Description: this is a that I wrote earlier this year. I had writers block with it for a long time but finally finished it up recently. Its a Jackie/Hyde story, nothing new there.

Disclaimer: I may not own the characters but this story original and the character that I made up is of my own imagination.

Author's note: this is the first story I have put up on here in more than a year, I hope anyone reading enjoys it and has the courtesy to review it as well.

Chapter #20

(Peter's pov)

" Jackie.", I acknowledge as I walk into the bar and find her at a corner booth with a pint of beer. How does she get in here? Jackie's not old enough to drink. So much for coming here to drink her out of my thoughts. I thought telling Hyde to back off would solve my problems. Apparently I was far from wrong though. Jackie's made her choice, she wants Hyde not me.

" Leave me alone Peter.", remarks Jackie with an agitated scowl. Whoa she is not happy to see me. Guess I haven't exactly given her a reason to be. She has no idea where I'm coming from though. If things were reversed and I was interested in one of her best friends, I'll bet Jackie wouldn't want them to see me either. Why is she turning me into the bad guy here?

" I'm not here to argue, don't worry.", I confide with a heavy sigh before ordering myself a pint of beer as well. Guess its a good thing I only live up the street and walked here. After I'm done drinking it will be a miracle if I'm able to stumble home. Maybe I was stupid for thinking Jackie would ever want to get back with me. She obviously left me for a reason.

" Why are you here then?", inquires Jackie with a raised eye brow. Huh, she's suspicious. Can't really say that I blame her. Guess I would be of me too. I'm tried of fighting with Jackie and Hyde. If those two want to see one another, there's not really anything I can do about it. I could stop being friends with Hyde, but what would that change or solve? Nothing.

Taking a long gulp from my beer, I only offer Jackie a smile," I'm here to drink, same reason you are."

With a shrug of her shoulders, Jackie finishes her own beer," Why did you tell Steven to stay away from me? You knew that I liked him Peter."

" Jackie, isn't it obvious? I'm not over you, I still love you. Besides Hyde is my best friend, I don't want you to see him.", I explain with a frown on my face. Why is that so hard for her to understand? Jackie may not love me, but I still love her. I don't care that she doesn't want to be with me. But why does she have to go for my best friend? Why not anyone else?

" You still love me Peter? Why didn't you say anything until now?", asks Jackie with a look of surprise and confusion. Why didn't I say anything? You never gave me the chance! The two of us have only been at one anothers throats since you broke things off with Kelso and made your way back into my life. You made it clear you liked Hyde, you even rubbed it in my face when you kissed him earlier.

" Would it have changed anything if I did Jackie?", I question with an arched eye brow. If I knew it would have made any kind of a difference, I would have told Jackie I still had feelings for her that first day I saw her with Hyde. Then maybe things would be different right now. Maybe she'd be with me and not hung up on my best friend.

" I don't know, it might have. Who knows Peter?", mutters Jackie with a shrug of her shoulders. It might have? What kind of an answer is that? Either you feel the same way about me or you don't. Its as simple as that. Doesn't she understand that? If Jackie felt anything for me though, she wouldn't have gone after Hyde the way that she did."

With a shake of my head, I glance over at Jackie with a hurt look," That's not exactly the answer I was hoping for Jackie."

Looking down at her hands quietly, Jackie quietly responds," Yeah, I kind of figured that it wouldn't be. I don't expect you to let me see Steven."

" If it were up to me I wouldn't. I might be able to keep Hyde away from you, but I can't keep you away from him.", I remark with a long huff. Its the truth too. Jackie's not going to stay away from Hyde. She made that much clear earlier when she kissed him in front of me. Jackie knew I was watching them. She did that to make me jealous and it worked.

" Peter, I'm not going to make things more complicated than they already are. If you don't want me to see Steven, than I guess I won't. Besides I don't want to be the reason you two aren't friends anymore.", admits Jackie with a defeated look. She would just back off if I told her to? Just like that? Damn, I got what I wanted and I feel like crap. Go figures.

" Jackie, I don't want you to see Hyde. But I'm not going to stop you. Its not gonna change anything. You won't take me back either way. If you want to go after Hyde, that's fine. I won't like it, but I'm not going to stop you either.", I confide before rubbing my hands over my tired eyes. Who am I kidding? I was an idiot to think I could keep those two apart. From the moment I saw the two of them together, I knew it was only a matter of time before Hyde fell for Jackie. It didn't take me long, why would he be any different? (End Peter's pov)

Author's Note: the next chapter will be Jackie and Peter's thoughts. It won't be a long one. Please Review