Author Note: Okay, so it's another Kelso Karaoke chapter – forgive the excessive use of lyrics but they were instrumental to the dialog that accompanies the songs….
Chapter 28 - Pretty Woman
The cab dropped them off outside the club and the music spilled out of the open door. Eric ushered Jackie into the club, his hand resting comfortably at the small of her back. He was secretly admiring the short skirt and the sexy black boots. Fez frogged him on the shoulder, "Eric, you are too slow! Quit looking at Jackie's ass!"
Jackie turned around, "Both of you stop!" She bit back a smile and turned back to find Brooke and party at a table near the stage. Kelso jumped out of his chair and lumbered over to clap Eric on the back and steer him towards the bar while Jackie and Fez took seats.
Kelso was grinning with that huge broad smile that showed all of his teeth. "So?"
Eric looked at him, "Why are you smiling? Am I buying the beer tonight?"
"Well, yeah and how is Mr. Three Times a Night? Now I have to prove something to Brooke thank you very much." Kelso punched Eric in the shoulder. "Hey, sorry, that turns out not to be a bad thing after all - But hey…high five - man!"
"So Jackie and Brooke talked?" Eric was slightly embarrassed.
"Heck, when don't they talk? Hey, I even knew about your first time with Donna! I'm going to guess you've much improved."
Eric paid for the beer, "Well, you don't see me bragging do you?"
Kelso frowned, "No, I don't. But, that's cool."
Eric smirked, "When you have it– you don't have to prove it." Kelso grabbed the tray and Eric continued. "She loved it by the way."
Kelso laughed and they joined the table while the other friends were talking. When Eric sat down, Brooke and Rhonda looked at him admiringly. Eric's ego went sky high. Jackie gave him an elbow in the ribs. "Don't get all bigheaded Forman." She warned lightly.
Fez was slightly jealous of the attention Eric was getting and quickly said, "Eric, I think that's Candie over there. Hide man!"
Eric looked around and ducked down while Kelso and Fez laughed. "Good burn Fez, She's not here." Eric groaned, "Dirty trick you guys."
Jackie said, "Brooke and I are going to pick our songs. Rhonda, you want to come with?"
Rhonda begged out, "My throat is killing me. I'll pass this month." When Fez wasn't looking Rhonda caught Eric's eye and held up three fingers. He smiled and nodded his head yes and Rhonda gave him a thumbs up symbol.
Brooke cornered Jackie near the DJ's booth. "You're telling me the truth right?"
Jackie looked at her friend. "Seriously, I would lie about a bad kisser, but not about this. And Brooke, he likes me. He really likes me."
"Of course he likes you. You just put out."
Jackie smiled, "No, he asked me if it was too soon to say he liked me. It was so sweet." She said dreamily. Brooke swatted her on the arm, "What - are you in fifth grade?"
"No. I told him I wanted to go slow because Brooke both of us have had our hearts broken and I don't want to just get mine crushed again. But look at him, since he's been hanging out with us, he's developed more confidence, he quit doing the hair comb over thing, and you wouldn't believe it, but under that shirt are some well defined muscles."
Brooke grinned, "I'll just take your word for it. And I'm happy for you Jackie, Eric is a nice guy and we wondered when the two of you were going to finally get together!"
*
The guys went up for their song selections while Jackie and Brooke got some chips and dip. They sat back and watched the other singers while waiting for their turn on the stage. Jackie asked Michael what Elvis song he was doing tonight and he replied, "I'm not getting the panty throwing action so I'm going to do Mick Jagger and the Stones tonight."
Brooke rolled her eyes. "He doesn't believe the song is about a motorcycle." Jackie smiled and asked Eric what song he picked. "I'm going with Van Halen tonight. You'll just have to be surprised."
First called up was Fez who strolled nonchalantly to the stage so everyone could see how fine he looked in his zoot suit and sharp fedora hat. He stood on the stage as the synthpop electronics music and guitars began playing the intro to The Human League's Don't You Want Me, his black and white leather shoe tapping with the major bass riff of the song. He adopted the laid back attitude with just the right amount of hurt to really convince the audience he was singing.
