Several guests and members of the wedding party were standing outside of the church when the red Camaro shot into the parking lot. The ceremony was supposed to have started thirty minutes ago and no one seemed to know what was going on. Eric looked around for Donna but most likely she was with

Jackie. Recognizing Jake's car he hurried towards it and was shocked to see Hyde climb out of the

drivers' seat.

"Hyde, while I can appreciate the irony of you stealing your ex-girlfriends fiance's car on their wedding day, it might not be the smartest thing you've done lately," he joked.

"I didn't steal it, Forman. I'm returning it-along with the groom," he said as he went to the other side of the car and yanked Jake Bradley out by his tuxedo lapel.

"Holy crap! Jake, what's going on? Why aren't you inside? Is this why the wedding hasn't started?"

Eric slapped his hand over his mouth, eyes practically bulging out of their sockets. "Oh my God! You were going to ditch Jackie!"

"Settle down, Erica. Jake here just needed some liquid courage. Isn't that right, Bradley? He has something to discuss with Jackie. Right?"

Jake nodded then headed towards the church, shoulders slumped. He turned back to mumble, "Thanks, Hyde".

"No problem, man. Now get in there and remember, duck and cover."

Eric looked back and forth between the two men. Hyde started laughing, "Man, I wouldn't want to be him in about five minutes. Jackie's going to rip his 'nads off-and that's just for starters."

"Hyde, what happened? Why were you driving his car?"

"Sweet ride, isn't it?" Hyde leaned against the Camaro. "He was at Smittys getting shitfaced. Something about not wanting to get married so I told him at least he had to talk to Jackie instead of running out on her."

"Wow, Hyde. That was actually pretty decent of you," Eric said but he was wondering why it was so easy for Hyde to give out advice but not take it.

"Actually it isn't. It's just self-preservation, man. If he took off I figured Jackie would run to me and I'd have to listen to her bitch and moan about the whole damn thing. Like she used to about Kelso," he shrugged.

Eric just stared at him, trying to see behind the smirk. While it was true Jackie always used to turn to Hyde when something bad happened they both knew she hadn't relied on him for a long time. Since he married a stripper, in fact. And maybe even before that, when he couldn't give her the commitment she

was looking for. It still bothered Eric that Jackie couldn't see how crazy Hyde was for her. He just

hadn't been ready to sign up for a lifetime deal.

"Well, this should be interesting. Want to come in and see the show? The Devil versus the Quarterback. Sounds like a bad sci-fi movie. Gee, wonder who wins that one?" Eric chuckled.

"Nah, man. As appealing as it sounds I think I'll just stay out here. Maybe stink up Bradley's car a little bit, if you know what I mean," and he motioned taking a toke.

"Ok, sure but save some for later. I have a feeling we may need it" and with that Eric headed back into

the church, sure that Donna would need help calming Jackie down. Oh, who was he kidding? Donna

wouldn't need his help, although the devil was pretty strong when she was in a rage. Maybe he could throw some holy water on her or get the priest to perform an exorcism. He chucked at the thought of Jackie's head spinning on her neck.

While many of the guests were still seated, whispering and wondering what was going on the basement of the church was eerily quiet. Eric found Donna hovering outside the women's dressing room, biting

her nails and pacing.

"Eric! Thank God! I might need your help hiding Jake's body after Jackie kills him!"

"Are they in there? It's awfully quiet, don't you think? I expected fire and brimstone-and Jake

screaming for his life," Eric half-joked.

"I know! Me, too. It's really weird and it's driving me crazy," her voice dropped to a whisper as she pressed her ear to the door-and had to catch her self from falling when it opened suddenly.

Jake stepped out, pale but composed. He nodded at them and brushed past Donna, who motioned for Eric to follow him. She cautiously entered the dressing room, ready to duck in case something came hurtling at her. Instead she found Jackie sitting in the same chair in front of the mirror, her bouquet

of pink lilies and white roses clutched in her hands.

"Hey, midget, are you ok?" Donna spoke softly, then a little louder when there was no answer. "Jackie?"

Big amber eyes met gray ones in the mirror, shimmering with tears but not crying. She refused to cry. She didn't think she had cried since Steven decided to stay married to the stripper from Vegas-and she wasn't going to start now.

"It's ok, Donna. Well, it's not ok but I'll be alright. It's just-what-what's wrong with me, Donna? Why does every guy I've ever been with not love me enough to marry me? Am I that terrible-that much of a

bitch?"

