Forman, sadly, was not in bed, but rather locked away in the bathroom, and thus cutting off access to kick his ass. So Fez and I wander around the house before Red tells us to get out of his sight, which ultimately meant: go down in the basement or leave.

So its been no more than five minutes since Jackie left that Fez and I find ourselves in the basement bored out of our freaking skulls. Which makes it surprising when Jackie passes through the door mere seconds after we do.

"Where's Eric?" she slams the door behind her. Loudly.

"Uh oh," Fez looks at me, a nervous quaver filling his voice. "The old Jackie's back. The bossy, domineering one. Except, I don't see Kelso. So why is she mad at Eric?" she turns to Jackie.

"Because Donna called him and he wouldn't talk to her, that's why," she says, clearly pissed as she sits on the couch.

Then, on cue, Forman flies into the basement from the kitchen and runs up to the phone on the table next to my chair.

"You guys. Donna called. I missed it," he swallows.

Jackie sneers and turns around to face him. "More like you ignored her. When she called me she said that you were too busy in the bathroom to talk to her," she looks at him derisively.

"Forman, how are you always managing to screw yourself over?" I shake my head at him, wondering how on earth he was able to mess even this up.

"Yes, Eric, its like you manage to always burn yourself. You don't even need us," Fez continues the disappointing commentary.

"So, are you going to call Donna back? Because she sounded really hurt and angry on the phone," Jackie says, a hint of warning in her voice and I have to wonder why she cares so much, even though that will do no good.

"Uh, yeah," Forman looks down at the telephone. After a long moment, he pulls it up confidently and starts dialing a number written on a piece of paper. "It's ringing, it's ringing," he sings, continuing his confidence. "Oh my God, its ringing," and then its lost in the blink of an eye.

"And Eric chickens out again. Quack, quack, quack," Fez says disappointed, and completely unaware of his cultural language error.

"Forman. What's the problem?" I just come out and ask, having had enough of all this bullshit.

"It's just," he gropes for the right words. "I want to tell her to come home, that I miss her, that… I love her. I mean, it's too much to say over the phone."

Jackie, oh so helpfully, decides to give him a word of advice. "Look, Eric. Just write her a letter. That's how I broke up with Michael," I tell him. Then I try to make him laugh. "Yeah. I was able to take my time and come up with good synonyms for," I hold up my finger. "Cowardly, won't marry me loser, run away to California jackass," she recalls, looking extremely proud of herself.

Her joy in mocking Kelso made me want to smile as well, but for some reason I can't, and instead I feel a sudden clench in my gut.

"Jackie," Forman speaks as though talking to a little child. "I'm charismatic in person. I've got these awesome hand gestures. And I kind of like, waggle my eyebrows when I talk."

"Wait, you do that on purpose?" Fez asks. And because that's not the point at all, Forman gives up.

"Thanks, you guys. That's helpful," he rises from the couch, looking defeated. But before I know it, his demeanor changes again entirely. "You know what? That's it. I'm going. I'll just show up in California, and like, blow her mind."

Before any of us can say anything to tell him how impulsive and rash his decision is, Mrs. Forman calls us up for dinner. The four of us all stare at each other silently, as though no one has a clue what to do.

Forman breaks the tension a moment later, turning to run up the stairs. And before I let myself think too much about it, I make a decision nearly as impetuous as his. "Tell Mrs. Forman I've got work," I call up to him.

"Work!" Fez jumps out of the lawn chair, practically knocking it over. "I've got to go."

"But, Fez, I thought you worked this morning?" Jackie asks him.

"I did, but I just remembered that I've got to go to the mall. Today is Fenton's challenge," he quickly disappears.

"We've got to stop him," Jackie turns to me as soon as he's out the door.

"Agreed," I nod. "But we have something else we have to take care of first," I head over to the shelf by the stairs filled with games and some of Forman's other childish knick-knacks.

"But Fez is going there right now," Jackie points at the door after him.

