Warped

by JJOAS

A 30 year old get's reincarnated into the body of one ten year old Jackie Burckhart and because of this cosmic hiccup this That 70's Show dimension get's a little warped. Slice of life.

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4: 1978

I sat on my couch with my legs tucked under me, and watched Eric zone out once more. My grape soda felt icy against my hands and I watched Donna take another irritated drink out of her glass. We'd never get anywhere in our conversation if he kept doing that, "Eric, you're like a million miles away."

Donna shot him a concerned look rubbing his shoulder gently, "What's going on, Eric?" Eric shook his head sighing resting his elbows on his thighs and propping his head up with fisted hands.

I scooted over and poked his other shoulder gently, "Are you okay?" Was it something bad? Did someone die? In either case we'd pry whatever was bothering him out, Eric could never really keep a secret from someone. He'd be make an awful spy.

Eric bit his lip and sighed bouncing his knee, "I have to tell you guys something, but you have to promise you won't tell anybody else." He searched our faces with worried eyes and I could tell that whatever he wanted to tell us was pretty important.

Donna widened her eyes and scooted impossibly close to Eric, "Dirt! I swear I won't."

I raised an eyebrow at him and nodded, "I promise, but if you're telling me, you're basically telling Steven too."

Eric sighed and bounced on his heels, "Fine."

Donna rolled her eyes at him and shook his shoulder gently, "Now tell us."

I gave him an expectant look and Eric's resolve crumbled, "Annie's pregnant."

Donna did a spit take spraying water all over Eric, "What!?"

I almost choked on my grape soda, "What?!" This was certainly an interesting development.

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The afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass of the HUB, the warmth highlighting everyone in the restaurant. However, as much as I loved lounging in the sunlight; inside or outside, I couldn't enjoy it today.

I sat agitated out of my mind watching Annie interact with everyone as if nothing major was happening. Steven rubbed my knee softly and it did nothing to calm me. I gave him a strained smile and he squeezed my other hand gently.

Annie tossed her hair over her shoulder rolling her eyes, "Of course I support the Wolverines. I have to. I'm a cheerleader, not a cheer-liar." No, you're cheer-pregnant.

Michael ignored Annie stealing her fries now and again, "And then, in the dream, two of The Three Stooges fed me grapes while I played them a beautiful song on my accordion in the nude."

Steven deadpanned, "Somehow the accordion part bothers me more than the nude part." I popped a fry into my mouth trying to distract myself when I had a sudden idea. We had to talk to Annie. Eric wasn't that forthcoming with the details, and details made all the difference in life. I subtly motioned with my head toward the bathroom once I had caught Donna's eye. She subtly nodded in return.

Annie slapped Michael's hand away from stealing more of her fries, "Michael, stop it!" I scowled at Michael, Donna shot him a dirty look, Steven glared at him, and Eric couldn't look at him right now.

Michael looked around and whined, "What'd I do?"

Annie sighed and shook her head, "Look, I just need all the food I can get right now."

I slid off of Steven's lap and Donna followed suit, "Annette we have to go to the bathroom. Come with us."

Annie gazed at us with wide eyes that shimmered slightly, "Oh my God. Donna, Lin, you have never asked me to go to the bathroom with you before."

Donna nodded and deadpanned, "Yeah, it's a big day."

Annie dabbed at her eyes and grinned while I pulled her out of her seat. We flanked her and speedily made it to the bathroom. Hopefully she'd tell us what the hell was going on.

…

Michael let out an irritated breath, "Man, she has been acting so weird lately. I'm telling you guys, I think it's time I break up with her."

Steven glared at him sneering, "That's real nice, Kelso. Don't be a dick."

Eric nodded giving him a cold glare, "Why don't you grow up, Kelso and figure yourself out?"

….

We entered a luckily empty bathroom and I made sure to lock the door behind us. I gently held Annie's shoulders and stared at her dead in the eye, "So, is it true?"

Annie frowned deflating from her previously happy mood, "Yes, Lin, it is true. I am carrying Michael Kelso's child."

Donna threw her hands up and started pacing, "Annie, you're a sophomore!"

I shook my head letting go of her shoulders. I shot her a disbelieving look, "How can you be so stupid?" I started pacing around the small bathroom trying to stem my frustration with this entire situation.

Annie pouted leaning against the sinks, "Because I'm a sophomore?" I wracked my hands through my short loose curls and felt the need to tug at my hair. Inwardly I cursed, that's a horrible excuse. Just…ughhh!

Donna let out an exasperated sigh, "Why didn't you, like, you know, use something?"

I nodded firmly scowling, "Yeah, like condoms." Michael couldn't take care of himself, let alone a baby and Annette.

Donna shot me a shocked look, "Lin!" Annie covered her mouth, her eyes wide.

I rolled my eyes. I kept forgetting how taboo some words and topics were in this era. Well fuck it. This had to be said. "It's okay to say condoms, Donna. If they'd used that or any other form of birth control, she wouldn't be knocked up right now. Well no that's wrong, but still you get my point." I sighed and flipped my hair out of my eyes while I tugged back my slipping bra strap.

Annie pouted again, crossing her arms in front of her chest, "Look, I would have, but my cousin Carla told me that I could not get pregnant for eight days after my period." Seriously? And you believed that?

Donna nodded understandingly, "Okay. Eight days after your first day or your last day?" You too Donna? I thought you would have some common sense about this. Damn it.

Annie shrugged helplessly, "I don't know. Carla never called me back."

I let out a frustrated growl and shot both girls an exasperated look, "Your cousin Carla is an idiot, Annette. You can totally get pregnant around your period days even if it's eight days after or before. Didn't you pay attention in health class?" Although from what I recalled back in history class this was the era where celibacy over safe sex practices were taught to most states.

Donna looked at me curiously, "Really?"

I threw up my hands wide-eyed, "Yes, really!"

Annette burst into dry sobs, "My God, Donna, Lin, having this child is gonna ruin my whole life!" Donna came closer to Annette and wrapped an arm around her and I stopped my pacing letting out a deep sigh.

Donna rubbed her shoulder quietly saying, "Yeah."

I nodded and awkwardly joined in trying to comfort her, "Yeah. Kinda." Having a kid this early when I know the two of them could hardly take care of themselves. I mean, seriously! Michael just fell off the water tower last week again.

Annette let out a sad whine, "I'll have to wear flats, I'll gain weight, AND I'll be too fat to cheer."

My right eye twitched and I could see that Donna looked flabbergasted, "Not to mention the fact you'll have a baby to take care of. That you will be responsible for raising into hopefully a decent human being."

Donna nodded and added firmly, "Exactly." I really hoped that the importance of what we were trying to convey to Annette was actually getting through to her for once.

Annette looked up and gave us a pathetic look, "Guys, what am I gonna do? I'm in so much trouble."

I patted Annette's shoulder gently, "Annette, it's going to be alright." I was still really frustrated with them, but it had cooled somewhat after all of this.

Donna sighed and pulled Annette into a loose hug, "We'll get through this, and you'll be okay. What does Kelso say about all this?"

Annette yanked herself away from us shaking her head furiously, "No! I cannot tell Michael. It's way too embarrassing." She hid her face in her hands refusing to look at us. What was with this chick?

Donna let out a disgruntled shout, "Annie!" She raised her eyebrow at her and looked like she was going to start ranting, but I beat her to it.

I had the ever increasing urge to shake Annette silly, but managed to control myself. I snarled, "Annette, are you fucking serious right now? You had unsafe sex with him, and this- This is the consequence of unprotected sex. Embarrassing or not you have to talk about it, especially with him." I didn't exactly understand why I was so aggravated, but… I think it was because of how nonchalant they were about this. This was a big freaking deal and I don't know why she wasn't acting like it was. I mean, really! This was a human life we were talking about.

Annette shrank back, "I know I did, but we didn't talk. Especially about that!"

Donna gave me an impressed look and resolutely stated, "You have to tell Kelso."

Annette rapidly shook her head and I held her shoulders still avowing in a warning tone, "If you don't, I will."

Annette brightened surprising me with a strong hug, "Thank you, Lin!" I awkwardly patted her back and gently pried her off of my person. "Annette, I can tell him, but you should. This is your life and Kelso's so you have to woman up and do this." I walked over to the door and unlocked it while Donna pulled Annette along with her while we walked out of the bathroom.

When we came back to our regular table we found an intriguing sight. Michael was hyperventilating, Fez looked faint, Eric was shaking with either anxiety or rage I didn't know, and Steven was glaring daggers at Michael. What the hell happened while we were gone.

Annette looked at the same sight and quietly muttered, "I think he knows."

I sighed and gave her a droll smile, "No shit, Sherlock."

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By the time we made it back to Eric's house the sun had already started to set. Michael just wouldn't shut up or stop blubbering. It got worse when Annette was involved because then she would start actually crying. This entire thing was just a big mess, and it also made us late for dinner. I loved dinner.

We came in through the front door to find an upset Kitty and a disappointed looking Red. I hated it when they looked like that. It made my chest hurt somethin' fierce.

Eric gave Kitty and Red a sheepish smile, "Sorry we're was late." Red glared at Eric and Kitty let out a sad sigh giving Eric a slight hug.

I frowned pouting slightly, "I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Forman we were all at The Hub." Kitty nodded and brought me into a hug.

Red soon came over and patted my head gently, "You're late, but that's okay sweetheart since you weren't driving."

Eric grimaced and started rambling, "I had to drive everyone home, then we got into an argument with Kelso who wouldn't stop talking. And yeah…"

Red turned to Eric and glowered, "Eric, be responsible for your own actions."

Eric let out deep sigh, "Yes sir." He turned and spotted Laurie, "Wait. Laurie, you're home?" It was an interesting development, but she was flunking so it wasn't unexpected.

I raised my eyebrow at her while she scowled at me, "Yeah, that's a little weird, isn't it?"

Kitty patted my shoulder and Eric's, "Your sister's having a tough time and came home for a visit, apparently." I always loved it when she said that because Laurie's face would contort into this ugly puckering expression. It tickled me pink.

Laurie stopped scowling for a moment before laying on an innocent face, "Yup. That's why I'm here." Yeah right. You totally flunked out of University, slut. Hah. Told you so.

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I popped open the top of my big ice cream carton and scoped out some of my homemade salted caramel concoction. Steven stood behind me peeking over my shoulder watching me while I worked. I looked over my shoulder and kissed his lips briefly. He smiled slowly and encircled my waist, "How's it going, good lookin'?"

I laughed quietly scooping some ice cream into a couple mugs, "Pretty well despite a lot of things. You, puddin' pop?" I glanced at my living room and saw that Michael, Eric, and Fez had made themselves right at home.

Steven nodded letting out a content sigh, "That's good. Eh… As long as I'm here, I'm great, doll. I want a couple scoops too."

I grinned softly and put two more scoops into one mug, "How's that?"

He winked at me and pinched my butt, "Perfect."

Steven hooked the cups with his fingers before pecking my cheek, "You wanna get the spoons?"

I nodded and plucked out a couple spoons out of a nearby drawer, "Got em." We walked in tandem and started handing out the mugs.

Fez smiled gratefully taking the mug full of ice cream, "Thank you, Hyde. Thank you, little goddess."

Eric grinned taking the cold concoction, "Thanks, Lin. Thanks, Hyde."

Steven took a seat with a mug of ice cream clutched in his hand pulling me down onto his lap with his other hand. I patted his knee and popped a spoon into the mug before glancing over at a pensive looking Michael. He hadn't moved or spoken for over half an hour, which in itself was a damn miracle, "Do you want some ice cream, Michael?"

He shot me a strained smile while I pushed a mug towards him across my cassette shaped coffee table, "Yes please, Lin. Thank you."

Steven had loosened his grip slightly giving me the space to push it close enough to him, but pulled me back soon after. I gave him a slightly irritated sigh, "Steven."

He in turn gave me an unapologetic lopsided smile, "Lin." I shook my head and leaned against him. Damn him. I could never stay mad for long, and that will probably screw me over in the long run when it came to him. We really needed to have a serious talk about why he always did that. I just didn't know how to bring it up.

Michael shoveled some ice cream into his mouth, a worried frown creasing his forehead, "So, I've been thinking about it and I'm gonna do the right thing. I'm gonna be responsible. I mean, I have to. I'm going to be a father."

I spooned some ice cream into my mouth savoring the sweet and salty cold sensation that invaded my mouth. Steven stole the spoon away from me smiling before popping some into his mouth too, "Yeah, and on the plus side you walk into a liquor store carrying a baby, man they'll sell you beer and on the downside though…you'll still have a baby."

I glanced at him and gave him a sharp look, "What's wrong with having babies?" We had talked about having a future together; a family, down the line so, what the hell man? He tightened his hold on me and I wiggled in return. Man, come on!

Eric choked on his ice cream a little before shooting Steven a curiously stern look, "Yeah, Hyde. What's wrong with babies?" What was he getting at?

Fez tilted his head sucking on his spoon thoughtfully, "Babies are cute and women love them. What is wrong with having babies, Hyde?"

Steven sputtered and leaned back before kissing my shoulder reassuringly, "Nothing when you're not a teenager." I suppose I did catch him off guard. Still the nonchalant way he claimed having a baby would be bad…, but he did have a good point.

I bumped Steven's chest with my shoulder gently, "Touché." He nodded and offered me some of our currently melting ice cream and I shook my head. I didn't want it any anymore. He frowned before chugging the rest of the icy concoction.

Eric nodded and placed his empty mug on my coffee table quickly plopping down one of my tiny vinyl record coasters under his mug, "I guess that's a good point." I rolled my eyes at him. No shit, really?

Michael grinned finishing off his ice cream as well, "Yeah, and I like kids. I still have some of my Legos. It's gonna be great." Steven rolled his eyes and popped the mug down beside Eric's on a similar coaster. I pecked his neck and I could feel his chest rumble with a silent chuckle. I was glad they were actually using coasters on our coffee table.

Fez smiled lecherously holding onto his empty mug, "And Annie's mukatots will get huge." He either meant boobs or feet, because I really couldn't tell what he was talking about. Was that word Dutch? I shook my head shooting Fez a 'come again' look.

Steven raised his eyebrow before rolling his eyes, "Fez; for those of us who only speak English, what exactly is a "mukatot"?"

Fez carefully placed down his mug beside himself on my recliner. I really hoped that was completely empty. I really didn't want a sticky cotton recliner after this. It would be stupidly hard to clean if that was the case. Fez beamed using his hands to demonstrate, "Feet. They will get long as well as wide. Very gratifying." He nodded resolutely.

