December 22, 1981

Jackie sat next to Hyde in the cab they were taking to the airport. She leaned against him and he had his arm wrapped tightly against her. Jackie kissed his neck as they moved along the road. Hyde occasionally pressed kisses to the top of her head.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

"Jackie," Hyde said, warningly.

"Okay," was all Jackie said.

"Jackie, don't leave mad. Please baby."

"I'm not mad Steven."

She really wasn't mad. Jackie was disappointed that he wasn't coming but she wasn't mad. She had been hoping that he would decide to come with her. Now she was on the way to the airport and he wasn't going to be getting on the plane with her. And Jackie was going to miss him.

"I love you Jackie. I do."

"I know baby," she assured him. "I love you too."

The cab pulled up to the passenger drop off. Hyde got out and extended his hand to her. She took it and climbed out. Hyde wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her against him. He then moved to trunk of the cab to get her luggage.

"Damn Jackie, how much crap do you need for two weeks?"

"I needed clothes and shoes and makeup."

"Christ," he groaned as he carried the two bags.

"Oh quit whining. Let's go."

Jackie led Hyde to the counter. Hyde grumbled behind her causing Jackie to giggle. Jackie was up at the counter to get her ticket. The woman behind the counter greeted her then took her information. A moment later Jackie's luggage was checked and she had her ticket in hand.

Hyde followed her to the terminal where her plane would leave from. He sat next to her in the waiting area. Jackie rested her head against the arm she was clinging to. Maybe if she cried he'd come with her. Crying almost always worked with him. She knew however this time it wouldn't. Hyde didn't want to do this. He wasn't ready to do this. She couldn't force him or trick him or manipulate him into coming.

So instead Jackie held to him for the last few minutes. After a minute of sitting together side by side Hyde pulled her into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his head on her shoulder and began to kiss her face.

"I'm going to miss you so much Steven," she whispered into his ear.

"Same here doll."

"I'll call you every day."

"Okay."

"And I'm not going to take my necklace off at all, ever," she promised, referring to the necklace he had given her for Christmas.

"That's cool."

Suddenly Jackie's plane number was called to board. Jackie clung to Hyde for another minute. Hyde kissed her, long and slow. She hugged tight around his neck.

"I love you pudding pop."

"I love you too doll. Call me when you land. And Donna's picking you up?"

"Yes she is. And I will. God baby, I'm going to miss you so much," Jackie said as she began to cry.

"I know doll. But you'll have fun. I promise."

"I know but it won't be the same without you."

Hyde wiped away the tears she had shed with the pads of his thumbs before gently grabbing her face.

"Jackie, you'll be back in a couple of weeks. It'll fly by."

Jackie looked at him and could see he was doing this for her but he was just as upset as she was. Sure he wasn't crying but she could see his eyes behind his glasses and they were sad. He was using his soft voice with her, trying to calm her down, but she could hear the angst behind the words.

"I know."

"I love you baby. Go have fun. Go see everyone. I'll be here when you get back."

"I love you too Steven."

Jackie kissed him one more time before walking to board the plane. She glanced over her shoulder to see Hyde still standing there, waiting for her to get on the plane. She waved as she stepped out of sight. Jackie let out a sob as she did. She knew he was right. She'd get there and have fun with everyone but it wouldn't be the same without him.

A few hours later and Jackie's plane had landed in Madison. She stepped off the plane and glanced around the airport. It only took her a second to spot the familiar lumberjack. Jackie smiled and ran to hug Donna.

"Donna! I'm so happy to see you. I missed you so much. All of you."

"We missed you too midget."

"I have to go make a call then we can leave."

"Calling your mystery boyfriend?"

"Shut up Donna."

"I'll take that as a yes," Donna laughed as Jackie picked up a payphone.

Jackie dialed the number from heart. The phone rang twice before he picked it up. Jackie smiled as she heard his voice.

"Hi pudding pop."

"Hey babe. You there?"

"Yeah I am."

"Good. Is Donna there yet?"

"Yup."

"Alright doll. Go have fun. Call me later and tell me what's up, okay?"

"Okay. I love you baby."

"Love you too."

Jackie hung up the phone. She turned around to find Donna frowning at her.

"What?" Jackie demanded.

"You're sitting here grinning like a fool over someone I know nothing about. You're all 'I love you pudding pop' but I don't even know his name."

"Come on Donna. I want to see everyone else too."

"Fine. But I'll be getting more out of you about this mystery guy while you're in town."

"Whatever."

Jackie walked with Donna to get her luggage and then followed her out to the Vista Cruiser. Jackie got into the passenger's seat and it almost felt weird. She'd been sitting in the backseats of cabs for the past three months now she was sitting up front.

"So what's his name?"

"What?" Jackie had heard her but she needed time to think.

"What's this mystery guy's name?"

"Um…Sean," Jackie lied.

"What's he do?"

"He works for a record company. He decides what they will and won't sell."

"How old is he?"

"Twenty one."

"What's he look like?"

"He is so sexy. He has dark hair and beautiful blue eyes. And his body, god Donna his body," Jackie groaned.

Donna laughed next to her.

"How's the string bean?" Jackie asked.

She knew the answer. She had talked to Eric the night before for a couple of minutes when he called Hyde while he was in the shower. Even so she wanted to talk about anything other than Steven. She was already missing him and wouldn't put herself above slipping about something if they kept talking.

"He's good. He got a long-term sub position at the middle school so he's happy. It starts in January."

"That's great."

"Yeah it is. So how's your job? Do you like it?"

"I love it. It's exactly what I always wanted, you know?"

"I'm so happy for you Jackie. You seem to really like New York, between your job and your boyfriend."

"I do."

"I'm glad you like it but I have to admit a little selfish part of me wanted you to hate it and come home. It's not the same without you."

"I know but I don't think I'm coming back any time soon."

"I figured as much," Donna nodded as they pulled into the Forman driveway. "Kitty insists you stay with her while you're here."

"Jackie! I'm so glad you're here. I was worried that maybe your plane would be delayed with the snow and everything," Mrs. Forman called as she ran out the house.

When she reached Jackie she pulled her into a tight hug. Jackie squeezed back before Kitty stepped away to examine her.

"You look beautiful as always. And you're glowing. I'm so happy to see you."

"You too Mrs. Forman."

"So Donna says you had a boyfriend. Where is he?" she asked looking around.

"He couldn't make it. He had work," Jackie answered.

"Well you'll just have to tell us all about him in the meantime. Let's get something to drink. Are you hungry? Would you like a sandwich?"

"That'd be great Mrs. Forman."

Jackie followed Donna and Kitty into the house.

Later that night Jackie had seen everyone, including Kelso, Brooke, Betsy, and Candy. She was now lying on the bed in Laurie's old room. Kitty had told her she could call her boyfriend whenever she wanted and not to worry about the long distance charges so Jackie picked up the phone.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Hey baby."

"Hey doll. How was your day?"

"It was fine. I miss you though. Steven, I want to come home."

"Jacks, you'll have fun. You need to spend time with everyone."

"Don't you miss me?"

"I miss you so much baby but I also know that you miss them and they miss you. Just spend Christmas with them and then if you still want to come home I'll buy your ticket for you, okay?"

"Ok."

"Good. Now what did you do today?" he asked.

Jackie told him about seeing everyone again and how the group had gone to The Hub, just the five of them, for old times' sake. She also told them how they had asked about her sighting of him.

AN: There are only three more chapters so maybe one or two more updates depending. I hope you're all enjoying the story! :D