Author Note: I was inspired by the Bonnie Tyler song, "I Need a Hero" and while I realize this song didn't come out until 1984; this story is set in or around 1980. The song lyrics are for my muse only.

AN UNLIKELY HERO

The timeline and events are skewed (to fit this story) and this is the last half of 1979 into 1980.

THEN:

Eric spent five months in Africa before his pilot program was cancelled and his sponsor flew him back home with no funds or means to go to school.

Bob contemplated moving to Florida when Donna moved to Madison to attend college but didn't want to be too far away from his pumpkin and didn't want to leave Jackie homeless.

Samantha got an annulment from Larry, her Las Vegas husband, and remarried Hyde who decided to make a go of their marriage.

Michael Kelso still lost his job at the Playboy Mansion. But found a job in a Security company in Kenosha.

Fez and Olivia live in Kelso's old apartment. Fez got his job back at the DMV when Nina transferred to another division.

NOW:

Eric is jobless and living with his family again.

Bob got a sales job that keeps him on the road – Jackie lives in the Pinciotti guest room.

Hyde and Sam live in Milwaukee and work/live with WB. Leo runs the record store.

Brooke decided to marry Michael Kelso and moved with little Betsy into his apartment where he became a fulltime employee with the Security company in Kenosha.

Jackie is working and never forgave Hyde for remarrying Samantha.

Fez likes to give parties.

T7S

Chapter 01 - The Story Begins:

Late March 1980

Milwaukee

"I hear you man, but I'm not going back to Point Place. Leo's doing an okay job running the store, Sam and I are happy here….this is my new home."

Eric sighed, "Well…I need a job. Let me manage the record store. You know Leo's not going to turn a profit and I need to get out of the house. Mom's been smothering me since you left and Red just wants to get his foot in my ass something bad."

Hyde laughed, "Yeah…I'm gonna miss that. Tell your folks I'll call once in a while."

"But what about….forget it." Eric didn't know why he was even bringing the subject up.

"What? Forget what?" Hyde shuffled some magazines into a pile on his big corporate desk while Eric looked at the guitar shaped paperweights. He sighed inwardly, and replied, "Your ex-girlfriend. No one sees her anymore. All we know is she's living with Bob."

Hyde pushed his aviators back on his nose. "It's over. She knew we were over long before Larry came back. Jackie and I were like an out of control airplane that was eventually going to crash. Then we crashed and burned and it wasn't pretty. Just be glad you were out of the country man. That's all I want to say about this subject."

Eric held up a hand, "Okay. I won't bring it up ever again. So…how about that job?"

Hyde leaned back and put his boots up on the desk, crossing his legs at the ankle. "You know Forman, as much as I think money is the root of all evil….I like the things it can do for me. You're hired. Go make me rich and just promise to keep Leo as your assistant. He's like family man."

Eric grinned, "Leo lives in the back room. I don't think I could get him out of there if I tried."

Laughing, Hyde replied, "Just don't tell him that you're getting paid." Eric stood up, "I am getting paid….right?"

Hyde smiled, "Of course. There's a personnel office on your way out. Tell that chick that looks like Daisy Dukes that I hired you and to pay you three bucks over whatever the minimum wage is."

Eric stuck out his hand, "That's fair. Thanks man. I'll be talking to you."

"Remember, don't fire Leo."

Point Place

"So…you got yourself a little job did you?" Red folded his newspaper and set it on the kitchen table. "What kind of skill did you learn in Africa that prepared you for this?"

Eric scratched the back of his neck. "Actually, it was my experience at Price Mart, before you fired me, which got me the skills. Its retail and I'm managing a record store."

Red Forman groaned, "Oh jeez….even Steven couldn't get a profit out of that business. What makes you think you can?"

Kitty hummed as she set plates and utensils on the table. "Now Red….he's employed – isn't that the important thing? I don't believe you need a degree to manage a record store." Kitty turned and gave her 20-year old son a kiss on the forehead.

"Besides, Eric can get us a discount on our favorite music!"

Eric looked up, "I don't think Grooves carries old stuff by Pat Boone….." He saw an evil glare directed towards him from Red and quickly added, "….but that's going to be the first thing I check inventory for! I'll make sure there are plenty of Dean Martin, Englebert Humperdinck (trying not to laugh as he said it), Tom Jones and Elvis Presley."

