I don't own 'That 70s show'.

Unholy Union

Chapter 4 - Alliance

Over the years, the old stuffy basement became a very special place for a selected few. It was a place where hearts were broken, where relationships started, where first kisses were shared and where friendships irredeemably changed. It suffered his share of tears, laughs, smokes and tensions. And today was no different.

Eric nervously paced from one side to the other, numerous times circled the shabby couch and expertly avoided coffee table without looking in front of himself. His hands didn't rest still, one moment they were fisting his hair, the next his lean fingers tangled themselves into hard nodes, all the while scowl never left his pale face. Muted voices of his friends and family were coming through closed doors, too unclear for him to discern the meanings behind the sounds. But Eric didn't care, he didn't even try to hear. He had bigger problems. Today was the day when all his plans and desires could perish, when all hard work and spent time could be proven as worthless. And what stood between that and success? Only he and his capacity to hurt people he cared most about.

The sound of opening the door distracted him from the probable ripped hair and turned his attention towards the girl he was waiting for. And he wasn't sure is what he saw was supposed to calm him or upset him even more. While he was sweating and drowning in his own anxiety, Jackie's face was shockingly calm and calculated, all business like, as if it was just an ordinary day without a worry in the world.

"Everyone here?" She asked, going straight to business.

"Yeah, they're upstairs, waiting for lunch." He answered with shaky voice, unable to control his trembling.

"Then stop twitching and get a move on. Let's get it over with." As soon as she said it, she headed towards the stairs, only to stop a second later when Eric's voice halted her movements. She sighed deeply and rolled her eyes, as if she was expecting it.

"I'm not so sure about this Jackie."

"You're not sure you want Donna back or you're not sure you're capable of doing what has to be done?" Her voice was taunting and in a moment riled Eric up.

"I'm more than capable to do this!" He yelled, not even bothering with the part about Donna. "What I can't do is understand how you can just stand there this calmly while we're in this mess. How can you be this perfectly heartless?!"

If his comment bothered her, she didn't show it. Instead, she responded in a relaxed manner, hoping that some of it will rub off on Eric. "Well, I can stand here all agitated and twitchy, but I don't see how that will help in this situation. Is it helping you?"

Eric smirked. "I see how it's easy to be so collected when it's me who has to do the dirty work. Not to mention it's your fault we're in this mess in the first place."

Jackie's eyes widened as she gasped, shocked. "It's my fault?"

"Yeah, you and your..." Eric shook his fingers in the direction of her face. "... stares and googly eyes at Hyde! What were you thinking?!"

"Googly eyes?" She gritted through her teeth. "Sorry for using my eyes! Next time I will blindfold myself so I wouldn't accidentally go on and, oh, looked around! And that dirty work was not only your idea, but your request. So don't you dare blaming me for that!"

Eric took a deep breath and allowed himself to see the truth in her words. "I'm sorry." He said quietly. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just... hard."

"You don't have to do it, you know? We can find another way."

Eric smiled without humor. "Yes, I have to. If I want to save at least a part of friendship we have now, Hyde must find out from me." After a short pause he continued. "I just really don't want to do it."

Jackie's face softened on his troubled expression. "We don't have to do any of this. It's not too late to quit yet."

Eric forcefully shook his head. "No! I want to do this." He gave his best to remove her doubts in his willingness to carry out the plan into action. "I'm just not sure it's the right way. Yesterday you said he suspects something. And I just feel that we're giving him his answers with reacting this quickly."

"We're not talking about this here." Jackie warned and encircled basement with her eyes, unconsciously leaning forward and making sure Fez is not spying behind the shower curtain.

Eric lowered his voice to a mere whisper. "We will have to since I'm on my way to ruin my lifelong friendship for this. And if I'm risking it, I want to do it for a good reason, and not blew everything up with hastiness."

Dark-haired girl came a step closer and mimicked his low voice. "My original plan was to spread this whole process on two months. Did you change your mind about that?" After Eric silently denied, she continued. "Then we must hurry before he starts thinking too much and start suspecting. And he will, he knows that I never give up. If he shares his doubts with Donna this all will fall through."

Deciding he won't even think about Donna finding out, he focused on a burning question. "Do you think he will believe us?"

"No." She shattered his hopes. "And he must change his mind today."

Eric tiredly rubbed his eyes and silently cursed his life. „I can't believe I'm doing this." He said, his voice still a whisper. „OK, let's repeat. First, I go to Hyde, take him somewhere where we can be alone and tell him about us." He swallowed hard before continuing, his voice starting to shake again. „Afterwards, you and me together announce it to everyone else... including Donna." He stopped here for a moment and sent a silent prayer in hope that with this he won't actually screw things up even more. „And after that... we..."

