 – I'll need your love to see me through

Thursday, September 27th 1979,

Early evening

Point Place, Wisconsin

Fall had already set in. The evenings could be quite chilly, but Donna was lightly dressed in a long sleeved tee shirt and jeans as she walked the few minutes from her house to the Forman house basement.

It was a week since they had got back from California.

She walked in to find the basement empty. Hyde would be home from Grooves anytime now, and she felt like she needed some company that evening.

Jackie was, believe it or not, up in Madison for a couple of days checking out the university and thinking about trying to enrol. She was fairly sure she wanted to go to college now, but couldn't bear to be too far away from Hyde either, and UW offered the option of being near enough to Point Place that she could see her boyfriend every weekend.

Hyde had already said he would drive her back and forth every single weekend if she decided she wanted to study there.

Kelso and Fez had called earlier in the week to confirm they were coming for home for the weekend; apparently they had various hysterical stories to share of the wild times they were having with the Chicago babes.

It would be the first time Hyde and Kelso spent time together since the incident in Chicago with Jackie – so the girls were hoping there were no fireworks of the dangerous kind.

Hopefully, the boys had been friends too long to let anything like this come between them.

Everyone seemed to be coming and going, Donna thought ruefully. She was the only one who seemed stuck in the past or at least it felt that way sometimes.

She still put in a few hours most midday's at the radio station – but her heart wasn't in it anymore, continuing work as a radio jockey in Point Place had only ever seemed like the perfect option at the time last year because it had allowed her to work locally and be with Eric…..

The door opened and Hyde walked in ….followed by a tall guy with longish wavy hair …

Hyde pulled out beers for himself and his new acquaintance before assuming his usual position by the couch.

'Donna, meet Randy – I've hired him to help out at Grooves'

Light conversation followed. Donna switched on the TV, and was able to continue with her earlier thoughts while appearing to be engrossed watching television.

She could feel the 'new guy' 's gaze on her, he was trying not to be too obvious about it but he was checking her out in a thorough manner.

Even if she had been single, she doubted she would have been interested – he didn't seem her type. Although, not that she knew what exactly her type was – geeky skinny Star War addicts who knew how to make a girl's toes curl with their kisses?

Although despite the fact that Randy's attention did not spark any butterflies, she could feel herself sitting up a little straighter purely on reflex. How long had it been now since anyone had paid the least bit of attention to her down here in the basement?

Even Mr and Mrs Forman seemed to have less to say to her as the weeks passed by– it felt like they wanted her to keep coming over but they didn't quite know how to fill the silence either when she came over to the kitchen for a chat.

'Your mom still calling everyday to see if you've decided about USC, Donna?' Hyde wanted to know.

'Yeah …..I told her yesterday that I still wanted to think about it for a couple of weeks more'

Hyde grunted in response. The entire gang knew that USC was now under consideration by Donna and they were all hoping that she picked UW instead so they still got to see her often.

Donna still hadn't told Eric about her visit to USC though ….it wasn't very likely she would decide to apply there anyway, she reasoned.

'Donna, Hyde told me you're a DJ at WFPP and that you love Zeppelin too….you might enjoy coming by to hear my band perform this week …we got a gig in Kenosha on Sunday…..'

It was so obvious that he was attracted and while she didn't feel any part of her mind or body respond to that attraction ….she couldn't deny that it felt nice to be noticed …..He didn't seem overtly creepy or anything …..There couldn't be any harm in hanging out as friends.

I'm in if the others come along as well ….Our other friends from Chicago are only here until Sunday night ….'

Sunday, September 30th 1979,

7 pm,

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Jackie and Hyde were on the dance floor. The band were playing quite a lot of slow numbers that evening in keeping with the ambience of that particular bar, and Donna actually found it relaxing watching her two friends sway in each other's arms while leaning back and taking in the pleasant music.

Fez had downed a few beers and was now trying his best to persuade a petite brunette, who didn't look unalike Jackie, to dance with him. She looked like she might give in and agree If he kept at it a while longer.

Kelso was showing his adorable but rare serious side, seated beside her, regaling her with photos and stories of his toddler, Betsy.

He seemed to love being able to spend more time with his daughter now in Chicago.

