Jackie and Hyde

"Steven, look what you have done. Don't you go anywhere I am going to have a talk with you." Kitty then took Jackie by the hand and led her upstairs to Laurie's room.

"Jackie lay down; I'll bring some nice hot tea up to you and we can talk."

Jackie watched Mrs. Forman leave and close the door behind her. Why was he always such an ass? Jackie thought to herself. This was a mistake. She'd try and see the rest of her friends and then just go back to Los Angles. Why did she even fool herself to think that Steven would like her after all these years? She wasn't tired so she turned on Laurie's TV and started watching the soaps.

Once downstairs Kitty started the teapot then sat down across the table from Hyde. "Steven, I have never been so disappointed in you. That was uncalled for and I know darn well you have gone and seen her movies. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Hyde was searching for an answer, why did he treat her so nastily? "I don't know Mrs. Forman."

Kitty leveled her gaze and stared into his eyes. "I know why Steven."

"Hyde shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. Mrs. Forman if I don't know, how do you know?"

"Oh I do know. You still like her Steven."

Hyde stood up. "No way Mrs. Forman, she is ancient history like an old shoe gone and forgotten."

Kitty wondered how the ex-cheerleader would like it if she knew she was being compared to an old shoe. "Steven, she is a nice girl and she did not deserve what you said. Kitty rose from the table and poured up a cup of tea and added some sugar. "Here Steven, take this up to Jackie and be nice.

Hyde shook his head and sighed. He did not want to get on the wrong side of Kitty and to think about why did he even care about Jackie? Hyde took the teacup and saucer from Kitty. "Okay Mrs. Forman; I'll apologize."

"Thank you Steven. You can come over and have fried chicken tonight."

On the way up the stairs Hyde did wonder why he snapped at her. If she was just another girl he would not have been rude. Maybe she was still under his skin. Hyde knocked on the door and was rewarded with a come in. Hyde walked in and set the teacup on the nightstand. Jackie was looking up at him with apprehension in her blue eyes. Blue eyes? "Jackie what happened to your eyes; they're blue?"

"In spite of herself Jackie started giggling, "I'll never tell"

Her giggling surprised him. He needed to tell her that he was sorry. Jackie, I am sorry for what I said downstairs. It was uncalled for. And I have gone and seen your movies."

A smile spread across Jackie's face. Apology accepted. Can't we be friends?

Hyde nodded. "Yes we can Jackie. Um, would you like to maybe go see a movie tonight or go someplace for a beer?"

Jackie was thrilled. Here she was; this big time movie star getting goose bumps because she was being asked out on a date by a small town shop owner. "You mean like a date Steven?"

"I guess you could call it that if you want."

Jackie was excited and happy; happier than she had been in a long time. She threw her arms around Hyde and hugged him. "Yes I want." And then hugged Hyde again.

Hyde was surprised by the hug. Long ago memories started coming back to him. The memories of how good she used to feel in his arms. The hug felt very right very comfortable just like it used to. Hyde then realized that he had what many men considered one of the most beautiful women in the world squeezing him. How could they go on a date? Was he nuts? He took Jackie by the arms and gently pried her off of him. Jackie how can we go on a date?

"What do you mean Hyde? Why can't we?"

"Jackie you're like real famous and you're going to be recognized and be asked for autographs and whatever else."

Jackie smiled. Hyde I just flew cross country and no one recognized me. You barely recognized me when you brought Mrs. Forman's dry cleaning over. I made myself look different. On the way I had a hamburger and a beer with a sailor and he had no clue as to who I am.

A little pang of jealousy hit Hyde. "What sailor? Where?"

Jackie cocked her head and looked at Hyde. "Why do you care?"

"I don't I was just curious."

"His name is Bill and we were in Milwaukee. I gave him a ride to the train station. I am sure I can fix myself up so that no one will recognize me. By the way I have blue contacts on. I will look much different than I normally look; besides most peoples impression of me is from a screen or a glossy picture. Also no one will expect to see me in a local bar or movie theater so they won't be looking for me. I left all of that nonsense behind in Los Angles. That's where everyone thinks I am anyway. Don't call me Jackie and we will be fine. I have been going by middle name."

"Beulah, I thought you hated that name?"

"The name comes in handy on occasion." Jackie took his hand. "Come on let's go downstairs."

Kitty looked up and saw that Jackie and Steven were together and Jackie was holding his hand. "Awww that is more like it isn't this nicer Steven. You two look so cute together."

"Mrs. Forman, were just friends. That's it."

"If you say so Steven; what are your plans? I know that Eric and Donna would like to see Jackie."

"I want to see them also." Jackie interjected.

"Okay I have to go back to work. I'll see you all at five."

Jackie let go of Hyde's hand." I'll be here." Jackie watched Hyde walk out the door and hugged herself. She was happy. "Mrs. Forman, I don't know what you said to Steven, but thank you. I like being friends with him."

Kitty smiled." No problem Jackie. You know how Steven is; he has to play the tough guy." Friends my ass. Kitty said to herself.