I wondered if foot fetishes were a common occurrence in his country…which was where again?
I leaned back into Steven shaking my head and chuckling slightly, "Alrighty then." It wasn't like everyone else didn't have weird kinks.

Eric made a face at Fez, "You foreign freak." I doubt he meant any harm though and I noted that Fez shrugged it off like water sliding off of an umbrella.

Michael gave Fez a bemused look before placing his mug on my coffee table sans coaster. I twitched slightly, which prompted Steven to rub random shapes and words into my back. It was sort of comforting, but I still kinda wanted to hit Michael. Yeah, it was just going to leave a ring…but it was a coffee table in the shape of a cassette! That took us forever and a day to find! I wanted to keep the damn thing safe. Man…Michael was really careless sometimes. I prayed that if they had a baby he would think a little more, but knowing Michael I shouldn't hold my breath.

Michael was oblivious to my ire while he pouted shaking his head slightly, "I mean, this is scary, man! I might have to get married, and not just married. But married to Annie. That's freaking terrifying. I am never having sex again." Okay. That was straight up rude. Sure Annette was kind of an airhead sometimes, and regularly mean, and annoyingly naive, and…wait. What was I trying to say again? Eh. Whatever. She's not that bad is the point.

Steven rolled his eyes snarking slightly, "Or you could, I dunno, practice safe sex."

Eric chuckled, "Yeah, good one." I raised my eyebrow at him. What?! This is serious shit broseph.

I threw a throw pillow at Eric's face and Steven chucked a pillow at Michael and I tilted my head back letting out an exasperated groan, "Seriously. Did you guys not pay attention in health class at all, or did just me and Steven attend that class?"

Michael let out a sheepish laugh, "Nope." He avoided my glaring stare and actually started whistling.

Fez shook his head looking at us all curiously, "I was not in this country for that." Did they not have health classes in his country?

Eric made a face, placed his hands behind his head, and planted his feet on my coffee table, "I'm pretty sure we were there, but in any case you, can't not want sex, Kelso."

Michael gave Eric a worried look, "No, I'm serious, man. It's just not worth it. This could so easily happen to you, too."

Eric let out a dry laugh, "I don't think so. I'd probably need to have to have sex first for that to happen."

Steven snickered, "Heh, virgin."

I pinched him slightly, "Steven."

Steven shrugged bonelessly, "Lin, it is true." I nodded and fought down the smile that was trying to crawl on my face.

Michael glanced at us and whined, "It's just not fair. Why isn't Lin pregnant too?"

I choked on my spit and started hacking up a cough. Steven pounded at my back lightly while I choked out, "Excuse me?!" The hell Michael!?

Steven gave Michael a dark glare after he had made sure I wasn't dying, "What was that, Kelso?"

Michael gulped and pouted, "Well, how'd you guys do it without this happening?"

Steven continued to glare at Michael raising his eyebrow, "We're not morons, Kelso." Michael frowned and crossed his arms in front of his chest stubbornly.

I shook my head and took in a deep calming breath, "Again safe sex." I leaned back and rubbed my chest with the heel of my hand. Damn. I really had to not do that.

Steven nodded and sent me a grateful look, "Plus Lin is on special birth control."

Eric stared at us with wide eyes before shaking his head while he covered his ears, "Lalalalala I'm not listening. This isn't happening. Lalalala."

I laughed and Steven started chuckling. My shoulders shook and I grinned at Steven, "Touché, puddin' pop."

Steven beamed back at me wiggling his eyebrows, "Anytime, doll."

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Eric and I spotted Laurie skulking nearby the mailbox looking shady as per usual. Eric leaned against their fence raising his eyebrow, "Laurie, I sure have noticed you hanging around the mailbox a lot."

I tilted my head simpering, "What? Have a thing for postmen now?"

She rolled her eyes and sneered at us, "No nerd. And I don't know what you're talking about, Eric." She whipped her head away from us and began walking back towards their house with her arms crossed across her chest. Eric walked after her pulling me along with him. I sighed and followed along at a slower pace.

Eric side stepped Laurie, "What could be so important that you'd give up a week of whoring around Fort Lauderdale?"

I bopped my fist into my open palm grinning, "Oh, I know. It's your grades, right? You're still flunking out."

Laurie stopped trying to walk back into the house throwing her hands up into the air glaring at us, "Fine!? Okay, Eric. Lin. You caught me. Whoopee. You were right, Lin. University is freaking hard, alright! Happy?" She was breathing hard and still managed to glare at us with fire behind her eyes.

I tilted my head at Laurie and glanced back at Eric, a satisfied smile on my face, "Yes, actually I am. How about you, Eric, satisfied?"

Eric gave me a high five and grinned, "Yep, me too."

Laurie let out an affronted sigh giving Eric a disdainful look, "You know what? Dad likes me and he doesn't like you, Eric."

Eric shrugged carelessly and smirked at Laurie, "That's fine because you're still not the favorite. Lin is, and that's all the gratification I need."

Laurie huffed and shoved past Eric stomping back into the house, "Ughh!"

Eric and I looked at one another and we high fived again. Mission accomplished.

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We all sat around the dining table eating pulled pork, tater tots, garlic bread, and garden salad. I sighed inwardly happy that the chaos of today had died down somewhat. This entire thing was kind of stressing me out.

Kitty gave Eric a worried glance taking a sip of her ice water, "Eric, you're not eating."

I shot Eric a concerned look tilting my head slightly, "Eric, are you okay? Are you sick?"

Eric gave Kitty and me a strained smile, "I'm just not that hungry, Mom. And I'll be fine, Lin." I frowned. He said "be" fine, which meant that there really was something that was bothering him. I pouted at him furrowing my forehead. He gave me an exasperated sigh before mouthing silently 'later'. I nodded happily smiling after that.

Laurie shot me and Eric a devilish grin, "Did something happen at the pharmacy?" What was this girl talking about?

Red gave Eric a suspicious look, "What happened at the pharmacy?"

Eric shot Laurie a glare, "Shut up." He gave Red a quick look and resolutely stated, "Nothing happened, sir." Red nodded and went back to his meal. Eric kept sending Laurie a dark look and I could see the gears in his head turning.

Kitty frowned, "Eric that was rude." Eric nodded shooting Kitty an apologetic smile. That smile was deceptive though, since I knew he would've said worse to Laurie from what I could tell.

Red looked back at the mail rack, "Kitty, what happened to the mail?" It was a spice rack Eric had made for Kitty when we were kids, but since he was still learning how to use a hammer it didn't turn out quite right. It was now only really used for housing mail.

Laurie froze between bites and gave Red an innocent look, "I checked the mail, Dad. Nothing. No mail."

Kitty nodded a thoughtful frown crossing her face, "You know; the mail keeps disappearing. I think we have a little mail thief." Eric had a brilliant smile on and he ducked his head. Ohhh he was planning something.

I nodded and added in helpfully, "Stealing mail away from people is Federal crime. They send people to jail, so we should totally find this mail thief." Laurie paled at that note and I inwardly rolled my eyes.

Eric grinned at Laurie his eyes sparkling with mischief, "Speaking of mail... Laurie, I could've sworn I saw a University of Wisconsin envelope sticking out of your bra." Red raised his eyebrow at Laurie and Kitty sent her an expectant look.

Laurie glared at Eric and slammed down her utensils, "Donna's on the pill."

Before Red and Kitty could react towards that sudden news I quickly added in shooting Laurie a dark look, "Laurie's flunking out of University."

Kitty turned to Laurie disappointment clearly taking over her shock towards the news about Donna, "Laurie! How could you!?" Yeah, Laurie, how could you? I grinned internally watching Laurie's face crumple into defeat. That's what you get man… One point for me.

Red shot Eric a glare, "What did you do!?"

Eric shook his head and waved his hands in front of him, "Nothing!"

Red stood up growling, "Dinner's over!" He turned to me with a strained smile, "Lin, sweetheart, we'll see you later." I nodded standing up and away from my plate. Eric sighed and gave me a fist bump and Laurie kept sending me her death glare. Nice try bitch.

"I'm sorry, sweetie," Kitty kissed my forehead and gave me a hug. I returned her hug warmly before sending Laurie a death glare of my own.

Before she could sneer something back at me Kitty pulled her into the kitchen by her ear, "You're flunking out of University! Laurie, what the hell were you thinking!?"

Red glared at Eric and pointed at the kitchen, "Eric. Kitchen. Now." He slunk into the kitchen with his shoulders slumped while Red stomped towards the kitchen behind him.

I walked away feeling slightly better. Yes Eric was still probably getting roasted over hot coals, but now so was Laurie. Ahhh…vengeance was sweet.

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Donna sat sullenly at my kitchen island spooning some of my ice cream into her mouth, "And now they know! They know about my birth control, and it's horrible."

I nodded taking a can of grape soda out of my fridge, "Yeah, Laurie blabbed to Mr. and Mrs. Forman at dinner too."

Donna straightened up standing slightly while glaring through my kitchen window towards where she figured Laurie might be, "That bitch! She was trying to change her grades earlier."

I smirked and laughed leaning against my kitchen counter popping open my can of soda, "Well she'd be too late with that one. I already showed them a little while ago. Hah. Fuckwit tried to mess with me. Revenge is sweet."

Donna sat back down into her seat and sent me a wary smile, "Remind me to never get you mad."

I shrugged and took a sip from my grape soda, "Okie dokie."

Annette burst through my kitchen door breathlessly grinning, "Donna! Lin! Guess what?" How did she know where I lived? What the hell?! This was my sanctuary people. I looked around her and saw Laurie waving at me from their kitchen. That bitch. I glared at her and angrily dropped my kitchen blinds. I will have my revenge.

Donna looked at Annette curiously and deadpanned, "You're having twins?" I pulled myself up onto my kitchen counter and swung my legs back and forth. That would be pretty bad so I doubt that would be why she was smiling.

Annette shook her head the smile on her face dimpling her cheeks, "No! I'm not pregnant."

I let out a relieved sigh chugging the rest of my soda in one go, "Oh thank God."

Donna's shoulders sagged and she gave Annette a short hug from her seat, "Annie, thank God."

She patted Donna's back and pulled herself away clapping her hands, "I can totally forget about this whole ugly thing put it behind me, and never ever-"

I dropped down from my kitchen counter giving her an unimpressed look scowling, "Are you freaking crazy, Annette?" Annette pouted at me and while Donna nodded and I sighed, "We are not gonna let you forget about this all right? You got really lucky, but this could've been it."

Donna nodded and faced Annette holding onto her shoulders gently, "And as your friends we are not gonna let you be stupid about this." Wait what? When did that happen? I tilted my head and slowly nodded. I guess… I guess we were friends with Annette? Sort of. Maybe. I don't know.

Annette gazed at the both of us with wide glossy eyes, "We're friends?" I don't think this chick had actual friends, which made me feel so bad.

I shook off the guilt and patted her shoulder awkwardly, "Shut up, Annette. Don't ruin it."

Donna blurted out slightly blushing, "Annie, I went on the pill." How was that related to what we were talking about at all? I gave her a bewildered look and she shot me a look that clearly stated 'back me up, girl!'

I rolled my eyes and nodded stiffly adding, "And I've had an IUD for a while now."

Donna quickly turned back to me with a bewildered look on her face, "Wait, what's that?"

I let out a reluctant sigh and saw that Annette and Donna looked excruciatingly curious, "It's this copper thing that goes in your uterus, and it's shaped like a T. The doctor at the clinic says it can stay in me for like three years and I won't get pregnant that way. I don't have to take anything, and Donna you know how bad I am at taking pills, so this thing really works for me. The dumb thing was stupidly expensive though."

Annette pouted and rubbed where her uterus was, "I should've gotten that. Then Michael and I wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place."

Donna tilted her head and a frown furrowed her brow, "Is it better than birth control pills?"

I really didn't want to get into the particulars that went with having an IUD so I just shrugged, "I dunno. Hurts like a son of a bitch during my periods though."

Donna made a face and shook her head, "Ew. No thanks. I'll just stick with the pill."

Annette bounced up and down suddenly with stars in her eyes, "My God you guys are gonna be so popular!"

I internally sweat dropped and threaded my fingers through my hair, "Annette, I doubt either of us did it to be popular. We were both being responsible."

Donna nodded vigorously a strange look forming on her face, "Exactly! I did it because I am not gonna get stuck in this dinky little town." I frowned at her slightly; it wasn't really that much of a dinky little town. We had about a thousand people now, so technically I'm pretty sure we didn't quite qualify as a small town any more. Most people still had a small town mindset here though. That would've been more like bigger buildings, more stores, and fifteen thousand more people.

Annette seemed to agree with my sentiments because she curiously added, "Okay, you know they're building a really big K-mart on Franklin, right?"

Donna rolled her eyes disregarding her comment, "Annette, when this ERA passes, we're gonna be able to do whatever we want."

I shrugged deciding to go with the flow, "And so will you if you don't screw it up now."

Annette nodded slowly tilting her head, "So, Donna, Lin, tell me more about this pill. Does it do anything weird to your hair?"

Donna had a thoughtful look on her face, "Only above your lip."

I shook my head letting out a breath through my teeth, "Well you should really talk to your doctor, but it does more than just that. You guys should talk to Mrs. Forman more."

Donna frowned at me crossing her arms, "What else happens then?"

I laughed and pulled myself up on the counter again, "Well…."

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We entered the HUB and speedily walked to our respective significant others. Donna had a serious look on her face, Annie was bouncing, and I was relieved to see Steven. Sanity in a sea of chaos…well more like idiots, but whatever. They would stop being idiots soon enough once all of this died down.

Donna tapped Eric's shoulder and firmly stated, "Eric, can I talk to you, privately?"

Eric gave her a nervous smile, "Sure."

I shook my head at the two of them while they went off to a booth further down. I plopped myself down onto Steven's lap making him groan slightly, "Hi, puddin' pop."

He adjusted me and gave me a tight side hug, "Hi there, doll. You doin' okay?"

I raised both of my eyebrows in surprise. Did my face reflect how draining those two had been lately? I sighed and let my head fall onto his shoulder, "Yeah, it's just been a tiring day."

He nodded an understanding look flashing across his face, "Want a fry?"

I happily accepted the fry opening my mouth. He popped it in and I kissed his side burn, "Thank you." He nodded again and gently kissed my mouth.

Annette gave Michael a beaming grin, "Michael I'm not pregnant."

This news caused Michael to jump out of his chair pumping his fists into the air, "Yes! Yes!"

