Hello 1980!

Crash (Part 2)

It's early in the morning and Eric groggily shambles to the bathroom. He tries to open the door, but it's locked. That's weird. He steps back as he hears it being unlocked from the other side.

"Jackie," He states, still waking up.

"Eric," Jackie says back.

They stand there for a moment before they continue on their original paths.

Five seconds later, Eric jumps back into the hallway. Jackie? Here in his house? No one has seen Jackie all week. He's gotten calls from Hyde, Donna, and Fez about it. He runs down the hall to Laurie's room.

"Jackie, what are you doing here?" he asks.

"Getting dressed, you perv!" Jackie shouts as she buttons up her blouse.

Before Eric can reply, Kitty pushes into the doorway. "Jackie, honey, I've packed you a lunch. And make sure you grab some breakfast before work!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Forman," Jackie says smiling.

Eric gapes between his mother and Jackie before chasing after Kitty. Quickly, he runs back and points at Jackie, indicating he will get the full story.

"Mom, what is Jackie doing in Laurie's room?" Eric asks as he bursts into the kitchen.

"Getting ready for work, of course," Kitty says nonchalantly.

"But...but..." Eric stammers. "How long has she been here?"

"Oh, let's see," Kitty muses. "Red, what day did Jackie move in?"

"Saturday," Red grunts while drinking his coffee.

"Saturday?!?" Eric says, baffled. "She's been here all week and I haven't noticed?"

"Well, you've been so busy with your night classes and everything," Kitty says, serving breakfast.

"You know what, Eric, maybe you should change careers," Red says sarcastically. "Instead of becoming a teacher, you should be a detective, since you were able to follow all those subtle clues that we have another person living in this house."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Eric asks Kitty.

"She asked us not to," Kitty admits. "And the poor thing was so upset..."

Everyone goes quiet as Jackie walks in. For once, Jackie does not like all eyes on her.

"So, since you know I'm here now, can you please not say anything," Jackie asks Eric.

"Jackie," Eric says, "Everyone's been worried about you. No one knows where you are."

"I know, I know, I just...I'm not ready to deal with it yet, okay? Please keep my secret," Jackie asks sincerely.

Eric is torn. Fez calls Eric and Donna every day to ask if they know where Jackie's been. Hyde hasn't come over all week because he's been watching the apartment in case she came back. Jackie isn't being her usual bitchy self; she seems to genuinely want the solitude. "Fine," Eric finally relents.

"Yay! Thank you!" Jackie jumps, hugging Eric. It feels like he's being burned by acid. He squirms his way out of her embrace and they all sit down to breakfast. Jackie sits in Eric's normal spot, leaving him standing awkwardly, wondering where to go. Eventually he sits between his parents, unwilling to argue with her.

"So, Jackie, how is this going to work...I mean, Donna's coming tomorrow," Eric says.

"She's not coming tonight?" Kitty asks.