Hyde was thoughtful. He liked seeing Jackie a whole lot more than he would have thought. He would have to keep his guard up in case he started falling for her again.

Eric and Donna

Kitty and Jackie sat at the kitchen table. Kitty had every intention of prying out of Jackie all the Hollywood dirt she could.

Jackie was happy, maybe Slade was right she thought. Jackie was jarred out of her daydream by Kitty asking "Is it true you're going to get engaged to Slade Johnson? He is so handsome and manly.

"No Mrs. Forman we are just friends. The tabloids will write any kind of crap to sell papers,"

Jackie and Kitty settled into a long gossip session. Kitty glanced at the clock. Eric and Donna should be home in about two hours.

Jackie was having fun with Kitty. Eight years of gossip. Most of it was hilarious. The more Kitty drank the more outrageous her stories became. Red had sought Refuge in the living room. The two women's inane chatter was driving him nuts.

Suddenly Kitty looked up She heard a car. Donna and Eric were home. "Wait here Jackie, I'll be right back." And she flew out the door

Jackie wondered where Mrs. Forman thought she was going to go. A minute later Eric and Donna entered the kitchen with Kitty right behind them. Eric had filled out, but basically looked the same. Donna still had that horrid blonde hair. She also looked very fit. Jackie guessed that both of them were going to a gym. Jackie smiled and said. "Hi."

Both of them stopped and stared at her. Donna turned to Kitty and then looked back at Jackie. "You sort of look like Jackie Burkhart are you a cousin or something?"

Jackie laughed delightfully. "No I am not Jackie's cousin." Then she took off her rimless glasses. "Come on Sasquatch, you know who I am."

Donna walked up to Jackie who stood up and peered at her. "Are you Jackie? Your eyes are wrong."

Eric looked at the girl in front of him. She sort of looked like the ex-cheerleader. But her hair was messy and her clothes were definitely not Jackie. Maybe she fell and hit her head or something and had amnesia. Why else would Jackie be here? "Jackie that's you isn't it.

Finally Jackie could not stand it any longer. "Who do you morons think it is? Of course it is me Jackie." And she threw her arms around Donna catching Donna by surprise. "It's so good to see you."

Donna stepped back. "Why are you here? How come you never called? I thought we were friends?"

Eric's vivid imagination was running away. "Jackie you're in disguise did you witness a murder and the mob is after you? And you're going to hide out here?

Donna added. "Maybe she is involved in some sort of sex scandal and she has to lay low?"

"Come on Donna; Jackie is a nice girl. The only sex scandal around here is you and Eric; you hussy. You took my little boy away from me; making him live in sin with you.

Donna exploded. "He is living with me voluntarily. I did not twist his arm. Give me a break Mrs. Forman."

Kitty slurred "No, I see how you shake your tata's and booty at him."

Red entered the kitchen and sized up the situation. "Come on Honey let me help you upstairs." His wife was loaded.

Silently they watched Red lead Kitty away and take her upstairs to her bedroom. Donna broke the silence. "Okay Jackie why are you here?"

Jackie sighed and thought. Why can't anyone say to me; hey it's nice seeing you again. Jackie sat and folded her arms in front of her and started to pout.

Donna sat next to her. "Jackie are you in some sort of trouble?"

"No Donna, why would you say that. Maybe I came home to see you."

Eric pulled a chair out and sat. "Why would you do that Jackie?"

"Because I thought you were my friends and I missed you."

"Friends don't drop off the face of the earth Jackie. That was incredibly selfish of you. You were my best friend."

"Donna, I was ashamed. I thought all of you would be against me."

Jackie no one was against you. We know how much of a dick Hyde can be and no one pays attention to Kelso.

"Donna I just want to hang out with my friends over Christmas. I am so lonely in Los Angles. I want it to be like it used to be."

"Jackie, have you seen Hyde yet?"

Jackie beamed, "Yes, were going on a date tonight."

"Yeah right Jackie." Eric piped in. We're going to stroll around with one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood and no one will bother us. You're nuts. Then Eric got excited. I read that you may be cast in the next Star Wars movie."

"Not true Eric I turned it down."

"Why Jackie?"

"Because of you Eric."

"Me, why me? I didn't think you even thought about us anymore."

"More than you realize Eric and the reason I turned it down was because I cast for Princess Leia role and I knew you would be looking at me in a way I don't want to think about. Ewww."

Donna started laughing. "Did you really turn down the part for that reason?"

"Of course Donna, you know how he gets. You've played the role once or twice yourself. What happened?

Donna turned red. "Well you know, err. You know."

"Exactly Donna, Ewww."

"So Jackie you never did explain how you are going to go on a date with Hyde and not be recognized.

It's easy Eric. You barely recognized me when you came in. So when we go out I'll do the same thing. Hey why don't you and Donna come along with us?"

Eric and Donna looked at each other and shrugged. "What do you think Eric, it could be fun."

"I agree Donna let's do it. Okay Jackie you're on."

Jackie squealed with excitement this was going to be just like the old days.

To be Continued…