Annette held her hands behind her back tilting on the back of her heels back and forth, "So, you feel tons better, right?"

Michael's shoulder's sagged and he wouldn't stop smiling, "Oh, yeah loads!"

Annette's grin widened and she stopped moving before patting Michael's forearm, "My God, that's so great. 'Cause you know what? I'm breaking up with you."

Michael's smile fell of his face and he stared blankly at Annette, "What?"

Annette backed away from Michael with her hands on her hips. She let out an annoyed breath, "Look, Michael, this whole experience has opened my eyes and nothing will stand in the way of my dream of becoming a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. I'm going to be moving away to join my aunt in Texas next week so I can get a better chance. See you guys later!" She bounced out of the HUB happily and I couldn't help but blink rapidly. She's moving? What the hell? Did our one conversation with her really cause this revelation of hers?

Michael rapidly blinked and flopped back down onto his chair, "Did she just break up with me?"

Steven popped a fry into his mouth and adjusted his sunglasses, "Yup. Looks like it, Kelso. Bad luck, man."

Fez tilted his head and gently patted Michael's shoulder consolingly, "I am so sad for you. May I please have her phone number?" Michael sat as still as a statue muttering under his breath looking at the spot that Annette had last been occupying.

I gave Fez a disappointed look, "Uncool, Fez. Uncool."

Fez shrugged unapologetically, "I am sorry, little goddess, but I must be free of my virginity. I must." I gave Fez a taken aback look and snorted. What the hell, Fez?

Steven pulled me closer to him and gave Fez a warning look, "Fez, back off of my girl."

Fez sulked and mumbled, "I am sorry my friend." What just happened? I shook my head and pinched Steven's hand.

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The guys were playing cards while I thumbed through my favorite book 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams. I couldn't find a bunch of the books I had liked back in the future in this era, but I was glad that some of my most favorite books were still available now.

Kitty walked down the stairs holding a tray filled with chocolate chip cookies in one hand and a suit hung on her other arm, "Who wants cookies? Lin, sweetie, could you please pass these out while I show Eric that suit we looked at?"

I nodded and took the tray from her, "Sure, Mrs. Forman." I handed out some cookies to Fez, Michael, Eric, and Steven. They gave me quiet 'thank yous' and Steven gave me a quick kiss before I placed the rest of the tray near them.

She pecked the side of my head smiling, "Thanks sweetie."

I returned her smile with one of my own, "You're welcome, Mrs. Forman." I plopped myself down onto Steven's lap and he automatically encircled my waist, "Finished your card game?"

Steven nodded letting his head drop down onto my shoulder, "Yep. It was an okay game."

Eric snickered, "Yep. Hyde lost." Steven rolled his eyes and gave Eric a bored look in return.

Kitty came over to Eric and showed off the dark blue slim suit she had bought at the mall with me the other day, "Eric, I picked out a really snazzy outfit for you to wear on Career Day." I thought it looked lovely, but I could see that Eric was wearing a strained smile.

He did the 'golly gee' motion with his arm, "That's goody." I palmed my forehead and sighed. Nice dude.

Kitty frowned and hung the suit back onto her arm, "Fine, Mr. Grumpy but I can't wait to show off my little man at work."

I shot Eric a dark look and he rolled his eyes before schooling his features into a sweet smile, "

You know what? Me too."

Kitty grinned and gave him a quick warm hug before happily going back up towards the kitchen.

Steven gave Eric a droll look, "Why Career Day, man? It's so lame." I cracked my neck and let out a relieved sigh ignoring the disgusted look Eric shot me.

Eric rolled his eyes at Steven and shifted in his seat slightly, "That's just 'cause your mom's the lunch lady." Steven shrugged bonelessly, but I could tell he was irritated. He had clenched his fist into the palm of his hand and I could feel him tighten his embrace just slightly.

Michael made a face, "Your mom is Gross Edna?"

I shot Michael a dark look and threw an empty can at his head. It bopped his head and he scowled at me, and noticed that Steven was giving him an equally dark look.

Michael went back further into his chair clearly his throat slightly, "I mean, cool."

Fez bounced in his lawn chair smiling happily at Steven, "You bet it's cool. That's why I'm spending the day with Hyde and his mom."

Eric gave a big exasperated sigh putting his hands behind the back of his head, "Lin, you're so lucky you're out of high school already."

I nodded and rubbed Steven's hands feeling them relax slightly during my ministrations, "Yup."

Steven tilted his head and kissed my neck, "Why don't you spend the day with me, doll? It'll make me hate the day less." It was probably going to be a bad day, but I wanted to support him. Edna and him combined like oil and water; it didn't.

I shrugged and nuzzled him slightly, "Eh. Sure, why not?" I could feel Steven smiling against my neck and I let out a relieved sigh. Crisis averted.

Red popped his head through the door of the basement and called out, "Eric, I need you in the garage!"

Eric gave us a short wave before making his way towards the garage, "I'll be back, guys."

I nodded waving back towards him and the guys nodded or muttered 'see you later'. That went well.

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We walked into the lunchroom with our hands intertwined, and I smelt the distinct odor all high school lunchrooms had. I spotted Edna and gave her a short wave with my other hand, "Hi, Miss. Hyde." We weren't best friends mind you, but she was polite to me and sort of nice. It was a big contrast with how she and Steven interacted.

She looked up startled slightly before a dry smile crossed her face, "Hi, Lin. How's my boy? Keeping him out of trouble?"

I nodded and I felt Steven tighten his grip on my hand, "Yes, ma'am."

Steven stood closer to me and muttered, "You don't have to be so nice to her, Lin."

Edna had ears like a bat though and she threw Steven a dark glare, "See that's why I like your little girlfriend more than you, Steven."

Steven rolled his eyes and pushed Fez in front of us, "Yeah, that's the reason. Fez, this is, my mom."

Fez beamed at Edna startling her, "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Gross Edna."

Edna raised her eyebrow giving Fez a curious look, "No, honey. It's Miss Gross Edna. You see, Mr. Gross Edna ran off with Miss Perfect Ass. But she can laugh about it now. Yes, she can."

Steven shot her an irritated look, "Shut up." Edna gave her son a dismissive shrug before going back to her tasks. I shifted from one foot to another trying to push down the awkward feeling I had in my gut. They weren't doing so well right now. Edna kept snapping and sniping at Steven and Steven kept returning the favor. He'd been sleeping over more and more, and I loved that, but at the same time it was worrisome. The key that I gave him helped him come home after Edna was asleep or if she was off traipsing somewhere and I knew that I shouldn't worry since he was already eighteen. Still though… This day didn't look like it would end well.

Fez bounced excitedly making me smile slightly, "I am so excited to be in the food service industry. May I cut the cheese?"

Edna gave us a skeptical look, "Is he kidding?"

Steven shook his head not once going over closer to his mother, "We can never tell."

I shrugged and gave her a strained smile, "I think he just has an odd sense of humor."

Edna nodded and motioned towards the cheese and knives on the counter stating, "Knock yourself out. But if you cut off a finger, you're out of here."

Fez nodded happily and started slicing the different cheeses on the kitchen counter.

Edna sighed and gave me a strained smile, "Lin, you can go bake some brownies. Make sure to wear a hair net though."

I nodded and started heading towards where she had laid out all the ingredients, "Alrighty."

Steven squeezed my hand and threw his mother a disdainful look. He sighed and refused to let go of my hand, "Lin, you don't have to do what she says."

I gave him a sad smile and kissed the hand he was currently using to grip mine, "I know, but now I want brownies." I kissed his cheek and I could see that this entire forced interaction was wearing down on him.

He frowned and I could tell that he was hesitant in letting me go off to make brownies, "Fine." I slowly untangled our fingers and gave him a quick tight side hug mouthing I love you into his shoulder. I heard him sigh and felt him rub circles into my back before I made my way to start my task.

Edna waved Steven over to where the pizzas were, "Steven, you can start by slicing pizza."

Steven clenched both of his hands open and closed shaking his head and refusing to look Edna in the eye, "No. I'm here as an observer. A fly on the wall; one of many present." There were indeed many flies buzzing around the kitchen, and it was probably because of the sink filled with dirty dishes.

Edna narrowed her eyes and let out a sarcastic laugh, "What a surprise. Lazy, just like your father."

Steven shifted his weight from one leg to another shrugging carelessly, but I could see how tense his shoulders were, "No, actually, I'm lazy in a way that's entirely my own." This was going downhill fast, and I didn't know how to fix it. I stirred in the other ingredients into the instant brownie mix harder and sighed. I shouldn't take out my frustrations with the brownie mix.

Edna snorted disdainfully and threw hairnets at Steven and Fez, "Here, put these on."

Steven deftly caught the hairnet and stretched it out, "I'm not wearing these."

Edna rolled her eyes and shrugged bonelessly, "Crap, sorry, don't blame me. It's the stupid those health codes."

Fez took the hairnet Edna threw at him and plonked it onto his head, "May I keep this?"

Edna gave Fez a patient smile, "Sure, baby."

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An hour or so passed on by and the brownies were just about done. I wiped the sweat away from my brow and adjusted the hairnet I had put on. I glanced at Steven and saw that he was still quite tense. I poked him in the belly and he gave me a strained smile. I was glad that he had decided to move over to stand by me instead of choosing to antagonize his mother by standing near her and doing nothing.

Fez looked through his clipboard and smiled, "Okay, question number three: "Was the food service industry your first career choice?"

Edna laughed bitterly, "Heck, no, Fez. I always wanted to go into show biz. In fact, I was in the Tommy Bartlett water show at the Wisconsin Dells."

Fez lecherously smiled, "Yes, women waterskiing in bikinis, very erotic."

Edna gave Fez a bewildered look before continuing on chopping a carrot violently, "Anyway I was the top girl on the pyramid when they fired me for getting knocked up." I could feel Steven tense and his face fell into a blank mask.

He walked towards his mother stopping about two meters away from her. Steven let out a bitter laugh shooting his mother a cold look, "Let me finish this one for you, Edna. Fez, this is the story where I ruin my mother's fabulous water skiing career."

Edna glared at him brandishing the knife while she talked, "Yeah, you did. They said a pregnant girl on water skis would make the audience nervous." That knife she was waving around was making me nervous.

Fez nodded understandingly tapping his pen on his lip, "Not to mention, you were probably hideously fat."

Edna raised her eyebrow at Fez before firmly embedding the knife into what was left of the carrot she had been chopping, "No. I looked great. I kept my weight down by smoking."

The brownies finished baking and I could see that Steven's temper had risen while the oven had started cooling. Steven sneered, "See, that's that maternal instinct kicking in again."

Edna rolled her eyes at Steven and gave him a gimlet glare, "Yeah, you're damn right I'm maternal. I raised you alone."

Steven chuckled bitterly giving Edna a nasty look, "Alone? Hardly. And raised? Also hardly. There was "uncle" Chet, "uncle" Jimmy, "uncle" Caleb, "uncle" Andrew and "uncle" Larry and yeah, "uncle" hot tub Johnny." I inched closer to Steven hesitant in getting between this slowly bubbling pot because at some point soon I knew it was going to overflow and burn someone.

Edna threw her hands in the air and exasperatedly stated, "I suppose I should've just become a nun when your father walked out on me." Well…no not a nun, but I know Steven would've appreciated it if she hadn't tried to fill whatever hole she was feeling with just one man instead of many. Or if she just stuck around instead of just always leaving when things got hart. Or if she stopped her nasty boyfriends from beating Steven when they were irritated. Any of those things would've made their relationship bearable. I let out a silent sigh pinching the bridge of my nose with my fore fingers.

Steve gave Edna a sharp look deadpanning, "Hell, he must've been crazy to leave all this."

Edna straightened up and sneered at Steven, "Always a smart ass, Steven. Just like your father."

Steven threw his mother a blank look hiding the rage and hurt that I knew he felt. Before he would do something stupid, Steven decided to be the bigger person and walked away, "You know what? One thing he did do right: He left!" And Steven was right. His step-dad, who he didn't know was his step-dad, was a toxic person. When you combined the two of them, they were a really toxic couple. Steven gently let the kitchen doors swing closed while he silently went through them.

Edna called out after Steven scowling, "All right. That's right, Steven, just walk. Just like everyone else!"

Fez cleared his throat and cheerfully asked, "Okay, question number four: "Would you say you are a people person?"" Edna shot him a disbelieving look before she started violently chopping her carrot again.

I peeked around the corner and silently placed down the brownies I had finished making onto the kitchen counter inaudibly going after Steven. The kitchen doors swung behind me and I felt my shoulders sag in relief. Spending any prolonged time with Edna made me really tense inside.

I found Steven leaning against the wall hidden away near the cafeteria doors breathing heavily.

I carefully walked towards him and put a gentle hand on his back, "Puddin' pop?"

Steven looked up and he had taken his sun glasses off. I could see the guilt and disappointment reflected in his face, "Edna's riding me again about being just like my dad." That was one of his reoccurring nightmares while we were growing up; he neverwanted to be like his dad.

I nodded and kissed him sweetly. Holding his shoulders I made sure he could see the concern that was probably visible in my face, "Look, you and your mom have a bad history, and neither of you can nurture the other's self-esteem because you've both been damaged by past criticisms and shame. She's a toxic person and so was Bud, but that doesn't mean you are too."

Steven gave me a wary look, "Yeah?"

We leaned in together pressing our foreheads against the others and I smiled at him softly, "Mhmm, and at the end of the day, I think you still turned out great even with those two bozos. Because you are your own person; who is so much better and so much smarter than whatever anyone ever says, especially your mother."

He gave me a tiny small capturing my lips, "Thanks, doll."

He encircled me into a tight hug, and I whispered, "At the end of the day, Red's more like our father figure any way, right?"

Steven chuckled kissing my neck, "Yeah. I love you, Lin."

I nuzzled him grinning, "I know and I love you too, Steven. You ready to go back?"

Steven let out a deep burdensome sigh, "Sure, as long as you're coming with me."

I nodded and we threaded our fingers together, "Always." Life may not have been going as well as I wanted when it came to my loved ones, but as long as we had each other I figured we'd be relatively okay eventually.

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Steven and I walked back into the kitchen in silence and I could feel him grip my hand tighter when we breached its threshold. Fez was cutting up random meat and Edna was listlessly cutting pizza.

I cleared my throat and Steven rolled his eyes muttering out a curt, "Hi."

I gave them a strained smile with a short wave, "Hello."

Edna gave Steven a strange look, "Steven, you came back. Did Lin make you? Oh. Whatever. You don't know what that means to me." She sounded insincere and it made me feel like she was plotting something. Usually when she was this nice we got into trouble one way or another.