Kitty looked at her husband. "See dear? All of our favorites and with a discount!" Kitty walked back to the stove and picked up the casserole dish with her red pot holders. "Dinner's ready. Both of you go wash your hands."

She was humming That's Amore, one of her favorite Dean Martin songs, as she carried over the salad and rolls.

Kenosha

Brooke was putting some beef stew on the table while Betsy was buckled in her high chair. Fez was grinning as Kelso considered the suggestion. "So what you're saying…..I mean what you are REALLY saying…..Brooke….what was he saying?"

"Michael honey, he wants to have a party at his apartment and have you film it. Fez, isn't that illegal?"

"Oh, no! Not if I don't keep it a secret." Fez explained. "I'll tell everybody coming in the door that Kelso's making a docu-fez-mentry for me. Like they do on television - It's a documentary about me and my parties."

Kelso was grinning broadly, "Yeah, and the company says I can borrow a camera anytime I want."

"So, can he come to my party? It's in April and Donna's coming down for Spring Break. It's kinda like an old basement gang party except Hyde won't be there, and neither will Jackie or Eric and there's gonna be some lady friends of mine."

Brooke looked skeptical, "Lady friends? At this party? I don't know about this."

Michael was nearly pleading. "Oh Brooke. I'm just the filmmaker. I'm not looking to pick up chicks… when I'm married to a stone fox like you!" Kelso looked at Fez, "That was a good line wasn't it."

Fez nodded his head. "Yeah…can I use it?"

Kelso grinned, "Sure dude. I'll let you borrow all of my good ones." He turned back to Brooke. "You can call every hour if you want. I'm gonna be on my best behavior and I promise I won't bring firecrackers even though that would be so awesome at Fez's party."

Betsy started banging on her high chair tray with her spoon and Kelso picked up the rhythm chanting, "Say yes! Say yes!" Once Fez got in the act, Brooke laughed and replied, "Okay, but I'm calling often and there better be no kissing of other girls!"

Kelso looked at his buddy, "I have the best wife man."

Fez sighed, "You do my friend. You really do."

Point Place

Jackie was exhausted. Bob left a note she found when she came home from work. He was on another trip to a sales convention and if she had an emergency, she should just contact the Forman's. Wearily, she climbed the stairs and entered her room. Since Donna left, Jackie moved into the guest room. She didn't want the room that overlooked the Forman's driveway. Every time she had seen the El Camino parked down there it broke her heart.

She pulled off her work blouse and khaki colored pants and just collapsed on the bed. Having this job was the only way to keep focused and not think of ways to ruin Steven's perfect marriage to his perfect stripper wife. Life was so unfair! She felt like pounding the pillow but she didn't have the energy.

Even though five months had passed since he remarried Sam, the wound in her heart was still healing. Jackie Burkhart knew her chances of reconciling with Steven were slim to none and he told her so….but back then he was single….she was single and they had so many good memories. Why couldn't he remember those?

But before all that Las Vegas nonsense, Steven had told her that he didn't want a future with her. Running to Chicago confirmed that and inevitable resulted in the unholy union of Zen to Stripper skank. How her Steven fell in love with Samantha still eluded Jackie. What did that bean pole have that a beautiful ex-cheerleader didn't?

Jackie closed her eyes thinking about the dinner she didn't want to make. Tomorrow was just another day. She had her work to sustain her. Like an alcoholic in a twelve step program, she would take it one day at a time. She had finally graduated from not thinking about Steven every hour…she was healing….but it was slow.

"…I need a hero, I'm holding out for at hero 'till the end of the night…"

Madison

"Donna…I'm so glad I moved. I think that this relationship is going to work. I've got a good job, a great apartment and the best girlfriend."

Donna smiled at Randy. She adored him and breaking up with him when she learned Eric was coming home was a mistake. Randy had Eric's great qualities but he didn't waver when making a decision. He didn't go all nerdy and twitchy when it was time to be responsible. Randy never hid behind his mother's apron. Plus, Randy had all those delicious muscles and that soft silky feathered hair.

"I'm glad you moved too." She said snuggling into his embrace. "I'm glad I changed my mind about you." Randy ran an appreciative hand over the bare shoulder and down her naked arm to clasp her hand. "I have a great weekend planned. You just tell me when you're ready for it."

