Hello! So I'm totally inspired and this just came out super fast. Thanks for the reviews and new follows/favs. Super excited. Please let me know what you think. This chapter was inspired in part by the Beatles' song Do you want to know a secret? I heard it randomly and thought about Peter watching Jackie before going to pick a present and then this came out. Hope you like.

Do You Want to Know a Secret?

Tuesday, December 25, 1979. Racine, Wisconsin. Karen Anderson's Christmas Day gathering.

"Pass the potatoes?" Russ asks. Peter gives the potatoes to Jackie who passes them to Russ.

"So, how did the interview go?" Jackie asks.

"It's on the twenty-ninth," Russ says, now eating his Christmas lunch.

"Maybe your face will look better by then. Can't imagine anyone wanting to hire you looking like that," says Aunt Karen.

"If you can keep a job with your sour face, he'll probably be fine," Henry says.

"Cucumbers!" Jackie exclaims. "Sliced cold cucumbers on the eyes and a mud mask and you'll be all better faster. I'll give some to Fez for you."

"Fez? The fruitcake that -"

"Auntie, it's Christmas," Peter says.

"It's unnatural. The bible-"

"We know what you think," Russ says.

"Felix, why don't you tell uncle P about school?" Leah interrupts.

"Mrs. Taylor said I should sing for the talent show!"

"Nice! Do you have a song picked out?"

"No. I told mom I wanted to pick one with you. One of the ones we practiced for my music class. Could you help me pick after we open presents?"

"Sure thing dude."

They hear Maddy, who's been sleeping in the playpen they set in the living room, cry.

"I got it," Jackie says.

"No, let me," Peter argues quickly makes his way out of the dining room. They sit around and eat awkwardly for a bit.

"Hey Mrs. Anderson, have you ever lit bottle rockets?" Kelso asks. She turns to her daughter and looks at her disapprovingly.

"Maddy smiles when Peter plays the guitar," Jackie interrupts, looking at Felix. "Did he play guitar while you sang? Maybe you can sing to Maddy?"

Felix nods. "He taught me the classics. Some Hendrix, Beatles, Zeppelin songs. He rocks the strings and I sing, but sometimes he shows me how to play too." The boy keeps talking about songs and changes the mood at the table.

"I like ABBA, Donna Summers, and all Disco" Jackie states. Russ snorts. "What?"

"You're such a girly girl."

"Yes, I am. Thank you very much."

"I like ABBA too," Leah argues.

"Cheerleaders," Kelso adds.

Russ nods. "Cheerleader dancing queens."

"Oh please, those songs are classics too. Happy, joyful, you can dance to classics instead of your angry music," Jackie argues.

"Children, you know nothing," Henry says. "Elvis, Dianna Ross, now those are classic."

Dinner finishes on a relaxed fun note and everyone heads to the living to open presents. Peter is sitting on a chair with Maddy sleeping on his chest.

"She's asleep again?" Jackie asks.

"Changed her, did tummy time for like five seconds since she looked at me like I was the devil then fed her and she knocked right out. She was awake a lot yesterday."

"True."

Russ looks at the baby longingly.

"Time for presents," Aunt Karen whispers.

"Don't worry about talking quietly, she sleeps like a log," Russ says.

"She does," Jackie adds with a smile.

"Okay then. This one is for Felix!" Leah announces. They distribute presents and Felix gets the most and is beyond happy with the clothes, toys, an atari along with fireworks and an Evel Knievel from Kelso. Then Peter carefully puts the sleeping baby in the playpen and grabs the biggest present in the room.

"For me!" the kid yells.

"Yeap! Coolest dude in the house. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas!" he leaps into Peter's arms. "Thank you!" He tears the paper. Jackie smiles. All her beautiful wrapping is gone but the joy that came from the ripping is priceless. Felix looks confused at a plain box with no labels. He has trouble with the tape and Peter helps him. "Ahhh! It's a guitar! It's a blue guitar!"