Steven raised his eyebrow and skeptically asked, "Yeah?"

She had a strained smile pasted on her face, "Yeah." Edna turned to Fez and actually smiled, "Honey, could you clean up those pizza trays? I'm gonna skip out early." What did she mean?

Fez bounced while he glanced back at us as he plopped the pizza trays into the big industrial kitchen sink, "Guess what I did in the chili bucket? Go ahead, guess."

Edna wiped her hands on her apron and hung it onto a nearby hook. She gave Steven a sad smile, "Steven, I'm sorry. I'm not being a very good mom, am I? Let's do something together. Come on, I'll buy you and Lin a beer." She never treated us out unless she wanted something, which only rang my alarm bells. I tightened my grip on Steven's hand and he gently squeezed back.

Steven cleared his throat and shrugged noncommittally, "A beer? Yeah, that actually sounds good."

While we walked away from the kitchen Edna grinned and asked, "You got your fake ID?"

Steven laughed and I smiled dryly, "You know it." Although he really didn't need it since my college I.D. sufficed.

Edna patted his back gently while we made our way to the El Camino, "That's my boy." What are you planning Edna?

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Eric showed off his prom tux and did a slight turn beaming at us, "My first prom tux. Come on, guys, dig the crushed velvet."

I choked out laughing and raised my eyebrow at him, "Eric, you look like a pimp. A trashy pimp."

Steven propped his chin under his fist while I finished put away a six pack of soda into our fridge, "You know Forman prom night could be a very special night for you and Donna." I rolled my eyes. Yup. Sex. It was constantly all he could talk about when we had a spare moment. Eric was getting a little obsessive, but I guess that made sense since he was wading through a sea of hormones.

Eric made a face and exasperatedly sighed, "Hyde, this could be the biggest night of our lives. I mean, Donna and I could go –"

Fez piped up cheerfully, "To the prom." Fez handed me the carton of eggs and I mouthed a silent thank you. Steven hopped off of his stool and nudged Fez aside slightly handing me a carton of milk and our stick of butter. I rolled my eyes and Fez shrugged unloading the cereal, bread, and pasta noodles from our grocery bag.

Eric rolled his eyes, "No, Fez."

I chuckled and put the tomatoes and celery into the vegetable drawer of our fridge, "Eric meant to say all the way."

Fez nodded while he dutifully emptied the rest of our grocery bags onto the kitchen counters, "All the way to the prom."

Steven shook his head and turned to Eric placing several items into our pantry, "You know what you should do? You should rent a motel room."

I rolled my eyes and laughed, "Yeah, that's spontaneous."

Eric scoffed at us and plopped himself down onto one of our kitchen stools, "What? Look, if this night is as big as I think, I want it to be very, very special. Because this is gonna be the first time for both of us."

I tossed a baguette at his head, which Eric caught, "No duh, Rico Suave."

Eric waved my comment away dismissively while a goofy smile made its way onto his face, "Anyway, this is how I picture it. Well, here we are walking on the beach. And now we're gonna do it."

Steven came out of the pantry and picked up more items before heading back, "Yeah?"

Eric sighed dreamily, "Isn't it spontaneous?"

I shrugged and finished putting away all the items that belonged in our fridge, "Sure." Eric frowned at me and huffed. What a baby.

Steven returned from the pantry again and leaned against the kitchen counter beside me, "That's what got me."

Fez smiled and took a seat beside Eric popping open a can of Tab, "That was nice."

Eric frowned and gave us a sullen look, "But if I plan it out, it won't be nice. It'll be - Good evening. Did you bring the forms? Yes, I did. Here's the guarantee of foreplay. Signed, initialed, notarized. Very well. As you know, I'm on the pill so here is your copy of the prophylactic waiver. It looks like we have a deal here. I'm looking forward to consummation. Excellent. Thank you."

Steven gave Eric a dry look before sighing out of his nose, "Forman, if you don't get a motel, it's gonna be more like this. You're home already? It's not even Kitty, he's home already. Already? Eric, you're just such a loser. He is, isn't he?"

Eric grimaced and I let out a short laugh, "They might you know."

He sighed and nodded, "That's what gets me." Steven, Fez and I proceeded to laugh hard at Eric's predicament. Red and Kitty were great.

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We lounged around in the basement today since Steven and I were tired of having the guys over for now, so I had convinced Eric that we should all hang out at his place presently. I was comfortably perched on Steven's lap playing with his curls now and again. He let out a content sigh at my ministrations.

Eric threw a baseball up and down in the air with one hand while he had one arm around Donna's shoulders. Donna flicked through one of her newest magazines not really paying attention to anything in particular. Fez had found Eric's old tricycle and used it to move back and forth flicking the channels on the TV now and again. It was a surprisingly peaceful day so far.

Michael burst through the basement door exclaiming with a grin, "Guess who's taking Pam Macy to the prom?!"

Donna looked up from her magazine, "Diego Bethany?" We had seen them at the grocery store together holding hands and presumably shopping together. They looked quite cozy.

Michael pouted and soon scowling at all of our blank looks, "No, me; not that stupid jock." He huffed and dropped down into his lawn chair with his arms crossed.

Steven gave Michael an irritated look and handed me a dollar bill, "Damn, here's a dollar, Lin." I grinned and took the dollar happily stuffing it down into my red drainpipe's pocket. We had a bet that Michael would take back Pam somehow since he got dumped by Annie. He was a yo-yo when it came to those two.

Donna raised her brow at Michael, "Kelso, you're not taking Annie?"

Michael pouted and shook his head, "No way, man. Annie dumped me, and she's moving soon."

Fez perked up, "I can take Annie." He really had a thing for that girl, but she was xenophobic and a little racist so I doubt that his attraction to her would go anywhere. I felt a little bad for Fez in that respect.

Michael sent Fez a dark look, "Yeah, do it, Fez, and I'll kick your ass." Hmm… I suppose he still had residual feelings for Annette. Maybe that was why he was going out with Pam again? Still though, dating your ex's cousin in either case was kind of a dick move. Something that could probably get you landed onto a Jerry Springer show.

I let out a slight chuckle, "Well, well, well. Look who suddenly cares."

Michael huffed looking slightly cross, "Whatever, Lin."

Steven rolled his eyes, "You know you guys are making me sick with all your prom talk. Proms are stupid." Steven had never gone to prom because he really didn't enjoy most of the school's student body excluding our friends. Besides that, I usually didn't want to go, which meant he would refuse to go too. Sleep and relaxation always won over having to expend so much effort for a dance. Any ways, if I wanted to dance we could string up some white Christmas lights in our backyard, put on some music, and do it there. That'd be ten time more romantic.

Eric scoffed and raised his eyebrow, "What would you know? You've never even been to one."

Steven shrugged carelessly, "I haven't been to the dentist, either, but I don't need to go to know it's lame." Oh! That reminded me that we were supposed to head to the dentist later on in the week. The last time he'd been to the dentist was a couple years ago since I had to get my wisdom teeth pulled. After that he had refused to even try and get his teeth cleaned and checked. I had managed to cajole him into going later in the week only because of sex and the promise of rum.

Fez suddenly straightened up and stared at us, "I know who I can ask to the prom."

I tilted my head and shot him a curious look, "Who is it, Fez?"

Fez dreamily sighed, "The lucky lady is my English teacher."

Donna rolled her eyes still flicking through her magazine, "Fez, you can't take a teacher to the prom."

Fez waved off Donna's comment dismissively, "Why not? She's always writing sexy comments on my homework. See me after class. Nice job. Good effort. I love you. Okay, I made the last one up but the other ones were real." I chuckled and Steven shook his head. I still didn't really want to go to Prom.

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Donna and I were sitting in my bedroom with her stuff laid out on the bed. She was really nervous about tomorrow night and I couldn't blame her. Which brought us to here; she wanted me to check over everything for some reason. I couldn't really fathom why, but she was my friend so I decided why the fuck not?

She held up silver sparkly shoes with a kitten heel, "These are the shoes I'm wearing to the prom. Aren't they cool?" They were pretty cool since they were delicate instead of the chunky heels that were popular right now. I think she had found them in the thrift store nearby.

I smiled and patted her shoulder gently, "They look really sweet, Donna."

Donna gently dropped down her heels and picked up a slim red sparkly dress, "And you like my prom dress, right?"

I laughed and tucked my legs into a crisscross position, "Yup. It's slinky and sexy, but not slutty. I think you'll knock Eric's socks off." I leaned back on my forearms and smiled. I really thought that Eric would love anything Donna was in, that boy was head over heels for her.

She gave me a soft smile caressing her dress all the while, "Ya think?"

"Yup," I pooped the 'p' in yup and nodded.

Donna joined me on the bed and laid down with her head hanging over the edge. She sighed and wrung her hands, "I'm so nervous about the prom. I think it's gonna be the night that Eric and I you know?"

I unfurled my legs and let myself flop onto my fluffy yellow chevron striped pillow, "Are you ready for it? Like did you buy condoms and all the other stuff we talked about?"

I heard her sigh and quietly say, "I stole some condoms from my parent's dresser drawer. But I don't think all the other stuff I day dreamed about is necessary or possible right now."

I nodded and patted her knee, "You're going to be fine."

Donna sat up and she seemed really upset, "I'm scared that it's gonna hurt."

I patted her knee again and gently stated, "Ehh…Make sure you're lubricated down there. Like really lubricated."

Donna flushed and shot me an embarrassed look, "What?!"

I nodded sagely, "It'll hurt less that way."

She blinked repeatedly and nodded slowly, "Oh. Okay." These conversations always tickled me pink, but sometimes I wish there was a laugh track. It'd make things lighter, that's for sure.

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I heard Steven creep into our dark bedroom and I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. It clearly stated that it was three in the morning. Huh. I guess Edna took longer to go to sleep than usual tonight.

I could hear him strip off all of his clothes before I felt his cold body slip under the covers beside me, "Lin?" He sounded upset. What'd Edna do now? He spooned me and gave me a tight embrace. Eh. It would get warmer soon enough. His feet were freaking freezing though.

I squeezed his hand and let out a sleepy yawn, "Mhmm. Yes Steven?"

Steven whispered leaving kisses along my naked shoulders, "Go to prom with me."

I sighed and rolled over to face him, "Why?" We had both agreed to not going and to instead go to the newly opened zoo and to catch a movie. I was really looking forward to all of that.

Steven squinted at me through the dark, "What'd you mean, why?"

I pouted and scooted up closer to him laying my head down onto his bare chest, "Fine, but why do you suddenly care any ways?"

Steven let out a deep sigh letting his fingers run down my spine, "Edna pissed me off and I wanna prove her wrong."

I let out another yawn and cuddled into him, "Oh. Alright. That sounds like a good plan." We could always go to the zoo and catch a movie another day. I knew how he got whenever Edna tipped his temper and patience.

He chuckled deeply making his chest rumble, he gently threaded his fingers through my hair, "Go back to sleep. I'll wake you up in a little while." I could feel him scratch my scalp now and again and I felt sleep over take me.

My eyes fluttered closed and I could feel myself drifting away into slumber, "I love you Steven."

I could feel him kiss my lips lightly, "I love you too, doll. Now sleep…"

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Steven and I swayed to the slow music that they were currently playing. He had on a dark black suit with a white Led zeppelin t-shirt. I had also convinced him to wear oxford dress shoes. Personally, I thought he looked even hotter than normal, but when I had stated that he had brushed off my comment with an embarrassed laugh. My teal sequined scalloped shift dress sparkled under the dim gym lights. The dress had a silk cotton blend underdress making it so comfortable to wear. It was by far the best dress I had found from the thrift store excluding my yellow polka dot pinup dress. My navy Mary Jane t-strap heels clicked now and again while we danced.

I looked around gave Steven a small smile, "The gym looks like- Well, the gym with streamers. But it's nice."

Steven chuckled and nodded, "Yeah. They didn't do that much of a bad job for this."

Michael walked towards us with Pam hanging off his arm, "Hey, guys. Pam, you remember Lin, and Hyde." She was wearing a too tight red dress that reached her mid-thigh and thick chunky black heels. Her outfit seemed a little too slutty for prom.

I gave her a wary look, "You doing okay Pam?"

She gave me an honest smile and caressed Michael's chest, "Yeah. I'm glad Michael took me to prom and not my snotty cousin."

Michael lecherously smiled at his date walking away with her, "See you guys later."

I gave them a slight wave while Steven stared at their disappearing figures, "They were cousins?"

I nodded at Steven's bewildered look looping my arms around his neck, "Yup. Michael knows how to really screw with people."

Steven shook his head and lowered his hands down my hips, "Definitely."

One of the teacher chaperons came over and greeted us, "Good evening, kids. So, is everyone having fun?"

Steven gave her a curt nod and she grinned, "Why, yes, we are, Ms. Kaminsky." I smiled at her as well, and I could feel Steven's hands moving further up to my waist when Ms. Kaminsky had walked over.

Fez swooped in out of nowhere saying in his deep voice, "There you are, Diane. I've been looking all over for you. Shall we dance?"

Ms. Kaminsky rolled her eyes and walked away, "I am not going to dance with you, Fez."

Fez dreamily sighed before trailing after her like a lost puppy, "Isn't she adorable?"

I laughed and let my head fall onto Steven's chest, "This is such a great night."

I felt Steven's heart pick up a little so I kissed his collar bone. He hummed thoughtfully, "Yeah. I don't hate it so far.

I grinned happy that this night hadn't been a disaster so far, "That's good puddin' pop. You never did elaborate on why we had a sudden change in plans tonight."

He sighed and swayed with me slowly, "Edna was ragingly drunk and found out that prom was happening somehow. She started yelling at me saying that it was obvious that I was going to go because I was a loser just like my dad."

I shook my head and let out a breath through my teeth, "Damn. That's uncalled for and really harsh."

Steven stoically stated, "Yup."

I rubbed the back of his neck cursing Edna in my head, "I'm sorry, puddin' pop."

He shook his head pulling me closer to him and his hands wandered lower to my hips, "It's alright, doll. S'not your fault my mother is a deplorable human being."

I nodded and spotted Pam and Michael slobbering each other's faces, "Do you think Pam's butt looks really big in that dress?"

Steven laughed and twirled me around with one arm, "Nah, although she does look like she might pop out of it, why?"

I grinned, "I don't know." I really didn't care at this point because we were actually dancing and not just swaying.

We swayed a little before he dipped me down whispering, "You have a wonderful ass, doll."