Don't, don't you want me
You know I can't believe it
When I hear that you won't see me
Don't, don't you want me
You know I don't believe you
When you say that you don't need me
It's much too late to find
You think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back
Or we will both be sorry
Don't you want me, baby?
The group was surprised when the song, originally sang as duet, was solely sung by Fez and he was at his vocal best! He got a standing ovation and bowed with his hat off and smiled like he was in the old country.
They drank and ate chips while a cute little couple on stage did a terrible rendition of Devo's Whip It. They applauded lightly and the DJ called Brooke. She looked adorable in her tight jeans and white blouse. A rough guitar riff and drums started playing and Brooke immediately launched into Stevie Nick's Edge of Seventeen. Her voice was husky and provocative as she sang.
Just like the white winged dove...
sings a song ...
Sounds like she's singing...
whoo...whoo...whoo
He was no more...than a baby then
Well he... seemed broken hearted...
something within him
But the moment...that I first laid...
Eyes...on...him...all alone...
On the edge of...seventeen
Jackie watched Michael's eyes as he proudly rocked and cheered Brooke on. She wasn't exactly Stevie Nicks, but she was good and Michael Kelso was so proud of her. After her song ended, Brooke ran to the table and drank Kelso's beer in one swallow. "That was so great – I really felt Stevie's heart in that song!"
Jackie and Rhonda applauded. "You did so good, - you rocked that stage!" Rhonda looked at Fez, "Fezzie, you did so good, I am amazed at all of your talents too!" Eric offered to go for the next round of beer and Brooke went with him.
"Brooke, you're not going to hassle me are you?" he asked Jackie's friend.
She smirked, "Nope, just checking you out to see what my best friend sees in you. I haven't known you all that long so…." Eric held his arms out to the side. "Frisk me, I'm clean."
"Oh, you'd like it too much if I frisked you. I'm just a girl, looking out for a friend's interest and you'll pass just fine."
"Well, then you can pay for the beer and I'll carry the tray!"
*
There was another half hour of horrible artists then Kelso got his call. He pumped his fist in the air and shouted, "YEAH!" He scrambled to the stage and grabbed the mike with both hands. The guitars started with the riff for Start Me Up by the Rolling Stones. Kelso began the jerky little kicks and struts that was a familiar trait for Mick Jagger and he launched into perfect melody as he sang the strong heavy bass song.
If you start me up
If you start me up I'll never stop
If you start me up
If you start me up I'll never stop
I've been running hot
You got me ticking gonna blow my top
If you start me up
If you start me up I'll never stop
You make a grown man cry
Spread out the oil, the gasoline
I walk smooth, ride in a mean, mean machine
Start it up
You, you, you make a grown man cry
Kelso strutted the stage like a bobbing chicken head and pointed his fingers at his friends while he was not at all graceful he loved to show the club patrons his butt in the tight pants as he danced to the melody.
As he jumped off the stage, something flew in his face and to his delight it was a pair of underwear. He was stoked – this was his trophy and he was king of the world!
"Damn, Kelso, I won't be able to beat that tonight. You were great up there." Eric admitted. Kelso stuck the panties in his pocket and replied, "Yeah, I was pretty hot. I was pretty freaking hot! How's my hair."
Jackie laughed and heard her name called. Fez leaned across the table. "You were not here last month, please do not kill this song." He begged. Jackie laughed, "So maybe I sing badly, but you've heard worse!" She smacked a quick kiss on Eric's mouth. "I was thinking of this song while I was gone last month!"
She jumped on the stage and Eric wasn't prepared for the sexy vixen standing there in those black boots and leather skirt holding the mike in front of her mouth like it was a .…well like he had dreamt of in certain fantasies! His stomach flopped and when the lights hit her face she just shined like a diamond waiting for the drums to start.
The drums and guitar intro for Vacation by the Go-Go's started Jackie singing to Eric.
Can't seem to get my mind off of you
Back here at home there's nothin' to do
Now that I'm away
I wish I'd stayed
Tomorrow's a day of mine that you won't be in
Jackie did some tiny Belinda Carlisle kicks and a little dancing and Eric was worried she was going to dance herself out of that tiny skirt!and I
Still haven't gotten over you yetShe curtsied at the end of the song and threw the mike to the DJ. She went bouncing off the stage and onto Eric's lap. She was a bundle of nervous energy enjoying the applause and out of breath from the song.
