6 months later

Jackie smoothed a fingertip across her eyebrow as she stared at herself in the mirror. Other than a few wrinkles around her eyes she still saw herself as a teenager. She guessed everybody did when they looked at themselves. Maybe it was a coping mechanism. How else could people deal with their aging other than to pretend it wasn't happening? She quirked her head and smiled at her reflection.

"Jackie, stop staring at yourself. Can we get on with this already?"

Jackie turned in her chair and saw Donna grinning at her. "Yea, just give me a minute to gather up my things."

"I can't believe what's happening today. Did you ever think that we would be here at this event?" Donna said with amazement.

Jackie chuckled. "Well it had to happen eventually. I'm just so happy for him. I don't understand it and I'm not sure I want to but if this is what he wants then I'll be here for him."

Donna walked over to Jackie and sat down in the chair next to hers. Their eyes connected in the mirror and Donna felt a tear slip down her cheek.

"Oh no, Donna, why are you crying? What's the matter?" Jackie whispered as she took Donnas hand and squeezed.

Donna smiled and shook her head to clear her eyes. "No, I'm not upset about anything Jackie I'm just…I want to say thank you."

Jackie frowned in puzzlement. "Donna, you don't need to thank me for anything…"

Donna cut her off with a laugh. "Yes midget I do." She titled her head and sighed. "This last six months was hard, it was torture to try and rebuild after the accident. There were times when I wanted to give up, when I wanted to punch Eric for his chirpy optimism when I was in complete hell. But you were always there, pushing and prodding and making sure I did whatever I needed to do to get better. You wouldn't let me give up and you have no idea how much I appreciate that. Eric had to be there, he had to help me but you, you could have given me a slap and left after I had mouthed off one too many times. But you didn't. You stayed and I grew stronger because of your sheer determination to make it so. I owe you a lot Jackie. I know it's been years but after Sam…"

Jackie cut her off with a vehement shake of her head. "No, Donna. There isn't any point is dredging that up. It was years ago. It's in the past; let's just leave it there where it belongs."

Donna nodded. "Well I'm just glad that I have you for a friend." She stood up and began pacing around the room. "You know we were all friends once, all of us as a group. Sure it was a dysfunctional group, but it was still a group. We could rely on one another but we lost that somewhere. I don't know if it was part of the growing up process or what. Today almost feels like a rebirth. We haven't all really been together like this since high school. I've thought about this and I tried to pinpoint the exact moment that everything went to hell and nothing ever comes to me." Donna turned her head and looked at Jackie. "Was it when Kelso and I went to California, or when you and Hyde broke up that first time? Was it when Kelso decided to be a cop or when you went to Chicago? Was it when Eric went to Africa or when Sam showed up?" Donna shook her head and sighed. "I just can't pinpoint what the hell we did wrong…"

Jackie stood up and hugged her friend. She stepped back and worried her lips. "Donna, we all screwed up. Each and every one of us made a decision that altered the group and the friendships we had. I don't think you can point a finger to a single time or event. Things just happened. There isn't anything we can do to change that now. We're all adults. We all lead very different lives but that doesn't mean we aren't still a group. Over these past few months we've bonded again. I didn't think we would ever have that again but we do and we're lucky for it."

Jackie was interrupted by the music that had started to play. She grinned up at Donna. "Well that's our cue." She turned around and grabbed the bouquet of flowers from the table. "After you Donna."

Donna nodded her head and walked out of the room with Jackie following behind her.

Hyde fiddled with his tie as he waited for Jackie and Donna. He turned and saw Eric smirk. "Shut it Foreman." He growled.

Eric grinned. "Aww Hyde, you're so cute, all nervous and everything. I never thought I would see the day."

Hyde scowled. "Foreman, man I mean it. Shut it or I'll kick your scrawny ass so hard you'll wish Donna was here to protect you."

Eric chuckled and shook his head. "Yea man, threaten all you want…"

"Hey guys!" Kelso said as he walked up to them. Hyde frowned. "Dude, where the hell have you been? We're about to start any minute. Why the hell are you always late to everything?"

Kelso grinned. "Well they were having this sauna party at the mansion and I mean come on naked chicks and hot steam…there was water dripping down onto all their good parts and then one of the new bunnies decided she wanted to get to know me… if you know what I mean." He winked. "And then her friends wanted to join in and oh my god it was just…"

Eric stuck out his tongue and made gagging noises. "Ergh…enough Kelso. Please I don't want to hear it."