Donna smiled, "Friday night. Is that too early?"

Randy laughed, "Nope. That would just be getting it started early. That's why I love you. Well...besides the fact that you are Italian….you are a can-do country girl."

"I don't think I've ever been called that, but let me take a little nap and I'll see what I can….do….afterwards."

Randy tickled her ribs and she giggled but snuggled back against his chest. "Pinciotti, I'll be waiting."

Early April 1980

Point Place

Fez and Olivia were making up the appetizers when Kelso came over with his camera and gear. "Fez, I'm gonna set up in this corner. This thing is heavy and I don't want to have to carry it around all night."

Fez laughed, "That's what I said to Olivia last night!" Olivia looked embarrassed but giggled.

Kelso looked confused, "You already have a camera?" He looked around and whispered, "Never mind. When do the girls get here?"

Fez made sure Olivia wasn't looking before he replied, "Around seven. There are three of them oh and I invited Jackie."

Kelso stomped his foot, "What did you go and do that for? She's just being such a moody bitch lately! I wanted this to be a fun party."

Fez shrugged, "She's my friend. Maybe not my girlfriend but since Hyde left she doesn't go out much."

"Well maybe she'll be okay just as long as she doesn't start crying again. I mean cuz I can go home and hear crying. I want to hear fun stuff for a change. Oh, and I invited Eric."

Fez looked frozen. "Aiiyyy! You know Donna's gonna be here."

"Well yeah, that's what you said."

"Kelso, she's not coming alone." Fez whispered.

Kelso shrugged. "So…what…is Eric bringing her?"

"No you idiot! She's coming with Randy." Fez nearly yelled. Now his party was going to be ruined.

There was a knock at the door Olivia hollered that she was getting it. Fez smiled at his Tahitian Princess. He loved her cocoa colored skin and her chocolate brown eyes. She was like a big sweet Hershey bar with long dark hair! Kelso looked over when he saw some giggling.

"Fez, it's the girls." Olivia announced. Kelso's mouth fell open. Triplets! The Trifecta of Doing It! Damn, I'm married! His sensible self told him. Olivia introduced, Amanda, Sandra and Candace Sommers to Fez and Kelso. The three blonde bombshells smiled and waved and then whispered something to Olivia. "Oh, their dates are running late."

"DAMN!" Kelso almost stomped his foot but didn't want to have Fenton running upstairs creating a scene. "Triplets with dates? Not fair!"

Fez grabbed Kelso's arm. "Stop or Brooke will hear you. You're filming aren't you?"

"Oh crap! Yes!" Kelso ran back and stopped the film. "Okay ladies….I need you to reenter the apartment but this time….do it in slow motion!" The girls giggled and hurried out the door. Kelso set up his camera for the shot and waved to Olivia, "Pretend to serve Fez something to eat. Fez you pretend to be eating."

The doorbell rang and Olivia acted surprised and went to answer it. "Jackie! DAMN! You ruined the shot!"

Jackie looked at Michael Kelso aiming a camera on her and cringed. She wasn't warned and didn't even get a makeup check first! "God Michael, you could have warned me!" Jackie ran for the bathroom.

Kelso maintained his calm. "Okay, let's do this again. Fez. Sit. Eat. Olivia, smile for the camera again."

The doorbell rang and Olivia gave a repeat of her acting surprised and walked to the door. "Eric! DAMN! You ruined the shot too!" Kelso threw his hands in the air in frustration.

"Why are there triplets standing out in the hallway?" Eric grinned and walked in taking an eggroll slice from Olivia's tray. He sat on the sofa, "Hey are we making a movie?"

"Duh! Camera, me behind the lens…of course! You ruined the shot of the triplet's entrance. Now I have to do it all over again." Kelso went back to reset the film as Jackie came out of the bathroom with perfect makeup. She saw someone sitting on the sofa.

"Jackie! You're blocking the door!" Kelso waved her out of his line of sight and Fez pulled her down on the couch. "Sit next to Eric and be quiet. This is important for my Party Movie."

Jackie shifted uncomfortably. She didn't know Forman was going to be here! Eric leaned over and whispered, "I didn't know you were coming."

"I guess not! I would have stayed at Bob's." she whispered back. "You know Donna's going to be here."

