Author Note: ...instead of collecting dust in the document manager I thought I'd better post this or lose it :D

Chapter 38 – I Was Thinking

T7S

All day long, Eric was on pins and needles. What if Jackie called and nobody at the office took a message? What if she ripped the letter to shreds and thought he was an idiot? Why did he write the letter in the first place? It was because of those glimpses of the real Jackie Burkhart: the caring person that hid behind a persona of bitchiness. Eric saw the tender side of a gentle unselfish woman who was often mislabeled as needy, overbearing, arrogant and conceited. All she wanted was to love and be loved back.

Kitty Forman saw that right away and Eric had his blinders on. However, he only saw the evil midget that thwarted his every plan. Okay, maybe he fed into the machine when he taunted her as his buddies did, but the teenage Jackie had been a hormonal horror and too domineering to deal with. But boy did she grow up!

No, the letter needed to be written and the worst that would come of it would be that she was laugh it off. Eric Forman had been laughed at in worse situations. The best defense was a good offense and he would wait for her to come to him. As his dad liked to say, "The shoe was on the other foot-in-the-ass." Or something like that!

xXx

Jackie hung up the phone and tucked Eric's letter into her purse. She hadn't read it and was waiting for her break to sit outside in the late afternoon sun and see what he had to say. The diner was so wonderful last night and she should have told him that. Didn't she? No, she didn't – they were sharing that weird dream and finishing each other's sentences.

She frowned as she pushed on the heavy metal exit door and waited as it closed with a soft "whoosh" behind her. The cement patio furniture was inviting and that was where she would lose herself for the next ten minutes. How was it that this shared dream was an underlying current among all their friends….well, Donna to a degree but still it was odd.

She opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Jackie

I know you have had several failed relationships but did you ever stop to think why they failed? I know it wasn't because of anything you did – you're perfect. Maybe it was the guy wasn't good enough for you.

I think I know someone who could make you very happy and you would never have to cry again. I know this is sudden but give it a thought and let me know if you're interested.

Always

Eric.

Jackie felt a depth of anger burgeoning in her chest. Who the hell does he think he is? Eric Forman is no expert to analyze her failed love life. Okay yeah so she complained about it. Endlessly. Loudly. But it was her life and her failures. Okay stop. He said she was perfect. That was a compliment. In fact, it was a nice compliment and one that wasn't just thrown around needlessly by Eric Forman. He was a guy who was generous with burns but not easily persuaded to flatter a girl as the result of that tragedy that was the Donna and Eric disaster.

Maybe it was the guy wasn't good enough for you. Okay….what did he know about that? He left town when Steven broke up with her. He looked the other way when Michael cheated. Jackie stop! That was the past. Leave it there.

I think I know someone who could make you very happy and you would never have to cry again. Who and what was this about? Cedric was history – a now blank page in her journal. Was Eric trying to set her up with someone new? What about Mona?

Wait….Mona got to see the side of Eric that was sweet and caring because deep down, that was who he was. That was all she wanted – Jackie Burkhart wanted and needed an honest and caring person.

Like Eric.

No….she wanted Eric.

It was awkward to admit especially after all her years of burning and humiliating him…..Peeto hands and falling off the water tower – he should hate her. But he doesn't. He's looking out for her.

How freaking romantic is that! No, she wasn't going to let him set her up with some stranger – she was going to show Mr. Eric Forman that he needed a little bit of Jackie Burkhart in his life. This was her New Beginning.

Where had she heard that term before?

xXx

Eric pulled into the driveway feeling unsettled. There were no messages at the office indicating that Jackie read his letter. Then again, his windshield was still intact so that had to be considered a good sign, right? He parked and shut off the ignition. Maybe the letter wasn't such a good thing after all. He wasn't used to putting his heart on the line since his ex-girlfriend pretty much emasculated him for being a man.

He shrugged out of his work jacket and tossed it on the front seat. Only three more days until the weekend and then after that would be his parent's arrival. Eric made a mental reminder to replace the beer he'd been drinking.

