Author Note: Just a fluffy little chapter about trust

Chapter 21 – I Think I'm Drowning

Eric followed Jackie down the apartment steps feeling like a guy that just won the lottery. His cheeks actually hurt from smiling so much. In the parking lot they decided to take Jackie's Mustang. "Because I still have my luggage in the trunk, I need to bring that stuff up."

Eric drove while she sat patiently in the passenger seat. Crazy thoughts whirled in her head – I'm attracted to Eric Forman – I'm infatuated with Eric Forman – I'm in lust with Eric Forman. She closed her eyes. Being with him was just exhilarating – it was as if she was the only person in the world that was important to him and she found the attention was beyond description.

*

They looked at the new releases and Eric didn't think he could sit through Kramer vs Kramer because he couldn't be objective so it was a decision between Superman and Alien.

"You promised that one would be a chick movie so it's gonna have to be Superman." Jackie pulled Eric's head down and whispered, "I had the whole set of comic books so you can watch Aliens alone or….

"Or, you can use your video card and get Superman, and I'll use mine for Aliens and we'll watch both." Eric suggested.

"Clever! Why didn't I think of that? Ladies first!" she smirked. Eric was all too happy to stand beside her in line and relished the glances that the other male patrons sent his way.

*

"Remember, I'm only staying in the shallow!" Jackie didn't want to sound like a broken record but a pool was full of water and even at the three foot end, the water still came up almost to her chest. She could feel her lungs tightening.

Eric dove off the side of the pool and swam to the yellow bikini he saw underwater in the shallow end. He came up behind her and shook the water out of his hair. Jackie turned around and latched onto him. "I don't think this is a good idea."

He could feel her trembling and she was scared but she was also trying to be brave for him. "I usually just sit by the pool, not in it!"

Eric untangled her arms from his neck. "Jackie - look at me." He moved her chin until she was looking at him with her panicked eyes. "I'm not going to let you drown okay?"

She looked at his green eyes and saw calm – his hands were steady and she was just kind of floating in place. "I don't feel comfortable." She warned him.

"Hey, we're only going to stay in the three foot area – hold my arms, we'll float over to the edge of the pool and you can hang on." Eric water walked them to the ladder and she grabbed on for dear life. "This is good. I can stay here while you swim."

Eric smiled. "Think of this as a huge bathtub. Maybe the water's a little colder but look at you, you haven't even got your hair wet."

She reached up, "You're right. Cool."

"Just for today, let's get you used to walking through the water and try to conquer a little bit of your fear okay?

Jackie looked at him warily. "You swear you're not going to dunk me or drown me?" He smiled, "No, I wouldn't do that to you."

"Okay, but my life is in your hands here so don't screw up!"

*

It only took 30 minutes for Jackie to feel confident about walking through the water without holding onto the edge. When Fez saw his friends in the swimming pool, he ran fully clothed and did a cannonball right next to the burgeoning water baby. The 30 minute lesson was lost.

She shrieked and threw her arms around Eric's neck nearly choking him in the process. "Fez! What the hell?" He said angrily. "You just scared Jack…us have to death!"

Fez rolled on his back and floated towards his friends. "It is so hot Eric and you guys are in the pool – what else should I do?"

"Well maybe get your suit on and dive in. You are such a dill hole sometimes!" Eric helped Jackie out of the pool. "Yeah Fez, you got my hair wet!"

Fez smirked. "You're in a pool! You have to get wet! Oh goddess, you are lucky the chlorine hasn't turned your hair green!"

Jackie looked wide eyed at Eric. "Jackie, you're hair is not green."

She wrapped her towel around her body. "Now I have to go shower. Thanks for nothing Fez!!!" Eric watched her stomp off and he sighed. "Buddy, you have terrible timing."

Fez looked flustered as Eric followed Jackie up the stairs. He shouted, "It's a pool! You were in a swimming pool!"

*

Eric had changed into shorts and a tee shirt and knocked on her door. She answered with a towel wrapped around her head. "Come in, I didn't mean to run off like that, but I really don't want chlorine in my hair."

Eric knew that wasn't the real reason but he smiled and said, "It's okay, maybe we can try again another day."

She smiled brightly. "Let's just make sure Fez is not around! So are you ready to watch a movie?" Eric picked up Aliens and Superman. "Let's flip a coin."

Fez ended up staying and watched both movies and they shared the Chinese take out, but since Jackie was sitting by his side through both shows, Eric didn't mind a bit. He and Jackie had taken a big step today and he was confident that they were both heading in the right direction.

*

"Brooke, what did you pack in this box? Bricks? I can't lift it." Jackie complained. Brooke ran over and peeked in the lid. "Oh, that's kitchen stuff. Let me get Michael." Jackie found a box of linen and loaded it into her trunk.

Eric pulled up around the same time as the moving van. "Hey Missy – you're looking awful cute today." He said wrapping an arm around her waist. "Save it Forman, we're working. Open your trunk."

Dutifully, Eric popped the trunk and Jackie carried another box and dropped it in. With the trunk open, they were shielded from Fez and Kelso. "Kiss me quick or lose me forever!"

She wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes while he lowered his mouth to hers. She shivered with delight and hugged him closer, "I missed you." She said softly. Eric's eyes flew open. She said that? He grinned against her mouth, "Well… it was a long day…."

She laughed. "You're so funny. Hey, we're almost ready to start bringing out the furniture. I'm driving Brooke and Betsy to the new house; can you make sure Michael doesn't set this one on fire?"

Eric dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Sure, I'll meet you ladies there." There was a squealing noise and laughter and Betsy came running down the lawn crashing into Eric's legs. She held her arms up for a hug and Eric was charmed, this was a first! She patted his cheeks, "Betsy purdy!" He smiled at the little girl who bounced in his arms.

"Let's go find your mom!" Eric carried the tot towards the front door where Brooke was looking for her in empty boxes. Jackie shut her trunk and smiled at the visual picture of Eric holding a drooling Betsy Kelso.

"There you are!" Brooke was relieved. "Thanks Eric, she's all over the place today."

"Jackie says she's ready to drive you over."

Brooke took her squiggly daughter out of Eric's arms and smiled, "Thanks, I'll tell Michael." She buzzed Eric on the cheek and carried Betsy back to the house. Eric wondered if it hadn't been for the divorce would he ever have developed a close friendship with someone like Brooke.

*

"I have something to tell you and then I need your advice." Brooke said solemnly. Jackie glanced over, "Do you want me to stop or keep driving."

"It'll wait until we get to the new house." Brooke said confidently.

*

"Eric, I gotta talk to you man. It's important and I think you're a good guy and you have experience." Kelso said in a low voice so Fez couldn't hear.

"Well, Kelso, you are way more experienced than me. But I'm curious what it's about." Eric replied.

"I'll tell you when we get to the new house."

*