For the Sake of the Innocent

Chapter 14: Watch Dog

Author's Note: Thanks for the positive reinforcement, y'all are the best! I am a little unsure about this chapter, but let me know what you guys think. Thanks! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Not mine.

I just dropped off Jackie after what was assuredly a weird night. After the movie, things took an unexpected turn down memory lane. But thankfully, there was no fighting, there were no tears. And I can always count on Kelso to be a moron and make us all laugh to break the tension.

But man, for a second, I honestly thought I was going to tell her everything. And I mean everything.

And that's not good. I can't be taken in by the temptation. We've come too far to jeopardize everything. Besides, the baby is due in a month and a half and there is still so much to do.

Like Lamaze class. We start this week.

I pull the El Camino in to the Forman driveway and make my way to the Forman kitchen, only to be surprised by what I find.

Fez is sitting at the table with Kitty, obviously waiting for me.

"Hey, man. What's up." I grab a beer from the fridge and return to the table, sitting across from him. I notice Mrs. Forman looks nervous, and a little excited, and excuses herself in a fluster to go find Red.

Once she is gone, I watch Fez take a deep breath, and then begin.

"Hyde, you are one of my best friends. You are very, very good to me. Always have been, and I won't ever forget that." I take in Fez's stiff shoulders, his facial expression is careful, almost stern. I nod at him to continue, at a loss for where he could be going with this. "But I have come here tonight with the best interest of another at heart. As you know, Jackie has always held a very special place with me, and since you broke her heart into a million razor sharp little pieces, I have felt a strong need to protect her." I can't help but wince at the mentioning of her heartbreak, and I look down at my hands until my complacent zen is restored on my face. "So, I want to know what your intentions are with my Jackie. She still loves you, and could easily be persuaded to fall into old habits. But if you are only going to hurt her, well, you are going to have to kick my ass several timesbefore I sit back and let that happen."

I see that he is shaking ever so slightly. He's trying to fight it, but I know he's terrified. And yet I admire him, sitting up straight, looking directly into my face. He's more of a man than we usually give him credit for.

I remove my glasses, hoping the look in my eyes will ease his nerves. Then I choose my words with care. "Fez, I don't want to hurt her. Ever again."

He nods. Looks down a moment, and when his eyes return to meet mine there's curiosity shining through. "Then what are you doing? Do you still love her? Do you want to be with her? Or are you just being there for the baby's sake?"

I clear my throat and feel my neck getting warm. My eyes dart around the room as I shift uncomfortably in my chair. "I don't know, Fez."

His look suggests that he does not believe me.

And I decide that if he can be brave enough to stand up to me, then I can be brave enough to be honest.

He just better never repeat this to anyone.

"Well, I know I still care about her. A lot. But I honestly have no clue what I'm doing. And I'm trying not to screw things up, because the baby is what's most important."

He looks at me, almost sympathetically. And I take a long gulp of beer while I wait for him to respond.

"I understand. You don't want to try and thenfail andhave things awkward when the baby comes."

I nod.

He nods.

"Makes sense. But what if you try and you succeed? That could only be better for the baby. And for you. And for Jackie."

I lean back in my chair slightly, taking in what he's said, and the quiet in the room starts to sit heavy on my chest.

"Thanks, Fez. For caring enough to come here. You know, and semi-threatening me."

"Well, it was what Eric would have done." I watch as my friend reverts to his girly ways and chokes a sob back dramatically. "Ay! I miss Eric!"

I laugh at him, and reach across the table to pat his shoulder. "Me too, man. Me too."

"Jackie, you are not naming the baby Tiffany after the jewelry store. That's the most ridiculous thing you've ever said."

"But, Steeeven. It's a pretty name. It just so happens that it also makes me think of pretty diamonds and that makes me happy!"

"I said no, I mean no. Try again."

I watch her stick out her bottom lip and prepare for the pouting, but I will resist. For my baby's own good.

After a few moments of big eyes and whimpering noises she sighs in frustration. "Fine! What names do you like."

She crosses her arms and looks at me grudgingly. I smile because she looks so damn cute when she's angry. Then I shake my head to clear that thought.

"Uh, well for a girl, I still like Erica or Kathleen. I think naming her after people we know and love is preferable to naming her for a store that sells shiny rocks." I shoot her a pointed look and she rolls her eyes, but I can tell she is stifling a smile. "And well, for a boy, I kind of like Jack." And I watchher smile full-on explode across her face.

"Really, Steven?" Her voice is hopeful, her voice is soft.

"Yeah, and I thought maybe for a middle name Robert, you know, since Bob's been so good to you." I look at her, hoping she likes the idea, and feel a wave of panic strike me as I see her eyes welling up and her lips quivering. "Oh no, Jackie, don't cry. If you don't like it we can talk it out, oh gosh, is this your hormones again? I didn't mean to upset you."

I hear her cough out a laugh, but her tears are still falling and I am sure I will never understand women. "No, Steven. I'm crying because I'm happy. I think that's a beautiful idea. And you know Bob will probably cry when we tell him." She lets out another laugh/cry and I feel relief that it was only a false alarm.

My thoughts wander back to girl names when suddenly she takes my hand and I nearly jump from surprise at the contact. I look down at where she's interlaced her slender fingers with my own, and then back of to her face, her cheeks still gleaming from her tears. "Thank you, Steven."

"For what?"

"For talking about baby names, and putting together cribs, cooking me dinners and driving me places. And just for being so wonderful. When I first found out I was pregnant, I was so scared. And I was so sure that it was going to be justme, all by myself. But you've surprised me and proved me wrong on that, over and over again. And I am so grateful." She gives my hand a squeeze and then leans in to kiss my cheek. I look at her and her smile is wide and bright. Then letting go of my hand, she pushes herself up from the basement couch. "Kitty told me I could help with dinner tonight so I'm going to go see if she needs me yet. We'll talk more about this later?"

I only nod as I watch her generously flash me another smile, and then slowly make her way upstairs.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.