"Yes, and he has to walk. We don't," I find what I'm looking for then head for the door. "Let's go," I say, swallowing the sudden dread building up in my throat.

o-o-o

I take a deep breath before saying the words I wouldn't be able to take back. "Forman, there's a flight to California in four hours and you're on it." Then, realizing he's going to get emotional I add, "Before you get all gushy, we didn't pay for it. We stole the money from your secret stash…in the Scooby Doo thermos."

"You know about Scooby Doo?" Forman says disappointed, and behind him, Jackie looks like she could kill him with her bare hands.

Fez is the one who decides to dignify that with a response. "Well it was a good try, but you should have known that, eventually, I would need to take some cocoa on the go."

Forman stares down at the ticket and for a moment I think he might actually go for it. "Well, thanks guys," he says, and then he chickens out. "But my parents will kill me."

"No, Eric. We'll cover for you," Jackie encourages him.

Eventually we're able to convince Forman to go. "You're right. I'm going to do this. I'm going. I've got to go pack," he says with renewed energy. He flies up the stairs.

"Hey, let me help, I love putting together outfits," Fez says excitedly as he runs after him, which is surprising, considering everything that happened to him today.

After Jackie and I had picked up Forman's ticket, we went to look for Fez at the mall. Unfortunately, we were too late, having arrived while Fez was in the throes of Fenton's sick joke involving an embarrassing pair of leather pants which ultimately got Fez both fired and dumped by his girlfriend. And the cherry on top of it all? Fenton had taken his job. Up until now Fez had been down in the dumps and I wondered what brought about his sudden cheer.

I feel the cushions shift on the couch as Jackie sits next to me. I focus my attention back on the present. "Finally," I retort.

"Yeah, I thought they'd never leave," Jackie leans close and kisses me. I reach forward and pull her close, but after a moment she withdraws. "You know, Steven, it was really nice of you to get that ticket for Eric."

Again, I have to wonder why she cared so much. And even though I didn't want to believe it, I had a feeling I knew why. Kelso. If Donna came back with Forman, Kelso would too, and I couldn't trust that Jackie wouldn't go flying right back into his arms.

And so now I find myself doing what came to me easier than breathing. I had felt it coming since I found out about the phone call, and here it was. Sabotage. I couldn't stop it. (1)

"This usually works a whole lot better when you don't talk," I scowl.

Jackie looks taken aback, and I watch as her eyes turn to stone. And although this was the desired effect, I can't help but feel immediately guilty.

After a few seconds though, the ice in Jackie's eyes melt and she shrugs indifferently before kissing me again. And for some reason, that makes me feel even worse.

o-o-o

"I feel…like a new man," Forman grins as he steers us toward the airport in his Vista Cruiser. I suppress and eye roll.

"Eric, you were never a man to begin with," Jackie informs him from the backseat.

"You know, Jackie, normally I'd let that comment get to me, but tonight I'm like, so happy that I don't even care."

I realize that maybe this whole time, we could have just put Forman in his car to bring him back to life. He was only ever this cocky when driving.

"Yeah, well, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't even be going," Jackie fights back.

"Uh…how is that, exactly?" I turn around and look at her in the backseat, recalling how it was my idea to buy the ticket.

"Well," she starts, and I can tell that she's already given this some thought. "Eric, you would've been too chicken to do this if Donna hadn't called. And I was the one who convinced her to call you."

"Okay, Jackie. Whatever you say," Forman says to get her to shut up. Jackie, knowing that's exactly what he's doing, leans forward and pinches him. "Ow, Jackie!" he groans.

"Don't you mean 'thank you Jackie for your help with Donna'? If so, then, you're welcome!" she pats him on the shoulder and then leans back in her seat.

"So this is an airport," Fez says suddenly, his voice filled with awe.

I look out the window to see the airport looming in front of us and the lights from a plane course over our heads in the darkness. "You don't have them where you're from?" I ask him, not all that surprised after all these years of getting hints dropped left and right about his homeland.