I gave him a wink and a kiss, "You always know just what to say, Steven. Do you mind if we sit down?"

We stood back up and leisurely went over to an empty table. Many different unknown faces passed by us and I was already tired of interacting with strangers. They would give us strange looks now and again. I don't know if it was because they'd never seen me, if it was because Steven was actually attending school function, or a little bit of both. In any case, it was starting to irritate me. Not to mention that there wasn't any real food here.

I sat down and Steven moved towards the drink table, "Yeah, okay. I'll go grab us some punch."

I called after him grinning cheekily, "Oh! Make sure it isn't spiked."

Steven turned and laughed, "Laurie's not here so I doubt that it will be."

He came right back handing me a clear plastic cup filled with red punch, "Here you are, Lin."

I took an experimental sip while he sat down, "Thank you Steven. Do you feel better now?"

He nodded taking a sip out of his own cup, "Yup."

I smiled and let my hand wander up his thigh, "That's good. I'm glad. Can we go now?"

He gave me curious look before my stomach grumbled loudly. Steven smirked, "Hungry?"

I nodded standing up and dragging him towards the nearby exit, "Yup. Fatso Burger?"

Steven laughed, "You can read my mind, I swear." I beamed at him while we made our way to the El Camino. I was starving.

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We were lined up outside of the cinema amongst a sea of people. I leaned against Steven and sighed looking at the numerous people that were ahead of us. I hated waiting in lines. He patted my hip consolingly.

Fez bounced on his heels, "I am so excited about Star Whores." I choked out a laugh before shaking my head.

Steven raised his eyebrow at Fez, "Fezzie, man, it's Star Wars."

I cheerfully added, "Not whores, Fez."

Fez frowned and immediately stopped bouncing, "Screw that."

Michael grunted in agreement, "Hey, Forman, man, this thing better be good. If I don't see some space jugs, I'm gonna be super-pissed."

Eric shrugged helplessly, "I don't know, guys. I hear it's okay."

Michael shook his head, "There's no way it's better than The Planet of the Apes. I mean, those apes were really good actors."

I laughed and Steven snorted. They didn't know it, but this movie would be the start of a fandom that wouldn't really ever end. Eric would love it.

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We sat around the dinner table eating pork tenderloin and spaghetti. I twirled the spaghetti with my fork and sighed contentedly. Kitty always made the best dinners. She had recently shown me her family recipes and I was excited to try them out at a later date.

Eric swallowed a piece of his pork tenderloin beaming and continuing his play by play of the movie, "Then they go into this bar and there are all these space creatures then, someone makes the mistake of picking on Obi-Wan Kenobi."

I laughed and added, "And then, he takes out his light saber and he goes "whoosh" and he chops this guy's arm right off, 'cause it's a saber that's made out of light." Eric nodded happily scooping some spaghetti into his mouth.

Kitty frowned and swallowed a piece of her pork tenderloin, "You know, this doesn't sound like a nice movie." She shook her head quietly thinking about something or another.

Red nodded taking a sip of his Coke, "Now, The Way We Were, that's a nice movie."

Laurie sneered, "So, Eric, you gonna get yourself some Star Wars pajamas now?"

Eric glared at Laurie and I was tempted to kick her shin under the table.

Red glanced at Kitty and took her hand squeezing it gently, "Kitty, I'm going back to work, full-time."

Kitty blinked rapidly before putting down the fork she was holding with her other hand, "My God, you're kidding. I thought you wanted to open up your muffler shop?" That's what I had thought too. During one of our many conversations while I helped him with his car, he had gone on and on about trying to look for the right empty lot to build his dream muffler shop.

Red shook his head and thoughtfully stared off at nothing in particular, "No, I ran into Ron Milbank at the K-Mart and he's moved back to re-open the plant, so I guess now's not the right time yet." He did make a good point. If the auto-parts plant was reopened it would mean a lot of competition for the muffler shop that he wanted to open up.

Kitty nodded and encouragingly stated patting his hand, "Well alright, honey. This is still great news. I'm glad that you're happy." An easy smile slipped onto her face and Red's shoulders sagged in relief.

Laurie batted her eyes at Red, "Hey, way to go, Daddy."

I beamed at Red, "Congratulations Mr. Forman."

Red patted my head gently giving Kitty, me and Laurie a soft smile, "Thank you Lin, Laurie. My job and my girls. Today's a good day."

Eric let out a disgruntled snort, "Okay, so, I'm here, too, Dad."

Red sent him a calculating look, "Speaking of you; I told Milbank's son David to come by to see you."

Eric let out a disgusted sigh, "David Milbank? Dad, I hated that guy."

Red nodded and shot him a stern look, "Yeah, I hate his dad but I smile like hell whenever I see him. And you'll do the same. Got it?"

Eric sighed and I patted his shoulder, "Got it."

Laurie made a face, "David Milbank? Oh, barf."

I tried to cheer him up and poked his side, "Eric, remember when you beat him up on the playground?" I could see Kitty hiding her smile with her cup and the approving way Red was chewing his food.

Eric's sullen look disappeared and he grinned at me, "Yep. I kicked his ass."

Laurie raised her eyebrow, "Wait, wasn't he the kid with scoliosis and asthma?"

Eric nodded and repeated proudly, "Yep. And I kicked his ass."

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Eric tossed his baseball up into the air catching it again. He sighed and continued telling us what had happened between him and Donna, "So, Donna says David and her are just good friends and if I don't believe that then she's gonna think that I don't trust her." I could sense his unease in this because David had always taken whatever Eric had or had wanted. When we were little kids, Eric had gotten a new toy car and David tried to take that from him. When we were a little older, Eric had gotten a new jacket and David did the same thing again. It got to the point where Eric made him stop, by kicking his ass. Then David moved away, so we didn't really have to deal with him again.

Fez tilted his head at Eric, "Eric, maybe you should let David have Donna. I mean, they look so nice together."

Steven cocked his head to the side while I played with his hair, "You see, this is why your country lost the war."

Fez frowned and shook his head, "My country never fought a war."

Steven rolled his eyes at Fez, "Yeah, big surprise." Steven gave Eric a dry smile, "You know, Forman, I'm a romantic. So I say you choke him till his eyes pop out." I snorted out a laugh and put my head down on his shoulder. Steven could be romantic when he wanted to be, and I knew if someone tried putting moves on me he'd probably try to choke them to death.

Eric got his meaning and nodded approvingly, "I guess, you have a point… But if I hit this guy, Donna's just gonna be pissed."

Michael let out a big laugh shaking his head, "No, man. Chicks dig that stuff. I mean, Leia, right, she acted like she was mad at Han but I could tell she liked him."

Fez scoffed at Michael, "What are you, an idiot? Leia likes Luke. I mean, she kissed him on that bridge just for luck!" Awe Fez… if you only knew.

Eric rolled his eyes and started throwing his baseball up and down again, "Guys, I have a real problem here." I gave him a consoling smile and he gave me a strained smile in return. My pseudo big brother was certainly in a pickle.

Michael beamed at Eric, "I got it. Maybe you should let David have Donna because, I mean, they look so nice together." I threw an empty can at his head again and it managed to bop his forehead. Dumbass.

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We sat around my living room lounging on my couch with a tin of cookies between us while we watched The Brady Bunch. For a Friday girl's night in, this was pretty relaxing. I idly wondered what the boys were up to. They were probably at the cinema watching Star Wars again.

Donna sadly munched on a couple cookies, "I don't know what to do about Eric. He's acting like this possessive, macho jerk."

I shrugged dunking my cookie into my cold chocolate milk, "I think he's just a little jealous and I dunno maybe he just doesn't trust this David guy. You remember how David was when we were younger." I popped the slightly moist cookie into my mouth enjoying it thoroughly.

Donna sighed and sagged into her seat letting her limbs flop into a starfish position, "But Lin, I'm with him because I thought he wasn't like that. And David's probably changed." Wait. Did she really not remember how David was? Once an asshole always an asshole. That is unless they manage to surprise you by not being one.

I rolled my eyes and pushed her arm away from me, "Like what?"

Donna turned her head to me and pouted, "You know the jealous type. I don't want him to be a jerk."

I sighed and brought the cookie tin closer to me making sure not to spill my glass over, "Okay. Eric isn't a jerk most of the time, and you and I both know that."

Donna nodded slowly, "Truuuue."

I smiled and popped in another cookie into my mouth, "So if Eric's acting off because of some guy, it should actually mean something, right?"

Donna huffed and crossed her arms, "Yeah, I guess."

I snorted and let out a little laugh before handing Donna the cookie tin, "Here. Have another cookie."

She grudgingly smiled and accepted the cookie tin. Atta girl.

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I was reading my Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy novel at the Forman's kitchen table tonight when Eric plopped down into a seat beside me. I gave him a curious glance and he in return gave me a strained smile. I patted his shoulder and went back to my book. If he needed me, he knew he only had to say something.

Laurie danced in smirking at us, "Hey, little brother, and nerd, I made out with Kelso."

Eric whipped his head at her and snapped, "Shut up!"

Laurie pouted and took a seat across from us, "What is wrong with you?"

I placed my bookmark into my novel and rubbed Eric's shoulder, "Eric, are you okay?"

Eric shook his head hiding his face in his hands, "Everything's wrong. Donna's mad at me and the plant's closing, Dad's out of a job."

Laurie let out a low whistle and leaned back on her chair, "Oh, wow. Guess this is a bad time to tell him I flunked out of University."

Eric sighed rubbing his temples shooting Laurie a disbelieving look, "You know what, Laurie? I cannot believe that you're the second favorite."

I nodded adding, "Yeah, I can't believe it either."

Laurie sneered at me, "Nerd."

I rolled my eyes at her and dismissively waved, "Hey, slut. I still graduated college, so shut up."

Laurie huffed and sashayed away, "Whatever, dweebs. I'm outta here."

I looked at Eric curiously, "You know, your dad doesn't need the job at the plant, right?"

Eric shook his head confusion clearly written on his face, "What do you mean, Lin? Of course he needs the job. The muffler shop he keeps talking about isn't real yet. What about the house?"

I tilted my head and let out a sheepish laugh, "Huh. I guess your mom didn't tell you." Well this would help ease Eric's mind.

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I grinned against the waning sunlight feeling the breeze waft through my hair. I kicked my legs back and forth while I sat on the edge of the water tower, "Whoa. I love the view from up here. Everything looks so tiny." The tree's looked like broccoli and the houses and stores looked like Lego houses.

Michael sent me a lecherous look while he continued painting on the water tower, "I bet you know a thing or two about tiny things, Lin."

Steven nudged him hard in the ribs and sent him a dark glare, "Shut the hell up and just keep painting Kelso, and back off of me and my girl." I laughed and smiled up at Steven, the sunlight was reflecting off of his sunglasses and I couldn't help but think he looked like one of those cool anime characters.

Michael pouted and stepped back slightly, "It's done! Gentlemen and lady, we have finally done it. A pot leaf on the water tower."

Eric grinned and inspected Michael's handy work jokingly stating, "This is the proudest moment of my life."

Fez tilted his head from side to side staring at Michael's master piece, "It does not look like a pot leaf." I glanced behind my shoulder and frowned. Nope. Fez was right. It really didn't look like a pot leaf.

Michael looked taken aback, "What?"

Steven snorted and adjusted his sunglasses, "Yeah, Kelso. It looks like a hand giving everyone the finger."

Michael frowned and stubbornly shook his head, "It doesn't have to look perfect, Hyde. It's art."

I rolled my eyes and snorted, "Art? Riiight." Michael beamed at me not quite getting my sarcasm.

Steven moved between me and Michael and sent him a gimlet glare, "Get up and make it better."

Michael huffed picking up his paint and standing on the rails of the water tower, "Fine."

Fez and Eric stood back yelling instructions at Michael, "Just, yeah, make it wider right up there. Yeah, out further, though. Yeah. Right up there-"

Michael nodded before suddenly slipping off and landing on his back with an oof.

I stared down at him and called out, "Michael, you okay?"

Steven shouted back down to him as well, "Kelso!"

Michael nodded and shouted back, "Yeah?"

Steven gave him a blank look yelling down to him, "How's it look from down there?"

He gave us a sheepish grin, "It looks like it's giving me the finger, man." We all laughed before making our way down the ladder. Michael was okay for the most part. It wasn't the first time he had fallen off of this water tower, and I honestly doubted it would be the last.

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Michael whined while we helped him hop out of the Cruiser, "You guys, this is so stupid."

I shook my head at Michael's whining, "We should just take him to the hospital."

Michel had a panicked look on his face and begged, "No, Lin, my dad will find out!" I rolled my eyes at him. Okay, so he'll just hide it until he gets home and has to explain this? Either way his dad would still find out.

Eric bit his lip and offered, "My mom's a nurse. I'll wake her up. Maybe she can fix him."

Steven let out a wry laugh, "Don't wake up Red though, he'll kill us all."

Eric gave Steven a sarcastic look, "Gee, you think?" He disappeared into his house for a while and we made sure Michael didn't tip over. Steven kissed my head and we patiently waited for Eric to show up with his mom.

Eric rushed out of the house quickly locking the door. His face was pale and Kitty wasn't following behind him, "Okay, let's go. Everybody hop back into the car and let's go now."

Michael whined while we helped him get into the car, "Where's your mom?"

Eric gave Michael a sharp look, "Shut up. Don't you dare talk about my mother!" I raised my eyebrow at Eric. Something had certainly happened in there that really messed with Eric's head.

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Michael was on the phone with his father, "No Dad. No, there is no way this could've been avoided. Yes. No. Yeah, the cow kicked me after I tipped it over. I'm not lying! Okay, all right, I love you, too. He bought it." He gave us a grin and the nurse came in taking away the phone.

While she passed on by Fez tapped her shoulder, "Excuse me, yes. My friend and I would like our sponge baths now, please." She let out a light laugh before shaking her head and walking away.

Annette came in running out of nowhere, "Are you all right?" Wait. Didn't she move already? This girl was certainly confusing and I knew there would be a fight between the Macy girls in the very near future because of this. She was beside Michael in a flash and checked him over like a mother hen. She let out a happy laugh solemnly stating, "Michael, as God is my witness, I will nurse you back to health."

Michael gave her a pathetic smile, "Thanks, Annie. I'm in a lot of pain. Does this mean, you're staying."

She petted his head brushing his hair away from his eyes, "My poor baby. Yeah, I'll stay for you." Huh. I guess she wasn't moving to Texas anymore.

Eric shook his limbs getting out of his chair, "That's it. I'm going. Whoever wants a ride?" Fez nodded and got up as well.

