Set three years after Eric returned from his Africa experience: Jackie had disappeared and the group fell into disarray. What happened to them and the Forman's and why haven't the friends reached out for each other like they used to? Totally AU – after season 8 – non canon - DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the plot. Dang!

Author Note: For my regular readers, I changed the format of my usual pairings and tried something a little new. If you like it great! I accomplished my feat – if you don't…well, maybe next time.

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Undercover Angel

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Chapter 01 – Jessie's Girl

The emergency call came in through Dispatch from Call Box 141 on Studebaker Highway. Gloria, the dispatch operator, received the call. "Operator, please state your emergency."

"Yes, there was some crap in the road on Studebaker and now I have two flat tires and only one spare. I need a tow truck."

"Please hold sir and I will see if we have a wrecker in your vicinity." Gloria put her hand over the receiver and turned to Jerry. "Who's available tonight?"

Jerry looked at the tote board, "We have Mad Max just leaving Kenosha and Jessie's girl coming out of Point Place."

"It's two flats so I'll have Jessie bring it in." Gloria went back on the receiver, "Sir, we have a vehicle about ten minutes away from your position. Are you in a safe location?"

"Look lady, I'm at the side of the road in no man's land. I couldn't be safer if I tried to."

"Very good sir, the wrecker will be coming from south of you." Asshole. "Please wait in your vehicle with your flashers on."

Red Forman hung up the emergency call box telephone and trudged his way through the heavy drizzle back to his car. He opened the door of his Toyota and sat inside. The two front tires were effectively sitting on the rims and he knew that new tires were not in the budget this week. Neither was the expense of the upcoming tow truck fee! Kitty would be waiting with dinner and by now she would be worried that he hadn't made it home in time.

Red rubbed his tired eyes. The part-time job in Kenosha was supposed to help build his muffler shop business, but the aggravation was just not worth it. He needed a break and soon or Kitty would have to go back to working full time.

Two bright headlights blinded him in the rear view mirror and then the huge tow truck, embossed with J & J Towing on the door pulled up alongside his busted car. A fellow with a yellow rain slicker and hat jumped out of the cab. The bright yellow hazard lights were spinning and lighting up the sky despite the heavy drizzle. A Mag Lite flashlight shined in the Toyota's window, "Are you hurt?" A voice asked him.

Red rolled his eyes. They sent a pansy ass kid to tow his car! Jeez, what was this world coming to? He rolled down the window. "No, I am not hurt. I have two flats if you had taken a look, you would have noticed."

"Sorry sir, I always check the driver first." Red grumbled something about that being a great idea but he was in a hurry. The flashlight bounced and bobbed in the near dark and ended up at the front of the Toyota. The yellow rain slicker dipped below the hood and back up again.

Static from the wrecker radio squelched in the air. "Jessie, what's your twenty?" The tow driver easily swung up into the door of the cab and reached for the mike. "My twenty is mile marker 41. Over."

The dispatcher asked, "Are you going to need Mad Max? Over."

"That's a negative. It's a simple tow. I'll check back after I'm done. Over."

Red grabbed his jacket and stepped out of his car. The tow driver was backing up and lowering the sling onto the ground in front of his bumper. He crossed his arms and watched as the J & J representative pushed the sling under the axle and then attached the belt lift to a boom winch. The control button was pressed which started the pneumatics hissing on the back of the wrecker and the winch was screeching to life, lifting the front of the Toyota into the air.

Red had to admit this pansy ass kid knew what he was doing as he watched the driver climb under the car and secure belts to the axle and locked the winch. The driver looked over the chains with the Mag Lite and nodded his head. He climbed back in the cab of the wrecker and came back with a notepad.

"Okay Mr. Forman, where would you like me to tow you to?"

Red blinked. How did this kid know who he was? He stammered, "I-I have a muffler shop in Point Place. Do you need the address?"

The driver pushed off the yellow rain cap, "Nope, I know exactly where it's at." Long wavy brunette hair spilled over the yellow slicker as she smiled.

Red staggered. "Jackie? Girl, is that really you?"

With a bright smile and a Mag Lite shining in his face, she replied, "Sure is Mr. Forman. Let's get you out of this rain!"