The three of us walk Forman into the airport, still bustling with people despite the late hour. We walk as far with him as we can.

"Alright guys. I guess this is as far as you can go," Forman stops and turns to face us.

"What is that?" Fez points to something behind Forman, and I look over his shoulder to find one of the large conveyor belts that check luggage. I chuckle to myself.

"See you soon Fez," Eric pats him on the shoulder, ignoring his confusion.

Then he turns to me, and a look of urgency flashes across his face. Oh, brother. "Thanks again Hyde," he pulls me into a giant hug before I can jump away from him. "You have no idea what this means to me."

"Yes, I do Forman. Now, let me go," I say, not having this. "God, stop acting like this is the last time we'll see you."

"Well, you never know," he shrugs. "This is a one-way ticket. Maybe I'll love California and never return."

"Good, then I can have your room," I tell him with flat affect.

Forman opens his mouth to say something else, but before he can, Jackie comes up behind him and throws her arms around his neck. "Have a safe trip Eric," she says. Forman jumps away, momentarily taken aback. She glowers at him. "You know, I can be nice, I just choose to be a bitch."

"All right then. Bye," Forman hands me the keys and then takes a step back.

We leave Forman and head back to the Vista Cruiser. Fez joins me in the front seat this time, and immediately reaches for the glove compartment where he retrieves a bag of M&Ms.

"Man, how'd you know those'd be in there?" I ask him.

"Oh, I always hide a bag of candy in all my friends' cars," he explains as her tears open the bag. "There's some in the Camino somewhere too," I must look at him like he's crazy because he shrugs then. "You'd understand if you were a candy enthusiast."

The candy occupies Fez, and Jackie is noticeably quiet as well. At one point when I glance in the rearview mirror, I notice that she has lied down and was probably asleep. It was almost midnight.

I drop off Fez first, hoping to get some time alone with Jackie afterwards. But when I pull up Fez's driveway, she is still asleep.

"Ooh, we should scare her," Fez grins wickedly as he notices her reclined figure.

"Nah, man. Let her sleep," I tell him.

Fez squints at me surprised, and for a minute I think he's figured it out. I feel a lump in his throat.

"Ah, you're such a spoilsport," he frowns, but heads out of the car without waking Jackie.

I drive towards Jackie's house and cut the engine when I pull into her driveway and turn to wake her, but she's already sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"What time is it?" she mumbles.

"Uh, almost twelve thirty," I tell her.

"My father's going to kill me," her eyes widen nervously. "He knows Donna isn't in town, so I have no explanation."

"Do you want me to explain it to him?" I suggest.

Jackie leans over the front seat and smiles sweetly at me. I feel another pang in my chest; guilt after how I treated her this afternoon, especially since she had basically forgiven and forgotten about it.

"No," she rests her hand on my arm. "It will just make it worse if he thinks I've been with a boy all night."

"More like three," I tease her.

"Not the point. Okay, good night," she yawns.

"Night," I turn all the way around so I can kiss her. She moves her hand from my arms and cradles my cheek, before meeting my lips.

Then she climbs out the door and makes her way up to her massive house. I wait until she's inside, then I shift into reverse and head home.

o-o-o

Fez, having lost his job, shows up bright and early the next morning, even before Jackie arrives.

"Hello Hyde. How are you on this fine morning?" he says, extra chipper when I find him sitting at the kitchen table eating a bowl of cereal.

I shake my head and join him. "Man, how can you be so happy after what happened to you yesterday?"

"Well, its was my host parent's idea for me to get a job, and I'd have to quit soon with school starting in a few days," Fez shrugs. "Plus, it gives me more time to be lazy again."

I nod my head. "Hey, I can understand that man. Come on, let's go be lazy and watch some TV."

I lead Fez through the living room door and find Red reading the newspaper.

"Hey Red," I tell him.