Steven slipped me off of his lap and I stretched out cracking my back. He stretched out his arms and cracked his knuckles letting out a relieved sigh.

Michael glanced at us and shot us a sheepish grin, "Hey, sorry about tonight, you guys."

Steven chuckled and slung an arm around my waist, "Sorry? Why? We got to watch you fall, man."

Fez grinned and patted Michael's shoulder, "I had a blast!" Annette sent the guys a dark look while Michael smiled back at us.

Eric gave Michael a curt wave walking out the door, "See you, Kelso."

Steven gave him a silent nod and I gave them a short wave goodbye, "Bye, Michael. Bye, Annette." That went better than I had expected.

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We were all sitting down eating a tuna casserole with fried chicken. I sipped on my ice water and noted that Eric was dead silent through this whole dinner. He refused to look at either Kitty or Red, which was really weird in my book.

Red tore a piece of chicken off and popped it into his mouth thoughtfully chewing, "Well, we got vandals in this town. I was driving home and I saw the water tower giving me the finger."

Kitty had a bemused look and nodded while she continued eating her tuna casserole piece.

Laurie grinned and gave Eric a nasty look before sneering at me, "Vandals you say? Where were you last night, Eric?"

I glared at Laurie, "Can it, Laurie." I made sure my tone implied that her name was an insult. She huffed and stuffed some food into her mouth.

Kitty gave Eric a worried look and got up. She made her way to Eric's seat and looked right at his face, "Eric, you look pale. Let me see your eyes. Look at me. Do you have a fever?"

Red snorted and took a sip of his iced tea, "I know what you need. Right after breakfast, I want you to mow the lawn. The fresh air will do you good."

I gave him a concerned look, "Eric, is something bothering you?"

Eric suddenly put his head into his hands groaning, "God, make it stop!" We all looked at him bewildered by his behavior before quietly going back to our meal.

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It was midnight and I couldn't sleep. The look on Eric's face at dinner made my stomach turn. He never hid anything from me that would make him act this way, and I couldn't figure out what was wrong.

I rolled over and faced Steven cuddling into his naked chest, "Steven?" I pulled our blanket up higher on us letting it cover our shoulders. I intertwined my legs with his and nuzzled his chest.

Steven blearily said, "Mhmm?" He rubbed my bare back gently.

I looked up at him and saw that he had a groggy look on his face, "Do you think Eric's okay?"

Steven let out a slightly irritated yawn, "Yeah, he's been a little more twitchy lately, but otherwise he seems okay."

I pouted and nodded, "Okay. But he's just been extra weird and I can't figure out why." I tended to brood over things and this was no different with this situation.

Steven cleared his throat and settled further into his pillow, "He'll tell you eventually, Lin. Go back to sleep."

I sighed and nodded forcefully closing my eyes praying that sleep would whisk me away from my ever cycling thoughts.

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Fez looked at the basement's TV with twinkling eyes, "Boy, these after school specials are thrilling. I mean, who knew it takes only one beer to turn a cheerleader into a whore?"

I laughed and nodded towards him, "You know, Fez, this show contains an important message."

Annette wobbled her head and sat up straighter, "That very thing happened to a good friend of mine." I chuckled and rolled my eyes. Eh. I doubt he would've listened if I told him it was just don't drink too much. Out of everyone Fez really liked alcohol more than he should.

Fez perked up and gave Annette his full attention, "Really? May I ask who?"

Steven laughed and pointed at the TV, "Man, that is one drunk, slutty cheerleader. There go her pom poms." I watched her tip over a couch and cringed. Damn. This was one saucy show.

Eric stood up suddenly glaring at the TV, "All right, that is quite enough! Everywhere I look now it's sex, sex, sex. It's disgusting and I, for one, will not have it in my basement!"

Donna gave him a bewildered look pulling him down back onto the couch, "Eric, what's wrong with you?"

He gave her a stressed out look, "Well, excuse me, Donna, for having a little moral fiber." He never talked to Donna that way. I knew it! Something big was wrong and he was bottling it up. He wasn't very good at it though.

Annette huffed and started making her way to the basement back door, "I'm going to go check on Michael."

Steven glanced at Annette and gave her a curious look, "Yeah, how's he doing?" He started playing with my hair and scalp again and I sighed contently.

Annette shot Steven a disdainful look, and if Steven wasn't making me relax I would've snapped at her. She turned her nose up at him, "Yeah, like you care. Why don't you just apologize?"

Steven gave Annette an affronted look, "Apologize for what?"

Annette started stomping towards the door and shot my boyfriend a dark look, "If you don't know then obviously, you're a big, fat jerk."

I rolled my eyes, "Okay, she's obviously nuts right now." Steven stopped his ministrations and chose to instead clutch me tighter to his chest.

He snorted and glared at the basement back door, "I know."

Fez beamed at Steven, "Very true, you are not fat." I proceeded to throw an empty soda can at Fez's head. That was uncalled for.

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I tapped Eric's shoulder, "Eric?"

He suddenly stood up roughly stating, "Get off of my mom."

I sat down and pulled him back onto his living room couch, "What is it with you?"

Eric let out a deep sigh, but before he could say anything Laurie plopped herself down on Eric's other side. She gave us both a curious look before giving Eric a frown, "You've been extra losery lately. What's wrong with you?"

Eric slumped into his seat and covered his face with his hands, "I saw Mom and Dad having sex."

My eyes widened and I patted his knee, "You poor thing." Damn that would really mess any kid up. No wonder he was acting all crazy.

Laurie blinked repeatedly in quick succession, "Oh my God. It's all right. It's okay. Baby's fine." She held Eric in a loose hug and rubbed his back gently. This was the nicest we'd ever seen Laurie, and I didn't quite know what to make of it.

He gave us a morose look, "Guys, it was horrible. And I can't get the image out of my mind. I mean, it was Mom and Dad, but they were- They were like a pair of wildebeests on a National Geographic Special."

I cringed at his description. I really didn't need to know how Red and Kitty got it on. At all. Ever. I gave Eric a sympathetic smile before slowly stating, "Eric, I am so sorry. But you have to understand. Your parents are in love. And all people have urges and needs that need to be fulfilled." Laurie surprisingly nodded along and I found that this day was really quite bizarre.

Eric shook his head and covered his ears for a moment, "No urges. No needs."

Laurie let go of Eric and patted his shoulder lightly, "I learned in psychology class that what you went through is traumatic. But don't worry. Many people have had this same experience."

Eric gave her a hopeful look, "Really?"

I raised my eyebrow at her, "And they turned out all right?"

Laurie shrugged, "Well, some of them turned out to be serial killers. But I'm sure that's just a coincidence. But whatever."

Eric let out a deep sigh giving Laurie a cautious look, "You know what the sad thing is? I actually think you're trying to be nice."

Laurie smiled at the both of us sheepishly scratching the back of her head, "Yeah. It's just not my strong suit. Sorry."

Eric nodded letting his head fall onto my shoulder, "So, I'll be all right?"

Before Laurie could ruin the moment I soothingly said, "Probably, Eric. Just don't go near any knives for a while." That got both siblings to smile. A little humor went a long way in a situation like this.

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Michael came in with Annette on his arm limping slightly, "Look, Annie, it's my friends. Eric, Donna, Lin, and Fez. Yep, that's all my friends."

Steven shot him a glare and I sighed, "Kelso, if you have something to say to me, why don't you just say it?" I got up off of Steven's lap and made my way behind him. I started kneading his tense shoulders and I could feel his irritation lower. I doubt that would save Michael though.

Michael shook his head stubbornly while Annette kissed him goodbye and left, "No."

Steven shook his head mulishly stating, "No. I think you have something to say to me. And I'm gonna be right over here when you're ready."

Silence was all we could hear for an hour and Eric pinched the bridge of his nose before giving Steven an exasperated look, "All right, this is stupid. Hyde, just apologize already."

I shot Eric an irritated look, "Eric, it's not his fault whatever Michael's blaming Steven for."

Eric shrugged and pointed at a still pouting Michael, "Whatever, he thinks it is."

Michael nodded resolutely sending Steven a dirty look, "It is. You made me fall off the water tower."

Steven raised an eyebrow, "How? Did I push you?"

Michael slowly shook his head, "Well, no, but –"

I deeply frowned at Michael, "Did he make the railing slippery?"

Michael gave me a puppy pout, "No."

Steven then glanced at Michael above his sunglasses, "Then how is it my fault?"

Michael huffed slouching back further into his lawn chair, "Because you didn't like my artwork. And you don't respect me, and you laugh at me and you're inconsiderate of my feelings."

Eric gave Michael a doubtful look, "Kelso, no offense, but you sound like a chick." I made a face at Eric and he shrugged giving me an 'its true look.'

Michael gave us a panicked look, "What Man, I do?!"

Steven sighed and rubbed his fore head with his thumb and fore finger, "Okay, all right. Do you remember that time when I was climbing your fence and I hit my forehead on that tree branch, and I fell into your yard and your dog Yogi came out of the house and bit me twice on the ass?" I put my arms around Steven's shoulders and plopped my head down onto his shoulder.

Yeah, that was day I found out that I had a crush on Steven. He had climbed that fence because I had accidentally threw my soccer ball that way and I had a childish moment of weakness… I had cried since it was the first gift Red and Kitty had gotten for me since I was pushed into this dimension. That prompted Steven to try and solve my problem.

Michael chuckled at the memory nodded, "Yeah. You bled and you cried." I gave him a dark look and he was oblivious to it.

Steven gave him a frustrated look, "I bled, I didn't cry."

Michael shook his head and wouldn't stop grinning, "Yeah, you did. You bled and you cried."

Steven nodded and deadpanned, "And you laughed, man. A lot. While I was bleeding. Do you see my point?"

Michael relaxed and nodded uncrossing his arms, "Yeah. It's funny when friends get hurt."

Steven let out a breath through his teeth, "Close enough."

Michael offered Steven an apologetic look, "Sorry."

Eric made a face at them all, "Hey, stop talking like a chick."

I rolled my eyes and slid back onto Steven's lap, "God, you're both idiots." Michael pouted at me and Eric shrugged carelessly. I felt Steven place a wet suckling kiss on the back of my neck and I slowly grinned.

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Steven and I walked side by side catching Eric dribble a ball listlessly. I shot him a concerned, "What's going on?"

Eric continued dribbling the ball and shot it into the hop and continued the cycle, "Just shooting some hoops."

Steven peered into the Cruiser, "Eric, what's your grandma doing sleeping in the car?"

Eric shook his head and deadpanned not really looking at us, "She's not sleeping. She's dead."

Steven gave him a disbelieving look, "No, really?"

Eric replied in a monotone voice and stopped dribbling his ball. He gave us a pained look and quietly stated, "She's dead."

I gave him a bewildered look before moving towards him and shaking his shoulders slightly, "What? What are you talking about, she's dead?"

Eric shook his head and whispered, "I was driving her home and then I yelled at her and then she died."

My eyes widened and I took a step back, "She died?"

Steven gave him a concerned look, "What'd Red say?"

Eric shook his head furiously, "I'm not telling Red."

I sighed and turned Eric towards his patio door, "Eric, I don't mean to criticize, but are you insane? You need to do something." He let me turn him without any hesitation. He was clearly in shock right now.

Michael jogged up to the car and sent us a short wave and grin, "Eric, I just gotta get hat out of the car."

We all looked at him in a slight panic, "Kelso!"

Michael nudged Mother Forman slightly grabbing his hat from the front seat, "Grandma Forman, can you just move your leg there?"

Steven shook his head and pulled Michael out of the Cruiser forcefully, "Kelso, she's dead." Michael stumbled back and paled before booking it out of Eric's driver faster than the road runner.

I patted his shoulder and continued pushing him towards his house, "Eric, you're in shock. You have to go inside and tell Red, right now."

Eric crumpled and whined, "Wait, will you do it?"

I shook my head, "No. Go in there and tell them."

He hesitated and asked quietly before I pushed him all the way through the patio door, "Right now?"

Steven waved, "Yup. Good luck, man." With that Steven and I made our way back to our house. That was certainly more than a hi and hello.

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We found Eric and Donna arguing on her porch so we 'kidnapped' Eric away and brought him to a bar. At the time it seemed like a really good idea.

I sat on Steven's lap and gave Eric a concerned look, "As fellow human beings, and your favorite baby sister, how do you feel all this shit?"

Eric sighed and shook his head before burying his face into his arms mumbling something that I couldn't understand.

Steven shot him a frustrated look and nudged his shoulder, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Eric lifted up his head and gave us a morose look, "I've got to get away from my parents, and I'm not afraid of my feelings."

I nodded and shot him a confused look, "Okay? I was certainly missing a chunk of context right now."

Steven gave Eric an awkward pat on the shoulder waving over the waitress, "Waitress! Waitress! Forman, relax, okay? Hi. We're gonna need a pitcher and five glasses, please." He gave the waitress a charming smile and I beamed at her turning up the cute. Usually with our potent combination we could get alcohol despite our ages. Well, it worked in liquor stores any ways.

The blonde buxom waitress smiled at us kindly and winked at me saying, "I'm gonna need to see some ID, sugar." I remember this lady! This was Delani Ringer, I used to baby sit her four-year-old before she got married. Her son was about six now, if I recalled correctly.

I grinned at her and showed my college I.D, "Of course, Mrs. Ringer." She looked over my identification, and laughed a little before turning a questioning look at Steven.

Steven nodded and showed her his fake I.D, "I have mine right here, but the rest of the fellas left theirs back at the military base." Delani shot me a curious look and I mouthed 'I'm driving them home' silently.

She chuckled and nodded, "Yeah. Gotcha. Be right back, Linny and friends." Delani was a strong proponent against drinking and driving.

A slim blonde and busty brunette came over to us and gave me a curious look before scanning the other guys from head to toe, "So, you're in the military." I gave them a sharp look and made sure Steven's class ring was visible on my ring finger. I had craftily changed the ring position under the table when I had caught those girls in the corner of my eye.

The brunette twirled her hair and pushed up her chest near Michael, "What base are you from?"

Michael stuttered before clearing his throat, "A secret military base."

The brunette giggled, "I'm Charlotte, and this is my sister, Charlene." Charlene gave the guys a sultry look and I swear that Fez may have just melted from what she did.

Steven nodded at them both politely, "Hi, I'm Ted Mosby and this is my wife Tracy Mosby." I cracked up on the inside at the fake names that he gave us. I made sure to wave with left hand carefully noting that the blonde deflated a little. Well at least I knew she had enough morals not to be a home wrecker, some people didn't care about whether or not people were married. We weren't mind you, but I think Steven was using this to keep them away. They gave off the same air that Edna did; a desperate kind of loneliness.