Donna idly wondered if she ever would have believed it a couple of years ago had someone told her that Kelso would be the first of the gang to become a doting parent.

The band took a break and pre-recorded songs took over for a while so the couples on the floor didn't have to stop.

Donna smiled at Randy as he came over and sat next to her.

'Do you like the music, Donna? 'He seemed to only have eyes for her right then.

Donna rolled her eyes as Kelso interjected 'hey Buddy, you know who else she really likes, her boyfriend Eric'.

He was nice, she acknowledged, as Randy politely asked Kelso more about his new life in Chicago.

If he wanted to spend time with her as a friend, she wouldn't object she decided, as long as he understood that she was not looking for anything more.

All the others seemed busy lately; even Jackie was preoccupied with deciding what she wanted to do next and had determined not to dawdle over the decision for too long.

'So Donna, you want to dance? This is a lovely song…..'

'Maybe later' she smiled back 'But thanks for asking.'

October 1st, 1979, 7.30 am

Kenya, East Africa

Eric groaned as Donna straddled his thighs taking the entire length of him inside her. He lay back letting the waves of pleasure wash over him, as she moved back and forth, her breasts swaying as she rocked.

He cupped her neck and pulled her down for a deep kiss, as she continued undulating on top of him.

Her nipples brushed against his chest, the sensation so pleasurable for both of them that husky cries filled the room as he grasped her hips and helped deepen the thrusts that were taking both of them to the edge.

She raised her head from kissing his neck, and looked down at with him a seductive smile. His eyes fastened on her curving lips; her smile was so sexy that it was going to send him over the edge any moment now.

Eric woke with a groan. He was lying on his stomach, with his throbbing arousal pressed against the firm mattress. The sound of the insistent alarm had cut into what surely would have ended as a very satisfying wet dream.

He gave another groan of pain as he lifted his hand and shut the alarm off.

His body was angrily protesting Donna's absence right now.

Damn. He missed her so much …..

It was too late to try and make a run for the bathroom to use the shower; he couldn't risk any of the other inmates of the house seeing him in this condition.

The boys shared the use of the main bathroom and the girls had cordoned off the smaller bathroom set at the back of the house for their private use.

But he had overslept and everybody would be up and about right now.

He gave up resisting. His body was clamouring for release. He lay back on his stomach and let his mind dwell blissfully on images of Donna's endless creamy legs wrapped around him….

'Eric' There was a knock at his door.

He stifled a curse and hoped whoever it was would just go away. They all respected each other's space and this was the first time someone had knocked on his door in the morning. Great timing.

'Eric' It was Sara's voice and it sounded quite hesitant. 'I'm driving into Kilifi today and I wanted to offer you a ride to the school. It's raining really heavily outside, it won't be easy for you to walk '

She couldn't hear a response, maybe he was sleeping in today.

She turned to walk away when she heard his voice, sounding unusually hoarse,

'It's okay… I'll walk over to the school ….later'

'Okay bye' She beat a hasty retreat.

6 pm

Eric had reached home only a couple of hours ago. He had managed to reach the school that morning only slightly late. But he had struggled to walk the distance in the rain as the accompanying heavy wind had made it difficult to hold his umbrella in place.

He had stayed back a few hours in the afternoon after the kids had left, preparing questions for a set of tests he was planning for them later that week.

It might be just first grade curriculum that he was teaching but he took his work very seriously.

It was relaxing sitting there alone in the school, with probably just a few people pottering around in the ancient school courtyard and building after hours.

He had sat at a table in the tiny teacher's room, by the window, with his papers before him, appreciating the light rain still falling.

The rains had made everything look greener and more alive.

It was a welcome change after the heat that had prevailed the past few days, he had thought as he had strolled back home that evening.

At home, Cindy had informed him that the rest of them had escaped the heavy rain that morning, having taken up Sara's offer to get dropped off at work.

No one was in the kitchen after work that day. He had the space to himself. Opening one of the shelves, he took out a bag of dried pasta shells and a bottle of homemade Italian pasta sauce.

Both were from the Pinciotti house, and Donna had not only given him loads of the stuff to take along but had also taught him a few simple recipes to put together a tasty pasta dish.

He made plenty of it, knowing that whoever came in later that evening would be grateful for the hot meal to enjoy after a day of cool rains.