He slid open the patio door and his nostrils were assailed with the wonderful aroma of garlic and onions. He slowly turned around, just in case this was a dream only to find a beautiful brunette stirring something on the stove. Eric blinked, in case this was a illusion and walked towards the table.

Jackie smiled. "How was your day?"

He fell into the green kitchen chair. He was staggered. This was a hallucination. "Uhh….okay?"

A large bowl of lettuce and bright red tomato slices were set on the table. Oh god, Jackie was wearing an apron! All the saliva in his mouth dried up. His lips flapped but nothing came out. Jackie simply smiled and went back to the stove. Think Eric! Stuff like this just doesn't happen to you – ever! His mental pep talked helped a bit but didn't stop the hitch in his voice. "Uhhh…aren't you supposed to be at work?"

Jackie scooped up a spoon of whatever deliciousness she was simmering and softly blew on it. Those perfect pink lips were parted as she slipped the spoon in her mouth. Eric's pants suddenly felt extremely tight. She closed her eyes and sighed, "This is the best thing I've ever ate." Those bright eyes opened and locked on his green ones. "Work? Oh yeah, they have to upgrade the switchboard or something like that so I came home early. You don't mind…..do you?"

His throat was constricted but he managed to squeak out, "No! Mind? No, not me!"

Jackie laughed softly, "Hey, you mind changing? I mean you've been playing with animals all day and I'm cooking here."

He looked down at his work clothes. Oh no! Eric nearly tripped over his feet trying to run from the kitchen. Meanwhile, Jackie sagged in relief. He bought it. Her little performance to "intrigue" him totally worked. Thank you Cosmopolitan magazine. Jackie thought the apron might have been a little too much but actually worked out to sell the idea. Eric was going to be wrapped around her pinkie by the time dinner was over.

xXx

Eric got to the top of the stairs and was nearly hyperventilating. Was this happening too fast? Did she not read the letter? Of course she read the letter! That little apron? The most wonderful blend of linen and ruffle and lace. She was perfect! Wait a minute. Eric stopped and sat on the top step. Why was she cooking him dinner? She was the breakfast girl. Eric face-palmed himself. It was food man! Get a grip! He could just hear his dad, "A pretty girl makes you food? You eat it you dumbass!"

As if hearing his thoughts, Marco screeched out a loud "BAWK" and fluttered his wings. Eric scrambled to his feet and into his bedroom to change. Meanwhile, Jackie drained the fat from the frying pan and dumped the aromatic meat into a colorful bowl and carried it to the table. All that was left was the chips and shredded cheese. Thank you Mrs. West!

It was must moments later that Eric tore through the kitchen doors with clean clothes and a tiny piece of bloody toilet paper stuck to his cheek. Did he shave for her? Really? Jackie smiled and pointed to her cheek while a speechless Eric slapped at his own and found the tissue.

"I hope you're hungry…because this is only good when it's hot."

Eric was thinking just how *hot* that little apron was as he moved to the table. Jackie stood there with an odd expression on her face and finally had to ask, "What the hell are you waiting for?"

Eric rolled his eyes, "I'd like you to sit so I can push your chair in….that's what guys do."

"Oh!" Jackie hadn't been extended that courtesy in a long time – it was almost non-existent. She slowly sat down and waited while Eric pushed in her seat before nearly jumping over the table to sit across form her.

He looked down at the bowl of salad and the other bowl of seasoned ground beef. "Are we having sloppy Joe's? Cuz I don't see any buns."

She laughed, "No, we're having taco salad. Mrs. West is a lady that calls me all the time and recommended this as a quick dinner suggestion. Just hang on." Eric watched as Jackie laid a bed of lettuce on his plate followed but a huge spoon of hamburger. It really did smell good. Then she topped the meat with some shredded cheddar and tomatoes. In a dish alongside his plate, Jackie filled it full of Doritos.

Eric looked for his fork but Jackie chuckled, "You eat it with the chips. You know like this was a busted up taco or something."

She wanted to get messy? Oh, he really liked this girl! So as not to be a rude diner, Eric grabbed a tortilla chip and scooped up a helping of melted cheese covered taco meat and bit into it. Ahh….heaven…..He nodded his appreciation and went in for a second bite.

