AN: Better late than never, right? Thanks to encouragement from a few of you, I decided to power through a bit of a dry spell and keep this little story going.

xXxXx

Eric looked around the dark wooden table at all of the slightly sun-kissed faces. It was nice to be away from the monotony of Wisconsin and out from under the shadow of his former relationship. While spending a year on another continent had its share of enjoyable moments, it had just been a way to run from the rut Eric had been stuck in. Soaking up some sun in the Bahamas, on the other hand, was proving the be the kind of escape he didn't see himself regretting.

The conversations were in high gear and Eric contributed plenty in between bites of grilled shrimp and vegetables. Even though he was once again face to face with Jackie, the two managed to share more than a few words with each other.

Mr. Kirkland cleared his throat to get the attention of the group. "I don't know if there are any anglers at the table, but I took it upon myself to book a little offshore fishing trip for the day after tomorrow. If any of you want to go, you're more than welcome."

Mrs. Kirkland pulled a pink flyer out of her purse and passed it around the table. When it made its way to Eric, he saw it was a flyer for the fishing boat the Kirkland's had booked.

Come Fishing In Beautiful Blue Water

On The

'Second Chance'.

You Won't Be Disappointed!

Interesting name for a boat, Eric thought as he passed the sheet of paper across the table to Jackie. The brunette's eyes scanned the page and Eric noticed a smirk come across her lips before she handed it off.

After everyone had a chance to look over the flyer, Mr. Kirkland spoke up once again. "So what do you say? Any of you feel like heading out on the water for a day?"

xXxXx

Admittedly, Jackie didn't know much of anything about fishing, let alone fishing in the ocean. But everyone else had seemed up for it, so why shouldn't she step up to the challenge? Even Eric wants to go, though its probably just because he was drooling all over himself about Megan, Jackie thought.

The group had all nearly returned to their food when Eileen and Marsha, the giggly receptionists, spoke up.

"So, we don't know if you guys heard about this, but apparently our hotel is having a dance night tomorrow night. They even have a DJ!" Eileen spoke emphatically, causing her blonde curls to bounce on her shoulders.

Once again, everybody at the table perked up at the idea and started chatting about the dance night. Jackie noticed Mitch give Eric a knowing wink and then nod his head toward Megan. The table suddenly felt a little more lonely as she thought about being the odd one of the bunch.

Megan leaned over toward Jackie and asked, "Do you think you'll be hitting the dance floor with all of us? It sounds like it could be a lot of fun."

"I might come for a little bit. I just don't think I have a good dancing outfit," Jackie lied unconvincingly.

Megan raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Don't you worry about that. I'm sure we can find something for you to slip into."

The light conversation around the table continued a while longer before dying down completely, and Jackie sullenly made her way back to her room with a fruity concoction in her hand.

What's the point of going dancing when everyone has a partner except me?

xXxXx

Steam rolled out of the bathroom as Eric emerged from the shower, making sure his towel was securely wrapped around his waist. He mentally scolded himself for not bringing clothes into the bathroom with him. As he hurried to grab some boxers and a shirt, Megan looked up from her book and chuckled at him.

"You're in quite a hurry, Eric. I'm almost worried you'll move too fast and make that towel fly up." She laughed again, seeing the color flood Eric's face.

"Uh… I'll, um, try to keep that from happening." That's the best reply you've got, Forman?

"Relax. I'm just teasing. You're not the only one who's ever been caught with nothing but a towel on. Now, get back in there and get dressed so we can talk about tomorrow night." She shooed him back to the bathroom.

A few moments later, Eric came back out sporting a Luke Skywalker t-shirt and pajama pants. He climbed into bed and propped himself up on a pillow.

Megan closed her copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel and placed it on the nightstand. "So are we still on for tomorrow?"

Eric didn't have a clue what she was talking about. "What? What do you mean?"

"When we were riding in the limo, you said you'd go dancing with me." She ran her fingers through her hair as she spoke.

Damn, I didn't think she would actually hold me to that! "Of course we're still on for tomorrow! Are you kidding?" Eric tried his best to act casual.

"Good. I'm looking forward to it. I just hope you won't laugh at me when you realize I've got two left feet!"

"You can't be any worse than I am," Eric said with a laugh. "I haven't been dancing in quite a while. But hey, even if we do get out there and look foolish, we can always just grab some drinks and laugh at everyone else!"