"Good day Mr. Red," Fez adds as we move to the couch.

"Wait a minute," he says without looking up. "Where's the other idiot?"

Crap. Think fast. Unfortunately Fez beats me to it.

"Other idiot?" He feigns confusion. "Do we know another idiot?" he turns to me, and I have no choice to play along so I just shrug.

"Where's Eric?" Red looks up now, having had enough of this work-around.

This time I have an idea, and I jump in before Fez can make things even worse.

"Where's Eric?" I start. "Where are you man, and who wants to know?" I let my voice grow louder, and start off on one of what Red calls 'conspiracy theories' that drive him nuts.

"The U.S. government, that's who," I test how far I can push him. I sit down on the couch. "Like I read by 1984, the government will have tracking devices on all of us. And after that, they're going to jam electrodes into our brains so they can read our memories."

Then I say the one thing that I know will set Red off. "Damn, U.S. government."

Red puts down his paper and looks at me like I've completely lost my mind. "Damn U.S. government?" he asks. "Without our government, you'd be stuck in Siberia now, sucking the juice from a rotten commie potato." He puts his paper down and gets up. "Let me tell you something," he looms over me, resting his hands on his hips. "If the U.S. government decides to stick a tracking device up your ass, you say thank you. And God bless America," he's practically shouting by the end of his speech, and the next thing I know, he's gone.

As soon as he's gone I turn to Fez. "He's so easy," I say and we both laugh. "Okay, but maybe we should watch TV and be lazy downstairs. I don't want to ward off more questions about Forman, or they might find out."

"Agreed, brother," Fez says and we slip into the basement.

There ends up being nothing on TV, but still wanting to accomplish our goal of spending our last few days of summer break being lazy, we turn to playing cards instead.

"Aye, diamonds is trump?" Fez says when Jackie arrives from the door to the kitchen not too much later. "Diamonds, you are my enemy!"

"Diamonds are a girl's best friend, Fez," Jackie tells Fez helpfully.

"Well, they're my best friend too right now," I give Fez a cheeky grin. "High, low, Jack and game. I win."

Jackie sits down in the lawn chair and sees we're playing Setback. "Did you bid four?"

"Hell yeah," I nod.

"Why can't we play Candy Land? That game is so happy," Fez mopes

"Because Fez, Forman hides his cash in there," I come up with an excuse.

"Speaking of Eric, have either of you heard from him?" Jackie asks, and we both shake our heads. "Hmm…I wonder if he's seen Donna yet. Of course Donna hasn't called me yet, so that's probably a good sign. Or, it could be a bad one – "

"Jackie. You in?" I can't keep the annoyance out of my voice. She was so transparent; her obsession with Forman and Donna the weakest cover up for her renewed obsession with Kelso.

"Uh, no. I've got to go find my car keys. I can't remember where I left them yesterday," Jackie shakes her head, and then heads back upstairs.

"Hey, Fez. I'll be right back," I fumble for an excuse. "I'm going to get us some snacks, you know, so we can really devote ourselves to being lazy."

"Good idea," Fez awes. "Junk food and laziness. The perfect Amedican combination."

"Uh huh," I nod distractedly as I move toward the stairs. Really I just wanted to see Jackie alone, and get a better feel for her and this Kelso thing.

"Oh, hey. I found them," Jackie smiles brightly when she sees me, waving her keys in front of her face. Then she walks up to me and rests her free hand on my chest. "What are you doing?" she asks before reaching up on her toes to meet my lips.

"Well, I told Fez I came to get a snack," I explain when we break apart. I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her over to the refrigerator with me. "So I guess I better get one."

"Ooh, how about this?" she giggles before kissing me again, only this time she manages to slip her tongue past my teeth.

I move my hand to her back and pull her closer, content with this. When we did this, my brain stopped working and I could forget about the Kelso thing.

