Encounter: Chapter 4

Can You Be All I Need?

Author's Note: Hey, so very sorry for the lengthy break from writing. Graduation required a lot more time and effort than I expected. And now the pain of finding a job in the real world has me booked. But here is chapter 4, and my other stories should be updated soon too. And I'll try my very best to update much quicker next time. As always, I love feedback, good or bad, and I sincerely hope you enjoy this.

Disclaimer: Not Mine.

Jackie woke with alarm at the loud clap of thunder, just in time to see the white flash of lightening streak across her dark walls. She sat up and looked down at the bare shoulder of Jacob rising and falling with his breath, slow and steady, sound asleep. Carefully untangling herself from the sheets, she slipped out of bed and tiptoed quietly out of her bedroom and headed for the kitchen.

The cool tiles of the kitchen floor felt good against her bare feet. Her body temperature had been a bit higher than normal since her run in with Steven. When she left his room early she was sure she could have breathed fire her insides were so hot with anger. How dare he talk to her like that? Who did he think he was?

She'd taken a lot from him in the months since the Chicago "incident." She'd allowed herself to be hurt by the harsh, frequent jabs he threw her way with little complaint or defense. Perhaps it was because she missed him so badly, and insults were better than silence. Perhaps she let him berate her because she felt a bit of guilt for the way things had played out. But tonight, she had felt herself draw a line. He'd taken it to a new level, rather than just shallow name calling and accusation he'd used his touch and his kisses and what they had shared and felt to make her hurt, and that would not be tolerated. Sure, he'd been drunk. Very drunk in fact. But she'd seen him drunk a thousand times and he'd never before been so mean, so malicious. And more importantly he'd never before seemed to enjoy her misery so much.

Well, her pain would not be his sport. And if he kept this up, she still knew him better than anyone. She'd make sure he suffered right along side her.

Sipping at her ice water she moved to the window and stared out at the storm. Usually lightening frightened her, but tonight she could not pull her eyes away.

The way each flicker was sharp and sudden, dangerous and beautiful drew her in. And she watched silently for over an hour before laying herself back down to sleep again.

Hyde sank grumpily into his chair at the breakfast table. His jaw was sore from being set so firmly, and he had tiny half-moon nail marks in his palm from his hands being fisted so forcefully. He hadn't slept at all. He'd just sat fuming on his cot for hours, and then finally moved to the El Camino to watch the storm. He could still smell the thick layers of alcohol on himself, but he didn't care. Maybe it would be a sign for others to leave him alone.

"Good morning, Steven." Kitty's voice was chirper as always, and though Hyde loved the woman who fed and clothed him like a mother, he could notfight the scowl that served as his reply. "Oh, someone is just a Mr. grouchy-pants today. Here, have some nice eggs and bacon. That'll make you feel better." She laid the plate down in front of him and kissed him quickly on the cheek, then went back to her humming and bustling around the kitchen.

Hyde was surprised at his own appetite as he quickly ate his breakfast, he hadn't remembered being hungry in a long time. But as he heard a familiar voice at the sliding door, he suddenly felt as if he couldn't take another bite.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Forman. Is it okay if Jacob and I eat breakfast here?" Jackie's voice was soft and sweet, something rare but he could tell it was genuine. Hyde turned to take in her face and knew she was surprised to see him up so early, but was determined not to let her uneasiness show. He hated how well he could read her.

"Of course, dear. Just sit yourselves down. Red already ate early this morning before he left to go fishing, so there'll be plenty of room." Jackie sat down in Red's seat and Jacob pulled up the extra chair beside her. Hyde snuffed angrily at the air, but fought the urge to leave. He didn't want to give her the satisfaction of running him out. So he just sat there, staring at her, determined to make her feel uncomfortable instead. He removed his shades and leaned back in his chair. And then began to just glare at her. Jackie looked anywhere and everywhere around the kitchen to avoid his gaze. As Kitty quickly assembled the new guests' plates, Jackie felt each second of his eyes on her like a punch to the heart.

Noticing the tension and still confused over the last evenings run in with this angry looking man, Jacob foolishly tried to start polite conversation. "So, Steven is it? Are you a close friend of Jackie's? How long have you known her? Has she always been this pretty?" Jacob gave a light chuckle as he smiled at his fiancé and then looked naively to Hyde.

Hyde let an arrogant smile slowly spread across his lips before answering, still never breaking his gaze from Jackie. "The name's Hyde. I guess you could say me and Jackie are close. Well, just last night, now what were we doing that might give Jacob an idea of how close we are? Jackie, do you remember?" Jackie's face shot up and she met his eyes for the first time, half full of fear, and yet blazing with anger. She pursed her lips together warningly. "Oh, yeah. That's right. We were talking. About the good ol' days. Like back when she was dating that guy, for like 3 years. What was his name? And they were happy, or at least so he thought, until she started dishing out ultimatums about marriage even though they were both barely out of high school. And she made him bitter and angry at the world and the next thing they both knew he was married to a stripper." Hyde shook his head slowly from side to side. "It's a shame to. Consensus was they were pretty good for each other. Hmm. Kinda sad." Hyde stood from his chair."Oh and yes. She's always been pretty. Especially when she's quiet." Hyde saw Jackie's bottom lip quivering, and he knew he had succeeded. "Well, I've gotta get to the store before Leo gets any ideas. It was good talking to you, Josh. Have a nice day."

And before Jacob could correct him, Hyde was out the door.