He was seated comfortably in front of the TV later, when Sara walked in and went straight to her room looking a bit bedraggled from her day.

Chris was locked in his room as usual and Eric had no idea where the two medical assistants right then.

Sara came over to the couch later, dressed for bed in baggy pajamas, her hair pulled back into a severe bun.

She had a bowl of pasta in her hand , that she proceeded to dig into after settling herself down comfortably.

'Thanks for doing dinner today, Eric….it's been a rough day'

'Hey, you're welcome…..and thanks for the offer to drive me to work today….I …I overslept …..'

Sara had wondered if he was suffering from a cold that morning as his voice had sounded like his throat was sore or something….but he sounded fine now…Her knock must have just woken him from a deep sleep and he had answered groggily …..

'You're welcome too' She grinned teasingly 'Sorry to disturb your early morning dreams about your girlfriend…..'

Sara had next to no experience with the opposite gender. But she knew enough to regret her words as soon as they were out of her mouth.

She had only meant to joke, but knew that indeed he had been 'dreaming' about Donna, his girlfriend, when she saw his reaction to her words.

He blushed slightly and muttered something in response before fixing his gaze on the TV.

He had never had a girl almost walk in on him before , well except Donna herself….and he didn't feel up to joking about it…..

Sara quickly started talking about her day in the nearby coastal town of Kilifi, where she had spent hours trying to file some BRC paperwork at a local bureaucracy.

'So, where's Cindy' she asked a few minutes later. It seemed odd that her friend would have left the house this late in the evening when it was still raining.

'No idea and Matt's been MIA as well for the past couple of hours… I hope they haven't killed each other' Eric joked as he picked up one of his comics from a table nearby.

'Why would you worry that they might kill each other?' Sara smiled.

'I don't know ….Matt was going on about how they didn't seem to be getting on or something like that a week ago'

'Eric …..You must be quite blind….or your mind must be somewhere else all the time …..' She was still smiling before going on,

'It's so obvious that they're crazy about each other…the only question is whether they know that yet …'

Wow, thought Eric, he really must be walking around with his head in the clouds, but could anyone really blame him?

His heart was halfway across the world, in the hands of a saucy sultry redhead….

October 3rd 1979, 5pm

Coastal East Africa

Eric and Sara walked back to the car which was parked outside the local council offices of the town of Malindi.

They had received news a week ago that one of the local retired expats had offered to teach at the BRC run primary school. They had been tasked with informing all the nearby towns that the local school now had an extra class available for new enrolments.

The two of them had covered all the towns on their list that afternoon, Malindi had been the last.

Eric had enjoyed the drive – most of the towns were Coastal and a view of the Beach had been constantly available through the morning.

A light rain was starting again as they got into the car, but to their joint dismay the car appeared to refuse to start.

After some feeble attempts to identify the problem, they decided the best course of action was to leave the car here and try and get back home somehow. Sara would have to call in to get the car fixed the next day morning.

A few minutes later, they were trying to get to the nearest bus station in the pouring rain, the single umbrella keeping neither of them dry, when a car pulled up beside them.

It was locals from their suburb, the married couple in the front with his ancient parents seated in the back.

They spoke cheerfully to Sara in Swahili and seemed to understand her broken responses explaining the current predicament with Sara's car.

Sara and Eric were offered a lift home in the small family car…but there was only room for one more person in the backseat….

The family smiled and opened the door, unable to understand why Sara continued to hesitate…..why was this young lady looking so uncomfortable, surely European girls weren't too shy to perch on their boyfriend's lap for a short drive back home?

'Come on Sara' said Eric, feeling equally uncomfortable about the impending seating arrangement but determined not to risk the two of them falling ill from standing around in the rain. 'This is no time to be a prude'.

He slid in, thanking the elderly couple who moved over to afford him as much space as they could possibly spare.

He looked at her expectantly, not wanting the kind locals to wait forever while Sara made up her mind.

She climbed in rather clumsily not wanting to make a scene and perched herself as lightly as she could on his knees rather than on his thighs …..pressing herself into the back of the driver's seat.

