Description: This is my first That 70's show fanfic in almost a year. The only reason that I'd stopped writing them is because i had come to a block in idea's for story lines with these characters. But i am happy to announce that thats all over. And I'm back to writing stories on one of my favorite shows. I'm working on this one still, and have another writing itself in my head currently. I hope you all will enjoy reading this as much as i have writing it. As always please r&r, your thoughts and comments are deeply appreciated.

Disclaimer: i don't own any part of That 70's show. But you know that if i did, i would cut out the 8th season because randy and Sam ruined the show and Jackie ending up with fez was the nail in the coffin for it to me.

Author's note: this first chapter is basically an introduction with Hyde's thoughts and a flash back. Let me know if you like it and would like for me to continue. )

Introduction Chapter:

(Hyde's thoughts)

why do I even care? I shouldn't. But I do. ...Dammit. It doesn't make any sense. I hardly even like Jackie. I mean, we're barely friends. Yet here i am. Laying in bed, with Jackie fast asleep and her head on my shoulder. How do these things almost always happen to me? Jackie comes over crying and stupid me just had to ask what was wrong. Some jerk tried to take advantage of her at a party. A party that she probably never should have even been at in the first place. If I ever find out the name of this guy, he's a dead man. Jackie damn well can't defend herself. And since no one else will, I do. Why do I always find myself protecting her? She's not my responsibility dammit, she's Kelso's girlfriend. ...Well, ex girlfriend at least. But so then why does she almost always run to me? Jackie's never been mine to protect. But I've never really handled anyone that cries well, let alone a girl. Which is exactly why I'm here with Jackie asleep in my bed. Its not so bad though. I kind of like the fact that someone needs me for once. No one ever has. And so what if its Jackie? She's not so annoying since she dumped Kelso's dumb ass. That was the smartest thing she could have ever done. And if it were up to me? I'd make sure she never took him back again. I'd never tell her this...but Jackie deserves much better then the likes of Kelso. That guy may be my best friend but he's also a moron. (end Hyde's thoughts)

(flash back; earlier that evening)

[ Hyde's pov

" why are you here? Why are you always here? Didn't you and Kelso break up?", I complain as I walk down the stairs of the basement. None other then the devil herself is down here, Jackie. Why? Why is this girl always here? She and Kelso broke up a while ago. Yet she insists on still coming down to the basement to hangout. Even when no one is there. This is just my luck. I come home late expecting the basement to finally be empty. But is it? No, its not. Its occupied by the last person I really expected or even wanted to see tonight.

" yeah, like a month ago almost.", mutters Jackie with disinterest as she doesn't even bother to glance away from the television. Huh, she's using the Zen that I taught her when she found out that Kelso was cheating on her with Laurie. I've got to admit, I'm a little impressed. That and it was so funny when she kicked the crap out of Laurie that day in the basement. You'd never know it from looking at her...but Jackie Burkhart can be a real bad ass when she wants to be.

" so why are you here then? ...And how come your crying?", I ask in a gruff voice as I notice a single tear roll down her cheek. ...Dammit. So much for Zen. I hate it when Jackie cries, it means that I have to be sympathetic and nice. And I've got to say, those are two things that I don't like to be. Especially not to someone that I dislike as much as Jackie. If this is about Kelso, I swear I'm going to kick myself in the ass for even asking or caring later.

" I'm not crying.", lies Jackie in her attempt to blow off the subject. Wow, this girl is a horrible liar. But then maybe I just shouldn't even care. The thing is that I do though. And I don't even know why. Call me a softy I guess. But I've never been able to turn my back on a crying girl. And though I'd love to start now, I suppose that I could be nice and ask whats wrong.

Taking my left index finger, I brush it against Jackie's cheek. Swiping the lonesome tear from her eye, I show it to her," your not? Come on Jackie, you can do better then that."

" just leave me alone Hyde.", mumbles Jackie as she avoids my eyes and instead picks up a magazine. God, I forgot how incredibly stubborn this girl could be. If she doesn't want to talk, thats fine with me. I'm not going to sit around and argue it out of her. I've got better things to do. I could be watching Three's Company right now, so why aren't I?

" Jackie, if you wanted to be left alone then you shouldn't have come down to the basement in the first place.", I point out as I pull off my jacket and toss it across the room. Heading over to the deep freeze, I grab myself a pop sickle and toss another to Jackie. Walking back over toward Jackie, I settle into my usual chair as I tare the wrapper off my own pop sickle and take a bite from it.

"...whatever.", dismisses Jackie as she stands up to leave, I wisely block her path with a smirk. She glares up at me as I do so and I arch a defiant eye brow at her. I don't know where she thinks she's going but she isn't going anywhere until she spills the bean. ...why do I care? Maybe I don't, I must just be really bored. Yeah, thats it. Keep telling yourself Hyde, maybe you'll believe it eventually.

" Jackie, where are you going?", I ask as she tries to swiftly dodge her way past me. Unfortunately for her I'm way too fast. Not to mention much stronger. I don't know what her problem is, but I'm going to find out. If nothing were wrong she wouldn't have been sitting alone in the basement. Especially so late at night, its almost half past ten for god sake. ...

[Jackie's pov

glancing up at Hyde as he once again blocks my way to the basement door, I stomp my foot in protest as I frown at him," you just told me to leave Steven. And thats exactly what I'm trying to do."

" I did not Jackie..come on, whats wrong?", questions Hyde for the second time in two minutes. Why does he care? He was just complaining that I'm always down here. You would think that he would be glad that I'm leaving. But he's not. Maybe Hyde's not as much of a jerk as he makes himself out to be.

" nothings wrong Steven, ok? I just want to go home is all. I had a real sucky night.", I confide as I look up at him with tired almost pleading eyes. And its true I did. I went to this high school party that I never really should have gone to. I wasn't even invited, but a couple of my cheerleader friends were crashing it so I decided to tag along like an idiot. What a mistake that was.

" Jackie...", starts Hyde in what I like to call his serious tone. He's not going to drop this is he? Just my luck, he picks tonight of all nights to give a damn about me. There's no use lying, he'll see right through me. Besides, I'm a horrible liar. I should really practice working on my Zen. It would have really came in handy right about now.

" ok, fine. I crashed this high school party with a couple of my cheerleader friends. I thought it would be fun, so I was hanging out and drinking beer. You know just talking with some guy, everything was cool. ...Until the guy tried to take advantage of me.", I confide in a hastened manner hoping that he didn't catch the last part. I can tell by the way he tensed up and the look in his eyes that he did though. I should have never even mentioned that part. But something tells me that he would have gotten it out of me eventually. I'm in for it now for sure. I should have just shut my mouth. Why did I come to the basement of all places? Sure there's no one home at my house, but at least I wouldn't have gotten grilled by Hyde ...

Ok so that was the introduction chapter. Let me know if you guys like it and want me to continue writing this story. Reviews are loved and welcome.