Megan let out big yawn. "You know what, Eric? That doesn't sound like a half bad plan. But for now, I think it's time we get some rest. I'll see you bright and early! Goodnight, Eric." Megan gave him a smile before turning off the bedside lamp and rolling over.

"Goodnight, Megan." Eric rolled over too, left alone to think about the upcoming dance.

xXxXx

Jackie had been out on the beach for nearly two hours when everyone else started making their way out. She wasn't normally an early riser, but something about the cool sea breeze made her want to spend every possible moment outside. As the other members of the group came into view, Jackie took note of who all was present. There were Eileen and Marsha, practically joined at the hip and already chattering to themselves. Next were Eric and Megan, both looking fairly rested. They both waved in Jackie's direction before continuing toward the water. Last to show up were Mitch and Hillary, arms were wrapped around each others' waists.

As Jackie watched everyone talking and bobbing up and down in the water, she couldn't help but feel like the odd one out again. Sure, she'd gotten along with them fine so far. But would their trip really be any different if she wasn't there? Jackie was so used to always getting attention, either from the people she worked with or from guys who thought they had a chance with her, that it was weird for her to be on the sidelines with these people.

She was snapped out of her thoughts and back to reality when she heard someone calling her. "Hey, Jackie! Are you just going to lay there, or are you going to join us out here?"

Jackie looked up to see Eric looking at her expectantly. Confused, she replied, "I'm not sure. The water looks pretty rough. I think I'll just stay up here."

She wasn't lying. The waves coming in did look more forceful than they had been. It may not have been Jackie's only reservation about going out there, but Eric didn't have to know that.

Eric called to her again. "Oh come on, Burkhart! What's really the problem? Is the water going to make you melt?"

Eric Forman does not get to be a smart-ass to me! "Fine! I'll come out there. But you better watch it, nerd!"

Jackie stood up and dusted the sand off the backs of her thighs before slowly walking to the edge of the water. Her first few steps felt clumsy as her heels sank into the powdery sand, but she quickly regained her balance. Each stride looked more graceful and effortless.

The turquoise water swiftly slid toward her, and receded just as quickly, leaving behind shimmering foam and the occasional exposed shell on the wet sand. Jackie's footing here was sure, and the nearly transparent water looked inviting. She stepped in to her ankles. Then to her waist. Then to her chest.

Jackie hadn't realized it, but Eric had moved toward her as she stepped into the water. To her surprise, she was actually having a good time bobbing along with the rhythm of the waves. Jackie even had to stifle a giggle or two. The waves were a little rougher than she had originally thought, and her hair was wetter than she wanted, but the thrill of being out here in the water was totally worth it.

Worth it up until Jackie got a little careless and took her eyes off of the incoming waves, that is. She hadn't been able to react fast enough as a particularly strong wave crashed into her back, sending her tumbling forward under the surface of the water. Instinctively, Jackie opened her eyes and immediately felt a painful stinging sensation. A mouthful of salt-water also proved to be unpleasant. Disoriented by the shock, Jackie felt like she was underwater for an eternity when she felt a pair of sturdy arms wrap around her and pull her up.

Jackie's eyes were still clenched as she struggled to gain her balance, unintentionally fighting against whoever held her. She felt herself being pulled in close to her rescuer, and only realized it was in fact Eric Forman who had plucked her from the water when he started to speak.

"It's okay," he said gently, but loud enough for her to hear. "It's alright. I've got you, you're okay."

She blinked the salty water from her eyes and found herself pressed to Eric's chest, which she noticed was a lot less bony than she remembered. Jackie could feel his hands firmly cradle her back.

"Can you hear me, Jackie?"

When she looked up, her eyes met his and she could hardly form a coherent thought.

"Um… uh, yeah. I think I'm okay," she sputtered, still catching her breath. She was having a hard time processing how she'd gone from having fun in the water, to being completely disoriented, to having her head pressed into Eric Forman's chest.

She watched as Eric gave her a contemplative look before responding. "Well, if you say so. What do you say we head back up to the beach and just relax for a little bit, huh? I'm sure we could both use a breather after that."