"You gotta practice after I go on base. Acoustic is the best start."

"Thank you! Thank you!"

After Felix excitement and him trying out all his presents the adults begin to open theirs.

"Here," says Peter, handing Jackie a small box.

"Thank you." She grabs a present and hands it to him. "Merry Christmas."

"Thanks. You first."

"It's beautiful," she whispers after opening the jewelry box. It was a thin silver bracelet with two charms, a cocktail glass and a baby rattle.

He whispers to her as they sit on the couch, away from the mayhem of Felix and his presents and the rest of the family. "These reminded me that we met the night Maddy was born and we got drunk as skunks. Sounds bad but that night changed everything." He takes the bracelet and puts it on her left wrist. "I have no clue what the future will bring. But I'm thankful you're in my life; helping at the bar, when my ex and brother screw me and their own daughter over, at the house with Maddy, when I go nuts and kick my brother's ass. You matter… so much. Thanks for everything, tiny."

Her eyes get teary and she pulls him close and hugs him tight. She feels a kiss on her forehead and breathes in. He smells like cologne, eggnog and something else that makes her feel… safe... calm… happy, something that's just boy. They separate, she feels his thumb caress her cheek and looks at him with a sweet smile. "It's perfect, sunshine."

"Good." He smiles. "My turn." He unwraps the small gift, opens a small box and finds an envelope. Once open he can see. "Aerosmith tickets!" Everyone turns to them and the shock and joy on Peter's face is priceless. "Holy shit! But it's for January, I don't know if-"

"I talked to Zilla about it and he checked in with your CO to make sure you have that weekend off. It's a two hour drive to Maryland but we'll totally make it."

"Awesome!"

"Aww, you guys are so sweet!" Leah says. "Picture!" She moves to take a picture of them on the couch. "Kiss her! It's Christmas and here!" Leah grabs some mistletoe from the doorway and throws it at them.

"What the hell!" Peter argues.

"Well, my daughter may be impetuous and have bad taste, but she's right. It is Christmas and mistletoe tradition," Karen says with a slight smile.

Jackie shrugs and then she feels his lips. It's a short and sweet kiss, but it gives her tingles and makes both of them blush. The present exchange continues. Kelso gives Leah a passionate kiss when she gives him a box of cookies and a gift certificate for the biggest fireworks store in Wisconsin. Jackie pulls a present from under the tree and hands it to Peter, "You should give this to him and talk."

He sighs. "Fine."

"You gotta minute?" Peter asks.

"Yeah," Russ says following him to the porch.

"Here," Peter says, handing him the gift.

"I left your present in the house."

"That's fine. I'll get it later." Russ opens the present and finds a baby shirt that says Daddy's girl and a wooden guitar pick. "Jackie bought the shirt and that's -"

"Dad's favorite guitar pick."

He nods. "I know you haven't touched a guitar since he died, but I thought he'd like you to have it as a reminder of your family. At least I did before… you know."

"Petey... I'm sorry."

"I'm sure you are."

"I can't imagine how you feel."

"No you can't, so don't. Jackie talked to me about Maddy and you and fine. You can try. That's why we agreed to be here with you around. You can see her and try to prove yourself. Call Jackie to figure out visits before we leave and for Virginia."

"Thank you, brother. I-"

"Merry Christmas," Peter says and turns to the door.

"Please Peter, can you please listen?"

"What's the point? We've been here before. You do things without thinking or caring about how your actions affect others. The rest of us pick up the pieces. You say you're sorry and we feel sympathy and hope and the cycle starts over again."

"Not this time." Peter sighs. "This time is different. Petey, I almost died and my daughter would have been lost in the system is it wasn't for you and Jackie. I know that. If mom and dad were alive they-"

"Would have kicked your ass long ago and I would be free."

"Is that what you want? To be free of me?"

