Author Note: This chapter turned out to be longer than I expected it to be but I didn't want to break it into two short ones so here it is…..everyone dance!

T7S

Chapter 05 – This Is What You Get

T7S

Jackie reluctantly had to admit that Eric wasn't such a doofus on the dance floor as she might have imagined.. He was quick with his feet and seemed to know the difference between a box step and a waltz and easily dazzled the crowd. He bowed confidently between dances and mocked a James Bond pose while pretending to shoot the audience with his finger gun.

It took a bit of persuasion to get his focus back on the dance at hand. She tapped his shoulder, "Now, Virginia Crowley has triplets and two of them are on the brink of having to repeat the third grade if they don't improve in geography and I thought that since you almost went to Africa and everything….."

Eric spun Jackie out and wheeled her back in, "…you thought I could help them out….why is the other triplet doing so well?"

"She wears glasses and apparently can see the chalkboard." Jackie replied.

Eric looked down at the brunette and asked, "Well doesn't it stand to reason that if one triplet needs glasses that the other two might also?"

Jackie shrugged and said, "I don't know. I'm not an eye doctor or a parent. I'm just saying….there is a rich family and twice the money if you're interested."

Seemed odd that Jackie Burkhart was noticeably interested in helping him find clients…what was in it for her? Jackie put a hand on his shoulder as they rocked slowly to the Commodores melody. As if reading his thoughts she said in a low voice, "….they say keep your friends close and your enemies….closer."

Damn! Why did she have to smell so good and feel so soft and warm? Think about Banjo girl and a date to the movies next week! Eric was trying to change the subject in his head but Jackie was overwhelming his senses and it was starting to piss him off.

"Let's get something to drink." He suggested as the song ended.

She wiped her face with the back of her hands and peeled off the gloves in much the same manner as an exotic dancer might. Why did that have to look so sexy too? Eric growled low in his throat and headed for the bar.

"Oh honey!" Kitty exclaimed over her fourth Mai Tai. "You looked just dandy out there….my baby is all grown up and dancing – take me out for a spin."

Eric could feel the blood rush to his face….dance with his mother? Kitty wasted no time in grabbing his hands and pulling him out to the Benny Goodman number that was playing. She was jitterbugging and twirling while he flustered with some lame gestures looking around frantically until there was a tap on Kitty's shoulder. "Can I borrow your dance partner Mrs. Forman?"

Standing behind Jackie and looking pretty indignant was Red. "Yeah, uh….loud one here thinks I haven't danced with you enough."

Kitty smiled and giggled, "No you haven't Red, and you know how this girl loves to dance!" She patted Eric on the cheek and swirled into her husband's arms.

"You owe me." Jackie said with crossed arms. Frowning Eric replied, "For what?" The white dress was sweeping the floor, as she replied cattily. "Saving your ass. Get me a drink and I'll be at the table."

Jackie didn't wait for the argument; instead she plunged headfirst into the throng of dancing old people and looked for her table. Her feet were killing her and she needed someplace to drop these gloves.

"Oh Miss Burkhart!" a voice called out to her. Jackie looked around to see Nancy Baker waving frantically. The green Martian woman was working her way through the dancers. Finally the two women were face to face.

"I totally LOVE your dress." Nancy gushed. Jackie smiled proudly, "I know its great isn't' it?"

Nancy fell into a chair. "My Tupperware order was perfect and my husband says I can have an Avon party so can we schedule before Christmas?" Jackie was all ears and all business. Eric returned to their table with two drinks only to find it surrounded by older women excitedly asking questions about a catalog. How did Jackie fit that pamphlet in her tiny silk pouch?

"Ladies? If you would excuse us, my date….companion requested refreshment."

Mrs. Grayson, a fantastically fit older divorcee, winked at Eric. "I hear you do wonders with the education system. Let me give you my number…I have a….nephew with…some reading problems." Very slowly Lynda Grayson reached into her bodice and pulled out a slip of paper. It was still warm when she laid it on Eric's palm. She mimed a telephone receiver and whispered, "Call me."

Eric Forman stood a little straighter – a little more confident now with TWO phone numbers in his jacket. He was….invincible!