Eric looked shocked. Jackie felt sorry she mentioned it. "I guess they were going to surprise you?"

Eric covered his eyes with his hands, "Yeah and they're going to do it on film." He groaned. "I guess you should be glad they didn't invite Hyde."

Jackie glared, "That is so not funny." She gave him an elbow to the ribs. "Hey! This ain't my party go beat up the foreign guy."

"I can't. Fez invited me."

"Yeah and Kelso invited me so quit bitching about it and just play nice."

Jackie crossed her arms over her chest, "FINE."

Eric crossed his leg and put his ankle on his leg and retied his shoe. "FINE by me too."

The doorbell rang and Olivia acted surprised but bored, "Oh….Look who's here!" she pretended to exclaim. Amanda, Sandra and Candace giggled and bounced into the living room. Fez walked over and greeted each of the triplets and smiled big into the camera.

Fez led them to the sofa and introduced his new friends to his old friends and Eric bit back a laugh, "So…you are Candy, Sandy and Mandy?" He heard Jackie snigger and Eric broke out laughing. "It's great to meet your friends Fez."

The girls turned around to greet their boyfriends. Jackie gasped, "Triplets too!" Fez's mouth fell to the floor and Kelso shouted, "This is freaking AWESOME!" Three identical Nordic hunks of muscle and hair smiled perfectly white smiles as they walked through the door.

Fez groaned because the male triplets were just too handsome. "I'm Fez, this is my friend Eric." Eric stood up and shook hands with each fellow. "This is Jackie and over here is Kelso my cameraman."

Jackie nearly swooned when each Fabio-handsome fellow kissed her hand. "What are your names?" she asked looking into clear blue eyes and dimples.

The middle triplet pointed to his brothers, "I'm Shawn, this is Jonathon and this is Ronald, he's the short one."

Eric burst out laughing, "Shawn, Jon and Ron? You have to be freaking kidding me!"

Fez glared at Eric, "Okay you foreigners, I have to go put on the music, but sit down…somewhere and no making out!" Kelso came out from behind the camera and gave Eric a one armed hug. "Good to see you again dude." Kelso looked at Jackie, "If you start acting like a moody bitch, I will only film your bad side." He admonished.

She gasped, "You wouldn't!"

Kelso grinned, "Oh yes I would. So why don't you and Eric go sit at the kitchen table so I can get the double triplets, that's so cool just to say, then I can film them dancing. Those blondes just jiggle all over the place!"

In the background, Jackie could hear The Cars singing, Let the Good Times Roll. She got up and pulled her top down over her hips and walked to the small kitchen/dining room. Olivia looked sympathetic and offered a pig-in-a-blanket from her tray.

"Oh no, but thank you very much." Jackie took a seat on one of the better kitchen chairs. Eric was being pulled away from staring at the trio of buxom blondes as Fez gave him a not too gentle shove towards the kitchen. Eric grabbed a cushioned chair and sat opposite of Jackie.

"Do you think Fez knew that the triplets were dating triplets?" he asked just to make conversation. Jackie decided if she ever needed ski lessons, she wanted all three to teach her! "No…he probably just invited the girls. Remember the first time he saw identical twins?"

Eric laughed, "He thought all pretty girls came like Twin-kies – two to a pack. I guess he didn't ask if they were single." Jackie went into the kitchen and came back with a couple of beers.

She popped the top and held up her beer. "A toast." Eric snagged a cheesy tot and held up his can, "What are we toasting to?"

Jackie looked at the gathering partygoers that were talking and laughing in the living room. "We are toasting to us. You and I have the most in common with anyone in this room."

"How's that?" he asked a little confused.

"We are the only true single people and we've both had our hearts chewed up and spit out."

"Wait, I broke up with Donna not the other way around." Eric argued. Jackie looked him in the green eyes. "That's not the story Donna's going to tell."

T7S

Randy opened the passenger door of his Ford Truck. Donna slid across the bench seat and smiled as he took her hand and helped her to the ground. "God, I haven't seen Fez since I started school."

Randy smiled, "I always liked Fez and look - I brought him a bag of M & M's. I haven't met his girlfriend so this should be an interesting party."

