Chapter 15 – It's How You Remembered It

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….the light from the move screen caught the glint of his wedding ring. Just a reminder of his failed marriage. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, Eric used his thumb to push the band up his finger far enough that he could drop it into the palm of his hand and then slid it into his pocket.

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Donna and Anna were on the train again. Mixed communications changed the flight to Baku to a lengthy train ride through some pretty hostile areas. The roomy seats they acquired previously were now two spots on a padded bench that was shared with a crying infant.

Donna was miserable and had been motion sick for much of the trip. Anna would quietly transcribe her written notes to the tape recorder. Later, at their next stop, she would find a post office and send the tape to WPPT and hope her boss got it – her fears were that it would never make it and she would only have written notes. Those notes and Donna's could get them in a lot of trouble in certain countries!

Donna was dozing and woke up as the train halted abruptly. She looked at Anna who seemed just as surprised. Looking resigned, many passengers stood up and the Point Place duo followed suit. The train was boarded by a squadron of stone-faced militia from the area. Anna quietly slipped her tape recorder under the bench and kicked it backwards with her heel.

The soldiers walked through the train looking at all the passengers stopping briefly at the pair of Americans. Donna gulped and Anna smiled then collapsed when the armed men passed them by. Anna whispered, "It's going to start getting dangerous."

Donna could only nod. Anna continued, "If you want out, this is the time. I'm still going to meet Henrik and Tarana but if you are apprehensive…I will understand."

Donna thought about what was waiting for her in Point Place. Nothing. She cut all ties with the town to be with Anna. Determined to change her destiny, Donna replied, "No, I'm in this with you until the end."

Anna squeezed her hand, "Good. Let's start acting like the locals, get rid of your blonde hair and get to Baku."

Donna's hand flew to her head, "Get rid of my hair? What the hell Anna?!"

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Eric barely remembered the "after party" that came "after" the film premiere was over. Eric could scarcely believe a little old Wisconsin boy had been invited to Richard's Gere's home nor could he believe he was having aperitifs with some of the most famous of Hollywood's stars! Jackie was hovering around him like a brunette helicopter making sure he was introduced and directing him towards discussions she thought that he could engage in. Mel was flirting with Nancy Travis, Gere's co-star and Eric was startled to find that he was older than the actress. It was true – everything in Hollywood was not as it seems. Especially Mel!

The limo dropped them off at Jackie's home in the wee hours of the morning. Dogs were barking their arrival and Jackie tried to shush the yapping neighborhood hound, but she could only giggle. Eric stumbled into the house behind her and shut the door with his foot. "Did you see Andy Garcia jump in the pool?"

Jackie laughed and kicked off her heels, "A belly flop! The best dressed belly flop I ever saw!" She clung to the bedroom door. "We have to get up early tomorrow."

Eric looked at his watched, "It's already tomorrow."

Her lips lifted in a smiled, "Oh. I'm taking you to the happiest place on earth to….day." Eric walked over to his drunken friend and clung to the door jam. "What if I told you I was already in the happiest place on earth?"

She smiled at the attempted flirt. "Disneyland…you silly. I have guest passes. We have to get some sleep."

Eric looked at her huge bed and wondered where he was sleeping….the couch as usual? Jackie's eyes were dark and she sank her teeth into her bottom lip. "Do you wanna sleep... in my bed?"

It was like a wonderful fist to the gut. "Er….I…yes?" Eric felt his heart beating more than was probably healthy for him.

She patted his cheek. "Good, I'll take the day bed and you can experience a California King mattress – you'll never go back to the ordinary again."

Eric sighed – she was right, after his experiences with Jackie, he could never go back to ordinary again.

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Kelso's mouth hung open in awe, "You took a picture with Pluto? Dude! That is awesome." He passed the picture over to Hyde who glanced at it but couldn't not make fun of Eric wearing a Mickey Mouse Eared hat.

"Yeah…that's a good look on you." He smirked.

Eric only smiled. "It was a great trip and I got my mom a pair of Donald Duck salt and pepper shakers and I think she liked it better than my Christmas present."

Fez added his two cents worth. "Eric, you pick terrible presents…of course Miss Kitty would like something from the exotic land of Mouses."

Kelso leaned forward, "Did you go on Space Mountain? Man, that would be the first place I would go and wouldn't it be awesome if I saw an astronaut there?"

Eric quietly chuckled and just nodded. "Anything happen while I was gone?"

Hyde raised a brow, "Forman, you were gone for a weekend. What could possibly happen in a weekend?"

Fez raised his hand, "I made out with smelly Shelly from the gas station. I also got free candy."

No one had a reply to that statement but Steve Hyde had a curious question for Eric. He leaned back in his chair and reiterated, "So man, your wife leaves you. We know that. But before Donna goes, Jackie starts coming by. Coincidence? Maybe. But after your wife leaves you with your lonely letter, you've been to a movie set…with Jackie. You've flown to New York….with Jackie. We all saw you kiss her…good for you. But now, you've been to her house for the whole weekend, first class ticket and all so….what's happening with that?"

