A/N- Hi guys. This is another idea that was roaming through my head, and since the first one was accepted much better than I expected, I decided to share another one of my ideas with you. And no, I DIDN'T abandon 'In pursuit of love', but I had so much work lately that I didn't have time to eat, let alone write. And today I finally decided to write another chapter, but this story just stuck in my mind and I couldn't concentrate on anything beside this. I hope you'll like it.
A/N 2- The story takes place in season 8, in the episode where Kelso proposes to Jackie, but I moved timeline a little. Hyde is married and Kelso is still leaving, but Eric already broke up with Donna and she is with Randy now. Of course, scrawny guy realizes that he can't live without her and returns to Point Place, only to meet new bitchy Donna, heartless vile Hyde and broken Jackie set on revenge. Two enemies decide to mess with their former lovers trough fake love charade – with each other. Will their "newly discovered love" affect their targets?
A/N 3- I'm a J/H shipper. But should Hyde suffer for what he did? Oh yes!
I don't own 'That 70's show'. Some of the lines are from episode 'Misfire', s08e04.
Unholy Union
Chapter 1 - Revenge
„... thank you for celebrating our 25th anniversary with us. You know, nothing makes me appreciate..." Red Forman unwillingly grumbled to the room full of guests, not even trying to hide his annoyance. Hyde was sure it would pay off to listen his speech, not out of courtesy, but for guaranteed burn which will surely be included. You've got to admire a man who is sarcastic and biting as he is. Of course, after 25 years of marriage, who can blame him?
While pretending to listen, his sunglasses covered stare jumped from Kelso to Jackie and back again. Will he do it? Is he really so stupid to propose Jackie Burkhart? Sure thing. She makes you stupid. And then he looked at the blue balloon which should replace two-carat diamond engagement ring and had to laugh. Even Jackie isn't so desperate to get married to tie a balloon to her finger... but then again... Maybe Kelso will take her to Chicago so he won't have to look at her all the time.
.
While his gaze traveled from one of his targets to another he couldn't help but notice Donna and Randy. It seems she quickly found a replacement for Forman. And as his wife puttered around the waistband on the back of his pants, for a second his mind drifted to his friend in Africa. And only one thought went through his head, a fact which he learned as a child, a fact which was proven as correct time and time again, and now even Donna confirmed it: Who isn't here, without him it can be.
.
„Mr. and Mrs. Forman, your long and happy marriage got me thinking about my future." Kelso started while hugging Mr. and Mrs. Forman, his eyes set on his soon to be wife „And...when I think about my future there is always someone special in it. I mean besides me. So..." With his last word he looked at his oldest present friend, gratitude shining from his eyes. After all, if Hyde didn't talk to him, he would bail again and forever ruin his chances with Jackie. And recipient of that gratitude could think only one: 'Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.' "... in front of all the people that I love..." Kelso came closer to the girl he loved since he was six and dropped on one knee. 'Get up man! Get up!' Hyde's mind screamed. "... Jacqueline Burkhart, will you marry me?" Kelso pronounced, his wide open eyes set on beautiful girl in front of him, balloon as a promise of eternal love and fidelity was the only thing separating them.
"Oh, Michael..." her voice trembled with excitement. 'Why can't earth just open and swallow her when you need it?!' Zen-guy wondered. "No."
"Congratu... What the hell?" Was Fez's reaction.
"No?"
"No."
"Jackie, you have just made me the happiest man in the world!" Kelso exclaimed, his voice a mixture of relief and excitement.
"Really?" Jackie smiled.
"Yeaaahhh! I mean, I love you and all, but, it's like... this is like the worst idea I've ever had! And I have had some bad ideas! I mean a fire-cracker suit?! Like what the hell was that?"
"Michael, if you and I got married it would be a disaster. I mean I love you, but you have so much growing up to do." Ex-cheerleader smiled and fell into the arms of her first boyfriend. He lifted her up and spun around. One day, when he grows up, and when he could offer her everything she deserves, he will kneel in front of her again. They both knew it.
"Why are you so happy?" Sam asked her husband, unprepared for the biggest grin she ever saw on his face.
Hyde quickly collected oneself, pissed that his Zen just flew away. "Why wouldn't I be? Kelso is an idiot, but even he didn't deserve total destruction of his life." He put his arm around his wife's shoulder and took a big gulp of his beer.
.
"Congratulations guys! For a second I was afraid that Kelso will forever be contaminated by the forces of darkness." Came from the kitchen door and everyone held their breath and turned in that direction.
"My baby!" Kitty was the first person who spoke, or screamed, and run to hug her child.