Peter shrugs. "I'm tired of this… cleaning up after you and giving my all to this family without... Dude, I'm twenty-two years old and I'm tired! I'm supposed to be partying and enjoying life! Not coping with your screw-ups and betrayal and this anger I carry now! Or becoming a parent overnight without a clue of what the hell I'm doing! I love Maddy, but it's not supposed to be this way. I'm not supposed to be carrying your burdens over and over, again and again. It's bullshit!."

"I know. I know this isn't right and it's my fault and I can't apologize enough. I should have protected you and supported you, not the other way around. I can tell you the many reasons that I became this way, but in the end I am the big brother. I'm sorry I wasn't better at it. But I promise that will change now."

"Honestly, I couldn't care less. Not anymore. Just do right by your daughter. She doesn't deserve to carry your burdens. She deserves better than me. I was already a teen when this started, but she's just a baby. I will protect her from having to deal with this kinda crap. Jackie convinced me you deserve a chance with her and I'm willing to give that to you. But Maddy comes first and I will keep her from you if you don't live up to being her father. For her sake, don't fuck up this time."

"I won't. You'll see Petey, this time it's different. I won't let you down anymore. For Maddy."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"Do you think someday you can forgive me?"

"I don't know, but doing right by Maddy… it'd be a good first step."

Wednesday, December 26, 1979. Abbott's bar, late afternoon.

"Where is your better half?" Henry Abbott asks as he sees Peter approach the bar.

He rolls his eyes and answers, "home?"

"Don't be a smart ass."

"I'm not. We told you that we don't have a sitter for Maddy today."

"Umm... I wonder if there's someone who is currently unemployed and should be the one taking care of her in the first place?"

Peter glares. "Didn't you say I should be careful since I took responsibility for that little girl? Like right when we got custody?"

"And I had all day to think about how maybe you're right and Russ should get yet another chance. Remember you saying that yesterday or were those just sweetheart's words coming out your mouth?" Peter stays glares. "If you're gonna forgive your brother then forgive him. If not then don't, but don't play games, not with that baby in the middle."

"I said he should get a chance with Maddy. I said nothing about me."

"Then have him watch the kid."

"Maybe, but not today. I'm already here and Jackie stayed home. Happy now?"

Henry shrugs. Peter gets behind the bar. "Not so fast. You're on supply pick-up. Think you handle it without breaking someone's face?"

"Hilarious."

"Take Zilla. This is the big one," he says with a smile.

"What's got you so happily riding my back?"

"If we have a good New Year's we could finally pay off the loan I got after the first Russell mess. Then we'll have two instead of three to go. Sweetheart got the accounting and taxes up to date so I can take a little break to start the eighties. You and Russ are no longer in my house or above my bar, and there's something very satisfying about seeing his sorry ass living with my witch of a cousin and you under sweetheart's thumb. The world is a better place and I enjoy messing with you."

"Which is your way of saying you're gonna miss us when we leave in a couple of weeks."

"I'll miss my efficient accounting clerk and two good bartenders but not her mouth or yours. Now take these and have George help you," he orders, giving him a few receipts.

He talks to his best friend and soon they get in the bar's pick-up truck and head to the liquor warehouse and restaurant supply store.

"So, how was Christmas?"

"Good. Went to the Forman's and Aunt Karens. How was Chicago?" Zilla raises his eyebrows and smiles at him. "What?"

"Nothing. Chicago was awesome. Mom and dad say hi and baby sister is sad you're married, apparently the crush on you continues."

"Oh wow. I'll try to stop at yours before we leave to the airport for Virginia." Zilla keeps smiling at him. "What, man?"

"You know I stopped by your Aunt's house to give Felix his present this morning."

"So?"

"So Leah was gushing about how awesome Christmas was despite her mom. And how cute you and Jackie are and a beautiful charm bracelet, concert tickets and the sweetest kiss. You know average things with the wifey."

He sighs. "It was Christmas. The jeweler said it was appropriate for my best friend."