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Jackie was tired of dancing and spying on the completion. Eric was the perfect companion and brought her drinks on command all the while collecting phone numbers as the "dog bone" theory predicted. He strutted like a peacock at the words of admiration from strangers who were jealous of him for having the most beautiful dance partner. All in all, this LOPP thing wasn't so horrible – well, except for Jackie's egotistical appetite for attention. Still…..

The house lights dimmed and Mayor Baxter stepped up to the microphone and noisily cleared his throat causing many spectators to cringe. Red looked at his wife and uttered, "If he'd only do that BEFORE he got on the mike."

Kitty smiled drunkenly and patted her husband's shoulder. "Be nice dear, you make the same snort when you get up in the morning." She looked up as the mayor held a gold envelope in his hand.

"And the winner of the door prize….which is….drum roll Kenny…." He instructed his assistant, "….in my hand is two tickets to an evening of fun at the FABULOUS Kenosha ballet…." The mayor reached in some glass fish bowl and pulled out a ticket and announced. "The winning number is…..1105. Who has ticket 1105?"

Kitty stood shocked. She reached in her pocket and pulled out her stub and shouted. "Me! I have it!" Excitedly, Kitty turned to Red and kissed his cheek. "Oh honey! We're going to the ballet!"

Red covered his face with his hands. "Crap. Ballet. Men in tights… oh jeez…what fun."

Eric laughed and watched as his mom ran up to Mayor Baxter and swapped her ticket stub for the gold envelope. The sight was well worth the cost of admission (being an escort to the white witch!) Jackie ran over and started talking about the ballet with Kitty leaving Eric to converse with his dad.

"I can sell those for you if you want."

Red sighed. "I appreciate the offer son, but now that they're in your mother's hands….it's a done deal."

"And the next prize….a pair of 50-yard-line-tickets to a Packer's game goes to the lucky ticket holder of number 1104. Does anyone have 1104?"

Red's eyes got large-bigger than Eric had ever seen on his father's face. Was that a little bit of Forman drool hovering near the lip? Red pulled the crumbled stub from his breast pocket and pushed his way through the throng much like Kitty did minutes ago.

"Give me my damn tickets Arnold. I won!" The smile on Red Forman's face was better than the day he drove his Corvette into the driveway. This had to be the happiest day for the grumpiest man on earth.

Jackie walked over to Eric with a smile. "Your mom is so happy."

Eric grinned, "I think dad is happier – he got really good tickets and I'm praying he doesn't want me to go with him."

Their conversation was put on hold while the Mayor stepped back to the microphone. His jowls were shaking with excitement as he held up a much larger envelope. 'I'm here to announce the three couples in the running for best costume for the Ladies' of Point Place Masquerade Ball. I need to see Cat Woman and Robin…c'mon folks come up and stand by me."

Mayor Baxter looked out over the crowd and spotted a couple dressed as vegetables. "Marge and Bill Cranston…bring your celery and carrot selves up here won't you?"

The crowd chuckled as the Cranston's made their way to the microphone. Arnold smiled and looked at his 3 x 5 cue card. "Okay and the last contestants are Scarlett O'Hara and her butler. Where are you Scarlett?"

Jackie turned to Eric and squealed, jumping up and down excitedly. "Eric! We might win!" She tugged on his hand pulling him towards the other contestants while Eric whined, "I'm NOT a BUTLER!"

Jackie's body was thrumming with excitement as she stood next to Veronica Bentley and the Cranston's. Eric couldn't help but get caught up in her enthusiasm as the mayor's assistant Kenny, drummed on some boxes.

Arnold pulled out a slip of paper, "….and in second place, and the winners of a free one year subscription to Wisconsin's Saucy Sausage and Cheese Club…let's hear it for the Cranston's!."

There was a smattering of applause as Arnold continued. "….Bill, you are going to be the envy of all the guys at the Lodge. Now…without further ado, the winners of the Ladies of Point Place ball for best costume are…..Scarlett and Rhett Butler!"