Eric shot Steven a dark look and I kicked his shin underneath the table. He winced and pouted at me. I shrugged. It's not like it was real, and this was fun. Because these girls obviously didn't live here, most people in town knew each other one way or another. These were obviously city folk.

Michael winked at them trying to make himself look bigger, "Sgt. Shaft."

Eric chuckled and gave them a slight smile, "You can call me Honcho."

Fez beamed at the two ladies unbuttoning another button off of his dress shirt, "I am Eric Forman."

I snorted at the obvious irritated look that Eric was giving Fez. Steven subtly groped my butt and I let out a slight squeak pinching his arm slightly.

Charlene waved over to Sally Summers, "Sally, put that on our tab. And bring everybody a round of shots." Sally gave her a curt nod. The red head already seemed like she had a busy section, and having someone call out to her personally meant more on her plate. Besides, I'm pretty sure Delani would be coming back with our pitcher of beer at some point.

Fez whispered at us keeping his eye on the two ladies, "What is going on?"

I gave him an amused look, "They're picking us up. Well just probably just you guys." Steven rolled his eyes and snorted.

Eric looked panicked, "No!" He was quite loyal to Donna so I was glad he was panicked. Good on him.

Michael patted his back giving the girls a wink, "No, it's a good thing."

Eric nodded slowly breathing normally, "Okay." Delani gave us our pitcher sending a glare at the girls while she put down our order. The girls ignored Delani and she patted my head slightly before whispering, "Be careful with those two, honey. They're bad news."

Fez grinned and downed a glass of beer, and Michael and Eric joined him.

Steven heard and gave Delani a curious look and I smiled at her softly, "Thanks, Mrs. Ringer."

She straightened up and gave the girls another dour look before giving me a short wave, "Anything for you, sweetheart."

Steven sipped his beer with the arm that wasn't around my waist, "That was weird."

I nodded and rested my head against his shoulder, "I wonder what she meant." Sally came by looking haggard and quickly placed a bunch of; what appeared to be whisky shots, onto our table.

Charlotte had plopped herself down onto Michael, and Charlene was slightly grinding on Fez. Both boys appeared to be in heaven. I shook my head while they downed shots. Eric looked off into the distance silently drinking his beer.

A big burly man who looked like he might've been a trucker strolled up to our table and gave me a charming smile, "Excuse me, fellas and lady, but we need to talk to these lovely ladies." He gestured to Charlene and Charlotte who were openly glared at them. Did these women know these shady looking guys? Steven shot the would-be trucker with a warning look, which just made the guy grin widely. Seriously? I would never cheat on Steven, so look the other way stupid.

The guy who looked like a buffed out tall Mario pulled off Charlotte of Michael's lap, "Yeah, these ladies are with us, okay?" The woman in question looked irritated, but accepting. Were they in a relationship?

The burly blonde man gently started pulling Charlene off of Fez's lap, "They came here with us, okay?" From the show; from what I could still recall, they had seemed like dirt bags that could've been possible rapists, but it really seemed like they knew one another. Even though these women were irritated they all showed recognition on their faces, and no fear.

Steven nodded and sipped his beer again giving them a cold look, "Great. Now get lost." I shrugged at them and took a sip of my water bottle. These women did seem like trouble if they came with these guys.

Fez stopped them from leaving by pulling on the steroid tall Mario's arm, "They are trying to pick us up."

The blonde burly man gave Fez an amused look, "I think you've had quite enough firewater there, chief." He pushed Fez back slightly and started walking away with the two ladies we had just met.

Eric slammed down his cup and roughly pulled back the blonde burly man, "You mess with Eric Forman and you mess with me." He glared at him, and I knew that he wasn't really mad about the women. Eric was just doing what he sometimes did when life got too much for him; he took it out on someone else.

Tall steroid Mario-man sneered, "Are you looking for trouble?" This one was sure aggressive.

Eric glared up at him snarling, "Yes. I'm looking for trouble." He threw back a fist and managed to actually knock the guy down. His buddy however, got to his aid and knocked Eric down. Eric was down for the count and Michael hovered over him worriedly.

Before Steven could do something stupid; like getting into a brawl with an obviously too big guy, I slipped off of his lap. Wiggled out of his arms, grabbed an empty beer bottle and quickly made my way behind him.

The blonde burly man looked around and growled, "Anybody else?"

I kicked the back of his knee as hard as I could and he yelped out falling onto one knee. Before he could turn his head, I put all my strength in swinging the beer bottle at the back of his head. The beer bottle shattered and the big guy was down.

Before I could do anything else Steven swooped behind me and put me in a fireman's hold. I whined, "Steven."

Steven shook his head while we headed towards the exit, "Nope. I'm gonna take you home before you do something else stupid."

I pouted and watched the aftermath of what I had done. Fez was pouting nursing a beer and Michael was pulling up dazed Eric. Those guys would follow after us once they noticed we were gone. Okay maybe not Fez. I think he was still sore about losing yet another opportunity to lose his virginity.

Delani came over and poked the guy with her shoe, "I guess that takes care of those guys."

Sally came over and smiled, "I called the cops and they'll take these guys away. Those four always do this every time they visit our town."

Delani nodded and pulled the now irate women away while James and Ricky pulled the unconscious guys out of the bar.

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We all sat quietly as we could in the church. It was bedecked with white lilies and ferns. The light shone through the stained glass windows and tossed color into a sea of black garments. A good chunk of the town had shown up, but not because they liked Mother Forman that much. It was more because this was a prime time for gossip. The same thing happened during church wedding receptions. It was the small town mindset despite our growing population.

The pastor continued his sermon in dulcet tones, "And as much as we all miss Bernice we must remember that she is now in a far better place."

We all had our heads bowed and Steven snorted muttering, "You don't have to die to get to a better place, man. Just drive 50 miles in any direction."

I rolled my eyes and elbowed him gently, "Steven. That's not funny."

I could hear him chuckle slightly, "I wasn't trying to be funny, doll. I was being sarcastic."

I pouted and felt him take my hand, "Ahhh. Still though… She was a really religious woman and this is church."

He shrugged and amusement filled his voice, "Mhmm. And now she'll be worm food, darlin'."

The sermon finished and everyone got up wandering around the church. We made it up to her casket and looked at her prettied up dead body. She was pale and painted up with oodles of makeup.

Steven peered and nodded, "Oh, alright."

I nodded along with him while we made our way away from the casket, "Well, that happened."

Eric's uncle Marty burst into tears when he saw his dead mother lying in her cast, "Oh, Ma….."

Red shook his head striding towards his brother pulling him away from the casket and firmly closing the lid, "Oh, for God's sake. Sorry, those should be closed."

Eric gave Donna a sheepish look, "Hey."

He raised his hand and Donna caught sight of his black eye. She grabbed his hands and pulled him closer, "God, you've got a black eye."

Eric wriggled out of her grasp and let out a sheepish look, "You should see the other guy."

Donna gave him an amazed look biting her lip coquettishly, "Did you really lay him out?"

Eric grinned and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Yeah, pretty much." I saw them walk away into a dark corner. They were probably going to make-out there. Jeeze people. This is a church.

Kitty was fluttering around all the other people answering questions and keeping the peace.

We walked closer to where Red was sitting looking pensively at everyone. I stopped and gave Red a hug which he returned. I slipped him a chocolate tootsie roll, which got him to smile slightly, "I'm really sorry your mom died, Mr. Forman."

He gave me a strained smile and patted my back pocketing the candy, "That's alright, Lin. She…I guess- I guess it was her time to go."

Michael came by beaming and patting Red's shoulder, "Hey. Pretty great funeral." Good grief, why was Michael being so inappropriate?

Steven pushed Michael away from a glaring Red and he sighed placing a hand on Red's shoulder, "Red, I'm sorry about your mom, man. And I'm sorry Kelso's an idiot." Red's ire faded away and he nodded.

Fez gave him a hesitant smile, "Mr. Red, always remember a mother's goodness is carried down forever by her sons."

Red gave him a confused nod before going off to find Kitty amongst a sea of black clothed folks.

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I sat back on Steven's lap and sighed letting my forehead bonk against the Cruiser's passenger window, "Guys, can we do something besides cruise?"

Steven looked over my head and deadpanned, "That's the third time tonight we've driven by that house."

Michael perked up startling Annette slightly, "You know what we could do. We could go skinny dipping in the lake. Naked! It's warm enough for it now." The sky was still somewhat blue while the sun hid behind the clouds that floated on by. It was a particularly warm day today.

Fez grinned dreamily, "That's the way God intended."

Steven shot Fez and Michael a dark look and cuddled me closer. I chuckled and wiggled into his lap slightly. I could totally get why he was being possessive now. If some chick suggested he got naked around them, I'd be kind of pissed off too, "No way."

Michael pouted giving us a wounded look, "Why not? It'd be fun."

Donna rolled her eyes and gave Michael, Fez, and Eric a dry smile, "Sure, it's fun for you guys 'cause you get to look at us and that's a treat. But we just get to look at you. And that's nasty." Well it was nasty in her opinion. I personally thought a naked Steven was a welcome sight. It certainly led to many fun things when it came down to it. Bow chicka wah wah.

I nodded and chirped, "Plus I can't swim."

I felt Steven brush back some of my hair and he smirked, "I can teach you how to swim, doll. However, we'd have to find a spot far away from these pervs." He shot Michael and Fez a dirty look rubbing my thigh gently. I'd probably just wear my underwear since there were other people besides Steven. Donna and Annette can go naked if they wanted to, but I'd want to at least be wearing a bra and panties. I still would've preferred to be wearing a bathing suit though.

Eric grunted nodding resolutely, "I agree. You guys don't get to see my baby sister naked. Ever." Donna chuckled and rubbed Eric's thigh.

His cheek's flushed and he gave Donna a half lidded look, "So, are we going to skinny dip?"

Annette piped in letting Michael encircle her waist further, "I don't care, I'll do it. It sounds like fun."

Michael gave her his suave look, "Of course it does Annie."

Donna rolled her eyes, "Okay, I'm in."

Eric beamed at her, "To the lake we go!"

Fez sang, "Naked is dirty. Dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty. Dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty!" I swatted Fez's head and he grinned before muttering, "Dirty."

Steven rolled his eyes and I laughed, "This'll be an adventure."

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Annette gave Michael an uncomfortable smile, "This was such a good idea, Michael. This was so much fun." I don't know what qualified as fun in her book, but this was awkward as hell.

Steven shot Michael a dark glare, "Except for the part where our clothes got stolen, Kelso you moron." He made sure that I sat on his lap and I bet he was glad I went swimming with my underwear now. Michael was supposed to act as the lookout while we swam in the lake when we noticed that our clothes had been stolen. He was making out with Annette in the water when that happened. Shit like that didn't happen when we acted as look out for our turns.

I let out an irritated sigh and kicked the back of Michael's seat, "You seriously suck right now, Michael."

I heard him whine and Donna smacked him upside the head making sure her breasts were covered by her hair.

Eric gave Fez a lopsided grin, "By the way, Fez, nice tattoo, man."

Fez beamed at him, "Thank you. It's the Blessed Virgin of Yorba Linda. Do you want to see her dance?"

He was about to get up and we all yelled out, "No!"

Eric sighed and put his forehead against the steering wheel looking out at a darkening sky, "Look, guys, we need a plan. I'm not driving up to the house with a car full of naked people.
Red hates you guys when you're dressed, and he'd kill me if he knew that Steven saw Lin in her underwear."

I laughed and nodded. Steven hummed thoughtfully before cautiously offering, "We can go to my mom's house."

Michael chortled, "Yeah, your mom's used to having naked guys around."

Steve smacked him upside the head, "She's not even home, you moron."

Fez tried to change the radio, "Put on the top 40."

I put my hands over my eyes and yelled, "Sit down, Fez!"

Steven adjusted his sunglasses and deadpanned, "I see London, I see Besticle." I was glad I had put his sunglasses in the car and not along the rock shore where everyone's clothes had been. I was certainly going to have to find another black leather jacket, blue drainpipes, make another red cotton V-neck shirt, and worst of all…the bastards took my red cowboy boots. They looked just like the ones from How I Met Your Mother. If I ever found out who took them I'd probably repeat what I did to that big blonde guy at the bar.

Fez pouted and sat down, "What do you want me to do about it?"

I laughed and kept my eyes away from everyone's naked bodies. The only one I wanted to ever see naked was Steven, "I don't know, Fez. Tuck it in somehow."

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I came out of Steven's room in his faded Led Zepplin shirt and a pair of sweat pants I had given to him recently, "Hey, puddin' pop. I stole one of your shirts." I plopped down on his lap avoiding the trash pile nearby.

Steven nodded and smiled, "That's good." It was odd being here again and I could see that Edna had let it go to hell again. Steven didn't really want to clean up the mess either because every time he did Edna just messed it up again. I could understand why Steven eventually got tired of picking up after her and just gave up.

Annette came out of Edna's room in a very unattractive misshapen blue dress, "Okay, no offense, Hyde, but all your mother's clothes are whorey."

Donna walked out of the same room after Annette frowning, "What?" She was currently wearing a too tight too short pink sequined number that came half way down her thighs. Edna was much shorter than her it seemed.

Annette gave Donna a sheepish look, "But they look great on you, Donna."

Donna rolled her eyes and sat down onto Eric's lap, "Thanks, Annie." I chuckled and Donna nudged me slightly smiling.

Steven planted a soft kiss on the back of my neck and I wiggled into his lap feeling his length harden. He groaned slightly and I laughed. Now was not that time for that, mister.

Annette sneezed and pouted, "Michael, can you please take me home? Look, I think I caught something at the lake."

Michael got up and they started walking towards the door, "Like an eel?"

Annette frowned and sneezed again, "Not that, you idiot. I think I'm sick."

Michael shrugged and let her exit first, "Well I caught an eel." I shook my head. Michael was an idiot.

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I helped Kitty put the dishes onto the dinner table and sneakily made my way to the closed kitchen door. I wanted to eavesdrop Red, Eric, and Steven. He didn't usually eat with the Formans, opting to eat a late dinner at my place. This was an interesting occurrence that I wanted to be sort of a part of. Kitty had asked me to get the jello and I was going to get the jello. Just after I heard enough of what was going on.

I heard Red grunt, "Eric. I thought I told you to wash up for dinner. I know it's difficult to hear with your head up your ass. Get a move on."