Happily, Jackie clapped her hands and started on her own plate. Mrs. West's recipe did not fail and she found herself extremely happy that she created something so off the wall from Kitty Forman's home cooking that it was brilliant. The rest of the dinner was eaten in bites and small bits of light conversation. Still, dinner was over too soon and there was no dessert to keep the light-hearted diners at the kitchen table.

"Help me wash dishes?"

Eric looked at the adorable apron and nodded in the affirmative. What would his little chef-ette look like dressed ONLY in the apron? Mentally he was rubbing his hands together but didn't trust himself to speak without squeaking. Still, it was in his best interests to remain cool so he leaned against the sink and casually said, "Hello."

Jackie looked at him and replied with a smile, "Hi yourself. Are you going to rinse?"

He kissed her then. Right there in front of the kitchen sink. Eric's palms surrounded her tiny wrists and he hauled her close to his chest until all he was aware of was honeysuckle with an underlying scent of yummy taco meat.

The kiss was almost a desperate feeling. It was like he couldn't get close enough to her and yet there she was kissing him back with those sassy pink lips. He released her left wrist to run his fingers down her hair from the crown to the ends of those beautiful brunette tips.

Jackie let him kiss her again.

Eric's heart was thumping wildly in his chest and his brain was thinking, don't screw this up, don't screw this up and then he dipped her. He dipped her backwards just like he had seen in some old dance movie he'd watched with this mom. Jackie squealed into the kiss and threw her hands around his neck and he was enamored. Who said Eric Forman didn't have a romantic bone in his body, eh?

Jackie smiled as he raised her from the dip. "Thanks for asking me to dance." She said fighting to keep her lips from breaking into a goofy smile.

He laughed and set her arms back at her sides and reached for a dish towel. "It wasn't planned." He laughed but the damn squeak was still in his voice.

Jackie turned and leaned against the sink regarding Eric with a shy smile. Where did all this Forman passion stem from? A home cooked meal was enough to turn him on? Cosmos didn't prepare her for this.

His kiss. Ahh….his kiss was gentle and sweet and slightly greedy but his breath was fresh! That meant he brushed his teeth for her too. How freaking romantic was this guy?

She looked down at the floor and knew that whatever she chose to say was going to be a deal breaker. It all went back to that question: A boyfriend like Eric or did she want Eric for a boyfriend?

Jackie thought for a second that seemed like minutes before looking up. His face was waiting for some kind of response. Eric swiped gently at the loose hairs that framed her face and against her better judgment, she began to smile. She wrapped her fingers around his hand and looked at his face. Were their lips not shaped perfectly for each other? He leaned in, kissing her very softly as if he just needed a taste of her lips – something to tide him over….something to keep in his heart.

When the kiss ended which could have been seconds, minutes or an hour later, Jackie wasn't exactly sure…they remained close with her forehead resting against his chest while his chin touched the top of her head. When her wildly beating heart gave her the answer she wanted, Jackie touched Eric's lips with her finger. "I think we should be a thing."

Eric's eyes flew open. "Really? I mean are you sure?" From the outer door and in the living room Marco screeched out his opinion. "Dumbass!"

Jackie nodded and chuckled. "I mean we should go slow because we've both been hurt and I don't think my poor scarred heart could take another beating."

Eric smiled softly, "Well, as the bird says, I'm a dumbass but I would never ever intentionally do anything to hurt your heart."

Jackie smiled back. "I know that. Having been your best friend for the last three months or so, I know you aren't the teenager that left town – you've matured and in a good way." He had also filled out in all the right places!

Eric mirrored her reply, "And you aren't the devious midget I thought you were but a great friend and someone I can rely on and plus you're very hot."

She giggled as she reached behind her back to until the apron.

Seeing what was about to happen, Eric didn't want to ruin a potential fantasy so he waved his hand suggestively, "Keep that on."

Jackie laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. She could almost hear the remaining jigsaw pieces clicking together and it was good.

For Eric, this was his new beginning.

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