Chapter Twenty
Jackie walked into the bedroom holding two glasses of orange juice. As she walked in Hyde sat up in the bed and put his hands behind his head. She set his juice down on the bedside table next to him and walked around to what had now become 'her' side of the bed.
"Steven we haven't left this apartment in two days" Jackie whined climbing into bed next to him.
"I know, hasn't it been awesome" Hyde smiled at the ceiling.
"Yes, it has been awesome, but we can't stay here forever you know. We should do something, out there" Jackie said gesturing toward the window.
"Jackie it's freezing out there. We have everything we need right here. Next week we'll both be back at work, let's just make the most of this" He pulled her over so that she was now lying in his arms.
"Your work! That's a great idea Steven! Take me to your work. I wanna see where my puddin' spends his days" she said eagerly. "People are still there at this time of year right?"
"Yeah, WB is working, and my secretary is there holding down the fort. But really Jackie, you don't wanna go there, there's nothing to see" He didn't want to take her out. Right now Jackie was like his lighter, safe in his pocket. Except that in this case the pocket was his bed.
"We're going Steven Hyde especially now I know you have a skanky secretary working with you every day! Get up!" she demanded as she got out of the bed and went to the bathroom. She was going all out today to ensure she out did that secretary.
Hyde laughed, "Jackie, you do not need to worry about April okay"
"Oh, so the skank has a name then" Jackie called from the shower.
Hyde got out of bed and walked into the bathroom.
"Chill out Jackie, I don't know why you gotta get so worked up about this" he said as he hopped into the shower with her. She ignored him and carried on washing herself. Definitely not getting any shower loving this morning Hyde thought.
"Tell me" Jackie finally broke the silence, "is she blonde?" She looked up at Hyde as he washed the shampoo out of his hair.
"Yeah, she's got light hair I guess"
Jackie got out of the shower and grabbed a towel.
"Hurry up Steven, we're going out!"
…
Jackie looked hot. She knew she looked hot. Hyde knew she looked hot. Now she just needed to show April how hot she looked. Hyde's work was only a couple of blocks away so they were walking down a busy, wet Chicago street in the direction of his office. The short skirt and high boots Jackie was wearing weren't really suitable walking attire but she didn't care as strode on proudly. Hyde was two steps behind her dragging on a cigarette and watching her ass.
"C'mon Steven, hurry up! This weather is no good for my hair y'know!" Jackie griped.
"Fuck Jackie I'm going as fast as I can. I can't even believe we're going to my work, in my holidays, for fucks sake" he moaned as he threw his butt into the gutter.
Once inside Hyde's office building Jackie dashed to the ladies. She checked her reflection…perfect, she thought. Her baby pink sweater brought out the rosiness in her cheeks and her denim skirt was nice and short without being too skanky. She was undecided about whether to leave her black coat on or take it off. As she pondered this not-very-life-changing decision Hyde barged in.
"Steven, what the hell are you doing in here! This is the ladies!" she cried quickly grabbing her make up off the vanity.
"Hurry up Jackie! I just wanna get this over with" he said as he pushed her out into the main lobby.
"Fine, okay, I can walk on my own" Jackie snapped back looking annoyed. "But Steven" she then whispered, "do I look better with the coat on, or off?"
As they made their way into Hyde's office on the sixth floor Jackie put her shoulders right back and put on her 'model face'.
"Jackie why are you walking like that?" Hyde asked. "You look ridiculous"
"Shut up Steven" she said swinging back the door. As she did a lady who looked about 60 stood up from behind the front desk.
"Why hello Mr Hyde! What a nice surprise to see you here, to what do we owe this honour?" said the lady as she walked up to give Hyde a hug.
"Hi April, remember I told you it's just Hyde...no need for the Mr. Anyway, how was your Christmas? How's the grandkids?" Hyde said returning the hug. "Oh and I'm actually here, in my holiday time, because my good friend Jackie here just had to meet you!" Hyde raised an eyebrow at Jackie. Jerk she thought.
"Hi April, it's so nice to meet you" Jackie said stepping forward. She felt like such an idiot. Light hair, her hair is grey!
"Oh and it's nice to meet you too dear. Can I get either of you a drink?" April asked smiling at Jackie.