Red's growl was the second. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"This is the best day ever!" Kelso yelled through laughter which rapidly infected every other resident of the room. Soon, they all hurried to scrawny man, and the last thing Eric saw before his gaze was disturbed by the herd of people was his ex-girlfriend, the love of his life, the reason for his return to this God forsaken place, in the arms of someone else. Exactly that picture stopped him from jumping on Kelso while he was kneeling in front of the Devil. This wasn't the plan.
.
"Oh honey, you are so skinny. Didn't they feed you there?"
"Forman man, did you bring me a gift? I'm aiming for a new plant for my room."
"What the hell are you doing here? Did they kick you out of Africa?"
"Couldn't go on without your dolls, ha? Or your mummy?"
"I will take my pictures of bare breasted native women now. Or candy."
"Hey, did you bring one of those women with you?"
"Oh gee... this is so emotional day."
"Okay... one by one!" Eric told somewhat louder to out voice his friends and family. The smile was attached to his face, gladness that he was obviously missed only obscured with new knowledge's and the fact that the most important person didn't speak at all. In fact, total 3 persons didn't speak: blond in short mini skirt and tight tube top – he assumed Hyde's stripper wife, creepy guy with strange hair and Donna.
She quickly and slightly clumsily stepped out from the other man's embrace and stared at him with dumbfounded facial expression. Finally, she roused from trance and joined her friends to hug him. Physical contact which he eagerly awaited but was broken way too soon for his liking. Not a good sign.
.
Jackie sat alone in the dark basement, staring at the turned off TV. Upstairs atmosphere was too cheerful for her current state of mind, and for once she was grateful on skinny Star Wars freak. His presence preoccupied the rest, so she was able to sneak away unnoticed. But naturally, her peace was soon broken, loud steps on stairs announced that she was no longer alone, and she knew who it was without turning around. She should have known he will unload that slut from his lap long enough to come and annoy her. Maybe if she sits perfectly still he won't notice her.
"What are you doing here?" Came from behind, strong voice with an undertone of anger.
"Just wanted to rest a while. It's loud upstairs." She answered, still staring in front of herself.
"You're moping." It was more a statement than a question.
"Why would I mope? And what are you doing here anyway?" Fore-feeling an argument her voice rised.
"Well, you just missed your only chance to get married. Like ever." Hyde answered coldly, his tone affecting her much more than she would like or ever admit. He made his way to shower curtain and picked up a pack of beers, and the closer he get, the more grateful she was on darkness. Unpleasant feeling that this conversation will end in tears hung in the air.
"What are you talking about? I was the one who said 'no'."
"And he was devastated because of that." He smirked sarcastically. "Shame, really. We did everything apart from tie him to stay and propose to you. And then you say no. All that effort for nothing."
"What?"
"Why so surprised? You didn't really think someone would propose to you voluntarily?" He said peacefully, like he is reading daily horoscope and not breaking her heart. Jackie stared at him, trying to read him to see is he telling the truth. But just like in every other argument since Sam came, her eyes were already full of tears and obscuring her vision. She knew it's only a matter of seconds before her voice starts to tremble, and she'll be dammed if she'll let him see her cry.
"I still have options. If everything else fails, I can always take off my clothes and wait for some drunken burnout to pick me up. I hear it works."
"I suggest you to do that as soon as possible. Let's face it; you're not getting any younger and what else you have to attract men? The money is gone, daddy is in prison, and your personality... well, let's just say no one will fall for snobby, spoiled, rich mouth attitude. And is there something you know to do except for shopping? No? So stripping it is." He finished and stared at her. Seeing that her spirit is still not completely broken and that another comeback is slipping through her mouth, he decided to put the last nail in her coffin. "Be a good girl and I'll ask Sam to give you some lesions."
"Go to hell, Hyde!" She screamed and ran out from basement. As soon as the door closed shut, bitter tears washed her face.
.
At the same time, on the other side of the house, Donna made her way to the kitchen. And of course, Eric followed right behind.
"Hey." He announced his presence quietly, keeping a few meters between them, wanting to give her space.
"Hey." Donna responded, staring at the floor.
"So... how are you?"
"Fine."
Unpleasant silence spread through the kitchen.
"I'm sorry Africa didn't turn out good for you." Former redhead started talking again. She is a strong, independent woman who can kick his ass in less than 12 seconds. There is no reason to be afraid of him.
"Yeah... so... you and Rodney?" 'Oh that was smooth.' Eric thought
"Randy."
"Randy. Sorry."
"Yes, me and Randy." Suddenly, it was practically impossible to look him in the eyes.
"Is it..." It was almost physically painful to finish the sentence. Not for the sentence itself, but for the answer he somehow knew was coming. "Is it serious?"
"You can say that."
