"I'll walk you home"

Jackie knew she should've left Eric's house earlier. Michael had bailed early; his aunt was in town and his mom wanted all the Kelso kids present and accounted for by the time dinner rolled around. Jackie usually counted on him to walk her home, but she, Fez, Eric, and Hyde had been in a heated battle over Candyland and she couldn't just leave! Now, however, as she pulled her coat on and looked out the basement door, she regretted that decision. It was dark and kinda foggy and Jackie knew what happened to beautiful girls who walked home alone on nights like this. Obviously, a whacko escaped mental patient was gonna murder her. That's what always happened in the movies, anyways. So, Jackie turned to her second choice.

"Steven, it's really dark and creepy out." she said, using that baby voice that made every man in the vicinity do whatever she asked. Except for one.

"Yeah, cool," Hyde muttered, focused on the TV.

Jackie cleared her throat. "I hope a crazy axe murderer doesn't kill me as I walk home….alone….on this dark night."

Hyde glanced up at her. "Fez'll walk you home."

"Are you kidding? He wouldn't be any help against a crazy person!" Jackie sputtered. Hyde opened his mouth, but Jackie cut him off. "And don't even think about suggesting Eric! He has all the upper body strength of a pool noodle!"

"Hey, that was hurtful," Eric crossed his arms.

"Jackie," Hyde sighed. "If I walk you home, will you shut the hell up?" She nodded enthusiastically.

"Fine," Hyde pushed himself up out of his chair. "I'll walk you home."

Jackie smiled, glad to have another victory under her belt, as they walked up the basement stairs and out into the night. The fog was really creepy. Even Hyde looked a little unnerved.

"So, Steven-

"Hey, you said you would shut up if I walked you home." he interrupted.

"But-

"Nope." he clapped his hand over her mouth. Jackie wrinkled her nose as Hyde chuckled to himself, obviously pleased at this gesture. He wasn't laughing when Jackie licked the palm of his hand, though.

"Jesus, Jackie!" he rubbed his hand on his dirty jeans.

She just flashed him a smile and started walking down the street. They strolled along in silence until Hyde cleared his throat.

"Hey, this is kinda peaceful. It's nice when you're not yapping all the time." Hyde smirked, glancing over at Jackie.

Jackie rolled her eyes. Steven Hyde was honestly the most infuriating person she had ever met. He never fell for her tricks or got all starry-eyed around her. He treated her like a normal person, and Jackie Burkhart was not a normal person. But, as much as he drove her crazy, she had to admit: when that dog ran out of the bushes, scaring the crap out of both of them, Hyde had grabbed her hand, pulling her closer to him. And she didn't hate that at all.