Disclaimer: I do not own That 70's Show or any of its characters. Just a
fan with very little money.
THREE MONTHS AFTER "SEPARATE PATHS"
Jackie sat in her office finally having a moment to herself after a very hectic day. The ER had been extremely busy due to "Full Moon Madness". Normally Jackie didn't believe in that kind of a superstitious stuff but after working in Chicago's busiest hospital for three years she had definitely seen a pattern. Kenosha General was a much slower paced hospital and didn't have nearly as many people coming in but sometimes they did get an influx of patients that appeared to come from nowhere. Jackie missed the fast pace but had gotten used to the more laid back E.R she was working at now. Gradually her co-workers had begun to ease up on their dislike of her and were beginning to come around. She was the supervisor of about 17 nurses and she was finally getting them into the team work philosophy that she was used to in Chicago.
While professionally things seemed to be improving her personal life was another matter. She and Steven were back together but she was still holding parts of herself back. It was almost like somewhere along the way she and Steven had switched places. He was now being extremely open about his feeling for her and putting it all out there and now she was being fairly closed off and cautious. Recently they had gotten into a fight where he had basically insinuated that she was punishing him for his past mistakes. Maybe she was, but it wasn't intentional. She just couldn't help it. She had worn her heart on her sleeve for most of her life. What had it ever brought her? Devastation, betrayal, and abandonment. Every major relationship she had even been in had ended in utter disaster. Jackie knew that this time it had to be different. She knew she wasn't strong enough to go through another heartbreak.
Another huge complication was now making Jackie a nervous wreck. She was 12 weeks pregnant. She had gotten pregnant during her and Steven's first night back together. She had gone off the pill several weeks prior to her moving back to Wisconsin due to her breakup with Aaron and thought there would be no need to be on any form of birth control for quite awhile. What she hadn't counted on was Steven pushing his way back into her life and creating total chaos.
That first night together they had been so caught up in the moment neither had even thought about birth control. The next day Jackie calculated her cycle in her head and knew that it was extremely likely that she had gotten pregnant the night before. So when she had sent her blood sample to the hospital lab it was no big surprise when it came back positive.
On top of everything else she had been extremely worried about having another miscarriage. She knew chances were slim and that her previous miscarriage had more than likely only been a fluke but she couldn't help but worry. After all in her profession she had encountered many women who had miscarriage after miscarriage for no apparent reason. Now that she was 12 weeks pregnant she was pretty much out of any danger of having a miscarriage. She had a an appointment with Donna's OB this coming Friday and hopefully the Doctor would be able to clear up any lingering worries she still had. Donna and Eric had announced several weeks ago that they were expecting a baby in February and were extremely thrilled since they had been trying for awhile. Donna was the only one who knew about Jackie's pregnancy. Jackie just hoped she kept this secret better than the other one.
She had every intention of telling Steven about the baby but she was just feeling extremely overwhelmed. Now that the threat of another miscarriage was almost out of the way she was trying to work up her courage to tell him. She knew he wouldn't be mad or anything, actually she was more afraid that he would push for them to get married, something she wasn't ready for, baby or no baby.
Over the last few weeks he had been pushing for them to live together and she could tell that he wanted a lot more than that but was taking it slowly for her sake. He wanted to pick up where they left off six years ago but Jackie just wasn't ready or able to do that. Too much had happened during all those years apart. She wasn't anything like the girl he had known back then. Six years ago she would have married him so fast it would have made his head spin but now the very idea of marriage terrified her. Also lately he had been extremely resentful of all the time she spent at work. He didn't seem to understand the demands of her job.
Steven was self-employed and was fairly successful with his auto repair garage and had 3 mechanics and a cashier and could practically leave whenever he wanted but Jackie's job required her to be there around the clock. She had compromised by giving him a key to her house and he spent most of his time there now which really didn't bother her. She loved Steven very much. She guessed she'd never really stopped. A love like that didn't really ever die, it just lay dormant waiting for a chance to re- awaken. At least that seemed to be the case with her and Steven.
