Author's Note: I don't own That 70s Show. If I did, I would not allowed the horror that was Season 8… This is my first fic, so be nice! =)

Jackie Burkhart had had enough.

She had been through hell and back. And somehow, she survived. Who knew she was this strong?

As she looked at herself in the mirror, she thought about all the shit that she had to go through to get to this point. All the tears, the heartbreak, the cruelty of people who she adored, and thought loved her in return. They didn't, and by their actions they've proven it, and she had belittled them so much in her heart and mind that their lack of attention wasn't even a blip on her radar. She was going to do better. She was going to be better.

And it was all starting today. Today, as she got ready to move out of this godforsaken town, with miserable memories, and even more miserable people. She was going to New York, where she can forget, start over, be somebody. Where she would find people that love her, and cherished her. Where she would start and graduate college, and not have to depend on anyone but herself. It was the greatest gift that she could ever give herself – the gift of self-preservation. For how many times can you be ignored? How many times can you watch the love of your life – the man you would've sold your soul for – hug and kiss someone else? All while watching you, knowing you were slowly dying inside? And how many times can you watch your best friend – someone who you considered a sister – sit back and watch as he was slowly killing you? Just letting it happen, without thought of the agony that you were feeling? Jackie had been more than just a joke – she had been a human punching bag. And the two most important people in her life had taken so much out of her, that she had been ripped off her tether, falling into pieces as they ripped and shredded her sense of self.

That ended today.

As she stepped out of the bathroom, she looked around the room to see if she had missed anything else in her packing. There were only three people in this town who knew about her acceptance to New York University, and that is the way she wanted to keep it. The Formans & Fez. She knew it was only a matter of time before the foreigner blew out her secret, which is the reason that she only told him last night, when he caught her packing. Strangely enough, after giving him her reasons for leaving, he said something so uncharacteristically profound and perceptive that she was momentarily speechless. "Out of all of us, you're the one that deserves the most happiness. It's your right, Jackie."

She was so shocked; she had no idea what to say. And what he said next really threw her for a loop.

"You're the best of us."

She was so awed and amazed at the declaration that she burst into tears. Just when she thought she didn't have any more moisture left in her 95 pound body, here this perverted foreigner who had tried countless times to peek at her while she was in the shower, acknowledged her pain and suffering.

It was like a drug.

"Th-th-thank you, Fez," she blubbered. "Tha-tha-tha-that means so much to me, that you would say that, think that."

"It's true," he said, handing her a tissue so she can wipe her tears. "You deserve more than what you've received, my goddess. I'm just pissed that no one else can see that."

"I'm gonna miss you, Fez."

"Are you ever coming back?" he inquired.

"I don't think so," she admitted. "It's…it's too much. I've gotta get out of this town, Fez. If I don't…I don't want to end up like my mother, Fez – a bitter alcoholic whore who doesn't feel. If I stay…that's who I'll become, Fez. I know it. They've killed everything I wanted, every dream I ever had. And what he didn't kill, Donna maimed. I can't be here anymore."

Jackie was surprised at the look of understanding on Fez's face.

"I know. I'm surprised you didn't leave sooner."

She smiled sadly. "I keep giving people the benefit of the doubt, even though they've proved time and again that they don't deserve it. But I'm done with that," she vowed. "I'm not letting myself be a victim anymore."

Fez looked at her, amazed. This is the Jackie that he became enamored with. This girl, who was so beautiful that it sometimes hurt just to look at her, this girl whose determination was only overpowered by her fierce love and loyalty. The delicacy that had permeated the air around her for so many months was gone. In its place, was a sense of fierce pride and determination borne out of humiliation and endless months of needless cruelty. They had broken her, Fez realized. And this girl that stood before him had put herself together with any piece of tape and glue she could find – and was fucking pissed about it.

It was at that moment that he knew that wherever she was going…whoever stood in her way was getting their ass handed to them on a silver platter.

It was fucking sexy.

"Where are you going?"

"I've been accepted into New York University for their journalism program. Classes start in 2 weeks."

"You're moving to New York?"

"Yeah. But, Fez, please," she begged. "Don't tell anyone, okay? The only people that know are you and the Formans. I want to keep it that way, okay?"

"Okay. I promise I won't tell."

It surprised her that he agreed to her request so quickly. She would've expected some demand for an explanation, but Fez surprised her with his willingness to go along with her secret. She told him this.

"You don't owe me an explanation. After all you've been through…you don't answer to anyone. If this makes you happy, go for it. Although," he smiled wickedly, "I'm not opposed to giving you some of the Fezzie goodness that you missed out on in our hour-long relationship…"

Jackie laughed, thinking of the relationship that she had fooled herself into believing she wanted with him. Their relationship had lasted exactly one hour.

"No, Fezzie," she giggled. "But could you give me a ride to the airport tomorrow? My flight leaves at 1, and I wanted to go say goodbye to the Formans before I leave."

"Of course, my goddess."

As she entered her room to grab her purse, she had to admit that she was surprised at how easy the conversation with Fez went. She had expected some sort of Fez-like tantrum, but she had to admit that she was happy that it didn't go down that way. She would honestly miss the foreigner, and she had promised to call him as soon as soon as she landed and got settled in.