"M & M's? God you're so thoughtful!" Donna laughed. "I heard Kelso is going to be there so this should be a trip." Randy led the way up to the second floor apartment and knocked on the door. Hot Stuff, by Donna Summer was thumping though the door.

"We should be able to get out of here by eleven. I booked a room at the Meridian hotel unless you want to stay with your dad."

Donna shook her head, "Nah…dad's on a trip and Jackie's alone. I don't want to get pulled into an "I miss Steven" marathon cry-fest."

The door opened and Fez was dancing with all three triplets. Randy couldn't believe his eyes. Donna grabbed his hand and squeezed hard. "It's a novelty, look away."

Randy dragged his eyes away from all the jiggling, giggling goodness and looked at Donna's pretty face. "You're right. It's just a party." Then Donna caught sight of the long haired nicely muscled male triplets. "Oh my god, I didn't think they came in threes…."

"Donna." Randy waved a hand in front of her face. "Donna, it's a novelty!"

Jackie looked over when she saw Olivia opening the front door. "Eric, prepare to eat your words." Eric turned his head to see his Donna walking in the room on the arm of some guy he'd never met. "Who is that?" Eric whispered without breaking his gaze.

"Randy. Donna dated him while you were in Africa. They broke up when Donna learned you were coming home."

"That's the Randy my mom was gushing about?" Please say no.

"He's actually a nice guy. He used to work with Steven at Grooves and you probably would have liked him." Eric heard Jackie's voice but he couldn't stop looking at Donna. She looked so happy and carefree…like she did when they first started dating. Before all the misunderstandings and the promise ring, the ugly man ring, the trailer…the wedding cold feet…He missed that happy Donna.

Jackie took another drink of bitter beer. "I didn't know they got back together. When you came home, Randy took off. I guess he moved to Madison."

Eric glared at his brunette drinking companion, "You sure can ruin a party can't you?"

Jackie smirked, "Not my party to ruin. I didn't invite any of these people. You don't want to sit with me, go play with the triplets. I'm fine right here."

Eric took his drink and got up. No sense avoiding Donna – she'd expect that from him. From the corner of his eye, Eric saw Kelso swing the heavy camera around and follow him through the small crowd of dancing triplets. He got jostled as he tried to maneuver between Ron and Mandy – Mandy's bodacious assets dancing under his nose.

Linda Ronstadt was singing, Ooh Baby Baby, by the time Eric got to the end of the living room. "Hey Donna!" he said maybe a bit too brightly.

Donna turned, a bit startled, "Oh…Eric. Yeah." She hadn't expected to see Eric at this party. She didn't even see him when she walked in but then Randy had taken her attention away from the Nordic he-men. "What are you doing here?"

"Kelso invited me. So…awkward." He said, his voice rising at the end of the sentence. He could barely breathe and his chest felt tight. This was terribly uncomfortable! "This must be the famous Randy my mom has been bragging about."

Randy held out his hand, "Forman, heard a lot of good things about you. Finally glad to meet you."

With a sour taste in his mouth, Eric shook Randy's hand and nodded. "Yeah - now I can put a face to the name that built the sewing room that used to be my bedroom."

Randy was grinning, "Yeah…I helped your dad and it came out nice. Well, you've seen it. Your mom was really happy."

Donna noticed that Eric was starting to fidget. Next he would inevitably say something to Randy and put his foot in his mouth. She looked at Randy, "Hey – I think that's Jackie? By the kitchen? Why don't you go say hello while I talk to Eric." Shit, Jackie's here!

Donna turned to Eric once Randy was safely across the room. "Look Eric. This isn't easy…"

Eric knew what was coming. This was it. The Final Breakup. In a way, he was relieved that it was happening. Now he could quit crossing his fingers and hoping for something that was never going to happen. The tightness in his chest eased as Donna started talking and the buzz in his ears was too loud to hear what she was saying. Her lips were moving and seemed to be saying, I'm sorry, but all he could hear was the laughter of Sandy and Candy while they joked with Fez and Kelso. He could even hear Jackie laughing across the room at something Randy had said.

He looked back at Donna and the happy face she came in with had disappeared. He did that to her. Eric caused much of Donna's unhappiness. He could see it so plainly now. Nearly a year removed from their on again/off again deteriorating relationship and Donna had found someone that gave her back her smile.