Jackie squealed and stepped on Cat Woman's foot and accidently elbowed her husband, Robin (aka Batman's little buddy) as she rushed for the grand prize. Eric murmured apologies as he hurried to catch the little midget. When he got to center stage, the mayor was handing over an envelope and speaking into the microphone.

"The grand prize, donated by Main Street Flowers, is….." He looked at Scarlett's excited face and at how she was holding her breath then he revealed the prize. "It's a weekend stay at the all new Kenosha Marriott Hotel! Three days and two nights and two dinners in the Café' Kenosha for the happy lovebirds!"

Eric realized right there that the mayor and everyone else in the room might be thinking they were a couple. He quickly held up a finger and grabbed the microphone out of the mayor's hand. "Excuse me everyone but I'm not a butler…I'm James Bond 007 ½. I just wanted to clarify that."

Jackie's eyes were glowing with excitement and she smiled widely at Eric and said thank you even though he couldn't hear the words. Eric thought, "Ah hell, let her enjoy the moment…she does look nice in that dress."

Jackie couldn't ever remember being happier than at this moment in the world's most beautiful dress and having the crowd adore her. She basked n the attention and sighed with bliss. This was what she was looking for.

She felt like she was finally in that place.

T7S

The ride home was filled with a drunken Kitty talking about the Nutcracker ballet which had Red wincing in agony. "I loved those cocktail weenies Red. I need to make some the next time we play bridge." Kitty looked over the backseat, "Eric, did you try the barbeque meatballs? Oh, talk about tasty…" She turned back to her embarrassed husband. "Red, imagine us at the Nutcracker eating weenies and meatballs…what a wonderful appetizer!"

Jackie was gingerly holding the ticket envelope and smiling endlessly while she dreamed about a wonderful weekend in the city.

"You know, one of those tickets belongs to me." Eric replied.

She smiled, "So what, are you going to go with me or something?"

"What? No! I mean I can always use mine some other time."

Jackie waved the envelope in front of him. "It's for a limited engagement. You can buy it from me…."

"Yeah right….I already owe you the sweat of my soul and my dead grandma and you want me to buy the winning prize from you. Get bent."

Jackie giggled and tucked the envelope into her pouch. "I thought so….you didn't seem to be the kind of guy that wanted to spend the night in a strange hotel."

The remainder of the ride back was quiet as Eric silently fumed at being called a butler when he was really 007 ½ and didn't get the sausage/cheese gift or the Packer's tickets but a supposedly romantic weekend getaway with the last person he wanted to go anywhere with!

Finally, the Toyota turned into the Forman driveway and Eric breathed a sigh of relief.

T7S

Jackie helped Red walk a very tipsy Kitty Forman to the patio door. Red smiled his thanks and added, "If my wife was coherent, she would thank you for going to this shindig."

Jackie laughed, "You didn't do so bad yourself Mr. Forman. Packer tickets? I know quite a few people that would be glad to take those off your hands for a pretty penny."

Red guffawed. "Nope sweetheart, these tickets are staying right in my pocket until game day."

She smiled. "Okay, well I'm going home so I'll see you around!"

Eric was busy taking the trash cans out to the curb as Jackie skipped past him. "You could always buy my ticket!" She laughingly teased. Eric shook his head sadly and walked back up the drive.

"Eric!" his dad said in a firm voice. "Jackie left her bag in the backseat. Run that down to her so she can go home."

Eric sighed. "Sure dad." One last visit with the gremlin that started all this and he was done! Well, except for the auto repair bill.

Jackie was pulling on the driver's side door and then hit the frame with her fist. She was locked out!

"I suppose you were looking for this?" A voice in the twilight asked. Eric walked out of the shadows and handed the silk pouch to his nemesis and unlocked her door. (Because he was a gentleman like his mom taught him to be) But….Eric was finally at the edge of his patience with the little troll now.

"Oh, so now I suppose you've come to kiss me goodnight." Jackie commented flippantly.

Eric rolled his eyes and in a sudden daring move, gripped the small woman by the waist and lifted her up and onto the hood of the rented Nova. She yelped and scratched through the air until she made contact with the lapels of his suit.