Hyde grinned. "Well it's good to know some things never change." The smile left his face when he heard music start. That last time he had heard this song had been the worst day of his life. He had wanted to do the right thing. He had thought that he was but he had made a mistake that day, just another to add to his long list of screw ups. He had never done the right thing. He looked up and was struck breathless by the vision that was approaching him. He had never seen Jackie look so beautiful. He took a mental picture so that whatever happened he would always remember this day and the smile that she had on her face, a smile that was only for him.

Jackie stopped in front of him, grabbed his hand and whispered. "Steven come on, we have to go. The procession is about to start." He stood there not moving and just stared at her struck dumb by how amazing she was. Jackie tugged at his hand. "Steven come on already…" Hyde shook his head to clear it. "Oh, right. Umm..." He tugged at his tie with his free hand. "Yea, let's go." He let her pull him forward up the isle. When they reached the waiting area he saw Donna straightening Eric's jacket. He let go of Jackie's hand and walked up to Donna. He grabbed her and hugged her with all he was worth. So glad that she was okay and that the hell he had imagined had been avoided. He placed a quick hard kiss on her mouth. She squealed and he gently let her go.

Eric frowned. "Hyde man, what the…"

Donna cut him off. "Hyde, I love you too, I'm really okay now so don't worry about me and don't ever do that again." She rolled her eyes and turned back to Eric.

Hyde just grinned stupidly as sweet relief poured through his soul. He felt a hand envelop his and he looked down to see Jackie smiling up at him. She was glad that he had made it here in time. He needed to see that Donna was doing so much better than she had been. Jackie knew how important Donna and Eric were to everyone and what tenuous hold they all had on each other would have severed had that night ended differently.

"Okay kids, time to line up. Oh don't you all look so wonderful." Kitty clapped her hands as she arranged the couples. "Okay Donna and Eric, you're first and then Steven and Jackie." Kitty smiled knowingly at them. "I'm so glad the two of you…well, you know…" She laughed as she turned and walked down the isle to her seat.

Four pairs of eyes rolled and then they all grinned at each other. Eric took Donna's arm as they turned and began walking down the isle. Hyde turned to Jackie and put his arm out in invitation. She smiled softly and placed her arm in his. They turned forward and walked slowly forward in step with the music.

Hyde stood next to Eric feeling that breathlessness again. He looked at Jackie and saw a beautiful desirable woman who he couldn't believe had not married and made some man luckier then he deserved to be. When he looked into her eyes he saw his future. It had taken him a long time and some pretty stupid mistakes to realize that. He wanted her with every fiber in his being. She was it for him. There was nobody that made him feel the way she did. He thought back on his life and knew that he was only really truly happy when she was there. He shook his head. God, he had been such a stupid kid. Always hiding behind Zen and aloofness and what had that gotten him? Not a damn thing. He was determined this time to make it work. No matter what he had to do or say he would do it. As long as she was with him he was complete in a way he had never thought possible.

Hyde saw more than felt Eric elbow him in the ribs. Hyde turned and focused on Eric. "What the hell was that for?" He whispered harshly.

"Make lovely dovey faces at Jackie later, pay attention."

Hyde scowled and then nodded just in time to hear the priest. "Will you Fez take Candy to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Hyde turned his head towards Jackie and saw the tears in her eyes. He was concerned until her eyes captured his and she smiled that glorious smile of hers. He mouthed the words I Love You as Fez said "I do."

He saw her eyes widen and her mouth part with shock. He smiled and winked at her before turning to watch one of his best friends get married.

Jackie closed her mouth in a daze. Had she read his words right, had Steven really said that he loved her? She took a deep breath and tried to calm the rapid beating of her heart. They had talked since the accident but they had hardly seen each other. He had been so busy in London. She had requested a leave of absence from the station and retuned home after ten years to help Donna mend and in the process she had mended herself. She didn't know if that spark that had ignited with her and Steven wasn't an aberration. She so needed it not to be. She needed him in her life and after being with the group again she realized that she needed them as well. It was a difficult decision to make but as Jackie looked around her at all of her friends, those friends that were actually her family she knew that she had made the right choice. When she had spoken to her producer he had tried to change her mind but she would not be swayed. She wanted this life; here in Point Place with her family so she had quit her job and she didn't regret it.

Jackie was torn from her thoughts when she saw Fez sweep Candy off of her feet. She laughed at his triumphant yell. "I married Candy!"