He was constantly telling her how much he loved her and she had only said it a handful of times which she could tell hurt him but she was just afraid of falling into the old traps and having it blow up in her face again. It was just going to take some time for her to adjust to everything. Part of the problem was how fast things had been happening. One week she's engaged to another man, they break up, she loses her job, she moves back to Wisconsin, her mother dies, and boom her and Steven get back together so it was no wonder she felt like her head was about to explode.
Suddenly Jackie's thoughts were interrupted by knocking on her office door.
"Come in" said Jackie distractedly.
"Jackie, we've got a 4 car accident on the way."
"I'll be right out" replied Jackie. She glanced at her watch and winced when she saw the time. Steven was expecting her to be home in an hour and now that just wasn't going to be possible with a big accident coming in. She got up from her desk and went out to help everyone to prepare for their new arrivals.
TWO HOURS LATER....(Please excuse my lack of medical knowledge, what I know I know because of ER.)
Jackie, another nurse, and two doctors were working on a patient who was in extremely critical condition.
"We're losing him" said Dr. Garner.
"His airway is blocked, we're going to have to intubate" said Jackie as she assessed the situation.
About 15 minutes later they stabilized their patient long enough to get him up to surgery. While she and another Dr. were taking the patient to the elevators she saw Steven in the waiting room. After they took the patient up to the O.R she went back down to talk to Steven.
"Hi Steven" greeted Jackie as she gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
"How much longer are you going to be?" asked Hyde with a slightly irritated tone.
"Probably only another hour or so" answered Jackie hesitantly.
Hyde shook his head with annoyed acceptance "I guess I'll see you later then. I just came by to see how you're doing because I missed you."
"I know Steven, I miss you too. We had a big accident come through a couple of hours ago so I got stuck staying longer than I had hoped. I'll be home in an hour or so. I love you"
Hyde gave her another quick kiss "I love you too. Bye." And left.
Hyde headed over to Eric and Donna's because he was bored and knew Jackie wouldn't be home for several hours.
Eric answered the door.
"Hey Hyde, What's up?"
"Not much, just killing time before Jackie gets home."
"Gee thanks" said Eric sarcastically.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch Erica. You know what I mean. I miss her and I hardly ever get to spend anytime with her." replied Hyde defensively.
"Well, its her job man. You know she can't help it. I'm sure that will all have to change soon though."
Hyde looked at Eric strangely not knowing what he meant by that last comment but decided to let it go.
"She's been acting so weird lately. When we first got back together she seemed really happy but now she's acting all moody. Plus she's so tired all the time when I do see her all she wants to do is sleep."
"Aw, poor Hyde, not getting enough?" said Eric mockingly.
"Shut up Forman, its not that. I just don't get her sometimes."
"Oh come on Hyde. You'd better get used to it. Women and their pregnancy hormones can drive a man crazy." said Eric laughingly.
"What the hell are you talking about Forman? Jackie's not pregnant." exclaimed Hyde, watching Eric intently, trying to read his expression.
Eric stared at Hyde finally realizing that he didn't know. He had overheard Donna talking to Jackie on the phone yesterday when Donna thought he was taking a nap and had assumed Hyde knew all about it. He'd spoken to Donna about it and she hadn't told him not to tell.
Hyde saw Eric's "deer in the headlights" look and immediately figured out that Jackie had apparently forgotten to let him in on her little secret. Hyde rose from his chair with shock and aggravation easily readable in his body language.
Donna came in from the kitchen and Hyde gave her a dirty look.
"Donna, next time you and Jackie have a secret I'm not supposed to know about don't tell your hubby here. Remember loose lips sink ships." said Hyde angrily.
"Eric!" exclaimed Donna huffily.
"You didn't tell me it was a secret" defended Eric.
"I'm going home to talk to Jackie. Apparently we have a lot to discuss." And went out the front door and slammed it loudly.