Fez chirped, "Red. You need to relax. Anger is bad for the soul." Bad move Fez. He'll just get mad.

I could hear Red confirm, "It's Fez, right?"

Fez cheerfully stated, "Yes."

Red yelled and was probably pointing, "Get out!"

Fez's voice faded away, "Okey-dokey."

Red sounded irritated, "Come on. Wash up."

Eric sounded hesitant, "Dad do you think that Hyde could stay for dinner?"

I heard Red snort and state sternly, "Eric, I can't afford to feed your friends all the time when I'm trying to get my business up and running. I can't even afford to feed you, but the law requires me to."

I heard Eric's slight plea, "Look, his mom's out of town."

I knew Red would probably crumble at this point. Despite dating me Steven still managed to have a really great relationship with Red, so I knew that he liked him a lot. Red sighed, "Alright, fine. Be glad that Lin pitched in to help your mother with the groceries. No second helpings. For either of you."

I could hear the sink run and knew that Red was washing up first.

Steven gave Eric a gruff, "Thanks, man."

Eric murmured happily, "No problem."

I pushed open the door and smiled at the two of them whisking away the jello. This was an interesting predicament.

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Steven went with me to my house and when six o'clock came he didn't rush off to beat Edna home. I gave him a curious look while we sat on the couch watching I Love Lucy. This was my favorite bit with the chocolate on the conveyer belt. I laughed and rocked into Steven's shoulder smiling up at him. He grinned down on me and placed a gentle kiss on my lips.

I pushed him back and smiled trying to ease the worried look that slid onto his face again, "Steven. What's going on?"

Steven sighed and laid down pulling me on top of him, "Well Edna left."

I gave him a curious look, "She always leaves."

He shook his head and I placed my head down onto his chest, "Nope. Like actually left as in abandoned me just like Bud. I got a call from her before the whole lake incident. She's totally gone. She had a bunch of bills and… she left some cash, but now…"

I lifted myself up and straddled his waist, "Steven Hyde, you need to live with me now okay? You basically live here any ways. I mean I have most of your clothes, shoes, and a bunch of your other stuff here. Besides, this way if you just tell them that you're about to move you can get your deposit back and then-"

He laughed and put a pillow under his head to see me better, "Hold your horses, doll. I'd love to live with you, but I've gotta talk to Eric, Kitty, and Red. I'm eighteen so foster care is out just in case they get pissed at the idea of me living with you."

I rolled my eyes and rocked back and forth letting the gears in my head run wildly, "Still…I think this'll be a good change. Even if she was your mom."

Steven snorted, "Kitty basically raised me and I doubt she'd just up and leave. Is it bad that I don't really feel bad that she left?"

I shook my head, "Nah. I didn't really give a fuck when mother dearest left the country after the divorce. Oh! Hey, what's up with you and the whole pulling me closer when Fez and Michael say or do certain things?"

He sighed, "You know Fez has a crush on you, and Michael's a flirt with no boundaries sometimes." He shrugged and let out a deep breath.

I nodded and bit my lip thoughtfully, "Huh. I knew about the Michael thing, but you know I can protect myself if Michael gets touchy."

Steven chuckled, "Yeah. I remember your first bar brawl, wonder woman."

"Damn straight!" I giggled recalling that incident. I was damn lucky that it worked out that way. During that entire time I felt like adrenaline was rushing through me and that's probably why it went the way that it did. I wonder if that's how mothers could lift really heavy shit off of their kids.

I leaned down and pecked his chin, "As for Fez. Well…you know that I would never pick anyone but you, puddin' pop. Fez's crush will pass eventually."

Steven snorted, "I'll make it pass if he tries to put a move on you."

I let my arms fold across his chest and rested my head on my forearms, "Yeah, I think that'd be a course of action should that point come. So you'll live with me fully now?"

Steven smirked, "If Red and Kitty don't kill me first."

I beamed at him, "You'll be fine. They really like you." This was true, but at the same time I felt a knot of worry form in the pit of my stomach. I hoped that they really would be okay with that. It was really unconventional for people to live together as a couple before marriage in the 70's.

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I sat down beside Steven on the basement couch, and glanced at his hunched form, "Whatcha doin' good lookin'?" He had decided to do his homework in the basement instead of our house today. Red and Kitty were okay with him staying with me since it made the most sense since I had a guest bedroom. They didn't quite know we were sleeping together in the same bed. Steven had told me that Red threatened to skin him alive if I got pregnant before a ring was on my finger though. So that was fun.

Steven looked up at me and smiled sheepishly, "I've got to do my homework, Lin." He bit into a sandwich and read his textbook again.

I raised my eyebrow at him and let out a bewildered laugh, "Really?"

He sighed and scratched the back of his head slightly, "No, I'm serious. Mrs. Forman found out I failed a test."

I tilted my head and slid my arm around his waist cuddling beside him slightly, "Did she yell at you?"

Steven shook his head taking another bite of his sandwich, "Nope. She said she was really disappointed. And then, before I knew what I was doing, I told her I'd try harder."

I gave a taken aback sigh, "Damn."

Steven nodded and gave me a kiss on the cheek, "Yeah. You wanna help me?" This usually meant going through my old papers and I didn't quite want to get up right now.

I looked over at his paper and shrugged, "Nah, I'll just keep you company while you study, kay?"

He chuckled highlighting something absentmindedly, "Alright."

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We dug into the brisket with gravy, garden salad, and macaroni and cheese. I smiled to myself. This was probably going to be an interesting dinner. It was the first dinner we were going to have with Steven as part of the 'family'. I wondered if it was going to go normally.

Kitty smiled taking a sip of her orange soda, "Okay, here we all are. So, honey, how did you do on your history paper?" She gave Steven a slight smile.

Eric nodded, "Well since History is not my-"

Kitty put her hand on Eric's arm and shook her head, an apologetic smile flashing across her face, "I'm sorry, sweetie, I was talking to Steven." Eric snapped his mouth shut and nodded moving his salad around his plate before popping a tomato into his mouth.

Steven gave Eric a sheepish smile and he gave him a patient smile in return, "I must say, all that studying really paid off." Steven took another bite of his brisket.

I grinned and tilted my head, "Yeah? What did you get?" I plucked some brisket off my plate doused in gravy popping it into my mouth. I loved dinners.

Laurie sneered, "What a "D"?"

Steven gave her a cool look, "No. I got a "B" minus."

I patted Steven's knee under the table making sure to linger on his inner thigh a little, "Way to go, puddin' pop." He gave me an appreciative look, and I ate some of my salad mixed in with some macaroni and cheese.

Eric smiled and stated, "I got an "A.""

Red gave him a calculating glance, "You couldn't get an "A" plus?" It was one of the few "A" that he had gotten so I don't see why they weren't more enthusiastic. Eric deflated in his seat slightly.

I managed to garner his attention and gave him an eye smile mouthing silently, 'you did great'. He smiled back shoveling some macaroni and cheese into his mouth.

Kitty patted Eric's hand consolingly, "Honey, don't listen to your father. You did super. And, Steven, you did super-duper."

Steven smiled at Kitty and ate more of his brisket in relative silence. I think he was just glad to be a part of a 'Forman' dinner as a family for once and not as a guest. We were more restrained with how we acted and what we said when there were guests around.

Eric pouted, "Why does he get a "duper"?"

Red shot him a wry look, "Because we expect more from you." Eric sighed and nodded.

Laurie gave him a spiteful grin, "Don't sweat it, Eric. You can only be as smart as God made you. Or didn't."

I glared at Laurie swallowing my ice water before bitingly saying, "All right, didn't you just flunk out of University?"

Laurie huffed and gave me the stink eye, "Get bent, nerd."

I shrugged and took another bite of my macaroni. I may have been considered a nerd now, but times would change eventually. Besides, she was Laurie; she always name called everyone to their face or behind their back.

Eric came to my defense, "Why don't you wear a bra!"

Steven sighed and rubbed his temple, "Can we please not fight?

""Can we please not fight?"" Laurie imitated in a nasally voice.

Eric glared at Laurie, "Can you please not suck?" He then coughed into his hand smirking, "people off."

I let out a laugh, "Good one, Eric."

Eric smugly smiled, "Thank you."

Red placed his utensils down onto the table violently, "All right, everybody shut up. Now, we're gonna have a nice dinner." We were all silenced at once.

Kitty sighed and patted Laurie's hand, "Laurie, try to be more like Lin."

Laurie looked like she was choking on a lemon, and I almost choked at that comment. I internally cackled. A hundred points for me.

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I sat against my couches' arm rest with my legs folded up to my chest while I continued to read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Laurie flounced in and I ignored her, "Where's Hyde?" I should really lock my patio door some more. It would certainly prevent Laurie from barging in whenever she wanted to.

Eric slumped into his seat carelessly saying, "Mom and Dad are giving him a bath."

"Eric," I gave him a sharp glare nudging him with my foot before going back to my novel.

He shot Laurie a dry look before going back to watching Hee-Haw, "I don't know; who cares. I'm watching TV. Go away."

Laurie kept poking him over and over again which made Eric snap, "You're just jealous, right? Because you're not number two anymore, so you have to go try and bug me into insanity."

Laurie rolled her eyes, "If I'm not number two, guess who's number four?

Eric resolutely ignored her, "Hey, Lin did you hear that?"

I chuckled lightly and shook my head, "Nope."

Laurie rolled her eyes again and flopped into my nearby recliner, "What's on?"

I smiled at Laurie for once without any malice, "Hee-haw." We all liked the show since it was really funny, but I wanted to finish my book.

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We sat in my living room with popcorn between us while I Dream of Jeannie played on in the back ground.

Donna was curled up on the couch beside me and sighed giving me a morose look, "So my parents are fighting all the time and they want me to choose sides. But I can't because they're both idiots. I don't know. I mean, I really think they're gonna get a divorce."

I gave Donna distressed look, "Oh my God Donna, I am so sorry."

Donna shook her head, "It's not your fault… It's just really hard seeing them this way since they were always so loving towards one another and now BAM."

I nodded and rubbed her shoulder, "Still though. That sounds like- Like there was some sort of catalyst that were not seeing here."

She laughed bitterly, "Yeah. My parents have decided to stop talking and listening to one another."

I let out a breath through my teeth, "Damn."

She nodded sadly, "I know right?"

I popped some popcorn into my mouth chewing thoughtfully, "Did you want some advice?"

Donna looked at me hopefully, "Well yeah. I mean your parents divorced and fucked off, so…how'd you deal with it?"

I scratched my head sheepishly, "Well my parents never really loved each other so I guess that made it easier. Plus they always left me with my nanny or with the Formans…so when they left I didn't really feel such a big hole in my life. Your situation's different though. I think that even if your parents do divorce you shouldn't blame yourself or try to force them back together. Sometimes in life, shitty things happen and people drift apart."

Donna nodded quietly looking off into the distance, "You wanna check on the guys?"

I shrugged, "Sure." It was certainly much easier than this heavy conversation.

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We walked into Eric's living room surprised by what the boys were up to.

Michael was holding a bowling ball up while Eric tried to put his fingers in properly, "Hold it by the thumbhole."

Donna sighed and crossed her arms, "Okay, what are those idiots doing?"

I shrugged as we walked closer to the disaster waiting to happen, "Something idiotic probably if Michael's leading them. Let's go find out."

Steven looked like he was protesting which made Michael roll his eyes, "Don't be such a baby. We just want to see how high it'll bounce."

Eric looked hesitant, "Nothing bad can happen, right?"

Steven face palmed and stated patiently, "Forman, man, think. You are listening to Kelso. Don't do it."

Eric shot him an irritated look, "Wait. Now you're telling me what to do?"

Fez grinned, "Enough talk. Do it."

Eric let the ball go high into the air and it smashed smack down into the TV. Said TV, crumpled under the bowling ball's weight and inertia. I shook my head while Donna patted my shoulder and booked it outta here.

Eric gaped staring at the destruction he had just caused, "See, I never even thought of that."

Steven pinched the bridge of his nose shaking his head the entire time. I walked over beside them and stared at the poor broken TV.

Michael ran out yelling over his shoulder, "Later!"

Fez gave us a shamefaced smile, "Thank you, and good bye!" He too ran out of the door as fast as his legs would carry him.

Eric mumbled hopefully, "Maybe they won't notice?"

I shook my head and sympathetically patted Eric's shoulder, "You are going to be in such deep shit, Eric."

Steven sighed while I curled my arm around his waist, "Damn it, Forman." He was a total dumbass sometimes.

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I walked into the kitchen and saw that they guys were sitting beside Red looking at an electronics catalogue. I stood by the kitchen door and smiled at the sight.

Red pointed to one giving them a smirk, "I want a big TV. A big one."

Eric pointed out something in the catalogue, "This one's on sale." Oh Eric, don't be cheap. Cheap TVs broke sooner.

Red shook his head before flipping the page, "That's last year's model. And my TV's gonna be new."

Steven raised his eyebrow and pointed to a certain TV, "What about that one?"

Red shook his head again, "No remote. My TV's gotta have a remote." Remote controls certainly did make life easier. People always kept stealing the remote form one another though.

Red pointed to a certain TV in the catalogue that made his eyes sparkle, "Look at this. Twenty-six-inch screen. I didn't even know they made them that big."

Eric sighed and slumped into his seat, "Dad, your old TV wasn't that big."

Red gave Eric a shit eating grin, "No. But my new TV's gonna be that big."

Steven gave Red a strained smile and I saw him pinch Eric. Eric winced and gave Steven an apologetic smile. I idly wondered while I backed out of the kitchen if I should help them out….but on the other hand? Eric totally dug himself into this mess, so it would only right if he got himself out of it. Then again Steven was involved. He was my soft spot, and my soft spot for him was as squishy as a newborn's skull.

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AN: Back in the past between 1970 and 1973 the drinking age was reduced in about 24 states including Wisconsin. I've decided instead of the drinking age being 18 to make it 19 since they didn't specify which six had it as 19 and which was 18. In 1980 and in 1985 the drinking age was increased to 20 and 21 respectively. Just as a heads up this a big dividing point in this time Lin because Lin is around, and the little ripples that she made when she was younger have become bigger waves.

Lin's prom dress is exactly like this dress, but in teal. My description does not do it justice. H tt p semicolon / / coolspotters files /photos /515031 /top shop- curve- sequin- shift- dress- profile. j p g If you want to use this link please make it so that there aren't any spaces otherwise it won't work.

So this chapter took a little longer than usual because it's more than 60 pages. I packed a lot of stuff in this chapter and overestimated the amount of time it took.

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