The relationship with Fez fizzles out as soon it begins. She thinks she knew it was a mistake when it was happening but she was lost and confused and alone and the companionship was too alluring to turn down.

Less than a month after they kiss they're sitting on the couch, the deliberate six inches she puts between feels like a canyon, and he asks her point blank.

"You don't really want to be with me, do you?"

The excuses are on her tongue, ready made and easy, but instead tears are flowing down her cheeks and dammit, she can't lie anymore. Not to herself.

He's surprisingly sweet about the whole thing. He holds her while she cries. He says he isn't mad and it's for the best. He feels the same way. They were being silly. He still loves her, even if they're not in love.

But she knows then that Point Place is over for her. There's nothing left for her here. Donna, as strained as their friendship has become, is leaving to go to school in Madison with Eric. Michael is in Chicago with his daughter. Her mom is living with a boyfriend somewhere on the East Coast. And now Fez is merely a reminder of how alone she really is.

She doesn't think about Hyde. There's no reason to. Because that's all he is now - Hyde. She has no idea what's going on in his life and clearly he doesn't want her to know. She lost Steven in that hotel room in Chicago. All that's left are her memories.

So the next day she calls the producer in Chicago that offered her a job many months ago and scrounges up enough of her Jackie charm to get another offer. It's for half the pay they'd offered her before and she will have a ten minute segment on the four am talk show but she practically cries in excitement because it's a job and it's hers. She earned it and this time she isn't going to throw it away for a boy. For that boy.

Chicago is big and kind of scary but she loves every moment of it. She lives in a tiny apartment posted in an ad in the newspaper for a room she could afford with her own salary. She wakes up at two am everyday and walks almost ten blocks to the studio to do her own hair and makeup and buy all the cast and crew coffee because even if she won't use her parent's money for rent she will use it to butter everyone up at work.

It works and her segment is a hit. Soon she is a co-host and her paycheck looks like an adult's. She poses for promo photos. She sees it on a bus once and nearly gets hit by a car when she stops in the middle of the road and squeals when she sees it.

She is happy. She is genuinely happy and the craziest part is she is happy by herself. People told her this could happen - that she could find happiness outside of a relationship but she'd never really believed them. But here she was, trudging through a slush covered Chicago alley at three o'clock in the morning with a genuine smile on her face

She's reading through the stories for the day and something catches her eye. They're doing a story on a boy who fell into a freezing pond and was saved when his family dog pulled him out. It's a run of the mill, feel-good story they tell almost every day but she reads the first line. Two days ago in Point Place, Wisconsin...

Of course Point Place still exists. Places don't cease to exist just because Jackie Burkhart no longer visits, even if they should. But something about reading the words tug at her chest. Homesickness? Regret? Relief? Nostalgia?

She isn't sure and the reaction surprises her. She still talks to Fez occasionally and she sees Michael regularly, considering they live in the same city. But seeing the words and the picture of the pond over by Mount Hump below them sticks in her mind for the rest of the day.

When she gets home the phone is in her hand and she's thumbing through her contact book before she really knows what she's doing.

"Hello?"

The slightly high pitched male voice surprises her.

"Eric?"

"Jackie?"

The situation finally sets in. Eric and Donna are living together. That makes sense.

"Jackie? Hello?"

His voice sends her into a nearly overwhelming wave of nostalgia and surprisingly enough, glee.

"Eric! It's so nice to hear your voice."

"It is?"

"Of course!"

There's a beat of silence.

"Okay...well, what's up? Is everything okay?"

"Yes everything is wonderful, thank you for asking!"

"Uh...that's good. So why are you calling?"

"I wanted to talk to Donna."

"Oh. Well she's in class. I'll tell her you called."

"How are you guys?"

The continued conversation seems to take Eric by surprise as there is another long pause.

"We're good. Both taking classes."

"You're still in Madison?"

"Yeah."

"What are you guys studying?"

"Uh...I'm studying to be a teacher. Donna is taking women's studies to be...well a professional feminist, I guess."

Jackie giggles and she can hear the concern in Eric's voice.

"Jackie are you alright?"

"Yes, Eric. I am. I'm really great. I have a tv show."

"Yeah, Fez told us."

"You're the one who told me I could make it on TV when I wanted to quit. Do you remember that?"

"I did?"

"Yeah, remember? You said I was good looking and lie all the time so I'm perfect for TV."

"Uh...I guess I did say that."