"So Devil do you regret leaving all that fame and fortune to settle in hokey Point Place?" Eric asked as he twirled Jackie across the dance floor. Jackie shook her head. "You know Eric, we're almost 30 are you going to call me the Devil forever?" Eric cocked his head and nodded. "Yes, yes I think I am" He said with a twinkle in his eye. Jackie laughed. "Alright scrawny ass it is then." Jackie's smile grew when she heard him groan. "You know Eric, I don't even miss it. I thought I would but I love it here." She saw Eric raise his eyebrows in disbelief. "I know I know it's hard to believe but it's true and I'm just glad that I finally realized it. I didn't even know what I was searching for all these years but now that restless feeling I always had is gone. I'm happy to be a part of all of this" She motioned towards the room with her head.

"We're glad you came home too Jackie." Eric glanced away from her and saw Hyde approaching. He stopped in front of them. "May I cut in?" Eric saw the warmth that lit on Jackie's face, he released her to Hyde and turned away smiling.

Jackie felt Steven's arms envelop her. She closed her eyes and burrowed her head into his chest. This is what she had been missing, Steven, here with her and all of their friends. She loved him still, even after all the crap they had been through and all the pain they had caused each other. She didn't want to be anywhere else but in his arms.

Hyde pulled her closer and breathed in her scent, the scent that was and always would be Jackie. She even smelled the same as she had years ago. He relished the feel of her in his arms. He didn't think it would ever happen again. When she had said goodbye to him four years ago he thought he had lost her forever and he thanked whatever it was that had kept him alive in her heart. He raised his hands and cupped her cheeks so he could look into her eyes. He saw so many things staring back at him but the most important was the love he saw. He slowly lowered his head and gently kissed her lips. He felt them part and he pressed deeper twining his tongue with hers. His arousal hit him hard as it always did when she was around. Jackie whimpered at the feel of him and tried to get closer. He tore away from her mouth and tried to catch his breath.

"Steven?" Jackie whispered fearfully. What was going on? Why had he stopped?

"Jacks, trust me I want that to happen, more than you know." He grimaced as he tried to calm his raging hormones. He ran his knuckles across her cheek. "But not yet. There are some things we need to get settled first." He pulled back from her slightly and looked into her eyes. "Jackie, when we were kids…" Jackie placed her hand on his lips to silence him. "Steven, it doesn't matter anymore. I talked to Donna about this earlier, we all made mistakes. None of that matters now. All that matters is you and me right now." Hyde tilted his head and smiled softly. "Jackie, for once just shut your pie hole and let me get this out." Jackie narrowed her eyes but Hyde knew her and he sidestepped before she could kick him in the shin. "Jackie, calm down. I've been thinking about this for years, the words I would say if we ever had another chance." He frowned slightly. "Jackie, we do have another chance right?" Jackie nodded her head slightly and Hyde continued feeling relieved. He shifted her in his arms and looked deep into her mismatched eyes. "Jackie, when we were kids I was an asshole. I thought the world was out to get me and when we started dating I didn't think something so perfect could be real. I kept waiting for you to figure out what a loser I was and leave but you didn't." He tilted his head and stared into nothing as memories assaulted him. "That night in Chicago…"

Jackie frowned and grabbed his chin with her hand making him see the present, making him see her. "Steven I told you, nothing happened. Michael was just…"

"Jackie, I know that now. I think I knew it then but I was so angry and it just felt like vindication, you know? I thought hey I was right, I knew she would leave and she did. I'll show her that I don't need her." Hyde laughed bitterly. "And I did, didn't I? I ran away and ended up making mistake after mistake. When I came back I hated you. I wanted to see you in pain; I needed you to feel the same shitty way that I felt so I let Sam stay and I went out of my way to burn you at every opportunity. I knew you were messed up, when you started dating Fez I knew that I had broken you and all I could feel was pleasure. I was so wrapped up in hating you for something you didn't even do that I forgot us, I forgot how great we had been. But through all of that deep down inside I needed you. I didn't realize that until you had had enough of my crap and moved on. And I knew I was too late. Then Diana came along and the wedding and everything got so fucked up." Hyde bent his head and leaned in closer. "Jackie, you have no idea what I felt that night when you showed up in Point Place. It took everything I had in me not to grab your hand and run as far away from everything as we could get." He lifted his head and sighed. "But I just couldn't do it. I couldn't abandon her the way I had you. I couldn't do that to another woman."

