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.

5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5: 1978

It was a surprisingly hot day while we were all pitching in with the Forman's garage sale. I blew a strand of hair out of my eyes and placed down another box around the many piled on the basement couch. I looked at my watch and tapped it gently, "Okay. T-minus one hour till the garage sale." It was a dorky thing to say, but I felt that it was the right thing to say. Steven rolled his eyes at me, a smile twitching onto his face.

Kitty smiled and nodded at me while she set down another box onto the basement couch. She peered into one of the boxes and sighed happily, "Oh, Red, remember how bad Eric wanted these roller skates? Oh, the yo-yo. Ohh! Your plastic vomit! I fell for that." She chuckled and continued to look through the box. Ahhh nostalgia.

Red gave Eric a dry look, "Yeah. You wasted a lot of my money, son." He went back into the back room to clear more of the boxes.

Eric hauled out another box and placed it down before doing the 'golly gee' motion, "Me and my damn childhood."

Steven let out a deep breath before putting down the box he had been carrying onto the one I had placed on the ground. He gave Kitty a tired smile, "You know, Mrs. Forman, I feel real bad. I wish I had something to contribute to your garage sale."

I smiled and pulled in another box, "We could certainly do more to help out, Mrs. Forman."

Kitty shook her head and picked up a couple boxes while she made her way up to the kitchen, "Oh, Lin, sweetie, you don't have to do a thing. You help us enough as it is. And Steven, your loving smile is contribution enough."

Red came back holding another box, "No, it's not. Run that upstairs."

Michael popped out of the basement back door looking rumpled and satisfied. I shook my head at him and grabbed a couple of the boxes, making my way up the stairs. Eric followed behind me with his own boxes in tow.

Steven already had a couple boxes in his arms and raised his eyebrow at Michael, "You heard him, Kelso. Move it!"

I heard Red chuckle and Michael scramble towards the boxes. I think we were going to have a great garage sale.

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Eric walked on by while we all placed items on the various tables I had rented for their garage sale. The money was supposed to go to fixing the roof. A big storm had hit the town a while ago and a tree had fallen making a decently sized hole that led to the attic. The proceeds should basically help fix it up especially if I 'contributed' a little. I kind of hoped that they wouldn't notice the sudden surge of profits at the end of the day.

Eric gave Red a sheepish smile shuffling his feet and burying his hands into his jean pockets, "Hey, uh, Dad. Donna and I were gonna go see The Goodbye Girl. So…"

Red nodded distractedly putting another sticker on a random item on one of their tables, "Yeah, well, I'm sure it's a great movie, Eric. But you're gonna be helping with the garage sale. We need the money to fix that roof. My business hasn't taken off yet, and your mother can only work so much. So move it, mister."

Eric sighed and glanced over at us, "Oh, right. Can't Lin and Steven just help instead? They're doing a great job so far." He gestured to the two of us and I stuck my tongue out at him while Red's back was turned.

Red gave Eric a hard look pausing at his task, "Everybody needs to work, Eric. The gravy train has made its last stop."

Eric blinked and gave Red a slightly confused look, "There was a gravy train?"

Red nodded sighing at Eric's expression, "Yep, and you missed it." He went off towards a table further back pricing things here and there while he walked.

Kitty came over smiling at the two of us while we set up another table, "Oh, Steven, Lin! I have a great idea. You two could sell lemonade."

Steven finished sliding the table in place and wiped the sweat away from his forehead, "Mrs. Forman, I've thrown a lot of rocks at kids with lemonade stands and Lord knows I hate a hypocrite. I pretty much beat up any kid selling anything when we were younger."

I rolled my eyes and dusted off my new bright blue drainpipes, "We could have a bake sale, puddin' pop." He loved baked goods and I really enjoyed baking. It was a relaxing hobby that I had since it just let me zone out.

Kitty beamed at me bouncing slightly, "Ohh! You could do a little table with some cookies, cakes, and some brownies, right Lin?"

I returned her smile, "That sounds like fun, Mrs. Forman."

Steven sighed placing a box onto the table, "I'm not much of- Wait brownies? I could make brownies because people love brownies." I shook my head a smile creeping onto my face. Of course he would think about doing that.

Eric whipped his head towards us waving his hands in front of his face, "No, no, they don't."

Steven winked at Eric, "Oh, they'll love my brownies." We actually had a pretty decent amount of people who like to smoke weed in Point Place so I didn't doubt that a lot of people would really enjoy his brownies.