"Eric…what the hell?" Oh, that was so reminiscent of something Donna would have said.

Feeling emboldened with five new phone numbers in his pockets, Eric set his left hand down on the hood beside Jackie's hip and leaned forward making her lean back and keeping her off balance.

"I'm not going to kiss you." He said in a low voice.

Wait, he's not going to kiss me good night? Jackie's favorite ABBA tune played in the back of her head like the soundtrack to some romantic movie. "….Oh you can take your time baby, I'm in no hurry, know I'm gonna get you,…" Instead of backing away (like he should have!) Eric pressed forward as if he was going to tell her a secret. His lips were just a breath away from her ear as his right hand fisted in her hair.

"While you have been a completely obnoxious little troll…" his words lingered in her ear like a caress as his lips moved down her cheek making her heart pitter pat just a little bit faster. "…I can overlook your bad behavior because you introduced me to some new clients and for that I thank you."

Jackie closed her eyes as his mouth brushed her forehead and she leaned in towards his warm body. She was acutely aware of his masculine scent – the aftershave, the light smell of Ivory soap and wondered what his kiss would taste like.

Instead, Eric's left hand brushed the outline of her jaw and teased the lobe of her ear. The motion was so incredibly intimate and heart stopping but he still hadn't kissed her!

It would have been just the easiest thing in the world to lean in and put his lips against her soft pink ones…one of the most innocent of moves, but Eric loved the feeling of power he had over the mental midget. She acted like queen of the ball and technically since they did win – she was, but that didn't mean she needed to continue the princess attitude now that the party was over.

His mouth was at her throat where he could feel her pulse beating wildly against his lips. "I want you to remember this moment." He whispered.

She whimpered and nodded her head. Eric continued by paraphrasing something Jackie had said to him earlier in the evening. "You look very beautiful tonight and I thought it was important that you know that." Both of Eric's hands were now gently holding her face.

Jackie's heart was singing, "kissmekissme…!" Blood was surging through her veins and all of her senses were heightened. She could hear the gentle wind tickling the leaves – she could feel the cool fall air send shivers along her skin where it lay bare.

kissmekissmekissme

Eric smiled at this new power – this Jedi-like power he had. "You looked incredible tonight." Thanks for the words of advise Kelso!

Jackie's arms snaked over his shoulders as Eric's lips hovered over hers but never touched. They shared the same warm minty breath but there was no kiss. This was more sensual than that – it was a kind of burning intensity that he'd ever experienced and he liked it.

He pressed his cheek against hers and whispered. "Thanks for being my incredible, gorgeous and smoking hot date." Then he let her go and walked back up the driveway.

With shaky limbs Jackie nearly slid off the car. She took a moment to collect herself. Could it be that Eric Forman was turning her on? What was that all about?

"Call me!" she called out hoarsely to his retreading figure.

The sound of a chuckle was all she heard before he was swallowed by the darkness of the driveway.

T7S

Eric slung his backpack over his shoulder for the long trek to the Waxman's house. This bike riding was getting old real fast. "Mom, tell Dad I'll need a ride to the bank later. I need to get that money order for the repair shop."

"Okay honey, ride safe and don't make any left turns! Ahahahaha….I made a joke." Kitty laughed.

Eric sighed and straddled to pink bicycle to find an envelope in the basket with his name on it. What was it now? A summons? Sliding a finger under the flap, he opened the envelope only to see it was the official bill from Hanks Collision Repair.

Shit.

He unfolded the paper to see the remainder of the bill and was surprised to see a red ink stamp that said:

P A I D I N F U L L

Under that delightful note was a handwritten statement from Jackie Burkhart.

Dear Eric

Thank you for the best date and the best kiss I almost never had. I didn't know you had it in you and I think I better watch out for you Eric Forman. You can really be a heart breaker.

Love Jackie.

PS. The almost kiss was worth the cost of the repairs.

Eric grinned and folded the paper tucking it into his back pocket. Who knew he had it in him to change Jackie Burkhart's mind.

It was finally good to be Eric Forman!

The End

A/N: A very special thanks to those reviewers that followed every chapter. I appreciate your input and support:

TL22

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