„Kiss." Jackie finished for him, noticing his problem with pronouncing it.

"Even though we agreed we won't be doing that!" He couldn't help himself when he slightly raised his voice, pointedly looking at his partner.

"Yeah, cause that will be the highlight of my day!" She responded sharply, wincing at the volume of her voice, before she calmed herself and lowered her tone again. "But these are special circumstances. We didn't have enough time to play it out so we have to... you know... make it real. Besides, why are you complaining? I'm an excellent kisser."

Eric could only sigh on her assertive tone, not wanting to repeat yesterday's discussion about what possibly could he have learned from a lumberjack like Donna. "Fine." He finally muttered and raised his hands in sign of a defeat.

"Ready?"

Eric quickly played out his upcoming conversation with Hyde in his head, together with three reactions he could imagine, and neither one of them turned out good for him. He couldn't remember that there was ever something he wanted to do less than this, but he decided that when you're stabbing your best friend in the back, you should at least do it personally and bluntly (as much as the situation permits). Hyde deserved that.

"No. I'm really not." He answered sincerely, but despite his words went for the stairs.

Jackie followed after him, while silently hoping that Eric will find enough might to make it through. Hell, this wasn't easy, even for her, and his stakes were much higher. While he was risking the loss of his best friend and last chance with the former redhead, she didn't have to lose anything except dignity. She already lost everything else.

So consumed in her thoughts, she haven't noticed that Eric stopped walking until she collided with his back, sending him unintentionally another step ahead. "What now?" She asked irritated while fixing her curls and directing him with a warning look.

"Do you think we should practice?"

Jackie breathed deeply and gave her best to soften her voice and relax visibly upset Eric. "We've been through this. We practiced it at least a dozen times yesterday. And I swear I will get an Irritable bowel syndrome if I'll have to play Hyde one more time." She made a face a moment later when she realized what she said.

Eric grimaced when he realized how badly she misunderstood him. "I didn't mean that. I meant... you know... the other stuff."

Jackie's gaze was puzzled for a moment, until it dawned on her. "Why would I want to do that? I know I'm irresistible, but you'll have to control yourself Eric. The last thing I need is you falling madly in love with me."

Eric rolled his eyes. "Yes, I find your humbleness the most attractive of your qualities." He said sarcastically. "I don't want to do it Jackie."

"Then why are you forcing me to do it more than necessary?" She snapped at him.

"Because I think your 'Eewww' after would be a dead giveaway that something isn't quite right."

Jackie burrowed her brows and pouted. Admitting that Eric is right is more than she could deal with right now, but she'd be dammed if she'll let something like that ruin her only solid plan. "Fine." She finally said.

When almost a minute passed and Eric just continued to stare at her, she snapped again. "What are you waiting for?!"

"Wow..." Eric exclaimed. "... I wonder why we didn't do this before." His sarcastic words were accompanied with his two steps, making him stand only a few inches away from her. He pinched himself to make sure this isn't just a nightmare, and finally bent his head and slowly closed his eyes. Her warm breath tickled against the soft skin of his face, and a second later he felt it over his lips. Small goose bumps rushed over his spine (even though he would rather throw himself under a car than admit it) and he knew her lips were just a moment away. As he almost felt the...

"What the hell is that?" Eric abruptly opened his eyes and was met with Jackie's questionable stare. He stared at her in confusion for a second before he raised his hand and tentatively touched his face and mouth.

"You mean my kissy face?"

"Your kissy face?" Jackie raised her perfectly shaped eyebrow at him while at the same time thinking how freaky is that she knows how his kissy face looks. Deciding that thinking like that can result only with her running away, she rushed forward. "Just, take it off and let's get it over with."

"I can't take it off." Eric protested more than a little offended. "And got to say, what a way to set a mood."

When she just crossed her arms over her chest, he exhaled deeply and bit his tongue to stop his thoughts from verbalizing. "Why don't you just close your eyes so you won't have to see it?"

"I don't want to close my eyes. God knows what creepy things you could do while I can't see."

"Seriously?" Eric asked through laugh. "You dated Kelso and Hyde and you're worried about what I could do?"

As hard as she tried, Jackie couldn't control smile which escaped her.

Eric noticed and felt more than pleased with himself and his ability to rush away the tension which obviously consumed even her. Still laughing, Eric received her hand and pulled her closer. "Milady..." He started jokingly. "... I give you my word I shall not defile your honor."