"Thank you for that, Eric. I would have given up if you hadn't said that."

"You're welcome, I guess."

"So you and Donna are happy?"

"Yeah we...we are. Thanks for asking."

"Of course, Eric."

"Well uh...well I'll tell Donna you called and-,"

"How is everyone?"

The words slip out of her mouth before she can keep them in. She winces.

"Everyone?"

"Yeah in...in Point Place. Like your parents. And Leo. And...you know."

Eric sighs into the receiver.

"They're good, Jackie. And...Hyde is good."

The name sends flutters into her stomach. She hasn't heard it in months.

"Oh well that's good. Tell your parents I say hi, okay? I'm sure they miss me."

"Yeah well...I'll do that. You sure you're okay, Jackie?"

"Yes Eric. I'm sure. It was wonderful to talk to you."

"Uh...yeah, it was surprisingly nice to talk to you too. Take care, Jackie."

Jackie hangs up the receiver and a huge smile is plastered across her face. She's made friends here, good friends actually. Friends who are nicer and have things in common with her. But there's something about Red Foreman's basement that she can't shake. Those people grew up with her. They were with her for everything, even if they didn't always want to be.

A few days pass before she hears her phone ringing as she is rushing in the door from work, soaking wet from freezing rain.

"Hello?"

"Jackie? It's Donna."

"Donna!"

"Hey! Eric said you called. Sorry I didn't get a chance to call until today. How are you?"

"Oh Donna I'm great! I'm so glad you called."

"Really?"

"Of course!"

"Well uh...it's good to hear from you. How's Chicago?"

"It's fabulous Donna. A little gross but there's so much to do and there are so many people. You should see the shopping here they have every store you could ever think of! I don't think you'd like any of it, it's very fashionable, but it's like heaven I swear."

"Wow, that's great Jackie."

"And I have my own show, Donna. Well I have a co-host but everyone knows I'm better. He's old and has been there like forever so they won't get rid of him which is too bad because honestly he smells like my grandpa but I think it's actually for the best because it makes me look even cuter."

"Sounds like it all worked out for you."

"Oh Donna it did! How are you? Do you like school? Did Eric take all his dolls with him?"

"I love school. Everyone is really smart and I'm learning so much. You'd hate it all the girls here are like me. And yes, he took all his dolls but he agreed to only two lego sets so it's not so bad."

"Yeah it was great to talk to him."

"He actually said the same thing about you. I thought he was going crazy."

"Oh Donna don't be silly Eric and I were always good friends."

"Uh...yeah, okay."

There's a silence and it feels heavy. Jackie waits for a moment. She hears Donna take a deep breath before speaking.

"Look, Jackie I'm glad you called. I'd been meaning to call you for a while but…,"

"But?"

"Well I know I was a crappy friend last year. With all the Sam stuff and...well I feel really bad. I wasn't sure if you'd want to talk to me again."

A smile creeps into Jackie's face. She'd been hoping for this for so long.

"Thanks, Donna. I forgive you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I know you were going through a lot with Eric and Randy and...well I forgive you. I miss you."

"I miss you too, Jackie."

"Oh, this is wonderful!" Jackie squeals, hopping up and down in front of the phone. "I'm so glad we're friends again."

"Me too, Jackie. The girls just don't have the same bitchiness you do. It's not as fun complaining to them."

"Oh, Donna. That's so sweet."

"Well next time you're in Point Place let me know. It's not too far and we go a couple times a month to see Eric's parents and Fez and...you know."

Her heart stutters briefly and the mention of Hyde. Or the intentional lack thereof.

"Oh no, Donna you and Eric need to come here! Michael's here and there is way more to do than boring old Point Place. And you guys can see Betsy - she's so big Donna! You guys should talk to Fez and plan a trip."

"Okay, yeah. That sounds good. Thanks Jackie."

"Oh this is so exciting!"

"So you have a new city boyfriend yet?"

"Nope! I'm not even looking for one, can you believe it? I'm so busy with work and exploring the city I have barely even thought about boys. It's Jackie's time, Donna. I'm not letting some jerkface take that away."

"Wow Jackie, you really have changed."

"I'm telling you Donna. Getting away from...from Point Place was the best thing I ever did!"

"Well I'm really proud of you, Jackie."

"Thank you, Donna! Look I've gotta go my clothes are all wet and this fabric is far too expensive to ruin. It was so great talking to you."

"Yeah you too Jackie. Really."