He snorts out a laugh along with, "bullshit. I've been your best friend for years. Where is my silver?" Peter rolls his eyes and he laughs at him. "You're so into her."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. Why else would you go to a jewelry store for her Christmas present."

"Because she's done so much for me and Maddy."

"Yeah and I wonder why? No one is that nice, especially not spitfire, insult you without even knowing I'm doing it, Jackie. She cool but she gotta thing for ya. For real, man."

"We're just friends."

"And you spend hours at the mall, frost cookies, search for perfect Christmas trees and buy jewelry for all your friends?" Silence. "If you think it's a secret you're wrong, man. I've seen the way you look at her. Even before Russ' OD and Maddy."

"That's crap. I was getting over Monica. I even slept with her. I'm still getting over her."

"You're over that bitch and deep down, like real deep, you know it. You slept with her for bullshit reasons, more habit than anything else. You're into Jackie, you just don't wanna be."

"I'm not. But it wouldn't matter anyway." Zilla raises an eyebrow. "She's in love with Hyde. He gave her some glass unicorn for Christmas and it really got to her. I caught her staring at it last night after we came back from Aunt Karen's. So there."

"You're jealous!" He teases. "Come on, man! Go for it with your tiny chick. That asshole left her for a stripper. No girl can forgive that, unicorn or not."

"Behind the sass and attitude Jackie is a good person, you know. I think she could forgive almost anything as long as the person asking for forgiveness means it and shows he loves her."

"That's crap and you shouldn't let her do that." They arrive at the warehouse and get out of the car.

"What do you suggest I do?"

"You're married, fool. Just make it real."

"It's all for Maddy. You know nothing else has happened." Zilla gives him a 'yeah right' look. "Not since the first night. Didn't know you were into snooping."

"I ain't nosing around your place. Not my fault you were ripping each others' clothes off at the bar before heading upstairs while I worked security. Ya lucky Leah and your uncle didn't see you."

They get to the door, turn in the receipts and the clerk brings them to an area with the boxes for the bar. They begin hauling things into the back of the pick-up truck. They're almost done with the boxes when Zilla starts the conversation again.

"You really haven't tapped that since that night?"

"Don't talk about her like that."

"You're such a prude."

"Get bent. Just because I haven't slept with many women doesn't mean I haven't done shit. Seven years with one girl, we probably tried things most people don't get to since they have to start over with new people."

Zilla sets down the last box in the truck and lifts his hands as if in surrender. "Sure you did. Jackie probably did with her exes too."

"Would you shut up!"

Zilla laughs. "If it makes you jealous then you should give her a shot."

"We made an agreement that we weren't ready. I kissed her and it was really nice, but it also felt wrong. I had just been with Monica. She deserves better."

"But now it's been over two months. You're raising a kid together and she hauls you to her ex's house, the mall, townie Christmas parties and shares a Christmas smooch. You're basically in a sexless marriage, so why not try?"

"Didn't I just tell you she loves Hyde?"

"Maybe, but she needs to move on and she likes you." Peter shakes his head. "You're so full of shit. You think Hyde is like Russ and Jackie is his chance to be better and if she loves him maybe you should just let things happen between them and get out of the way."

"He tried to stop the wedding and hasn't run off. Maybe he's not like Monica."

"Noble Petey at it, making things better for everyone but yourself because it's easier than fighting your own demons."

"Whatever man. I don't really like her."

"Bullshit. But, it's your life."

"Yeah, it is. Now, how much do you wanna bet the old man is gonna 'give Mary Louise a ride home' for New Year's and leave us hanging to close the place?"

George laughs. "That's not even a bet."

"Yeah. I should ask Jackie to insist on delivering muffins or some other crap on the first and catch him red handed"

They go on to joke about his uncle's not so secret lady and scheme on scaring Kelso into being the perfect boyfriend in a couple of days.

December 28, 1979. Driving to the bar after dropping Maddy off with his aunt.