I chuckled and shrugged, "I'll make some pastries to go with Steven's brownies too."

Kitty gave Steven and I a tight hug, "Oh, Steven, Lin. You two are such a joy to have around the house. I can't believe your mothers abandoned you. I mean, went on such a long trips." She blushed lightly before heading off to where Red had gone.

I sweat dropped inwardly. Steven chuckled. Eric shook his head and started to place more things on the empty table pricing them along the way. Sometimes Kitty slipped up and said things that were on her mind that really shouldn't be said out loud, but I think that just made her more of a person in my eyes.

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We placed all of our baked goods on the kitchen table happy to be done almost all of the baking. Steven leaned against the table and I joined in beside him blocking the baked goods. I didn't want Michael or Fez going nutty and eating everything. That's why they were banned from the fire house charity last year. We had finished baking all of his special brownies and most of my baked goods in our kitchen so Kitty and Red could keep getting ready for their garage sale.

Steven gave Eric a broad smug grin, "Boy, I sure do like brownies."

Michael came into the kitchen grinning goofily, "Hey, uh, you know what's got two thumbs and loves brownies and pastries? This guy!" He only ever had that look when Annette and him had made out. I rolled my eyes inwardly. Annette deserved better than that, but I doubt she would believe any of us if we told her now.

Eric gave Steven a despondent look, "Hyde! Come on I'm asking you not to make your brownies! Lin, can just make some of her pastries. My mom and dad are- Are way too fat!"

Kitty walked in with new price stickers in her hands and frowned deeply at Eric.

I rolled my eyes and patted Eric's shoulder sarcastically stating, "Nice cover."

Kitty gave Eric disappointed, "You know what, Eric? You just leave him alone. This is Steven's contribution to our garage sale. And, I happen to know that you put in a special ingredient in these brownies, kids."

I choked out a wary laugh wringing my hands slightly, "Really, Mrs. Forman?

Eric nervously stated fidgeting slightly, "I told him not to!"

Steven gave Kitty a stoic look taking my hand in his gently, "Special ingredient?" Although he didn't show it, I could tell he was a tiny bit nervous about what she may have found out. Neither of us ever liked to disappoint either Kitty or Red since they were people we saw as a mother figure and father figure respectively.

Kitty dismissively waved us away grinning, "Yes. Love!"

Steven let out a slight chuckle squeezing my hand gently, "Love. Oh, yeah. There's a whole big bag of love in there!"

Laurie walked in and gave Kitty an embarrassed look, "Mom! Crazy Helen from across the street is switching price tags, and Dad says he's gonna kick her in the keister." Crazy Helen liked to screw with anyone that had a garage sale. We all didn't call her crazy for that fact. She was crazy because she ate pigeons and always had feces smeared on her face. Crazy Helen was like that when me and the guys were kids as well, but no one ever figured out how it all started.

Kitty shook her head and hurried out of the kitchen, "Oh, no. He'll do it too."

Laurie swayed her hips, in what was an attempt, to be enticing. She had a half lidded look on her face before she dipped her finger into the chocolate icing Kitty had accidentally left out, "Hi, Kelso. Oh, look! It's chocolate icing. I sure do wish I could finish all this chocolate frosting on my finger. But I just can't!" Michael's eyes glazed over and he wouldn't stop looking Laurie up and down hungrily.

Laurie smirked evilly popping her chocolate icing covered finger into her mouth quickly sucking it all off, "Oh! Guess I can! Bye!" She then proceeded to flounce out of the kitchen towards the garage sale.

Michael gulped loudly shivering slightly, "Man, I was so close."

Eric let out a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Hyde, you- God, you can't make special brownies in my parents' kitchen."

Steven raised an eyebrow at Eric before revealing brownies we had been blocking while we had stood in front of the kitchen table. He deadpanned, "Oh, no. I already made 'em at our place. If only you had warned me sooner."

Eric whined, "Come on, man."

I shook my head and held out a glazed fruit tart, "No, he's serious. It's too late. Want a fruit tart?"

Eric shook his head shooting me an apologetic look and Steven a slight glare, "No, Lin, I don't want a fruit tart. This is so bad, that a fruit tart will not help."

I pouted before popping the fruit tart into my mouth, "Damn broseph."

