Hyde sat in the basement of the Foreman's with boxes littered all around him. He took a long swig of his beer as he rewinded the tape Mrs. Foreman had mailed to Eric while he was in Africa. For the thousandth time, he played the fight Kitty had recorded and listened to how foolish he had been.

"Steven, I never even slept with Micheal!"

"Yeah right, because Kelso's always showing up at my hotel room naked with a bucket of ice!"

"You know this is your fault too."

Click

He'd reached the end of the tape again.

Again he rewinded back and listened, with his eyes closed.

"I am such an idiot." He said to no one.

"Are you just figuring that out?" Donna asked halfway down the steps. She looked around at the debris from Hyde's furious search.

"What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the rehearsal?" He spat.

"Yeah well, Kitty and I flipped a coin to see who got to handle Jackie," Donna grumbled as she grabbed a beer and sat down on the couch.

Hyde's brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"

She glared at him, "Is that a joke? Steven Hyde, you are such a jerk. Do you have any idea what you've put Jackie through all of these years? All because you wouldn't listen. I've sat quietly while the two of you dealt with all your crap and stayed away from each other. I even encouraged you to stay with your 'wife'" she said making dramatic air quotes, "Because I thought you would both be better off apart."

"Did you come over here just to gloat?" Hyde demanded.

"You know, you kind of deserve it. After everything you put her through, why now? Why is it so important that you listen after all this time?" She gestured to the tape recorder in his hands.

Anger flared in Hyde's chest as he demanded, "Why didn't you tell me she was telling the truth?"

"Why wasn't Jackies word enough?" Donna demanded as she stood to tower over him in his chair. "Jackie loved you, Hyde! In a way that she has never loved anyone else. You know that. Because despite the zen master bullshit you try to preach, you know Jackie as well as I do. She may be a lot to handle, but she is an amazing person, and she deserved for you to believe her."

Hyde stood, throwing the tape recorder across the room and turning away to face the stairs. Donna waited patiently as he pulled himself together.

Without turning around, Hyde asked, "What did you mean when you said one of you would handle Jackie?"

Donna sighed, "You really don't know?"

He turned, with a pleading look in his eyes. "Why can't you just leave me alone? Jackie is marrying Kelso. She's made it very plain that he chooses him."

"And by all accounts maybe she should. If I'm being honest Hyde, I think this is a mistake. But I'm here for Jackie, not you."

Hyde shook his head, not understanding.

"Jackie can't marry Kelso until she works through whatever is going on here." She gestured to Hyde.

His heart skipped a beat. "Did she say something?"

"No," Donna said plainly when he took an eager step toward her. "But you are an idiot if you don't realize she still feels something for you."

Hyde's fist clenched. "Maybe that's not enough."

Donna shrugged, "Maybe it isn't. But she can't marry anyone until she knows for sure."

Relief began to wash over Hyde, and his breathing quickened.

"Hyde," Donna said seriously, "If you hurt her again I swear I'll kill you."

He looked at his old friend, knowing she meant every word. He nodded, not looking at her.

After a moment, Donna moved to leave. She was halfway out the basement door when Hyde called, "If she comes back, I'll never let her go again."

Donna said nothing as she closed the door behind her.