Jackie lightly smacked his chest before easing into her part, allowing their friendly play to relax her completely. "My kind sir..." Small giggles escaped from her lips not allowing her to finish the sentence, but she let Eric to lean her upper body over his right arm in real Disney fashion and lightly brush his lips over hers. Their eyes were closed and their lips still spread into smiles, and after a few seconds of almost innocent touching they simultaneously started to separate, when loud "OH MY GOD!" halted their movements and caused them to flip their heads in the direction of the sound, only to find wide-eyed Samantha staring at them from the staircase.

They reflexively straightened up and pulled away from each other, eying the intruder, neither quite sure what should be done.

"So..." Jackie broke uncomfortable silence. "What exactly did you see?"

Feeling the incredible pull of déjà-vu, Eric laughed at Jackie. "Really?"

She just shrugged and returned to her usual bitchy self. "Here's the deal." She said to Samantha. "We need you to keep your big fat mouth shut about this."

Ignoring the blond who just mindlessly stared at them, Eric hissed at the smaller girl. "Jackie! Maybe you should try to be a bit nicer to person who just saw what shouldn't be seen."

After Jackie just glared at him, not showing any sign of willingness to change her behavior, he sighed and turned towards his friend's wife.

"Sam..." he started slowly, spreading fake friendly smile over his face.

As though her name finally jerked her back to reality, the blond started speaking. "I just came for Hyde's beer, but..."

"That's OK. Take it." Eric started again when it became obvious that she isn't planning to finish the sentence. "The deal is... we would be really grateful if you could keep quiet about what you've just seen. We kind of want to tell the guys ourselves."

Samantha enthusiastically nodded; quiet "Yes." and "Sure." filling the air around her.

"Thank you. We really want them to find out from us. And don't worry, we will tell them today."

"Of course. Don't worry. My lips are sealed." She passed her index finger over them to demonstrate the point before continuing. "I will leave you alone. Continue what you were doi..." And disappeared before she even finished the sentence.

Noticing she didn't take what she came for, Eric turned his head towards Jackie and asked almost desperately. "What now?"

To his surprise, the small beauty simply sat on the couch, grabbed the magazine from the coffee table and started to browse. "Now we wait."

.

Up the stairs, in warm and smelly kitchen, the mood was much lighter than below, probably because no one knew what is happening right under their feet. The room was buzzing with small talk, occasional laughter and light topics, while the gang waited on tasty roast Mrs. Forman was preparing. That is, the gang minus Hyde waited. To the curly haired rebel, the food couldn't be further away from mind. He was too preoccupied pondering about a certain midget and her plans for him.

Steven Hyde wasn't a classic example of well educated man. He didn't attend private schools, he had absolutely no interest in higher education and the time he was forced to sit in classroom desks he spent thinking and doing pretty much everything except for learning. But despite that, or maybe because of that, he had something else, something he called street smart. The first rule? Know your enemy. And if Steven Hyde knew anyone, that was Jackie.

In the last couple of months he watched Jackie losing herself. Slowly, almost insensibly at first, until at one point he had to look twice just to make sure it's really her. She didn't change physically, except for slight puffiness of her eyes and somewhat darker circles under them, she was still as beautiful as ever. Despite his feelings towards her, he wasn't blind, and a part of him knew that when she claims she is the most beautiful girl in Wisconsin, she isn't far from the truth. But, she just wasn't Jackie anymore. Her voice lost its sauciness, her burns lacked the enthusiasm they held before and her hips didn't have that seductive roll that adorned her walk till this summer. Not that he was looking. Much.

And one sick part of him enjoyed seeing her like that. He took pleasure in knowing that things which happened affected her, that they hurt her as much as they did him. Every once in a while irrational fear that her pain is lessening struck him, and he gave his best to prove himself that he still holds a part of control over her. Was it with her tears, angry exits from the basement or nervous looks sent in Sam's direction, he didn't care. He just had to know.

Then, a few days ago, he started noticing changes. It began with her everyday appearances in the basement, passed on her posture and head which was held high once again, and continued with her comebacks and open willingness to stand up to him. He didn't give it too much thought at first, until yesterday, when he recognized a spark in her eyes, a look of a girl who would most definitely won a car if there was a 'Make that girl cry' show. He recognized a girl who was ready to fight and win. He identified Jackie set on revenge. And if that wasn't a major turn on, he didn't know what was.

Until then, he wasn't aware how much he actually missed that. Missed her. Because frankly, there is no point or much satisfaction in battling someone who already gave up. Steven Hyde never backed down from a fight. And he was actually looking forward to this one. He found additional excitement in the fact that he had absolutely no idea what she has in store for him, all he knew was that it's going to be a hell of a ride. He mentally prepared himself to expect unexpected and...

