Disclaimer: I do not own That 70's Show.


Back in the car, the pair sat in silence as the Christmas music played.

The tension was thick.

By the time they had paid and loaded the tree onto the roof of the car, it was dark out. The streets on the way back to the Forman residence twinkled with lights and good cheer although Jackie and Steven weren't exactly in the mood for it anymore.

Jackie sat on her side of the seat, which she almost never did, with her arms crossed. Steven gripped the steering wheel with two hands.

At the top of the windshield was the cause of their problems.

Hanging down over the roof of the car was the tip of the tree, obscuring slightly the view of the road for Jackie in the passenger seat.

As they reached a turn, the tree slightly rocked overhead and the top swayed in the windshield.

"Careful, Steven."

"Maybe if you hadn't chosen the biggest damn tree in the lot we wouldn't be driving with a forest on the car."

"It fit didn't it? I can't believe you wanted me to leave it. I find the perfect tree and you just want me to leave it behind because it's a little big."

"A little, Jackie? We used so much rope to tie the damn thing down you'd think we were preparing for a hurricane."

"Don't exaggerate. And stop saying it's a damn tree."

"Oh, I'm sorry. What would you prefer? A stupid tree? A fucking – ," he stopped short when he turned to look at her and found her holding back tears.

"Woah, doll, you know I'm just messin'…" he was confused and guilty. She usually fought back with a vengeance.

Jackie sniffled, "I know. I don't know…I guess it's just…it's Christmas. I just want it to be special…" Jackie said.

Now he just felt bad. Steven sighed, "Alright, I'm sorry. It's a great tree. Really."

"You mean it?" Jackie wiped her nose with her mitten.

"Yeah, doll. No one could've picked a better tree."

Jackie smiled briefly before pouting, "Thanks. And I'm sorry I kicked you."

Steven smirked, "It's alright. You wouldn't be the woman I loved if you didn't resort to physical violence. But I'd prefer if you saved that people other than me."

Jackie scooted down the seat and into his waiting arm, "Merry Christmas, Puddin."

He looked down at her and found her looking up at him.

He kissed her, "Merry Christmas, doll."


They pulled into the Forman's driveway in no time. They got out of the car and saw through the sliding door that most of the household was in the kitchen.

Steven slid the door open for Jackie before he followed her in. Kitty was at the stove mixing up some hot chocolate. Eric and Donna were hanging out by the stools. Red was at the fridge grabbing a beer.

"You're back! I was wondering if you'd make it back for cocoa," Kitty greeted them.

"Jackie had to look at every tree twice before she could pick one," Steven replied, walking over to take a seat at the table and grab a freshly baked cookie.

"Jackie Burkhardt doesn't bring home anything less than the best," Jackie said sitting in the chair next to him.

"Then could you explain why you're with Hyde?" Eric quipped.

"What did I say about burns during Christmas?" Kitty scolded.

"But Mrs. Forman, burns are how we show our love. If we didn't burn each other we wouldn't be able to show how much we care," Steven said.

"Yeah you should worry when we don't burn each other," Donna said.

Red shook his head, "Dumbasses," and left the room heading to the garage.

Steven stood, "Speaking of burns, I'm gonna need some extra muscle to help with the tree. So Donna, mind me giving me a hand?"

Kitty laughed before she could stop herself.

"Original, Hyde," said Eric.

"Maybe when you finally reach puberty that joke won't be true anymore," Jackie said.

"I love it when you burn Eric," Steven said leaning down to kiss her.

Donna hopped off the stool, "Ugh, let's just go get that tree before you guys get anymore gross."

Kitty ladled hot chocolate into four mugs, "Well I think its sweet. My little Steven's all grown up!"

Steven smiled at her and led the way outside to unload the tree, Donna following.

Jackie turned to Eric, "So Eric, are you finally gonna propose to Donna?"

Eric sputtered, "What? Propose? Who-Whe-Just mind your business, devil!"

Kitty dropped off a mug in front of Jackie and threw her hands up in the air, "You know what! I give up! Go ahead and make baby Jesus cry with your burns and terrible jokes!"

She left the kitchen in a huff.

Jackie sipped at her cocoa, "Just wondering. You've been living together for a year now. She's graduating college in the spring. It's Christmas. If there was ever a good time, it'd be now…"

Eric paused, "Ya think?"

"I'm positive. Cosmo says that this is the most romantic time of year other than Valentine's Day."

"I don't know…We've been in a good place and I haven't messed up lately. I don't want to ruin it."

"Of course you're gonna ruin it!," Jackie rolled her eyes, "But she loves you and you wouldn't be you if you didn't fudge things up."

Their conversation was halted at the door slid open with Steven backing into the room holding the top of the tree. Donna held the end and they worked their way through the kitchen trying not to knock anything over.

"You just had to pick a giant tree didn't you," Donna huffed.

"Oh can-it, Donna," Jackie said without much venom.

They disappeared through the swinging kitchen door. Jackie followed with her cocoa, as did Eric who wasn't gonna miss this for the world.

Eric swung the door open to a lot of noise.

"Wait! I'm not ready!"

"Donna unless you want to be buried under a seven-foot tree you better hurry up and be ready!"

"The damn thing won't land in the holder!"

Jackie piped up, "Don't call it a damn thing!"

Steven was red-faced from holding up his end, "I don't think this is the time, Jackie."

There was a thunk, "I got it in!"

Steven pushed the tree to get it vertical, "I'll hold and you put the screws in."

Donna's upper-half was out of sight as she worked under the tree.

Her voice came out from the branches, "I swear you better not let it fall on me."

Michael entered through the kitchen door, "Who got what in!?"

Eric gaped at him, "Kelso, you're twenty-four man."

"And?," Kelso replied, "Being twenty-four doesn't mean I've lost my sharp senses and sensual charm. Alright! Donna butt!"

They all looked down to see Donna's butt up in the air as she knelt. Everyone minus Jackie nodded in appreciation.

"Men are so gross," she said and sat on the couch.

Donna hopped up and straightened out her shirt, "How's it look?"

Kitty entered through the den, "It looks fabulous! I bet it's bigger than that smug Margarete down the street. Now we can decorate!"

All but Jackie groaned.


A/N: I wanted to get this out before work and before the week got hectic. Though I'm off Wednesday so maybe I'll be able to write some more.

I also realized that Red's been missing so I'll be trying to add him in more.

I'm also running out of Christmas songs that fit the story. This ones a bit sweeter but I think i can picture this playing even throughout all their craziness.