Jackie moves her hands to my hips before pulling away slightly. "Okay, look Steven," her eyes search for mine. "These last few weeks with you have been really dirty and really wrong," she says.

I wonder what would come after that inevitable 'but', except I once again find myself thinking about her and Kelso, and although I knew I'd regret the words that came out of my mouth, I say them anyway. "Jackie, talking is for people who have something in common."

Once again, I see the flash of hurt in her eyes, and how they quickly harden after that, as the hurt is replaced with anger. It's as though she turns to stone.

But after a moment its as though a hammer is taken to that stone and shattered; as if she can read my expression and knows that the lie that came out of my mouth is just an insecure protective measure.

I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

After another pause, Jackie does exactly what she did yesterday after I spit venomous words at her; dismisses it and kisses me again.

Before I know what's happening though, I hear Mrs. Forman's voice.

"Oh, good God," she says, and I take an instinctive step away from Jackie. "You kids switch partners more than square dancers," she shifts her widened eyes back and forth between the two of us.

First Red, quite possibly Bob, Leo, and now Mrs. Forman. Too many people knew about me and Jackie, and if we weren't more careful, that could quickly grow into a lot more people.

"Um, no its not what you think!" I try to throw her off track. "We're not together."

She's not buying it. "Then what is going on in my kitchen?"

"Um," Jackie takes this one, and the next words that come out of her mouth are brilliantly deviant. "Eric's in California."

And without another thought about us, Mrs. Forman disappears through the living room door.

"Jackie, you just totally burned Forman," I say as soon as she is gone. "That is so badass," I pull her body back to mine and resume where we left off before Mrs. Forman walked in.

"Okay," Jackie pulls away reluctantly after a minute. You better get back to Fez before he sees us too. Just tell him you ate your snack up here."

"Yeah," I say, fighting the urge to pull her back to me again. "Okay," I move back to the basement door, leaving Jackie to explain this mess to the Formans.

o-o-o

"Okay, here's the deal with Eric," Jackie says when she returns to the basement almost an entire hour later. She lays down on the couch, covering her eyes and takes a deep breath. I put down my cards and listen. "I told Red and Kitty that he bought himself that ticket so we don't get in trouble, and that the plan is for all three of them to ride back in Michael's van. I don't know if that's what they actually plan to do, but that's what I told Red in attempt to curb his anger. That's the story."

"Wait, you told Mr. Red and Ms. Kitty?" Fez grows confused. "Why?"

Jackie uncovers her face and looks at me nervously. I search for an excuse. "Um, because, uh, when I went up there to get a snack I tried to sneak some beer and Kitty caught me. Jackie threw her off track though."

"Oh," Fez shrugs, quickly dismissing it as he finds a bag of candy in his pocket and becomes quickly occupied.

Jackie covers her face again, and I watch her in my periphery. She looked somewhat disheveled today, and although I had noticed it this morning when she arrived, I hadn't really given it a thought. But now I wonder if something really did happen with her dad last night, except Fez is here and I can't ask her. (2) I also have to wonder if some of her stress had anything to do with how I treated her yesterday and just now in the kitchen.

Then, as if confirming my suspicions, she sits up. "Steven, do you have any film? Can we please have a Circle? I know there are only three of us. But I can't stop thinking," she says, getting worked up.

I can't hide the frown on my face as I watch Jackie curl in on herself, her tiny body trembling slightly.

"Fez, go get my stash, it's in one of my boots," I don't take my eyes off of Jackie.

"But why can't you…oh, never mind," Fez starts to argue but gives up right away as he moves to my room.

As soon as he disappears, I lean forward and pull Jackie's hands away from her face.

"Hey, you're okay," I can't help the softness in my voice. Then, without thinking, I leave a delicate kiss on her forehead.

I fall back into my seat; it wouldn't take Fez long to find my stash, but thankfully Jackie nods and uncurls herself, pulling herself into an upright position.

As soon as Fez returns, I light up and watch as the room fills with smoke.

