Author's Note (1): Hi everyone! So this note is pretty long, but I ask you to read it all because it's critical for understanding this story. This story has taken me over three years to write, and I am really proud of it. It is the story I've always wanted to write, and now I get to share it with all of you. This is also the last story I have planned to write (besides from ZMA). That's not to say I will never write another story again, but at the moment no ideas have struck me. So I really hope that if you find yourself here that you will truly enjoy this story.

Author's Note (2): This story is how I would like to imagine the storylines ended for all the characters. No, it is NOT 'just another S8 AU'. I've never even watched season 8. Instead, it reflects on some of the events during season 7. But I promise you that its different and fresh, so please give it a shot. After all, if I had read a fanfic that satisfied my headcanon for the show, I wouldn't have needed to write this one! Also, despite that this is a JackiexHyde centric story, each of the main characters get their own plots and resolutions too! Since it correlates with season 7, I thought I'd do something interesting and arrange each chapter's posting date with the date the corresponding episode aired on TV. So, the preface is based on the episode "Surprise, Surprise" which aired on December 1st, 2004, which is why I am posting it today! At the end of each chapter I will make a note of the date that the next chapter will be posted.

Preface (Surprise, Surprise)

~JACKIE BURKHART~

Two weeks and three days, but I wasn't counting…I swear. I just had a good memory, as far as time went. But anyways, as I was saying: two weeks and three days since my mom left to God-knows-where to drink tequila and margaritas until day and night blurred together to simply just become passing time.

My mother always said that was the only thing she could remember about being drunk; the sensation of time passing, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, yet always unaware of how much of it had actually gone by.

But I could tell her exactly how much. Two weeks and three days.

o-o-o

I took two steps into the foyer before the echo of my heels on the marble floor became too much to handle. The distant sound kept ringing in my ears, the unwelcome reminder that I was the only flesh and blood that walked through this flashy, not-so-humble abode.

Before taking another step, I slip off my shoes then drop them at the base of the stairs before heading for the kitchen. I switch on the light and sit down at the table and start sorting through the pile of mail I grabbed on my way up the drive.

Bill. Bill. Advertisement. Bill. I set the bills to one side of the table as I continue through the pile. It was a good thing I had figured out my father's office, down to every last piece of paper. Last time around, when my dad was first sent to prison, it was Steven who helped me figure things out, helping me with the bits and pieces of information he had picked up from when he was in the same boat a few years back. Now I didn't even cringe at the idea of figuring out these bills that were supposed to have been my mother's responsibility after my dad was incarcerated.

Thinking about Steven immediately brightened my spirits, my mind immediately flashing back to this afternoon filled with stomach clenching laughter after we took my failed-cookies-turned-Frisbees and flung them at Eric and Fez for taunting Steven about his sister and Michael.

"That," he had said, pointing at the door Eric and Fez had ran through to escape our wrath, "was the best part of my day. Thank you." He had pulled me close.

"Well, Frisbees weren't the desired effect, but I'm glad it helped," I had giggled, meeting his lips halfway.

The smile on my face now, caused by this fresh memory, wavers slightly as my eyes focus on the letter at the bottom of the pile. Addressed to me.

My hands quaver as I tear open the envelope. I take one shallow breath before unfolding the letter.

Dear Jacqueline Burkhart,
Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you of your acceptance to Marquette University's undergraduate…

The rest of the words blur together, but I force my eyes to refocus and finish the letter. With each word, my stomach clenches tighter and tighter; a mix of eager anticipation that makes my heart flutter in my chest.

But with it all is a sliver of fear. Fear and worry that suddenly, a whole lot was about to change.

Chapter 1 is based on the episode, "Winter", and will be posted on the day this episode aired: December 15th.