Jackie looked at the room that had become her sanctuary for the past several months. Now that everything was packed and on its way to New York, the room looked happier, as if it too, was happy that she was leaving. It must be tired of hearing me cry myself to sleep, she mused. She didn't blame it, she was tired of crying herself to sleep, too.

"Jackie, you ready?" she heard Fez call. "I put all your luggage in the car. You're all set. You ready to head out?"

She stepped out of her room, ginormous purse in hand, and smiled at her friend. "Yeah, Fezzie. I'm ready."

"Then let's go." Fez smiled back.

She took one more look around her and Fez's apartment and took a deep breath.

"Let's go."

Jackie was quiet on the short ride to the Formans. She knew Kitty & Red were waiting for her to come by and say her goodbyes, and hoped that it would be as easy as her conversation with Fez the night before. Somehow though, she doubted it.

As Fez stopped the car in the Forman driveway, Jackie looked over in his direction. "Ca-can you stay in the car?"

Fez looked at her quizzically.

"It's just," she sighed and continued. "I wanted to say my goodbyes to them in private. They're the closest thing that I have to real parents…"

"And you don't want me to see how hard it is for you to say goodbye to them," Fez finished.

Again, Jackie was surprised at his perceptiveness.

"Yeah."

Fez smiled. "I'll wait in the driveway."

Jackie returned his smile and got out of the car. As she walked towards the kitchen's sliding doors, she was reminded of all the times she has spent in this house, hanging out in this driveway, walking through these doors. She had her heart broken in this house far too many times to count. And yet, still – it was the closest thing to a real home she had ever had.

She walked through the kitchen, through the swinging doors, and into the living room. There, she saw Kitty weeping into Red's chest on the couch.

"Mr. and Mrs. Forman?"

"Oh, Jackie! Hi!"Kitty gave her trademark nervous laugh. "You hungry? You know that plane food is just horrible, I should whip up some good food for you for your trip…"

"No, Mrs. Forman, I'm okay," she answered.

"Oh, all right," she said. "Jackie, I know…I know that this has been a rough couple of months for you…" And so saying, Kitty Forman started sobbing.

"OH MY BABY!" Kitty rushed across the room to where Jackie was standing and threw her arms around the tiny girl. "I can't imagine the pain that you have had to go through these past several months," she blubbered. "But I just want you to know that Red and I are so proud of you and what you're doing. New York is so lucky to have you…"

Red finally broke his silence and spoke. "You're a good girl, Jackie. And I'm sorry those dumbasses downstairs don't realize that. You deserve better, honey."

Jackie was struck dumb as she stepped back and looked at the older couple. She always knew that she loved them, and knew that the love was mutual. But it was there, in that Forman living room, that she realized how much she was loved by Red and Kitty. So this is what being loved by your parents felt like. Wow, this is really nice….

Jackie cleared her throat. "Mr. and Mrs. Forman… You have been the absolute best to me. I know I'm just one of your son's dumbass friends…"

Red interrupted. "You're not just one of Eric's dumbass friends. You're family."

Jackie's lower lip trembled, and she had to bite it to still it. It hit her like a ton of bricks the intensity of love that she felt for these people. They cared about her, when her parents abandoned her. The need to share how much they meant to her crawled up her throat and spilled out in tearful bursts.

"Mr. and Mrs. Forman," she started. "I've never had, I never knew – what family was. Or what a home was. I thought those things weren't important, only for poor people," Jackie smiled softly. "But you accepted me into your home, and then hearts…I don't think I can ever repay for what you've done me. You are the parents I wished for when I was a little girl. I…I love you guys so much."

"Oh, sweetheart," Kitty gushed. "We love you too."

Red smiled. "You're my favorite."

Jackie laughed tearfully, and hugged him. "I hope I meet a man that's as wonderful as you, Mr. Forman."

Red chuckled. "Sorry, sweetie but Red Forman is one of a kind."

Jackie pulled back and smiled. "Can't blame a girl for hoping."

After a couple more minutes of hugging and crying, Jackie left the Forman home back to Fez's car. She was beyond shocked when she saw the one person she had hoped to avoid like the Bubonic plague for the rest of her days joking around with Fez – Steven James Hyde.

Shit, she thought.

Whatever¸ she considered. This is the last time you'll ever see him, so don't act stressed about it. He's a heartless cruel bastard, anyway.

Jackie walked through the sliding doors and up to the passenger side of Fez' car. "I'm ready, Fezzie."

"Ready for what?" Hyde mocked. "Is there some manipulative bitch convention that you need to head off to? Shit, I bet you're the key speaker."

Jackie refused to react to his heckling. After months of verbal abuse, she had learned to stay cool under his relentless burns. Learned to be zen. She would not allow him to hurt her anymore.

Jackie ignored his comment and looked to Fez. "You ready?"

Hyde smirked. "Running away with your tail between your legs? Knowing you and your reputation, I'm sure that's the only thing that hasn't been in between your legs….." he laughed loudly. Only to be smacked so hard that his sunglasses fell to the ground, along with the basketball he had been in his hands.

Fez gasped at the red mark left on Hyde's face, and the accompanying scratch that had been left behind by Hyde's sunglasses as they flew off his face.

"Fuck you, Hyde."