Donna felt a flash of anger. "First of all, you have to realize that marriage is not the ultimate proof that a man loves you. Plenty of people are in loving relationships without the benefit of a marriage license."

A ghost of a smile passed over Jackie's lips. " Oh, Donna. You and your lesbian crap."

"It's feminism, Jackie-not lesbianism. And it's not crap. Maybe you should try it."

"Feminism? Please, Donna. There's no way I could dress like you-flannel and-"

"No, Jackie. Lesbianism. Since men treat you so badly maybe a woman would be a better choice".

"Oh, eww, Donna" Jackie glanced up and saw the mischief in her best friends eyes. She laughed, thank God for Donna. They had gone thru a rough patch last year but gotten thru it and were closer than ever.

Donna would do anything for her, including trying to cheer her up when her groom called off their wedding. Well, she could play along.

"Since we both know I'm perfect it must be the quality of men here in Point Place. Although I will admit to making bad choices in the past. I mean, seriously-what was I thinking! Michael may be

beautiful but he can't keep it in his pants to save his life. Fez is more of a girl than I am and you just know he is going to end up fat from eating all that candy. And Hyde-who didn't see that ending badly?

He's a scruffy burnout who…" she choked, but looked away from Donnas concerned gaze. "Anyway,

I thought Jake was perfect for me. We're both attractive and ambitious. He said he loved me all the time but I guess… he didn't". She put her head in her hands but no tears came.

"No, Jackie. Jake does love you. He just got cold feet. Remember when Eric left me the night before our wedding?"

"How could I forget? But that's different, Donna. You two are meant to be together. You're soul mates.

Besides, I could never forgive Jake for this. I mean, how am I supposed to live this down? Me-Jackie Burkhardt-left at the altar! It's ok for you and Eric. Everyone knows what a dumbass he is-and you're too good for him anyway."

Donna rolled her eyes. No one was better at a backhanded compliment than her best friend.

"So, what do we do now? What do we tell the guests?" she asked.

"Jake called it off-let him deal with it. He can tell everyone he let the catch of a lifetime slip thru his fingers. He'll be sorry. His Mom and Dad adore me, you know," and she tossed her head.

Only Donna would have noticed the hitch in her voice. Only Donna and maybe one other person.

She leaned down and hugged the little brunette. "I say we go to the reception and get totally wasted! Aren't his folks paying for an open bar? And all that food? No sense letting it go to waste. Fez will be

devastated if he doesn't get any wedding cake."

Jackie smiled a little, "You're right. Why don't you go tell everyone to head over to the reception hall and enjoy them selves."

"What about you? You'll come, right? I'm sure Jake won't show his face-and then you can tell everyone what a jerk he is!"

"Donna, he isn't a jerk. I'm just not the one for him, I guess. But I'll come in awhile. I'm not above being the center of attention."

Donna snorted, "No, really?"

"Really. So, go ahead and I'll be along in a few minutes," she shooed the redhead away with her hands and the glint of her diamond caught the light. Her beautiful, expensive diamond ring. Sighing, she pulled it off and handed it to Donna.

"Here, would you give this to Jake?"

"Sure but since he broke it off, don't you get to keep it?"

"Oh, Donna, you actually read the Miss Manners book I gave you!"

"Donna flushed, "No! Well-maybe, some of it. Are you sure you don't want to keep it? It's gorgeous and it must have cost a fortune."

"It did but I don't want it. What would I do with it anyway?"

Surprised, Donna arched an eyebrow. "Well, you could sell it and go to Paris or somewhere."

"Paris? With all those French people? No, thanks. Point Place is fine with me."

Donna shook her head. Despite her privileged upbringing Jackie was a small town girl at heart.

"Ok, but we could buy a lot of beer and incense with it!" she teased.

Jackie laughed and waved as Donna shut the door behind her. She glanced down at the bouquet

on the table and then at herself in the mirror. Her beautiful dream wedding was just that-a dream.

When would she ever learn?

She couldn't go to the reception. She didn't want everyone feeling sorry for her. Grabbing the bottle of champagne she and Donna had planned on drinking, she cracked open the door and listened. She could hear Donnas gigantic footsteps headed down the hall so she took the stairs that led to the parking lot at the side entrance of the church. She had to get out of here.