Red went around the big wrecker and climbed up into the passenger side and was confronted by a growling mass of hair. He nearly slipped off the step but Jackie reached over and grabbed his jacket pulling him forward. "That's just my dog." She said something in low voice and the dog lay down behind the seat with a whimper.

Red shut the door behind him, "Jeez, I nearly had a second heart attack. Why do you have a dog?"

Jackie turned on the cab lights and bumped up the heater. "Some drivers carry guns for safety…I have a dog." She smiled and handed Red the clipboard, "I need your signature before I can tow you."

Red hastily signed the standard release form and handed the clipboard back to the young girl. "I have a hundred questions for you." She smiled and put on her seatbelt. "I'm sure you do, but let's get your car taken care of first."

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Jackie stopped the tow truck into the driveway of Forman's Muffler shop and waited while Red opened the bay door. She slowly backed into the garage and climbed out, the Blue Merle Australian Shepherd following at her heels. Red wasn't so sure about this dog so he stayed out of the way. She slipped her hands into a fleece-lined pair of work gloves and lowered the winch. The boom creaked and the chains groaned a little as the Toyota was slowly set near the floor. "Mr. Forman, you have a couple of jacks or stands you want to put this on? It'll save your rims."

That was exactly what Red had been thinking earlier. He pulled over his hydraulic jack stand and watched Jackie push it under his axel and lift the Toyota off the concrete. She unhooked her hardware and started putting everything away. Mindful of the dog, Red had to admit she had a pretty tricked out truck. A bright red tool box was welded to the midnight black cab and steel chains were hooked to the bed in an organized fashion. This looked like a professional guy's tow truck!

"Uh…Jackie, do you have to run off right away?" he asked uncomfortably. She looked up from the back of the wrecker. "Well, no, I still have to write up your bill."

Red grimaced. "I need to call Kitty and let her know I'm okay. I'll just be in the office." She waved and went back to the invoice book filling out the required paperwork.

"Red Forman! Where are you? I have been sick with worry!" Kitty's voice was thick with concern and Red felt bad for making her anxious. "I have Eric out there looking for you!"

"Honey, I got two flat tires on the way home. I had to get a tow truck to bring me back to the shop."

"Oh thank heavens you're not hurt. So you're in the office? Do you need a ride home?" Red looked out at the little girl standing by the huge wrecker. "No, I think I have a ride. I shouldn't be too long."

Kitty replied, "I'm glad you're safe. I'll keep dinner warm."

Red walked out to the Toyota and glared at the offending auto. How was he going to afford two new tires? Jackie smiled and handed him the bill.

J & J Towing

….$25 Hook Up Fee

….$65 Tow Fee

.…$30 Mileage Fee

$120.00 Total Due

PAID IN FULL.

Red looked up from the bill, very confused. "What? I haven't paid you yet."

Jackie swung up into the cab and whistled for her dog that bounded up behind her. "Yes you have Mr. Forman. If you hadn't introduced me to automobiles, I wouldn't have the job I have today."

Red looked at the bill again. "Say, Jackie... would you mind dropping me off at home?"

She smiled, "Would you mind not saying anything about the free tow?"

He grinned. "I don't mind at all."

"Well, let me move my truck and you can lock your garage. I'll give you a ride home."

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Eric drove into the Forman driveway about 45 minutes later. Shaking out of the drizzled jacket, he slid open the door. There had been no sign of his dad's car anywhere and Kitty had been frantic. He walked into the kitchen to find his mom smiling and frosting cupcakes. "Oh honey, your dad got home about 30 minutes ago."

"Where was he?" Eric sat down in the green kitchen chair. "I drove all the way to Kenosha and back. I didn't see him anywhere.

"The Toyota broke down on his way back from Stu's auto store. He had to get it towed." Kitty giggled at her special secret. "But, thank you for looking sweetie. I really appreciate it."

Eric was tired. This little "find your dad" jaunt was a waste of time. It was nearly 11:00 p.m. and he still had work tomorrow! "I'm going to bed mom; I'll see you in the morning." Eric headed off for the basement.

Kitty pressed a finger to her lips. Of all the things that could have happened to Red tonight, he had been blessed by an angel. An undercover angel.

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