Fez was bouncing in his chair, "Did you meet Mel?"

Eric grinned, "I met both Mel's." Jackie never actually said that Mel was a man or woman. Fez didn't have a clue.

The reply was lost on Kelso and Hyde but Eric continued, "We are friends and NO I haven't slept with her. She misses Point Place, believe it or not. She likes being around friends that aren't trying to get something from her…like a picture they can sell to a magazine, an autograph…a free advertisement for some product. I swear while I was there everyone was so fake. They knew when to smile, how to smile and the minute the cameras were gone they were entirely different people. Jackie just misses us. The real people that know her."

Fez was raising his hand, "Did Mel say anything about me?"

Raising a brow, Eric replied, "Why? Have you met Mel?"

Fez shook his head sadly, "No, I only got some clothes in the mail and they were divine."

Eric didn't want to go there so instead he stood up and stretched. "Well, guys….I have work tomorrow. I think I'm gonna apply for that Government job…you know the one where people apply for grants?" Where did this thunderbolt of self-confidence come from? He had a City job. It was steady and predictable and pretty soon he'd get his ten year service pin!

Hyde shrugged, "Fine. Work for the Government. Be a part of the conspiracy."

Eric grinned, "Well think of it as having a friend on the inside." Wow, it was already decided in his head that he was going to get this job. Talk about the power of positive thinking! Thank you Richard Gere! Eric frogged Kelso in the shoulder, "Saturday, we are walking the mall again."

Kelso frowned, "What! I've lost another five pounds on my diet!"

Hyde looked at the toe of his boot, "That's cool man, but when the fat leaves…the flab stays. You gotta work the muscles. Haven't you been going to the gym?"

Kelso groaned, "Damn…I really didn't want to exercise. I mean I'm on my feet all day anyways."

"Only when the kids cross the street. Think bigger man – do you really want Betsy to have to push you in a wheelchair because you're too fat to walk?"

Fez asked, "Will the wheelchair have rockets?"

Kelso's eyes got big, "Yeah? Like with booster rockets?"

Hyde rolled his eyes, "I think we've had this conversation before. Start walking with Eric or run the track – hell, I'll go with you if you're afraid."

Kelso crossed his arms over his moobs. "I'm not afraid. I just….if I fall over…I need help getting up."

Fez sighed, "I'll go too. I have some satin running shorts that make me look sexy."

Eric was chuckling at the conversation and waved a salute to Hyde as he exited Grooves. There was no place like home!

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Mel tightened the perfect Windsor knot of his fashionable silk tie. He spoke to Jackie though the reflection in the bedroom mirror. "Yes, you are. He likes you. Hell, he's smitten like a kitten and you are leading him on."

Jackie frowned as she folded another bath towel. "I am not. I'm very open and honest and yes, I know he likes me, but I'm not going to pull a Donna and commit adultery until the divorce is final."

Mel turned around, "Jackie…are you attracted to him as a way to get back at your old friend Donna? I know what you saw in Germany was a shock but is getting with her ex-husband a motive or something your heart is telling you to do?"

Jackie knew that Mel was only looking out for her, "My heart says that Eric would never hurt me. We have similar goals, he makes me smile and he's okay with anything I want to do."

Mel nodded, "Well, lesser qualities have been good for relationships but Jackie….you are Hollywood…he is Wisconsin…..you are a starlet and he is blue collar…aren't you concerned with what your fans would think?"

Jackie felt a bit offended that her manager would even suggest that. "Look, lots of actresses date and or marry men that are not in the entertainment business have then have long happy relationships."

"Name one." Mel challenged.

"Meryl Streep and Don Gummer." Jackie replied.

Mel furrowed his brow, "Never heard of him."

Jackie tried again, "Zsa Zsa Gabor and Prince Frederic von Anhalt."

Mel smiled, "Too old, but you definitely are trying hard to persuade me. Riddle me this cupcake; does he make your little heart go pitter-patter?"

Jackie looked at the worn tuxedo that still hung on the closet door and wished Eric was still there. "I miss him. I want him here or I want to be in Point Place. I haven't let myself get close enough with anybody to feel that way." Pitter-patt.

Nodding his head, Mel replied, "You've been Holly-burned honey. You play at kisses and romance…why don't you let yourself feel for a change? Your Eric seems like a good guy and how I remember it is... he slid that wedding noose off his ring finger…probably for you!"

Jackie grinned, "I know! I saw that too."

Mel held up a finger, "If you miss them when they're gone but you can still live your life when they are away….I think you have a pending relationship. Get your pitter-patts sweetie – I can't wait to watch you falling in love."

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AN: ....advance thanks to Lednacek for catching some of my errors on the time differences between Europe and USA - also for schooling me on some info in chapters to come. Thanks!