"Let's make a toast," Fez says, still oddly happy about being fired and getting dumped. "With this Circle."

"A toast to what?" Jackie mutters.

It's not what I want, not at all, but I know its what Jackie wants, so I say it for her.

"A toast," I swallow. "To the end of the summer."

o-o-o

We were highly successful in our laziness goal, in fact, we didn't even have to try, as the three of us bummed out like recluses in the basement for the rest of the day. Fez only left for dinner, to which he promptly returned afterwards, and I had a sneaking hunch that Jackie never left at all.

It was nine o'clock when Fez finally got up to leave. "I'm leaving. They probably decided to stay in California for the day. I'll see them tomorrow," Fez says, returning to the other half of our group in California.

"Night Fez," Jackie murmurs, waking from her light sleep on the couch.

"Night," I parrot.

Awake now, and rubbing her eyes, Jackie can't help but yawn as she blunders over to the deep freeze and retrieves a Popsicle. Now that Fez is gone, I waste no time in trying to figure out what happened with her dad last night.

"You know, I'm sure they won't get here in the next hour if you want to go home and eat," I start.

"What?" Jackie glances at me confused.

"Did you ever go home to eat dinner?" I ask now, flat out.

"I went to have dinner when you went to eat with the Forman's," I can see right through her lie.

"Uh huh, that's what you said," I say flatly. "But I never heard the Lincoln start up, so I know you never left."

Full well knowing she's been caught, Jackie evasively returns her focus to where "Three's Company" is playing on the TV at low volume.

"I don't need to go home to eat. I have a Popsicle," she says after a moment.

"What else was in there?" I can't help but notice how small and frail she is. "There's some frozen fries. I can put those in the dryer for you."

"What?" this piques her interest.

"Yep. Rotisserie French fries," I smile, recalling the time I did just that before I moved in with the Formans years ago.

"You're insane," at least it gets her laughing. "And…no. That sounds gross."

"Your choice if you want to go hungry," I do my best to ignore the relief I feel when she smiles again.

Then we focus our attention back on the TV and say no more; the first comfortable silence between us all day, and I'm glad the comfort of it has returned.

"God, I hate this show," is the first thing Jackie says when "The Brady Bunch" comes on after "Three's Company" ends.

Although, I was pleased to see her feeling a little better, I still hadn't found out about her dad. I give it another try.

"Yes, this show absolutely sucks. Not that I'm complaining Jackie, but shouldn't you go home? It's ten o'clock," I fish around.

"I want to be here when Donna and Eric get back," she avoids eye contact.

My whole body turns cold, and I feel like a complete idiot. It wasn't her dad. She was waiting for Kelso.

"Is it those two who you are really waiting for?" my voice hardens.

"No," she says slowly, looking at me now. "You're right. I'm waiting for someone else."

"So you are waiting for Kelso?" I can't believe the audacity of her to admit as much.

"What? No!" she recoils, as though I might attack her. "Where'd you get that idea?" she looks angry.

"Then who are you waiting for?" I say knowingly.

Now she really looks, angry, but I'm pretty pissed off too.

"You know why I hate this show?" she says, her voice filled with a vicious venom. "Because Marcia is so freaking perfect, and so is her mother and her father…and he's not even her real father."

Immediately I feel like the biggest asshole in the world. So my original suspicion was right, and I felt like beating myself up for mentioning Kelso.

Jackie reaches for the telephone sitting on the table between us.

"I am NOT waiting for Michael. I'm waiting for this to ring. I've been waiting since I got here this morning. And you know who I'm waiting for on the other line? My father." She pauses. I don't say anything, urging her to continue. "Because he grounded me last night, when he has no right. He knows I'm here, I've basically told him as much. So if he 'cares' as much as he says he does, he'll call. And until he does, I have no intention of going home."

With every word out of her mouth I feel even worse. "I hate the Brady family too," I tell her, and then I get up and do what I can only hope will make her feel better.

