Disclaimer: I don't own the show this story is based on. At. All.

Author's note: So yes, I'm making this story as a break from the usual stuff. I will get back to everything when I can. On that note, this idea had been stewing in my head where Eric undergoes a different change. The original idea was that Eric blows up in front of his parents because they got on his case for not taking Donna back, literally minutes after she was dumped by Kelso's brother. In real life, a relationship built off an instant or almost instant rebound is neither healthy nor can realistically last long. That being said, this will be Eric having a major epiphany and coming out with a completely different relationship. This won't be a bashing story but just a realistic look at everything. So sit back and enjoy the first chapter.

Point Place Wisconsin

Forman Residence

Eric Forman sat in one of the dining room chairs in front of his parents. He would readily admit that this was the worst night life of his life on a number of different levels. He was hoping that Donna's relationship with Casey would end a bit more smoothly where she realized what a jackass he was. However, it went differently where instead of Casey trying to defend the relationship, he admitted that he used and lied to Donna. The redhead thought that he was falling for her as she feel for him, but he just played her. The next worst moment came when Donna showed up in his basement feeling miserable.

As one of her best friends and former boyfriend, all he wanted was for her to be okay and she was accepting. But then she kissed him and embraced, telling him that they belong together. But then Eric realized that it didn't feel right. She was heartbroken, and she was seeking comfort like she did when her mother left. He couldn't give in, not again. Now he sat in front of his parents as they were tearing him a new one.

Red looked at him in confusion and irritation as he spoke, "Let me get this straight: Donna wanted to get back together, and you said no?!"

"Yes," Eric replied, feeling this talk unwarranted.

"You said no!" Red looked away from his son before Kitty interjected, "DUMBASS!"

Eric's brow furrowed at his mother's reaction in that she was siding with and sounding like his father. Eric normally would've taken that reaction the same way he always did: passively. However, he felt his emotions ready to boil over with the way his parents were treating him.

"What were you thinking?" Red asked as he looked back at his son.

"I don't know. How about I don't want to get hurt and/or screwed over again."

Red was taken aback by his son getting a tone in his voice before he snapped back to normal. "Is this some stupid pride thing? How much pride can you have?! The only smart thing about you is your mouth! And look at you!"

"Red, there's nothing wrong with him, he's just so darn stupid" Kitty jumped back in.

"Oh my god, just shut up and listen, the both of you!" Eric jumped out of his seat making both his of his parents step back for a second. They had seen the look in the boy's eyes, which Red could only guess was the same kind of anger that he himself had when he returned from overseas and he got the short end of the stick.

"This isn't some damn stupid pride thing, alright! Casey used her then dumped her, and then she just wanted to get back with me like nothing happened! Here's what would've happened if I took her back: we would've been together, I would've tried making a better relationship. Then she would've hated herself and felt worse for running back and I would've felt just as bad! And I wasn't going to be another jackass like Casey and take advantage of her when she was vulnerable! For you two to call me stupid just because I was trying to do the right thing...you two just don't know me at all!"

Eric walked away and went outside and began walking, wherever he wasn't sure, just so he could blow off steam. He had finally found himself outside the Hub and figured he could just eat something to take his mind off everything for the time being. He was unaware that as he was going inside, Donna and Kelso were passing by in a van.

Donna looked at the entrance of the Hub and looked back ready to jump and see him but stopped herself. Kelso looked at her before turning back to the road and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Eric just went into the Hub." Donna turned back in her seat and stared straight ahead. Kelso looked confused her at reaction.

"You wanna go see him?" he asked.

Dona shook her head before she replied, "No. I did enough damage for one day. I hate to think how Red and Kitty laid into him."

The Hub

Eric sat at a table eating a burger and fries but not really enjoying it as he still didn't feel any better after letting his feelings out on his parents. He felt like it was maybe a year or two late for him to have really stood up for himself like that. He was feeling despair sink in when Jackie came out of the ladies' room and address him. "Eric?"

"Jackie," he replied barely looking away from his food. Jack sat down and noticed that he didn't have that hopeful look on his face that he normally did. He looked as miserable as he did when he and Donna first broke up. "Are you okay?"

"Dandy." Jackie's eyes widened at his response, making her shift uncomfortably in her seat.

"Wait, where's Donna?" she said as she missed the flash of red hair.

"I don't know."

"Y-you don't know? Eric she's the love of your life! Why aren't you with her?!"

"Because I'm getting hurt again!" Jackie flinched at Eric's response. She had known Eric to be one to snap back, especially with insults, which if she were honest with herself she didn't really mean. But him snapping off when he was the more level-headed one of the group was starting to scare her.

"Did something happen with you two?"

Eric turned to her and explained everything that happened in the last hour. Jackie figured she should do so for him as he had done so for her even when she knew that he didn't want to. Between his parents having a go at him, and the way Donna came back to him, she wasn't entirely sure what to make of it.