„You won't believe what just happened!" Announced grinning Samantha and cut off his train of thoughts. „I just caught Jackie and Eric making out in the basement!" She said loudly, making sure that everyone heard her.

That was probably the only thing Hyde didn't see coming.

Shocked silence ruled over the kitchen, until Donna finally found the words. „You must have seen something wrong Sam. There is no way those two could hook up."

Everyone nodded, happy that the misunderstanding was resolved and returned to their previous topics. But Samantha wasn't ready to give up. „I know what I've seen. They were down there, groping each other, with his tongue so far in her throat I was afraid she will choke. I'm telling you, if I didn't accidentally show up, they would totally do it." She quickly nodded when she realized everyone was staring at her. „They even asked me to keep their secret. Can you believe it?"

„Like hell!" Yelled Donna on her way to the basement, followed by hectic Fez. Randy and Samantha hurried after them, with Hyde hot on their heels, leaving dumbstruck, wide eyed Mr. and Mrs. Forman behind.

.

Before actually seeing them, Jackie and Eric heard their rapid footsteps on their way down. Eric froze on his feet and Jackie elegantly rose to stand next to him, both facing the entrance.

„What the hell is going on down here?!" Donna's scream made Eric flinch, and he barely suppressed the urge to rub his ears. "Donna, it's not..."

"You sonofabitch!" Fez sharply interrupted his explanation. "You cut the line! It was Fez's turn!"

"Fez, don't talk rubbish! You know I could never be with you. You're foreigner!"

"So it's true?" Randy interrupted Fez who was preparing to yell some more. "You two hooked up? Cool."

"I have no idea how they find out." Samantha called from the back. "It's a real mystery, I tell you."

While the people around him yelled, Hyde remained standing in the back and did what he does best. Observed. He wouldn't put it past Jackie to trick Forman into pretending to get to him. He noticed Eric's stiff stance and his eyes which were nervously jumping between him and Donna, as well as a big gap between him and his ex. Jackie was trying to remain calm and fought to keep a straight face, but was it against a smile or a scowl he couldn't say. Finally, Jackie smacked Eric with the back of her hand and pointed at him, which only reinforced his suspicion.

"Uhm... Hyde... do you think we could talk?" Eric asked nervously.

"Sure. Talk."

"I was thinking alone. We could go to your room?"

"Nah. I'm fine here." Hyde's Zen only unnerved Eric more, and the fact that he will have to do this in front of everyone didn't help to calm his nerves. But it was obvious that Hyde won't make it easy for him. Trying to ignore everyone's stares and uncomfortable silence they secured, Eric started to talk.

"Well, first I want to say that I didn't want you to find out like this. I was planning a big talk later today, but well..." He turned accusing eyes at stripper. "... things obviously didn't go as planned." He gave a small smile, but Hyde's totally calm and unreadable face, just like his hand crossed over his chest, quickly wiped it off. "I want you to know I didn't plan this, and I don't want this to ruin our friendship. And if I thought for just a second that you still have feelings for Jackie, I would never do anything about this. I know it's unexpected, to say at least, but I really care about her."

"Really?" Hyde asked calmly, sarcastic smirk forming on his face. How stupid do they think he is? "You don't say."

Eric gulped hard and literally felt the room starting to spin. This is it. He ruined everything. Not knowing what to do, but unable to look at Hyde anymore, he turned his eyes to the short friend standing next to him and sent a pleading look in her direction.

"Oh, I get it!" Fez exclaimed, relieved. "This is a burn!"

Jackie ignored the foreigner's comment and attempted to smother disappointment that thrived inside of her. It was a long shot anyway. Noticing Eric's troubled and extremely desperate expression, but not wanting to talk about it, she came closer to him and gently received his hand in hers; trying to convince him that everything is all right.

That gesture didn't escape Hyde's concealed stare.

Good known defiance kicked in and Eric decided he won't give up without a fight. He gripped Jackie's hand tighter and decided, for once, fight for what he wants.

"It's not a burn." Eric refused Fez's assumption, but looked straight at his best friend. When he felt the dark girl next to him stiffen, he gently rubbed his thumb in a circular motion over her skin, soundlessly asking for her trust.

Rebel of the group stood calmly, still in the same position and with the same face expression, but never more grateful on sunglasses that covered his eyes which couldn't stop staring at their joint arms.

"This is real." Eric spoke slowly, calmer than a whole day. "And I need to know you're fine with it. I mean... you're my buddy. I don't want to lose you."

