Disclaimer: I do not own 'That 70s Show' or 'In Your Eyes'. I've borrowed the concept of both to create this story. The title was taken from the lyrics of "Over the Hills and Far Away" by Led Zeppelin. I bow to the greatness of Zeppelin.
Authors Note: Welcome back to my alternate universe, readers! This story is the sequel to "Focus"- a "That 70s Show" and "In Your Eyes" crossover story. I'd recommend reading "Focus" first as this one might be hard to understand otherwise. As with "Focus", all italicized responses are received through their metaphysical connection. They will continue to use this on occasion despite now being together. Rated T for now but will likely turn M soon. Enjoy and please review!
Somewhere in Utah, 7:35 pm
The bell on the door of the 7-11 sung with the arrival of a petite brunette. Her dark locks hung in weak waves against her small shoulders and her mascara left muted streaks of black beneath her perfectly curled lashes. She brushed a hair from her pink cheek and collapsed onto the counter before the acne-riddled face of the young male clerk.
"Hi….Randy." She read his name tag. "Do you happen to have a phone I can use to call my boyfriend so that I can break up with his cheating no-good ass?"
The clerk stared back at her, his mouth agape.
"Um…sure." He reached underneath the counter and picked up a red touch-tone phone. He placed it in front of her and remained in his designated spot.
The brunette flashed a flirty smile. "That's so sweet." She leaned forward and touched his curly red hair. "I knew I could always count on a redhead."
She made a show of picking up the receiver and placing it against her ear. She trailed her fingers, slowly, around the numbers as she punched each one with force. Reconnecting with the clerk, she gifted another smile before speaking into the receiver.
"Hello? Oh, hi honey. Yea, you know how you were supposed to come home early from the bar last night?" She paused and frowned. "The one with the slutty strippers!" The clerk looked on, gum hanging from his stiff lip. "Yea, well if you wanted a whore in the bedroom I could have given that to you. I'm a freaking cheerleader!" She leaned farther down the counter, exposing the cleavage beneath her black peasant top. "Oh no, it's too late now. I'm breaking up with your frizzy-haired, cheap ass!"
She slammed the phone down and let her face fall into her hands. Sniffles emerged from between her fingers and a tissue box soon slid into her vision.
"Hey, don't insult the fro!"
She smiled into her hands and quickly turned her giggle into a loud sob.
"Uh…are you okay?" The clerk's monotone voice broke her wall. Slowly, she emerged from her hands and looked into the glazed eyes of Randy.
"Oh, Randy!" She sobbed and pulled him into a lose hug. "You know, I really did love his frizzy hair…"
"I said no touching, Jackie! Don't make me come in there and punch Randy."
With an exaggerated sigh, Jackie pulled away from the clerk and stood straight up.
"Thank you, Randy." She put her hand to her heart. "You've helped me so much today."
Randy grinned, his fruit flavored gum exposed. "Sure, anytime miss."
With one last flirty grin, Jackie turned towards the door.
"Hey, wait!" The clerk ran out from his side of the counter and stopped next to Jackie. "Do…do you need a ride or something? I have my bike out back."
Jackie smiled, warmly, and touched his arm. "That's so generous, Randy, but my friend is waiting for me." Pausing, she extended her bottom lip into a perfect pout. "You know, I'm kind of short on cash. Do you think I could borrow just one little beer for the road?"
"What the hell, Jacks? Get two or no more Abba for the next hundred miles."
Jackie smiled. "Or, maybe two. One for my friend." She leaned forward and whispered in Randy's ear. "She's a cheerleader too."
The clerks face flushed as he stammered. "Uh, um, sure okay." He ran to the back of the store leaving Jackie alone.
Jackie frowned and whispered. "Steven, I told you not to listen! I can't keep a straight face with you around."
"Jackie, I told you that you couldn't do this if I didn't listen. That creep is drooling all over you!"
Jackie crossed her arms and huffed. "Exactly! See what I do for you?"
"What?" She turned to see Randy staring at her and holding out a six-pack. Her hands covered her mouth as she smiled.
"Oh, Randy! That's so kind of you." She took the six-pack from his hands and leaned in for a painful hug. "You're my hero." She spoke through gritted teeth.
"Fucking red-haired creep…"
Randy snorted his awkward laughter and Jackie backed towards the door. "I really have to go. My friend and I have a cheerleading competition to get to. Bye!" Jackie blew the clerk a kiss and hurried outside, choking on her own laughter. When she reached the El Camino, it moved ahead a few paces. When she grabbed for the handle again, it moved further.
"Steven!" She yelled. Finally the passenger door popped open and she crawled inside.
Hyde peeled out onto the dirt road, leaving the rest stop as far behind as possible.
"Ugh, Steven! I can't believe you were going to leave without me." She pouted and proceeded to fix her makeup in the mirror.
Hyde steadied the car on the road and looked to Jackie, an angry scowl on his face.
"I can't believe you touched him!"
Jackie sighed and rolled her eyes. "Steven, it was a hug. A smelly one!" Her whole body quivered. "Ugh, now I'm going to have to shower twice tonight."
"Whatever." He mumbled, his grumpiness taking over the mood in the car.
Jackie sighed. She turned to Steven and pouted. "Please don't be mad, Steven. I just wanted to make you proud." She slowly slid her hands over his forearm. "And since we didn't have to pay for the gas we can afford a hotel tonight…"
Hyde's walls crumbled under her persuasion. She was the only chick who could infuriate and excite him at the same time. He laced his fingers through hers and brought her hand to his lips for a quiet kiss. "I guess you were pretty badass in there." She beamed and officially melted his icy mood. "But we're taking one of those showers together…and I get to bring the beer."
Jackie laughed and wrapped her arms around Steven's arm. She rested her head on his shoulder. "Sounds perfect."
Hyde reached for the radio and switched it on. The Stones' "Wild Horses" filled the car and bathed them in its relaxing melody.
Just as the chorus erupted, Hyde turned to her. He spoke in a vaguely annoyed tone.
"I thought you liked my fro…"
Jackie sighed and turned towards the front. "Fine! Steven, your fro turns me on like crazy! It makes me wanna do it right here in the car. Now can we please hurry? I wanna make it to the hotel before the beer gets warm."
"Fine." He grumbled and revved the engine. "Or, we could just do it right here in the car."
They turned to each other and shared a devious smile just before pulling off the road.