"You said you didn't want Donna to hurt you again. What did you mean by that?"

"When we broke up, she didn't want the ring I gave her. When my folks were tearing me apart, I thought the breakup was because I wanted things my way. But I just wanted to be a part of her life. It felt like we were just drifting away."

"And when she didn't take the ring, it just fell together."

"And then when her mom left, and I went to her before she jumped me. I thought she wanted to give us another shot."

Jackie stayed silent as she listened to him tell her his feelings, which she figured Hyde and the guys would make fun of him for. She figured that she shared some responsibility for this as she was the one who pushed Donna to date Casey, but she'd leave that matter alone.

"So you were protecting herself?"

"And Donna. It wouldn't have done either of us any good if I took her back when she was vulnerable. And I wasn't going to stoop to Casey's level."

Jackie nodded at his reply. "Where do you think she is right now?"

"She's probably home."

"Okay. Have you seen Michael anywhere? I want to talk to him about when we'd get married."

Eric turned to Jackie and looked her directly in her mismatched eyes before he spoke up, "Jackie, I need to understand something. Why did you decide to take Kelso back, again?"

"Eric, I love Michael. I know we've had our problems but I believe we can make it and have a future together."

Eric blew out a breath and steeled himself for what he was about to say. "Jackie, I'm saying this as your friend. Taking back Kelso, especially now, is the worst mistake you can make."

Jackie was taken aback in shock at how direct he was and felt the need to defend her choice. "Eric, I made my mistakes too, especially kissing my boss at my last job."

"I remember. And I hate myself for how I treated you about it. But you taking him back will not help anything. He's cheated on you twice already. Did he say he missed you? Because the way I remember it, he was doing his best to make it with my sister or whatever girl he was trying to get. He hasn't changed and you're only going to get hurt again."

Jackie looked at Eric and felt the sincerity of his words. What stuck out for her was that he considered the two of them friends through everything since they've known each other. She figured that Kelso was the safest choice as she knew what to expect. Hyde she knew for sure wasn't the best choice as she didn't feel that spark for him when they kissed, and she couldn't see a future with him.

"What if I made a few conditions?" Jackie threw back.

"You can try but it doesn't mean that he'll hold to them for long," Eric replied as he went back to eating his food. Jackie thought about his words and knew for sure that he was right. She decided not to push the issue further and instead got up and ordered her own food. Minutes later, she joined Eric in eating. Eric looked at her in mild surprise before she replied, "It's nice eating with friends."

Eric nodded with a ghost of a smirk on his face as the two ate together.

Forman Driveway

Jackie and Eric returned back to the Forman house, laughing and talking. They had enjoyed the company and talking to each other, finding that they had some things in common, like music and some movies. As they stopped in the driveway, Eric looked over at the Pinciotti home and began thinking.

"It's okay if you want to talk to her. I think we both should," Jackie said.

Eric led the way and the two reached the front door. Eric knocked and waited for someone to answer when Bob opened the door. "Hey Eric. Jackie. What brings you two here?"

"We were wondering if Donna was home. We need to talk to her," Eric answered.

"Sorry Eric. She's not here. If you two want to wait, you're welcome to." Eric looked down before looking back at his ex-girlfrend's father. "No, thank you sir. We'll check back later."

The two went down to Eric's basement and turned on the television and just watched an episode of Scooby-Doo to pass some time. Jackie sat close to Eric, with their shoulders touching as they watched the animated teens get into another situation involving disguised bad guys. After a few hours of watching television and making comments every now and then, the two feel asleep with Jackie laying her head on Eric's chest. Red came down to see where his son was only to find him asleep with the girl that he referred to as 'the loud one'. He went back up tot he first floor of the house and saw his wife standing by the oven.

"How was he?"

"Get this: he's asleep on the couch. With Jackie."

Kitty's eyes widened at the idea as she always believed that the two hated each other. But she set that thought aside as there was another matter on her mind. "Do you think he was right?"

"I guess so. I remember when me, Bob, and the boys went on that hunting trip. Eric and I went to go find that deer and I asked him what he really thought. He said that I was angry because life didn't turn out how I thought. And I'm tough on him because I don't want life to kick him around. I think I did that to him instead."

"Oh Red, what do we do?"

"I don't know Kitty. I just don't know."

Author's note: So there it is. Admittedly, season 4 for me wasn't the greatest season for me as a fan, or for a lot of fans. It seemed to be the one season where Donna's character was at her lowest, not in the sense that she was vulnerable or anything. Each character in the show had their individual moments of being annoying or outright jerks. But season 4 sticks out for Donna as being one where she was generally lashing out at Eric, as well as taking advantage of him early on in the season and making Eric the bad guy. And for Donna's character, it doesn't come off as her best. I do like Donna's character as I do everyone, but season 4 just made me feel...bothered. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the setup.