THREE MONTHS AFTER "SEPARATE PATHS"
Jackie sat in her office finally having a moment to herself after a very hectic day. The ER had been extremely busy due to "Full Moon Madness". Normally Jackie didn't believe in that kind of a superstitious stuff but after working in Chicago's busiest hospital for three years she had definitely seen a pattern. Kenosha General was a much slower paced hospital and didn't have nearly as many people coming in but sometimes they did get an influx of patients that appeared to come from nowhere. Jackie missed the fast pace but had gotten used to the more laid back E.R she was working at now. Gradually her co-workers had begun to ease up on their dislike of her and were beginning to come around. She was the supervisor of about 17 nurses and she was finally getting them into the team work philosophy that she was used to in Chicago.
While professionally things seemed to be improving her personal life was another matter. She and Steven were back together but she was still holding parts of herself back. It was almost like somewhere along the way she and Steven had switched places. He was now being extremely open about his feeling for her and putting it all out there and now she was being fairly closed off and cautious. Recently they had gotten into a fight where he had basically insinuated that she was punishing him for his past mistakes. Maybe she was, but it wasn't intentional. She just couldn't help it. She had worn her heart on her sleeve for most of her life. What had it ever brought her? Devastation, betrayal, and abandonment. Every major relationship she had even been in had ended in utter disaster. Jackie knew that this time it had to be different. She knew she wasn't strong enough to go through another heartbreak.
Another huge complication was now making Jackie a nervous wreck. She was 12 weeks pregnant. She had gotten pregnant during her and Steven's first night back together. She had gone off the pill several weeks prior to her moving back to Wisconsin due to her breakup with Aaron and thought there would be no need to be on any form of birth control for quite awhile. What she hadn't counted on was Steven pushing his way back into her life and creating total chaos.
That first night together they had been so caught up in the moment neither had even thought about birth control. The next day Jackie calculated her cycle in her head and knew that it was extremely likely that she had gotten pregnant the night before. So when she had sent her blood sample to the hospital lab it was no big surprise when it came back positive.
On top of everything else she had been extremely worried about having another miscarriage. She knew chances were slim and that her previous miscarriage had more than likely only been a fluke but she couldn't help but worry. After all in her profession she had encountered many women who had miscarriage after miscarriage for no apparent reason. Now that she was 12 weeks pregnant she was pretty much out of any danger of having a miscarriage. She had a an appointment with Donna's OB this coming Friday and hopefully the Doctor would be able to clear up any lingering worries she still had. Donna and Eric had announced several weeks ago that they were expecting a baby in February and were extremely thrilled since they had been trying for awhile. Donna was the only one who knew about Jackie's pregnancy. Jackie just hoped she kept this secret better than the other one.
She had every intention of telling Steven about the baby but she was just feeling extremely overwhelmed. Now that the threat of another miscarriage was almost out of the way she was trying to work up her courage to tell him. She knew he wouldn't be mad or anything, actually she was more afraid that he would push for them to get married, something she wasn't ready for, baby or no baby.
Over the last few weeks he had been pushing for them to live together and she could tell that he wanted a lot more than that but was taking it slowly for her sake. He wanted to pick up where they left off six years ago but Jackie just wasn't ready or able to do that. Too much had happened during all those years apart. She wasn't anything like the girl he had known back then. Six years ago she would have married him so fast it would have made his head spin but now the very idea of marriage terrified her. Also lately he had been extremely resentful of all the time she spent at work. He didn't seem to understand the demands of her job.
Steven was self-employed and was fairly successful with his auto repair garage and had 3 mechanics and a cashier and could practically leave whenever he wanted but Jackie's job required her to be there around the clock. She had compromised by giving him a key to her house and he spent most of his time there now which really didn't bother her. She loved Steven very much. She guessed she'd never really stopped. A love like that didn't really ever die, it just lay dormant waiting for a chance to re- awaken. At least that seemed to be the case with her and Steven.