Between Jackie and his uncle they convince him to let Maddy spend New Year's with Russ. They're discussing some details. "Fez will be there the whole time, making sure your brother doesn't drink."

"Okay."

"And they'll be at the Formans so Kitty can help with Maddy if anything happens."

"Yeah."

"And-"

"Jackie I already said yes."

"I know, but you look unhappy."

He shakes his head. "I'm not. Concerned maybe, but not unhappy. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Like what?"

"Our newbie replacements at the bar still not getting things, paperwork for base housing, paperwork to take Maddy out of state, packing." You.

"It's gonna be fine. The newbies are cool and I'll help with the paperwork and packing." She smiles at him. "I'm really good at organizing and I have no parties to plan for anymore. We should start a list of everything that we want to leave here or at the old apartment and then only worry about packing the rest. We'll be back at the end of summer anyway."

"Unless I get new orders."

"New orders?"

"Yeah. I can get assigned to another base or get another long leave or who knows. I can ask for a location or another leave like I did before. But the six-month leave I'm finishing is the longest stretch off base I've had in the past three years."

"Oh… I thought we'd be back."

"I can ask for an assignment in Wisconsin or Illinois. No guarantees though."

"Okay."

"You want to come back, don't you?"

"I guess I just assumed, but… I'm not sure. Maybe I'll like being on base."

He shrugs. "Most wives are cool with it from what I hear, but… I guess they love their husbands."

"And their husbands love them back."

"I'd hope so. You could come back."

"I-"

"We're here." He gets out of the car and she follows.

What does he mean I could come back? Like without him… like we'll get a divorce… What about Maddy? And this thing with Steven… but Peter. He and I are not really… but… why is everything so confusing?

3 AM Burkhart Mansion. Jackie gets done with her shower and goes to check on Maddy. She finds Peter in the room, watching over her crib.

"Hey."

"Hi. Just checking on the little one." Jackie nods. "Sometimes I wonder if she knows everything that's happened around her, but then she's so calm and easy, so content and smiley."

"She is. It's kind of amazing."

She watches Peter as he watches the baby. He's been nice all night as usual, but distant.

"About what you said earlier… you know about me coming back. I could, but… I could also stay with you." He stays quiet. "If you get new orders… I… I could go with you to another base after Fort Lee."

He nods then turns and looks at her. "Why?"

She takes one of his hands and gently squeezes it. "Because I care. Because you matter to me and you shouldn't be alone."

"I have Zilla. We've lucked out and gotten the same assignments as we requested. Even if that didn't happen I'm a grown man, you don't have to worry."

"If I don't then who does?" He shrugs. "You deserve to come first for someone."

He nods. "Someday I might."

"Maybe you already do."

He hugs her and kisses her forehead. Then he speaks softly. "Thank you, but... if Russ is for real and follows through he'll get Maddy back sooner or later. You'll be free and you won't owe anyone anything. You'll need to do what's best for you. Promise me you'll think about you and what you want. Okay?"

"Okay."

They separate and he smiles at her. "Good night, tiny."

"Good night, sunshine."

She doesn't know what to think or what this means. She looks to the crib again and wonders what the future can bring. She looks to the door and her heart beats faster. She's unsure of herself and walks out down to the living room. She grabs the unicorns out of the glass case and stares at them sitting on the center table.

What am I doing? Peter is… my best friend… my lifeline but now… I feel things and when he kissed me... He's nice and has a good heart and knows what it's like to be cheated on and betrayed. He's… not like Steven.

She picks up the blue unicorn. Steven… I still love Steven, right? My warrior who's damaged and needs me but… who hurts me over and over. Maybe it could be different if I told him everything but do I want to? I'm so confused.

She takes a deep breath. Think of what's best for me. What do I want and what's best for me? She opens her palm and looks at the glass unicorn on it and the bracelet on her wrist. Both are so beautiful.

And there you have it. Hope you liked it. But whether you did or didn't a review is always appreciated so look at the button below push it and voila tell me what you thought of this one. :-)