Authors Note: Thank you for the understanding on the last chapter. :) I do all kinds of writing all day long so my eyes must've gotten blurry. Fanfiction is my favorite, though, because it's fun to play with awesome characters like these guys. Anyway, this one is short but critical. Plus, I love a good Jackie/Hyde fight scene. They're so sexy when they bicker. Enjoy and thanks again for all of the reviews.
Rated T for naughty language
Disclaimer: I do not own 'That 70s Show' or any of its' characters. The title is a lyric from 'Tangerine' by Led Zeppelin.
I only find it slips away to grey
"Oh, really? That was Rick? You don't say."
Hyde snarled and stood upright. Jackie backed closer to the wall, her arms folded against her chest. Her lower lip jutted out in a strong pout. When her doe eyes met his, they ignited his fuse.
He left the counter and, heatedly, paced back and forth. "What the hell, Jackie? You want to marry that jerk?"
Re-energized, Jackie moved from the wall. Her eyes swam in anger. With a huff, she met him on the opposite side of the counter. "Excuse me, Steven, but what business is it of yours? OK, just a few months ago you were all cozy with Slutty Stripper Barbie." She paused and pointed, markedly, at him. "And we weren't friends."
He placed his hands on the counter-top again, staring her down. "Who the hell says we weren't friends?" He dared.
She rolled her eyes and matched his stance. Their eyes rested only inches apart. His brown taunted her blue and green gems. "You did!" She responded with all the volume of a pissed off Jackie Burkhardt.
He closed his eyes and exhaled his frustration. "Look, I say stupid shit, Jackie. You know this. But when have I not been there for you?"
She gawked and slammed her hands onto the counter-top. "Seriously? Where do you want me to start? How about when you shoved me into a lake?"
"I was just playing with you." He paused as she raised her eyebrows. "Come on, it was funny." She cocked her head to the side. Her eyes widened in aggravation. With a sigh, he gave in. "Fine. I'm an ass."
"Exactly." From across the counter, she leered. Her anger cancelled out his own. His fuse finally burned dry, he moved back a step and disarmed.
Resuming his pacing, he continued. "I may be an ass but that guy is abusive and you're not going back to him."
Jackie rolled her eyes. "Excuse me? As if it's your decision, Steven." Her arms crossed over her chest and she examined her nails.
He huffed. His chest expanded outward and his muscles tensed. Transcending the counter between them, he planted himself inches from her. He gently pulled her hands from her face and held them aside. Though clearly still upset, she gave little resistance. Their breath mingled in the air between them and created a cloud of electricity.
When he spoke, it was in a sharp whisper. "Jackie, you can hate me for the rest of your life. I guess I deserve that. But I fucking care about you and hell if I'm going to let you marry that son-of-a-bitch."
Her eyes softened. Her angry sneer melted into a confused pout. Her chest expanded and met his. The meager contact sent fireworks through his body. With a swallow, he lessened his grip on her hands and, instead, entwined his fingers in hers.
She spoke then, her voice a soft whisper. "Steven, you're leaving. Remember?"
"Uh, hey guys." They each turned at once to see Eric standing before them. "I was just, uh, getting some milk. We're taking bets to see how much Kelso can chug before he hurls." Hyde narrowed his eyes in a silent threat. No one had worse timing than Foreman. "Just like old times, right?" Eric squeaked the last part out before pulling two gallons of milk from the fridge and heading downstairs.
Turning back, Hyde watched Jackie shrink into herself. Pulling away, she gripped one of her hands in the place that he'd touched and peered up. "I don't know what you want me to say, Steven. He loves me."
She moved towards the basement. He shot out and grasped her elbow, turning her back towards him.
"Jackie…please." He begged with his eyes. Prayed that she would see it without him having to say it. He couldn't say it. It wouldn't be fair.
Pulling away, she stared. Her thought process reflected in her kind eyes. "No, Steven. I'm willing to put the past behind us but the future-well that's none of your business anymore."
The words hung in his throat like a nagging cough. He'd never hated himself more than in that moment.
She disappeared into the basement. Eyes narrowed, a new determination invading, he followed.
He would rescue his chick from that abusive asshole.
And he had less than two weeks to do it.