And with the widest smile she's had in weeks, Jackie hands up the receiver. She feels so whole. She has Chicago and now she has Donna back. It's perfect. Almost perfect.

Two weeks later she rushes to the ringing phone, hoping it's Fez because she just got her haircut at the most wonderful salon and she needs to tell him every detail.

"Hello?"

"Jackie? It's your mother."

Jackie frowns, her mood sinking. Pamela Burkhart only calls when she wants something.

"Hi, mom."

"How are you, darling?"

"I'm fine, Mom."

"Oh that's great sweetie."

"What's up?"

"Well I have some exciting news for you."

Jackie rolls her eyes, leaning against the kitchen wall.

"Look Mom I don't care what he bought you. I'm sure it's great."

"No honey, well you should really see the necklace. It is incredible, but that's not it."

"Well what is it then?"

"Your father is being released from prison."

For the first time in her life, Jackie is speechless. It was the last thing she'd been expecting her mom to say. In fact, beyond their shallow, bi-weekly phone calls she'd tried to put her dad out of her mind as much as possible.

"Jackie?"

"Yeah, mom I'm here. I'm just...surprised. I thought he had another year."

"Well I guess he's getting out early for good behavior. Or probably bribed the DA or something I don't know. But I got a call yesterday and they're releasing him next week."

"Wow. Well...that's great news mom."

"I know. So you need to go to Point Place and meet him when he gets out, alright?"

"What?"

"Look darling your father and I aren't even married anymore and there's this gala next week I couldn't possibly miss. Plus you're his little girl. I know he'll want to see you."

"Mom I can't! I live in Chicago now. I have a job!"

"It's not a long drive. Work will understand I'm sure. You just need to go pick him up at the prison and take him home. And a few other administrative things and all that."

"Mom I don't even have a car."

"What? How do you get anywhere?"

"I live in a city, mom. I walk. Or take a cab. Last week, I even took the subway."

"Oh Jaqueline that is just terrible."

"Well...yes, it was. But I can't just get to Point Place next week."

"Well have a boyfriend give you a ride."

"I don't have a boyfriend, Mom."

"Oh my goodness this sounds like a terrible place to live. You should come live with me and Hector. The Hamptons are delightful."

"Mom. Not the point. I can't get there."

"I'll pay for the plane."

"Mom there is no plane! It's a two hour drive!"

"Well Jackie I don't know what to tell you. He's your father and you need to be there for him. Figure it out. I've got to run, I love you darling."

Jackie stares at the receiver as the line goes dead, her mind chaotic with emotions.

Her mother never fails to never come through. Once again Jackie is left to clean up the mess her parents have left behind. She briefly considers not doing anything. Letting her dad figure out his own way home.

But she knows she isn't going to do that. She's going to get on a gross, smelly bus and pick her dad up because she loves him and at least he hadn't actively chosen to abandon her, unlike her mother.

She knows Kelso would give her a ride but she decides against it. She doesn't want anyone to know. The last thing she needs is the pity in everyone's eyes again. She can do this alone. Just like she always has.

A week later she steps off the bus, her eyes falling onto the familiar Point Place Bus Station sign in front of her. It still has the same crude graffiti on it and the P in Place is still missing. She sighs and trudges towards the cab stand, climbing into the first one.

After a quick ride that stunk of stale cigarettes and body odor she pushes the door to her old home open. She drops her bag, shuddering at the echo. It's surprisingly clean so she assumes her mom still has a maid coming by. Probably in case Hampton's guy kicks her out.

She wanders into the kitchen, searching the cabinets in the fridge. There's a bottle of ketchup, four strange looking diet drinks her mother had probably bought from some infomercial she saw and a stale loaf of bread. Sighing, she grabs the keys to the Lincoln on the counter and walks outside to the car, climbing into the driver's seat. She turns the keys but rather than coming to life, the car gives a pathetic whirring sound before settling back into silence. Jackie groans. Of course her mother hadn't bothered to get the car looked after. Now she'd have to take it into the shop before picking her dad up.

She climbs out of the car, slamming the door shut. She considers calling Fez but decides she'd rather just walk to the store. She likes walking now and it's a relatively nice day.

Fifteen minutes later she steps into the minimarket. She's bent staring at the cereal options when she hears him. Well, she feels him before she hears him. She's not sure how but a shiver runs down her back and she knows, she just knows it's him.

"Hey Karl. Pack of lucky strike?"