Jackie screwed her eyes tight as the tears began to fall. She didn't need to hear this now. She didn't want to know that maybe she just hadn't picked the right words or maybe if she had kept pressing him he might have left Diana and they wouldn't have lost these past few years. She opened her eyes and swallowed past the lump in her throat. "Steven, I…"

"No, Jackie, please let me finish. There wasn't a day in these past few years that I didn't think of you. The thought of you with someone else tore me to shreds but there wasn't anything I could do. I had made my choices and as always they were the wrong ones. I'm done making bad choices. I'm done with regret and anger." He cupped her face gently and swiped a tear from her check with his thumb. "Jackie, I want to forget the past, if you'll let me. I want to be the man you always thought I could be. No matter what it takes I will make this work because I don't think I can live another ten years without you."

Jackie smiled softly and placed her hands against his. "Steven, all you have to do is be you; the rest will take care of itself." She leaned forward and gently placed her lips to his; she felt his hunger and deepened the kiss trying to envelop him into herself. Hyde broke away and she felt the loss of him instantly. Hyde shook his head and grinned. "Not yet, M'lady, I still have something to say." Jackie tramped down the desire to stamp her foot and waited for him to finish. Her eyes widened in shock and she lost the ability to breathe when she felt him release her and bend down on one knee. Her eyes filled with moisture and she roughly wiped the tears away and made her eyes focus on his.

Hyde took a deep breath and said the words that he should have said to her years ago. "Jackie, I love you. I know I haven't always been able to say it but that's over. I'll spend the rest of my life saying it to you if you will have me. Baby, will you marry me?"

Jackie looked into his eyes and finally saw the Steven that she had known he could be. She saw the love shining in his eyes and at last it wasn't just a reflection of her own love. It was like a bright light originating and shinning from him. She took a deep breath to quiet her nerves. "Steven I…"

"What the hell is going on here, dude what are you doing? You just got out of this trap and now you're going to get your ass stuck in it again! As your friend I have to stop this…"

Jackie tore her gaze away from Steven in time to see Donna walk up and backhand Michael in the head. "Kelso shut up."

"Ow, my eye!"

Donna grinned at Jackie and Hyde, motioning to them with her hands. "Proceed."

Jackie rolled her eyes and turned back to Steven. She took his hand and pulled him up wrapping her arms around his neck. "Steven, I love you and I've wished for this moment almost everyday. Of course I'll marry you." Hyde wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around whispering so only she could hear. "I've finally come home."

Donna sipped her drink as she watched Jackie and Hyde dance. "Donna, can you believe it? Man, Hyde is so whipped." Kelso chuckled from his seat next to her while holding an ice pack to his eye. "Man, I'm never going to do something so stupid. See, beautiful people like me need to stay unattached so we can spread our beauty to the world." Donna rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say doofus." She saw Michael grimace and get a deer in the headlights look. She quickly scanned the room and saw Brook barreling towards them.

She stopped in front of them and leaned down to poke her finger into Kelso's chest. "Michael Kelso, you get your butt out of that chair this instant."

"But…" Kelso squirmed in his seat.

"Michael…" Brooke's voice rose dangerously.

Michael dropped his head and sighed. "Yes, dear."

Donna laughed out loud. God he was such an idiot. Brooke was way too good for him. "So, hot Donna…want to get a little frisky in the coat closet?" Eric wiggled his eyebrows up and down comically as he sat down in Kelso's vacated seat. Donna lightly slapped his laughing chest. She leaned in closer to him motioning to Hyde and Jackie. "Look at them." Eric nodded and grabbed her hand. "I know. I told him years ago that I thought he was happiest when he was with her. He blew me off then but I knew he loved her. I'm just glad he can finally admit it and put the past behind him." Donna turned her head and looked into his eyes. "What about you Eric, can you forget about the past?" She whispered softly. Eric raised his head and glanced around the room. He saw Kelso grab Brooke's ass and her answering slap to his chest. His eyes skittered past them to Fez and Candy. Eric smirked when he saw what he could only guess were chocolate hand prints all over the back of Candy's dress. His eyes roamed further to where Hyde and Jackie danced. Jackie looked radiant and Hyde looked happier than Eric had ever seen him.

"Eric?" Eric heard the shakiness in Donna's voice. He turned to her gentry cupping her cheeks. "Donna, it's forgotten." He gently skimmed her lips with his own savoring the taste of her. He heard the band change songs as he pulled back. "Would you like to dance?" Donna nodded, placing her hand in his. "There is nothing I would rather do." As Eric pulled her to the dance floor her gaze fell to the three couples who were already there. A smile lit on her face and she realized that everything moved in circles, and although it had taken more than ten years the circle was finally whole.

FIN

A/N: Liked it, hated it….. Either way review it  I've got another story running around in my head... something that starts with a little H/D but morphs into something else entirely and I couldn't start that until this was finished. It felt absurdly like cheating. I hope you all enjoyed my little story.