Eric began to pull away from Jackie, and she was surprised that she didn't want him to let go. The embrace had been completely comforting, but Jackie couldn't manage any words of protest as he let go and led her back out of the water.

xXxXx

They'd spent quite a bit of time at the beach that day, and it was becoming evident by the newly red hue in everyone's skin. Eric had found a great deal of amusement at watching Jackie eventually head out into the waves again. He'd spent some time trying to see if he could make a sand-castle version of the Death Star, but Jackie just happened to "accidentally" step on it.

After the sun had sufficiently sapped the energy out of everyone, they all collectively decided to head back to the hotel and get cleaned up for the night ahead. Eric collected his towel and caught up with Megan and Jackie, who were walking together ahead of him. By the time he had reached them, he heard Jackie tell Megan that she would probably just be turning in for the evening.

"Don't tell me you're going to be a stick in the mud, Jackie." She turned around to see that he had been walking behind them.

Jackie scoffed at him and replied, "Oh please! You know that I'm always the life of any event I show up to, and this little dance party would be no different. It just so happens that I'm tired from wrestling with those damn waves, so I'm going to get my beauty rest."

Eric scanned the petite brunette's features as Jackie made her snarky remark in that shrill voice he remembered all too well from their basement days together. He noticed how her eyes had narrowed, and how her nose had been pointed up just bit higher. But Eric also noticed how the sun brought out the slightest hint of freckles under her eyes, and how her damp, wavy hair was draped perfectly on her shoulders. If Jackie was still talking, Eric didn't notice. He did, however, notice the way her chest rose and fell with each breath and how her towel was wrapped tightly enough around her waist to accentuate the curve of her hips.

When Eric snapped out of his daze, he was watching Jackie walk away toward the stairs to her room. He waved to Megan as she headed to their room, and decided to hop in the pool to get some of the sand and salt off of himself. After leaning on the edge of the pool and relaxing for a bit, Eric heard what sounded like a deranged war cry and a second later saw Mitch launch himself into the pool. Eric wiped water from his face as Mitch swam up.

"What's up, Eric? You excited for tonight? It's gonna be killer, dude." Mitch's enthusiasm went unmatched by Eric.

"I don't know, man," Eric replied. "I think Megan has some pretty high expectations for my abilities on the dance floor. I'd rather not disappoint her. Hell, I'll probably just be holding down the bar most of the night."

Mitch let out a hearty laugh. "Oh come on, Forman! I wasn't born yesterday. I see those googly-eyes you get when she's around. There's no way you won't be following her around like a lost puppy."

"I do not!" Eric let out in a high-pitched voice as the two men made their way to the pool's stairs. "Besides, even if I did, I highly doubt she'd have any interest in my googly-eyes."

Mitch shook his head. "Whatever you say, man. Then why don't you go ask our resident news lady to go with you? You two go way back, right? She's quite the looker, if you know what I mean."

Yeah, she is…

"We'll see. Either way, I'll catch up with you tonight."

xXxXx

To Eric's dismay, he hadn't brought a fancy dancing outfit with him. He made do with a light blue Hawaiian shirt and a pair of khaki pants. It may not have been the most fashionable outfit ever, but he couldn't help but feel a little cool in his laid-back attire. Megan, on the other hand, looked stunning as usual in a white romper.

Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, Eric grabbed some of the the hotel stationery and a pen off of the dresser and started to jot out a quick note. He was hunched over with his back to Megan, hoping to give the impression that he was tying his shoes or something as he scrawled his name on the opposite side of the note and tucked it in his pocket. Eric got up and made his way to the door before turning around and announcing his exit.

"Well, I think I'm going to go for a little walk before I head over to the dance. Maybe I can get my feet warmed up enough to not trip over them all night."

Megan chuckled at him before waving goodbye. Eric slipped out of the room and pulled the note from his pocket. He hadn't technically been lying to Megan. He was, in fact, going for a walk. Eric just hadn't told her where he was going. There was a serious level of uncertainty running through his mind, and he considered turning around a couple of times. Eventually, Eric made his way to the hotel's second floor. It dawned on him that he wasn't entirely sure what room number he was looking for, but he had committed to his goal. There was no going back at this point.

After finally deciding on a door and talking himself into doing what he'd come up here to do. As he crouched down to slide his note under the door, Eric nearly fell over when it opened suddenly. All he could do was look up with wide eyes.

"I was starting to wonder when you'd show up, Eric."

xXxXx

AN: Again, thank you to everyone who has already given me useful and encouraging feedback and criticism. Feel free to review and let me know what you all think about this latest installment :)