A/N: I am completely new to this, so I hope I'm doing this right! And, I hope that you enjoy it. I have a few ideas that I am excited to write out! This begins in Season 8, episode 1. I am trying my best to do my research and keep this as true to the show as possible, but I might slip up here and there, and I have changed some things in tiny ways. I'm starting the story with two chapters.
Thunder cracked overhead, dark gray clouds gathering in the afternoon sky. Jacqueline Burkhart clutched her chest tightly as she strutted up the driveway of the Forman home. She silently cursed the impending weather- the last thing she needed right now was for her hair to frizz. She made her way to the basement door and tentatively descended the steps. When she reached the door, she paused. Was she really ready to do this?
The day had been full of twisting, turning emotions. She had woken with the same overwhelming, heart-wrenching sadness that had weighed on her for the past month. Try though she might, she couldn't stop wondering "Where is Steven? When will he come home? Will we be okay?" The constant thoughts drove her mad, despite her attempts at distracting herself. And then, suddenly, everything changed. She walked into the Forman living room and saw Steven. Of course, an argument ensued and soon she found herself storming home, where she spent the next couple of hours fuming, boiling in her anger.
Nothing could compare, though, to the feeling of hope that rushed into her heart as Michael explained that Steven had intended to propose. Things finally began looking up, she found Steven, and they talked things out- and although he didn't make any promises, Jackie was happy. All that mattered was that they were together, and things felt right in the world. Cue the whore. A skinny blond walked in, wearing the skimpiest outfit that Jackie had ever seen. She immediately gave her the worst feeling- and it was confirmed when she announced that she was Mrs. Steven Hyde.
She couldn't remember everything after that. She remembered running, and she remembered finding her way to the bathroom of the Pinciotti home. She remembered sobbing, pleading, wondering "How could he do this to me?! How could he do this to US?" Time blurred. And suddenly it was late afternoon. She contemplated her next move- she couldn't sit here and waste away in the bathroom. She was too pretty for that! She would go out, she would forget about Steven- she would be the center of attention, and every man she encountered would be obsessed with her.
She did her makeup and her hair, marveling at her good looks, and then wandered back to the bedroom to find something perfect to wear. As she dug through her closet, though, a black mound caught her eye- bunched up into the corner of the closet. The Led Zeppelin tee. She tenderly picked it up, feeling the fabric, hugging it to her chest, and closing her eyes. It was a reminder of every wonderful part of Steven. She couldn't just let that slip away from her. She grabbed her coat, and she was out the door as fast as her petite legs could carry her.
And here she was- standing in front of the door to the Forman's basement. It was quiet on the other side, her friends must have been out goofing around somewhere. She just hoped that Steven was there. She put on her best confident expression and entered the basement. She unzipped her coat, laying it on Steven's chair and then heading back towards his bedroom. Suddenly, she heard a creak. The groaning of bed springs, the smacking of lips, and the voice of the ditzy blond as she whispered "I love you".
She couldn't stand to hear more- her stomach was turning. She understood now- Steven was on a new path now, and she could never be apart of it. He was in there, happily enjoying his new wife. She would let him enjoy his new life- but she certainly wouldn't stand around and watch. She sped out of the basement, and out of his life- for good.
A woman's voice came over the loud speaker. "7:05 to Denver will be boarding in thirty minutes" Jackie glanced around the small Greyhound station, wary of the unsavory characters surrounding her. She tried to keep to herself- keeping her foot through the handle of her duffel bag. Everything she needed- everything that she had, was this bag. She had gathered up her favorite pieces of clothing, the very basics of her makeup and hair supplies, and a handful of cash. She had a lot of money behind her, and she intended to use it to start her new life. She had a one-way ticket to Portland, Oregon- connecting in Denver. It was the first ticket she saw, and it was perfectly obscure and far, far away from Wisconsin. No one would ever look for her there.
In her lap, she held a stack of fashion and gossip magazines- she needed something to keep her occupied on the long bus ride ahead of her. She had also picked up a water bottle and a basket of french fries- but she had no appetite, and besides, that kind of grease was never good for anyone. She hated that there was so little for her to do. She feared that if she thought too much about what she was leaving behind, she would never be able to go through with it.
She sighed as she watched a woman come in through the arrival's door. The girl searched the building, her eye's lit up with excitement, until she spotted a young man, and rushed to his arms. They embraced happily, and Jackie had to force her eyes away. She closed her eyes, willing herself to think of anything but home.
By some miracle, she managed to keep her mind off of things, and soon enough, it was time to board her bus. She gathered her things, and took her place in line, happy to see that the people she would be riding with appeared to be relatively normal. She took a deep breath and climbed the steps onto the bus, saying goodbye to Point Place.