He was constantly telling her how much he loved her and she had only said it a handful of times which she could tell hurt him but she was just afraid of falling into the old traps and having it blow up in her face again. It was just going to take some time for her to adjust to everything. Part of the problem was how fast things had been happening. One week she's engaged to another man, they break up, she loses her job, she moves back to Wisconsin, her mother dies, and boom her and Steven get back together so it was no wonder she felt like her head was about to explode.
Suddenly Jackie's thoughts were interrupted by knocking on her office door.
"Come in" said Jackie distractedly.
"Jackie, we've got a 4 car accident on the way."
"I'll be right out" replied Jackie. She glanced at her watch and winced when she saw the time. Steven was expecting her to be home in an hour and now that just wasn't going to be possible with a big accident coming in. She got up from her desk and went out to help everyone to prepare for their new arrivals.
TWO HOURS LATER....(Please excuse my lack of medical knowledge, what I know I know because of ER.)
Jackie, another nurse, and two doctors were working on a patient who was in extremely critical condition.
"We're losing him" said Dr. Garner.
"His airway is blocked, we're going to have to intubate" said Jackie as she assessed the situation.
About 15 minutes later they stabilized their patient long enough to get him up to surgery. While she and another Dr. were taking the patient to the elevators she saw Steven in the waiting room. After they took the patient up to the O.R she went back down to talk to Steven.
"Hi Steven" greeted Jackie as she gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
"How much longer are you going to be?" asked Hyde with a slightly irritated tone.
"Probably only another hour or so" answered Jackie hesitantly.
Hyde shook his head with annoyed acceptance "I guess I'll see you later then. I just came by to see how you're doing because I missed you."
"I know Steven, I miss you too. We had a big accident come through a couple of hours ago so I got stuck staying longer than I had hoped. I'll be home in an hour or so. I love you"
Hyde gave her another quick kiss "I love you too. Bye." And left.
Hyde headed over to Eric and Donna's because he was bored and knew Jackie wouldn't be home for several hours.
Eric answered the door.
"Hey Hyde, What's up?"
"Not much, just killing time before Jackie gets home."
"Gee thanks" said Eric sarcastically.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch Erica. You know what I mean. I miss her and I hardly ever get to spend anytime with her." replied Hyde defensively.
"Well, its her job man. You know she can't help it. I'm sure that will all have to change soon though."
Hyde looked at Eric strangely not knowing what he meant by that last comment but decided to let it go.
"She's been acting so weird lately. When we first got back together she seemed really happy but now she's acting all moody. Plus she's so tired all the time when I do see her all she wants to do is sleep."
"Aw, poor Hyde, not getting enough?" said Eric mockingly.
"Shut up Forman, its not that. I just don't get her sometimes."
"Oh come on Hyde. You'd better get used to it. Women and their pregnancy hormones can drive a man crazy." said Eric laughingly.
"What the hell are you talking about Forman? Jackie's not pregnant." exclaimed Hyde, watching Eric intently, trying to read his expression.
Eric stared at Hyde finally realizing that he didn't know. He had overheard Donna talking to Jackie on the phone yesterday when Donna thought he was taking a nap and had assumed Hyde knew all about it. He'd spoken to Donna about it and she hadn't told him not to tell.
Hyde saw Eric's "deer in the headlights" look and immediately figured out that Jackie had apparently forgotten to let him in on her little secret. Hyde rose from his chair with shock and aggravation easily readable in his body language.
Donna came in from the kitchen and Hyde gave her a dirty look.
"Donna, next time you and Jackie have a secret I'm not supposed to know about don't tell your hubby here. Remember loose lips sink ships." said Hyde angrily.
"Eric!" exclaimed Donna huffily.
"You didn't tell me it was a secret" defended Eric.
"I'm going home to talk to Jackie. Apparently we have a lot to discuss." And went out the front door and slammed it loudly.