The usual scent of leftover 'film' and the not so steady outlook on their current afternoon, each engulfing the gang's minds. Donna, preoccupied with how large her hands looked, hadn't noticed and neither did her nerd of a boyfriend, too busy playing with her pony tail. Fez had started a game of tic tac toe with Shotsi the dog while Kelso pretended to referee. Steven was the only to notice as his girlfriend silently and expertly closed the basement door. With a quick knowing look and the ever noticeable bags under her eyes, he smiled softly towards her retreating body. He knew how desperately she loved napping in his bed and he'd be damned if being high off his mind would stop him from helping her out. She still didn't want to let anybody know how intimate they were. Even though she lounged on his lap every chance she got.

It wasn't until a few hours later; a tiring game of tic tac toe lost and the ignorance of daytime tv that someone spoke up about their missing member.

"Hyde, where's Jackie? Didn't she get out school a while ago?" Donna noticed, though Steven was still a bit surprised. The taller woman hadn't been paying as much attention to her best friend as the brunette needed.

He shrugged.

Kelso plopped a popsicle into his mouth and leaned against the freezer, "I wonder why she's not here- fawning over her boyfriend. I mean, when we were together, she always had to be here with me."

"You know what, Kelso, maybe she just wanted to get away from any alone time with you," It spit out before he knew the thoughts had formed words, yet he would not back down and crossed his arms. He never looked over his shoulders to see the reaction.

With a huff, the policeman-in-training replied, "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

The singular lady added her input, "It means all you wanted from her was sex. Don't try and deny it, you perv, everyone knows it."

"That doesn't mean she wanted to be here with all of you- very mean people," A pout later, he hops on top of the freezer.

Steven smirks, "Maybe she had a crush on me way back then, too, you never know man."

Kelso just scuffs and tries to eat his emotions away.

The curly haired man stretches before expertly circling his chair and venturing towards his room.

He finds a mouth-hung, limbs sprung and completely knocked out Jackie Burkhart. The body pillow she had brought into the room was underneath her back and some of her rear end, while another pillow or two were under her head. Hair everywhere and the blanket half over her torso, he couldn't resist grabbing the camera she insisted on them using. The picture was perfect as he realized she had thrown on the Led Zeppelin t-shirt he had given her.

A soft mumble accompanied by a rough turn and her face is in practically against the desk behind the bed.

Keeping quiet, he kicks his shoes and pants off before sitting in the bed next to her. One of the many car magazine's from beneath his bed quickly fell into his lap. He let himself relax, rubbing circles into his girlfriend's back to keep her asleep. Ever sense school started back up and she was the only one going, her sleep was fleeting. Yet, on top of it all, she decided to start working again. It was at this small time boutique on Main Street and he knew she liked it there, but it just added to her day to day exhaustion.

A few magazines later, along with the distinct sound of their friends exiting the basement, Steven softly shook her shoulder.

She mumbled softly before rolling on to her back.

"Princess," He used his age old nickname for her, "You're going to be late for work."

"Dontworktoday."

His eyebrows pushed together, "You don't? Why not?"

With a huff, her eyes creaked open and she informed the insistent man, "I decided that you were right and took a few days off during the week. OK?"

"OK."

Rubbing her face, Jackie let her eyes fall on his own, "So this way, I can take over your bed for an entire afternoon- not just an hour or two."

"Sounds like so much fun."

They both let a small smile form on their lips.

She rolled back over and moved until she found comfort. This time he laid down beside her, wrapping himself around her to keep warm. A soft giggle escaped her as she intertwined their fingers. He grunted, "What?"

"I'm turning you into a deadbeat, babe," Jackie's features held nothing other than admiration, "I almost feel accomplished."

"I am just adapting to the situation you've pulled me into," Steven smirked into her hair, the scent reminding him of their first nap together.

Her head shook, "Fine, we're both just dragging each other down."

"Fine by me."