Twenty minutes later the dryer rings and I retrieve the now heated French fries. I grab a few before handing her the bag. "Eat up," I tell Jackie. "It could be a while," I tell her hoping she understands that I am offering her a place of refuge without actually having to say it.

"Thank you," she says, taking the bag and I know she understands. "Can I ask you something?" she says hesitantly after a moment.

"You just did," I can't help it.

"What?"

"There. You did it again," I tease her, but when I look at her she is looking at me as if I have really lost it. "Never mind. Shoot."

"When Bud left Edna…did he, like, keep in touch with you?"

"Nope," she deserves the truth, no matter how much she may not like it.

Jackie doesn't say anything, instead she just moves a fry into her mouth.

"I'm probably going to regret this…but why do you ask?" I look at her.

"No reason."

"Look, Bud didn't just walk out on Edna. He walked out on me too. He wanted nothing to do with us. When Edna left, it was because she wanted nothing to do with me either. Does that answer your question better?" I am surprised at how much I admit to her.

Jackie doesn't say anything, but instead munches on a few more French fries. I really wanted to know what she was thinking. (3)

"No, but it answered a different question," she finally says, and I can't help but notice how vague her response is. But she looks satisfied now, so for her sake, I just let it drop.

o-o-o

I am jolted awake by the feel of Jackie shifting next to me. I glance at my watch and notice that it is eleven o'clock, then turn back to Jackie where she is pulling herself off the couch.

"Fez was probably right," she mumbles. "Eric and Donna probably decided to wait until tomorrow to come back."

And I know, I know her dad never called. I would offer her my cot for the night, but I wasn't sure if that would help or not. I was doing all I could just by staying up with her until he called or she left. And for some inexplicable reason, I knew that I would have done that until the sun lifted back into the sky in the morning.

But she had given up on her dad. "So, I'm just going to go home," she continues. "Good night."

"Wait," I pull her back down next to me on the couch to kiss her. It's a warm night, and we're both already hot with exhaustion, but still, I can feel her cheeks start to burn under my palms when I cup her face.

She scoots herself closer, and I move my hands from her face and tangle them in her raven hair

"I have to go," her voice cracks when she pulls away enough to whisper in my ear.

Instead I move to kissing her jawline, and slowly and languidly move my way down her neck and across her shoulder. She squeezes her arms behind my neck before moving them to my face, drawing it back up to hers.

Only now, instead of kissing me again, she wraps her arms around my neck and rests her head against my shoulder, and I know that all she needs is a hug.

I tighten my arms around her tiny waist; a hug didn't require words, so I manage to give her just that, even though it might be the only thing I ever can give her.

Footnotes:

1 – I had to come up with an in-character way to describe Hyde's hostility towards Jackie in the first couple episodes of season 5. Although throughout their time together he can be a bit abrasive, its done in a more caring way, if that makes sense. However, for the first few episodes (particularly 1&2) of the start of their relationship in season 5, he is actually very disrespectful to Jackie at times, which has never been like him at all, even in the first four seasons. So, I accounted this to his insecurities about Jackie and Kelso. We all know that Hyde has grown up with parents who eventually left him because he wasn't 'good enough.' So, now that he has something that's finally good (Jackie), and the idea of losing her suddenly pops into his head, he moves to sabotage their relationship because he doesn't know what else to do. Fortunately, we all know Jackie changes him, and he allows himself to open up to her, but he isn't there yet. This thing with her and Kelso is something he has to work out, so you'll see some of that in the rest of this chapter, and those still coming.

2 – Jackie did have an argument with her dad the night before. If you're curious about the details, you can read all about it in "The Renewal," told from Jackie's POV, but she does talk about it a little later on in this chapter.

3 – Hyde has no way of knowing what Jackie is thinking, but you as the reader do! In the original story, "The Renewal," there is a long description about what is going through Jackie's head at this point, if you're curious enough to check it out.