When you looked at me I should've run
But I thought it was just for fun
I see I was wrong
And I'm not so strong
I should've known all along that time would tell
A week without you
Thought I'd forget
Two weeks without you
Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away
Vacation
Meant to be spent alone
"Jackie!" Brooke hollered from across the table, "You didn't butcher it! That was really good!" Jackie looked at Eric. "Yeah, I liked it too!" He did, he never heard it before but he liked the way she sang it. Jackie sat like a nervous cat on his lap through the next singer. Eric couldn't help but notice how short her skirt was and it was driving him crazy.
The DJ announced that Eric was next up to the mike. Jackie sat in his chair and drank her beer and watched as he walked confidently up to the stage and smiled to the audience. All of his previous discomfort being in the spotlight was gone. He spoke to his friends, "I'm singing Van Halen's version of Pretty Woman."
The drum intro with the catchy beat had everyone tapping their feet while Eric walked in place. The guitars strummed in as Eric started singing to the girls at his table.
Pretty woman, walking down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I'd like to meet
Pretty woman, I don't believe you, it must be true
No one can look as good as you
Pretty woman, won't you pardon me?
Pretty woman, I couldn't help but see
Pretty woman. Oh you look lovely as you can be
Are you lonely just like me?
Pretty woman, stop awhile
Pretty woman, talk awhile
Pretty woman, give your smile to me
I guess I'll go on home, it's late
There'll be tomorrow night, but wait...What do I see?
She's walking back to me
Whoa, whoa, pretty woman!
Eric jumped up in the air and landed with last note. He felt like he was totally rocking it tonight! He could feel the excitement in the air and knew he nailed the song. He leaped off the stage and Jackie ran and jumped in his arms. "God you were great!" she exclaimed between kisses. He squeezed her beside him and went back to his table of friends.
"Dude - You were good! Van Halen kicks ass!" Kelso high fived him and Brooke added, "Can I get your autograph?" Eric was so high on the moment he couldn't believe that life before this ever existed. Fez punched him on the arm and grinned. "You got a good voice Eric – where were you hiding it?"
Eric collapsed in his chair and stole Kelso's beer. "That was great. The speakers were so loud I felt like I was with the band!" Rhonda smiled and held up her hand for a high five also. Eric's heart was beating like crazy and he knew that bubble of excitement again that Jackie had described so long ago. It was nuts but it was great all at the same time.
The DJ announced that he was reloading the karaoke machine so he put on some slow dance tunes. Jackie heard the beginning of REO Speedwagon's Keep on Loving You and pulled on Eric's hand. "Let's dance; this is one of my favorite songs." Eric let her pull him out on the dance floor and he folded her in his arms, his heart was still pounding hard and he was still wound up from the applause. Jackie looked up at him, "You sang so good – I think you found your muse."
He kissed her forehead. "You are my muse. Van Halen is my band." He dropped a kiss on her lips and whirled her around with the music. They swayed and leaned into each other for support and for comfort and just to be near each others bodies. Eric closed his eyes as he pressed his cheek against her hair.
And I meant, every word I said
When I said that I love you, I meant that I'd love you forever
And I'm gonna keep on loving you
Cause it's the only thing I wanna do
I don't wanna sleep
I just wanna keep on loving you
Baby I'm gonna keep on loving you
'Cause it's the only thing I wanna do
I don't wanna sleep, I just wanna keep on loving you
Jackie pressed her hands inside Eric's jacket. His heart had finally resumed a regular beat and his chest was warm against her palm. He whispered, "You were so cute singing that song, I thought you might shimmy out of this little skirt."
She looked up at him and smiled, "I should hope not."
He grinned, "Why not?"
She smirked, "Maybe I'm not wearing panties?" she teased. She saw him swallow and felt his heart beating faster. "Slow down cowboy, I'm in a leotard, couldn't have a panty line."
"Oh, the Mistress of Mean is back!" he said kissing her lips. She laughed with delight and he dipped her back, "I should drop you."
She squealed, "You wouldn't dare!" He brought her back up to his chest and kissed her again. "I really…really like you Jackie."
Her eyes were glowing with happiness. "I like you too Eric Forman."
*