The music changed up to Cheap Trick's, I Want You to Want Me and Eric mused that was the last thing he wanted now. He suddenly felt free – the feelings that he had been keeping boxed up were gone. He only wanted happiness for Donna and he felt good about it. God, what a relief!

"…he's just perfect for me. I don't expect you to understand but that's how it is."

Eric's mind came back to the present and he smiled, "Donna. I love seeing you happy and if Randy does it for you…I'm glad." He touched the creamy white skin of her arm one last time and marveled that he didn't feel the tug and pull of emotions holding him back. "We can still be friends but I need to go finish my beer."

Donna watched Eric stride back to the kitchen and now she was really puzzled. No tears? No frantic goodbyes? Had she misjudged him? What the hell just happened?

Jackie was laughing at Randy's description of a comic he's seen at a club when she saw Eric walking back towards the table and he was smiling. Actually smiling when she thought he would scream like a girl and run home! Randy turned his head at the touch of Eric's hand on his shoulder. Kelso shouted, "FIGHT!"

Eric and Randy turned and looked at Kelso like he was an idiot. "What fight? Donna's waiting for you." Eric grabbed a fresh beer and slid back into his previous seat. "It was nice meeting you Randy."

Randy had been prepared for the punch. There was a split second there when he was ready to take it; after all he did take Donna away from Forman. Wait, no….she chose him over Forman so what did that mean?

"Okay…yeah…nice to finally meet you." Randy mussed Jackie's hair, "Nice seeing you again Jackie. Take care!"

Jackie looked at Randy's retreating back and she nearly launched herself at Eric. "What the hell is wrong with you? Aren't you going to fight for her?"

Eric grinned. Suddenly everything was right with the world. In this singular moment, he had more clarity of life and his future than ever before. The dirty window he'd been looking through had just been Windex washed and life was clear again. Even Jackie looked attractive!

"Jackie…I always wanted Donna to be happy. I know now, that it just wasn't going to be me that made her happy no matter how hard I tried or wanted it to be. I'm not going to be wishing for more than to be her friend. I have a life of my own and I need to start living it." Eric felt good just saying it out loud!

Jackie didn't know just how Eric went from Point A to Point B in Point Place in a few minutes and totally changed his outlook on life. Was it really that easy or was he just making it seem effortless? She looked at his face and had to admit he did look happier himself. Not fair! She took a deep breath and sighed. "It's different when you're a girl."

Eric scooped a tortilla chip through the salsa and bit the spicy end. "It's not really. You just need to decide who should be happier. You or Hyde. Ask yourself, what has he done for Jackie Burkhart lately?"

Jackie ran her fingertip around the rim of her beer can. Did Steven cry for her at night before he went to sleep? Did he remember the loving moments when….Jackie realized she couldn't really recall a specific moment in the last three years. All of her Steven memories were jumbled into a big hazy cloud of recollections and feelings and none of them made her feel good.

Eric looked at Jackie all lost in thought and recognized how truly vulnerable she was. The snarky mean spirited attitude was just a façade for a lovely woman who had been abandoned by everyone she loved. Eric had been there when Kelso left her (one too many times) but because she cared, she forgave him one too many times. There was a brief infatuation with Todd the cheese guy, but Eric had fun blackmailing her on that – then Hyde cheats on her with a nurse, she forgives him….he marries a stripper and yet Jackie still wants him? How many ways can a guy say, Sorry, but I'm not interested – before a girl understands?

Maybe with his new Forman attitude and outlook on life, Eric would cut Jackie some slack and drag her away from the memories of Steven Hyde. That brief little work-related interview convinced him that Hyde would not be moving back to Point Place anytime soon!

"Nothing. Steven's done nothing for me in a long…long time." Jackie replied in a small voice. "I don't know why I still care or how to stop caring. It's like when a dog bites its tail but can't let go."

She looked up at him, her multicolored eyes filled with unshed tears. "Eric….I really need a friend now. I need to stop biting my tail. Can you help me?"

Eric laughed and toasted her can, "Yes and let's drink to new beginnings. I think 1980 is going to be a great year."

Jackie wasn't so sure but Eric seemed so positive that she smiled. "A toast to new beginnings – I like that."

Somewhere after midnight, in my wildest fantasy

Somewhere just beyond my reach

There's someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat

It's gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

T7S