Eric had to hide a small smile as she continued to maintain the ridiculous position; she wasn't so much sitting on his lap as she was hanging off the front seat….he would have felt awkward at having a girl on his knees had it not been for the fact that she was obviously so much more discomfited than he was right then…..

The muted conversation in the car was a backdrop for the soft bluesy music playing …..The rain had been almost cold outside but it was warm inside the car. Sara relaxed after a few minutes; it looked like they would make it home uneventfully now.

And then they were rudely reminded that they were indeed driving down a narrow road in Africa and not speeding down a freeway in America when the guy driving had to turn sharply to avoid a herd of skinny goats that came out of nowhere…..

Sara lost her precarious hold on the front seat and was thrown back fully onto Eric's lap. Her thighs slid against his and her behind was now pressing firmly down onto his hips.

Everyone was thrown sideways when the car continued to swerve to avoid the goats that had taken over the narrow road.

Sara was in danger of falling onto the ancient little old lady seated next to Eric and on reflex, Eric gripped her hips to hold her in place.

Her hair was in his face for a few seconds before she managed to pull her shoulders forward. She found that there was no way to scramble forward back to her old position, well not without making things a lot more awkward as a lot of twisting and turning would be involved.

He was a friend not a stranger, and he was right, she must stop acting like a prude. She froze into the position.

Eric found that Donna was never far from his mind even when there was an attractive girl pressing firmly down on his lap and that helped him stay relaxed about the situation right then.

But he had to admit that only a dead man could stay completely untouched ….how did this skinny looking girl suddenly appear to have a million curves right then all bumping and moving against him as the car took a series of turns….

A few minutes later, they weren't too far from home, but they entered a rough stretch of terrain, the road only partially tarred ….and to his complete horror, he felt his body respond automatically to the feel of her rocking against his length.

For the second time that week, he found himself stifling an expletive in Sara's presence.

A virgin she still might be, but she would have to be an idiot not to feel him getting hard beneath her thighs. For one split second, her mind registered the fact that she didn't feel the usual feeling of repulsion rising inside her, before she leaned forward and spoke to the couple in front.

They pulled over.

'Eric, come on, we're just a 10 minute walk from home through that lane now ….and its barely raining anymore….let's get down'

The family in the car chirpily waved as they drove off. Both the youngsters started the walk back at a brisk pace, neither could wait to get home and disappear into their own rooms.

Thursday, October 4th 1979, 7 am

Kenya

Eric stopped over at the local long distance calling telephone stall on his way to the school. Informing the guy manning the counter inside the tiny shop that he wished to make a call to America, he slid into one of the glass booths that offered a thin semblance of privacy to the callers.

He had decided not to make a big deal in his mind about what had happened the previous day, resulting in loads of wasted guilt. He had much rather focus his energy on doing his work at the school well and completing his time quickly here to get the college funding.

It had helped that Sara had been her usual self today morning and had chatted away at the kitchen table with him and Cindy.

He still had woken up twice last night, wishing Donna were there with him ….he needed to hear her voice, speak to her and hear her soft laugh …

His heart skipped a beat as he heard the phone ringing at the other end; he would hear her voice any second now.

Instead it was Bob who spoke to him, his booming voice loud and clear even on the bad line.

Donna wasn't home yet; she had said she would be back by midnight, which gave less than an hour more before she was due back.

Eric expected to hear she was over at Jackie's or something, and was surprised to hear that she was out with a new friend, the guy who worked at Grooves with Hyde now.

Bob wasn't sure, but he thought Hyde and Jackie were with them as well.

Bob could almost feel Eric's anxiety for Donna's safety through the long distance line. He was almost inclined to reassure him that it was obvious Donna had set clear boundaries with the guy before hanging out with him. He steeled his usual kind heart though, the boy better learn to stick around if he wanted to protect his territory.

Eric reassured himself though as he walked to the school that morning, he was sure Donna would never hang around with someone who was trying to make a pass at her. Besides, Hyde was there with her and would make sure she was okay.

He would call her again on Saturday, and meanwhile he would try not to worry about her hanging out with some guy at Point Place.

A/N – Sorry, this chapter doesn't have the usual smutty end flashback, it was already 10 pages long and I wanted to get chapter 6 up today. I promise an extra-long and hot smutty flashback in chapter 7 !