Chapter 1: Are you breaking up with me?

Writer's note: I don't own ANYTHING. So please don't sue!

Jackie woke up at 11 am, the next morning. Her face still wet from the tears that she had cried when she realized that Hyde was passed out in a beer warehouse, and he was going to say no. It all came flooding back to her. Everything that they had been through together. Was this how it was going to end? She had already packed her suitcase last night, and she had already written the note that she was going to leave for Steven. She was already to go. She didn't want to have to hear him say no. She couldn't handle that right now. She got dressed quickly once she realized what time it was. He would be here soon and she had to be gone before he did.
At about 11:45 she was ready to go. But something was holding her back. Something wasn't letting her walk out of the door and out of his life forever. That's when Donna walked in.

"Hey Jackie," then Donna noticed the suitcase, "What are you doing? Are you leaving? Don't Jackie, okay. Just go talk to him. Trust someone who ran away from her problems all the way to California, and whose fiancé ran away also. Running isn't the answer."

"Why not Donna? He's gonna say no. I don't want to hear it!"

"Do you remember when Kelso ran to California with me?"

"Yeah, why?" Jackie asked.

"Did you like how he just left without saying a word? Because that's exactly what you'll be doing to Hyde."

"Fine. I'll talk to him. My feet wouldn't let me move anyway."

"Okay, I'll meet you over there?"

"Yeah, I'll be over in a sec.

Donna gave a warily look. "I promise!"

With that Donna left. Jackie looked at herself in the mirror. Great, she thought to herself, now I have to hear him reject me.

She took one last look at herself, trying to look perfect, and headed for the Forman's.

Jackie walked in through the sliding glass door in the kitchen. Everyone was there, except for Steven. They were all talking about Eric leaving for Africa, and how he had to get shots. "With very large needles", Mrs. Forman added, trying to scare Eric out of going. But nothing was going to stop him from doing this; Jackie admired Eric for that.
Then she saw Steven walk in from the basement, with those goddamn shades on! He had his Zen face on, but when he saw Jackie it faded. The kitchen went silent when they notice the couple just standing, staring at each other. Then they spoke,

"We need to talk." They both said at the same time. Then it was quiet again.

Jackie broken the silence, "Okay, but not here, Basement?"

"Sure, lets go."

(In the basement, Hyde and Jackie sit on the couch, not saying a word.)

J: Okay, well one of us has to talk here, cause this silence is making me nervous.

H: Yeah well, I guess you need your answer, so here it goes…

Great here comes the hard part, Jackie thought.

H: Listen Jackie, I don't say it a lot, well I don't say it at all, but I love you. I want you to know that. And I know that every time you ask me if I see a future with you, I always say I don't know, but I do know. When I look into my, OUR future, all I see is you, and that 's kind of scary for me. I don't do commitment well. But I want to, for you, for us.

J: Oh my God, Steven. I love you, too.

God, she was so happy that he didn't say no. She wrapped her arms around him, and pulled him into a hug.

H: But I can't….

J: What? What do you mean you can't?

H: Jacks, I love you but I can't hold you back. If you stay with me… listen I can't promise you a future. I can't give you money and mansion, and diamonds, and stuff. I'm gonna live in Point Place forever, and I know that you don't want that for yourself. I don't want you to feel like you made a mistake being with me somewhere down the line, when I can't give you the world….

Jackie was now furious. Is that what he still thought of her? That she need money and mansions? God, he can't really think this. Jackie was standing now with silent tears rolling down her face.

J: Steven! God! Don't you get it? I don't need all of that. Being with you has made me realize that money isn't everything. Do you really think so little of me to think that I'm still hung up on all that shallow crap? (Hyde was now standing, he didn't want to fight) I'm a big girl Hyde, I don't need you to protect me. I don't want mansions and diamonds, all I want is you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

She took a step forward, took off his glasses and looked into his eyes. She reached down and grabbed his hand.

Hyde had to turn away. Why was she making this so damn hard for him?

H: Well, I don't…

Jackie let go of his hand and backed away. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Tears that staining her cheeks, flowed harder now.

J: So if I stay, whether you like it or not, are you gonna be with me?

She looked into his eyes, and knew everything she wanted to know.

Why is she dong this. She was just supposed to leave. I don't deserve her, Hyde thought.

J: Are you breaking up with me?

He didn't say anything, but she didn't need him to, she already knew the answer.
She began to back away slowly shaking her head no.

H: "Jacks…" she cut him off by slapping him in the face. He didn't do anything, he deserved it. He just looked at her. Pleading with his eyes for her to understand why he was doing this. That it was for the best. For both of them in the long run. She needed to understand. He started towards her, but she backed away, and held up her hand to stop him.

J: "No Steven, no. I don't want to hear it." She reached up to the necklace that she had on, and took a hold of it. "Do you remember what I said when you gave this to me?"

(Flashback)

J: Oh my god, Steven it's beautiful!

H: Mrs. Forman helped me pick it out. She said I should get you something special for your birthday.

J: "I love it." She embraced him in a hug. Then she pulled back and said, "As long as I wear this I'll always love you." Then she turned around and he put it on for her. And she rarely every took it off, only when she got in the shower. But other than that, it was always on.

(End Flashback)

H: Of course I remember, Jacks.

J: "Good." She was still crying, she pulled the necklace and the chain broke. She threw it to the floor, took one final look at the man she would always love, and walked out of the basement, and out of his life forever.

Or so she thought…..

TBC