"No thanks April, we won't be here long" Hyde said as he started walking into his office. "Is WB around?"
"No not today Mr Hyde, I mean Hyde, Mr Barnett has taken the day off" April replied sitting back down at her desk.
"Good for him. Jackie, you coming?" Hyde asked as he impatiently held the door open for her.
"Yeah I'm coming" she said walking past him. Once inside she began looking around. "Nice office Steven. What amazing views!"
"It's okay" Hyde shrugged. "Now Jackie….. please, please, please, tell me what you thought of April? I know how excited you were to meet her…getn all dressed up n all. I'm just dying to know what you thought"
Jackie turned round to face him. He was sitting at his desk swinging from side to side in his chair with a huge grin on his face. She pursed her lips and raised both her eyebrows.
"Really Steven? Really? You wanna go there with me?"
"Jackie come on, you gotta admit that was pretty funny" Hyde laughed pulling Jackie down onto his lap. He kissed her neck and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I guess it was a little funny. But it's gonna cost you 'Mr Hyde'. I'm all dressed up now so you can take me out for lunch and you can pay for it" she said standing up.
"Yeah alright. But Jackie, hold up, I have one question I have to ask you."
"What is it? What's wrong Steven?" Jackie answered a bit concerned.
"Well, when we walk into the restaurant should I leave my coat on or take it off? What looks better?" mocked Hyde.
"Oh shut up Steven" snapped Jackie through gritted teeth.
…
Later that night Jackie couldn't sleep. She lay on her side watching Hyde sleeping next to her. So cute she thought. The last few days with him had been amazing. It had been like old times. Actually, it had been better than old times. There were no parents giving them curfews, or school interrupting their time together. It was just her and Hyde completely absorbed in each other.
At lunch he'd held her hand from across the table, something so un-Hyde like she'd nearly pinched herself to check she was awake. When they walked home after lunch he'd kept his arm around her the whole time. Yeah sure, he used to be somewhat affectionate when they were together years ago, but those moments were few and far between, and during their last few months together they had all but disappeared.
She liked this new Steven. She loved this new Steven. But she knew they were still living in their bubble, and the problem with bubbles is that they eventually pop.
"Steven" she whispered as she stroked his face. No response.
"Steven baby, wake up" she whispered a bit louder as she tickled his ribs. That generated slight movement but nothing else.
"Steven!" she growled in a loud whisper kicking his shin at the same time.
"Ow! Shit Jackie, what was that for?" Hyde asked lifting his head off the pillow.
"What puddin'? What happened?" Jackie asked innocently.
"You kicked me in the leg Jackie" he said sounding pissed off. "Why would you kick me at 3am? I haven't done anything but sleep."
"Oh Steven, I'm sorry, it was an accident as I rolled over. I'm sorry baby" she pouted, then began planting soft kisses all over his face. "But seeing as you're awake, I was thinking, we really need to talk about New Year in Point Place. When are we leaving baby?"
Dammit! Hyde knew this was gonna come up, he just wasn't quite ready for it at 3 in the morning.
"Hey Jackie," he said as he took her hand in his and kissed it. "I reckon we should stay here. Just me n you. There's gonna be a huge fireworks display in the city that night. We could eat out, watch the fireworks. It'll be cool man"
Jackie knew he'd do this. She knew he had no plans to take them back there. Since they'd returned to Chicago they hadn't discussed anything that had happened in Point Place. They weren't ready for their bubble to burst. But she had still wanted to go back and see in the New Year with their friends.
Hyde could see the disappointment in Jackie's face.
"Am I not enough Jackie? Wouldn't you have a good time with just me on New Year's?"
She could tell he was pissed.
This is why I didn't want a boyfriend. I don't need these kind of complications in my life.
But she knew Hyde wasn't just any random guy, he was far more than that. The last few days with him had been the best she'd had in a long, long time and she didn't want to give that up. She would have to make a sacrifice to keep the bubble floating…..she just hated that Donna, the Forman's and the guys were what she was sacrificing.
"Steven you are more than enough" she said climbing on top of him. "Of course I'll stay here with you"
Lighter in my pocket thought Hyde as she leaned down to kiss him.