I'm still working on the continuation to my other stories. Thought I'd post this one to tide you over. Thanks for being patient.

Summary:

Jackie comes to Eric with a proposal.

The story takes place after Donna refused Eric's promise ring.

The Deal

Eric sat in the basement staring at the object on the table in front of him. It had been a month since Donna had refused to be with them for the rest of their lives. A small part of him wondered if he was overreacting. He loved Donna. He should want to be with her no matter what.

"Hey Eric,"

"Go away," he growled.

"I can't do that," the usually perky voice said.

He sighed in frustration as the bane of his existence plopped herself down next to him.

"What do you want Jackie?"

"I want you,"

"That's nice," he took a sip of his beer and choked as the words penetrated.

She suppressed a smile as she slapped him on his back.

"What did you say?" he gasped.

"You heard me," she said quietly.

"Me? You want me?" He turned large green eyes to her, "Why?"

"You're cute for a scrawny neighbor boy. You clean up nicely. You want to get married. You're smarter than Kelso. Most importantly you won't cheat on me."

"How do you know I won't cheat on you?"

She gave him a look. He nodded. He knew that he would never cheat. He wanted a marriage like his parents. Eric tried to process everything. "You want us to be a couple?"

"Yes,"

"Convenience?"

"No,"

If it was possible, his eyes got wider. "You mean...?"

She nodded.

He leaned back staring at her as if she had sprouted an extra head.

"Let me get this straight...you want to marry me?"

"Yes,"

"But you're the devil!".

"Will you stop calling me that!"

"Maybe,"

"Besides, you'll learn to love me,"

"Doubtful," Eric said, crossing his arms. The thought of liking her let alone falling in love with her, made his head want to explode.

She scowled and mirrored the placement of his arms.

"I'm not saying that we get married tomorrow. I want us to date with marriage being the ultimate goal,"

"What if I fall in love with someone else? What if Donna and I decide to reconcile?"

"I'll step aside,"

"Sounds fair,"

"I have two conditions,"

"Of course you do. What are they?" he sighed. He wanted to bash his head against a wall for even listening, but he was lonely and a permanent girlfriend offering sex without love was exactly what he needed.

"You have to really make an effort and you can't cheat on me. If you find someone else be honest,"

He nodded. He could live with that. "The same goes for you too, and you can't act like the devil anymore."

She scowled. "Fine!"

She stuck her right hand out, "Do we have a deal?"

He stared at it for a moment. The gang would freak, his mom would be giddy with happiness, and Red would raise an eyebrow, but it would be worth it to know that he would not end up alone.

He reached out and shook her hand. Who knows, maybe he'd learn to love her. "We have a deal,"

That is how the courtship and eventual happy marriage of Eric and Jackie began.