His heart sank. And he knew he had no right on that. In his letter he clearly stated she should continue with her life, find someone who makes her happy and move on. Is she happy? It's been only a bit more than a month since the letter. How serious can it be? Should he tell her she is the reason he is here? Has he right? Yes. He crossed half of the Earth to stand before her and claim her back. There is no withdrawing now.
"Look Donna... I know I have absolutely no right to ask anything from you. But I... I just want to tell you why I'm here. The only reason I'm in this hellhole again is..."
"I don't care." Donna stated surely. "I don't want to know why you're here and when or if you're going back." All insecurities from before disappeared.
"But Donna..." Now Eric was desperate.
"No. You decided our relationship is over. Now I'm deciding I don't want to hear about this. I moved on. You should too."
"Don't say that." His tone was pathetic and pleading. His eyes were begging, not for another chance... just for her to listen. But Donna was done with crying and thinking. She started to chuckle.
"And what did you expect? That I will fall into your arms and kiss you senselessly as soon as I see you? Nothing is the same anymore. And if you came for me... then I suggest you to go back. I finally found someone mature and responsible. And I won't screw it up because of you." Her tone was harsher than she intended it to be, but bitterness inside of her which was collecting since the day of his departure came out. Without another glance at him she went back to the living room.
A few moments passed before Eric found the strength to move again. The thought to confront the others seemed unbearable at the moment, so he went in the opposite direction, to the glass sliding doors and out to the porch.
.
As soon as he stepped outside, he noticed a small seated figure in one of the chairs. 'Great. It's just what I need.' "Don't you have some other house to haunt?" Silence was her only response, and since this is Jackie it was more than weird. "Jackie?" He tried again. And again with the silence. He wasn't sure what made him to take a few steps closer and rotate to see her face. Usually, the silent treatment from Jackie would be desired, even thought he was sure it is only a myth. The closer he got, her trembling became more evident. And when he finally saw her face, he understood why she was silent. Her cheeks were washed with tears, eyes red and puffy and her mouth were uncontrollable trembling.
"What happened?" His voice was pure concern and tenderness. And if it was possible it only made her cry harder.
"Go away." The girl managed to grumble.
Eric ignored her words and came even closer, put his reassuring hand on her shoulder and look her into eyes. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm not." Jackie said and rapidly started to rub her face with her small hands, desperately trying to banish fallen tears. But the faster her hands wiped, the faster new tears fell.
Not knowing what to do or what happened, he said: "I'm going to get Donna. Don't go anyway."
"No!" She shouted and rapidly grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving. "I'm OK."
"What happened?"
"Why do you care? Don't you have enough problems?"
"Oh... so you heard."
"Yes." Petite girl confirmed and started to laugh. Softly at first, but soon it became pretty hysterical. "It was embarrassing. For you." Her tears finally stopped, but her cheeks, swollen from crying, were still damp. "But bravo for Donna."
"I'm glad my misery amuses you." And he truly was. A few more tears and he would have gone mental.
"It serves you right, you know?"
"I know." He sighed. "But that doesn't make it easier."
Noticing true sadness on his young visage she uttered: "At least you came back. And you're trying."
"Are you comforting me? If you are it's weird and scary. Stop it."
"You're right."
"So will you amuse me and tell me what made you cry?"
"No. It's too weird." She said with a confused frown.
"What?"
"It's weird that I cry for that! I am Jacqueline Burkhart. I don't sit in darkness and brood over scruffy burnouts!"
"Oh. What did Hyde do?"
Not acknowledging his question, Jackie continued. "I don't mope. I revenge! That's what Burkhart's do. And if anyone can destroy Steven that's me! I can destroy any man! It's in my blood! I'm the queen of manipulation! If I wanted I could make Donna crawl back to you! He's messing with the wrong girl."
In one swift movement she lifted herself from the chair, dried her face, straighten her dress and rised her head. "He won't know what hit him." She murmured to herself. "Let's go, numsack. " She said, grabbed his sleeve and dragged him inside.
After a couple of steps Eric sopped. "Is she happy?"
Jackie turned to face him and shrugged. "I don't know." She took a deep breath and continued "You should ask her friend."
"That's what I'm doing."
"No, you're not. Her friend is inside. You may know her, she answers to the name 'skanky ho'.
„The stripper? You're kidding, right?" He started to laugh. When Jackie didn't respond, he tried again. „Please, tell me you're kidding."
The dark haired girl went inside without a word, and the geek followed. „The one who asked me did I see Koala bears in Africa?"
„Yep."
Eric followed inside still not believing what he just heard. 'Yeah right. The next thing she will tell me is that Fez became a ladies man.'