Barely registering his words, Hyde had to work hard to keep his Zen in place. There was nothing overly sexual about their embrace, but their bodies inevitably responded to each other. It was like they were drawing energy from one another, exchanging strength and calmness through that simple touch. When it became too obvious to ignore, Hyde turned his look away and felt first cold traces of betrayal eating him away. Quickly, he exchanged that feeling for good old indifference and finally spoke. "Whatever. It's your funeral."

"Thank you." Eric quietly muttered, not at all comfortable with this whole situation, but hoping they are done for now.

That was the moment when furious Donna stepped in front of them, towered over Jackie and forged a calm she didn't feel and couldn't summon on her face. "Eric apologized to his friend and asked for his permission. Is there something you want to say to someone?"

Not at all intimidated with bigger and stronger girl, Jackie shrugged in fake ignorance. "Nobody comes to my mind."

Former redhead had to take a step back to keep her inner wrestler inside, keeping him from jumping on her and breaking that arm he was still cradling. Taking a few deep breaths in a desperate attempt to calm herself, she pointed at the 'new couple'. "I don't buy this. That's impossible. You were never even friends!"

"And you are an expert when it comes to friendships so you know, right?" Jackie couldn't suppress biting comment, Donna's betrayal still fresh and burning.

"You're the one to talk! When did this even happen? You can't say you just..."

"Eric!" Red's pissed voice sliced through tension and Donna's words, successfully turning everyone's attention to the old man who stood on the stairs. "Get your stupid ass over here. And bring her..." He growled, pointing at Jackie. "...with you."

Eric and Jackie gulped hard, knowing from the look on his face that they're in trouble.

As much as Donna wanted to finish what she started and find out the truth, she couldn't find the courage to stop the pair from leaving. A small smile escaped her when she absorbed Red's angry attitude, knowing that punishment awaits the one who deserved it.

When the door closed behind them, almost everyone silently climbed the stairs in search for a place to lean the ear against the wooden barrier and find out what is happening on the other side. When she noticed that someone is missing, Donna turned, only to find Hyde on his way to the other exit, not even bothering to look behind.

"Hyde!" She called after him. "Where are you going? You can't miss this."

"I must check on Leo and make sure he is actually charging the records this time." He quickly closed the door behind him and hurried up the stairs in the direction of his car, only to pass straight by it and rush to the tall hedge that separated Forman's from Pinciotti's backyard, tightly grab for sharp leafage, abruptly lean his body forward and violently vomit whole content of his stomach all over the ground. When he finished, he straightened up, trying to escape the stench which reached his nose, wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his black Ramones shirt and readjusted his aviators.

"Fuck! Fuck!" He yelled in empty space and ripped the leaves he was still holding.

.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Red Forman yelled in the middle of the kitchen, his eyes directed at his son and a snobby girl who stood in front of him.

"Now kids, Red is just trying to say that this all looks a little rushed. Aren't you Red?"

"This looks stupid and I won't tolerate it in my house! And you, you were supposed to be the smart one! What the hell are you doing with this dumb-ass?!"

"Your father is just concerned that, maybe, just maybe, you aren't the best possible match." Kitty tried to soothe the situation.

"And just when I think you can't do anything more stupid and irresponsible, there is a surprise! You always manage to find a way to prove how incredible empty-headed you really are!"

"Now sweety, your fa..."

"Stop saying what I think!" Red snapped at his wife, before returning his attention to the kinds once again. "THIS ENDS NOW!"

.

"Well, I think our work here is done." Donna exclaimed happily before she descended the stairs and found her way out from the house, followed by the rest of the gang.

.

"They're gone." Merrily shared the older women and returned to her place next to her husband, causing Jackie and Eric to questionable stare at them, especially since the yelling unexpectedly ceased. "Now kids, you will have to be more careful and much more cunning in the future."

"What are you talking about?" Tentatively wondered Eric while carefully observing his parents.

"Your father and I know about that sneaky little plan of yours and we want to help."

"No, we don't." Grumbled the older man. "I just want to reduce the number of dumb-asses in my house. Instead of disappearing the older you get, the more of worthless morons comes in here."

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"Stop playing games with me, or I'll kick your ass so hard your nose will bleed! Did I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir." Eric answered immediately, not wanting to test the credibility of that statement.

"Now, you will stop playing and start working. This was the last time I saved your asses."

Jackie and Eric could only nod; still not quite sure this is really happening.

"I just want my baby to be happy. Both of my babies. And that won't happen with that tacky stripper and without redhead harlot, right?"

"I just want them to stop eating my food. Now, get your heads out of your asses and try not to screw it up."