Steven rolled his eyes and gave me a hug from behind. He let his head rest on my head and gave Eric an irritated look, "Look, Forman. Relax, man. Okay? Yeah, I'm made special brownies, but Lin also made regular brownies for the "straight folks" or "losers. Along with cupcakes, those fruit tarts, and- what else did you make, doll?"

I grinned swallowing my fruit tart, "I also made cookies too."

Eric frowned slightly before sighing, "Well… Okay, then. Could I have a cookie, Lin?"

I plucked a chocolate chip cookie off a plate on the table, "Yeah, sure Eric. Here you go."

He smiled and put the entire cookie into his mouth, "Thanks."

Michael grinned at all of us, "Yeah. Someday I'm gonna own a restaurant, and everything's gonna be special. And then, when people ask me, they say, "Hey, Kelso, what's the special?" I'm gonna say, "Everything.""

The guys chuckled and I gave him a curious look while I took a bite out of another fruit tart. I didn't get it. Oh well.

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We found Eric being pushed into the ground by Donna while we placed some more treats onto our bake sale table. Kitty placed several items on the other tables and happily stuck on price tags onto them. Red silently helped her with her task.

Laurie sashayed into view holding a small box in her arms, "Daddy, I've rounded up some things for the garage sale."

Red glared at Eric placing a price sticker on an oddly shaped lamp, "There, you see, Eric? Your older sister's a team player too." He went back to pricing things while Kitty set up their cash box.

Eric got up walking over scowling while Donna walked back to her place, "No! These are all my things."

Laurie rolled her eyes placing them down on a nearby table, "Grow up, Eric. They're G.I. Joes."

Eric huffed grabbing back his box, "Well YEAH, G.I. Joes with kung fu grip!"

I snorted and gave Laurie a dry look, "If he has to sell those, then why don't we just sell all of your extra makeup, Laurie. I'm sure Kitty and Red would agree to that compromise."

She sent me a heated glare before huffing and yanking back Eric's box of stuff back into the house. Yeah, I thought so crazy head. Keep walkin'.

Eric sent me a grateful look unloading another box onto the table, "Thanks Lin."

I smiled and offered him a brownie, "No problem. Brownie?"

Eric gave Steven a dirty look, "Is it tainted?"

Steven rolled his eyes and finished putting the last of the baked goods on our table, "Nope."

Eric grinned and crammed the entire brownie into his mouth. He walked away munching on it all the while as he set up other tables.

Steven sat down while I adjusted the sign for our bake sale. I slipped onto Steven's lap and sighed happily, "Do you think this'll go well?" I hoped so. Roofs weren't exactly cheap to fix in any era.

Steven grinned brightly kissing my neck slowly, "Yup. I think we have a customer right now."

A scruffy looking brunette guy with a big nose came up to us waving slightly, "So word's got around that you guys are selling brownies, are you?"

Steven raised his eyebrow at the guy, "Do you now, or have you ever had, any association with the Point Place Police Department?"

He shook his head tugging on his flannel sleeve slightly, "Naw, man."

Steven nodded and handed him a saran wrapped brownie, "All right, here's your brownie. You got about 30 minutes to get someplace safe."

I grinned at him holding out my hand, "That'll be ten do $10, sir. Would you like some of our other baked goods as well?" It was always good to upsell when it came to business.

He flushed slightly scratching the back of his head with his other hand, "Eh. Why the hell not? This'll give me the munchies any ways." His eyes widened at the fairly large cupcakes off to the side of our table, "Oh! I want that big red cupcake with the cheese cream icing please." I really enjoyed making the really large cupcakes. I had made red velvet ones, chocolate fudge ones, blueberry ones, vanilla caramel ones, and a bunch of other flavors that I had concocted. Cupcake flavors in this era were kind of bland in my opinion.

I handed him the cupcake and smiled cutely, "Alright, that'll be $13 then." Upselling and being charming also helped, although it didn't work with everyone.

He handed me exact change and smiled slightly, "Thank you, sir! Tell your friends!" He speed walked away for some reason after our exchange. I shrugged and stowed away the money in our lock box for our table. Whatever, it was probably Steven giving him a dark look. We'd really have to have a heart to heart about his possessiveness. Maybe I needed to reassure him more?

Steven tightened his embrace slightly and smirked, "Nice one, doll."

I smiled sweetly and let my head rest on his shoulder, "Thank you, puddin' pop. I try."

We saw Bob and Midge wander into the garage sale. Midge gave Kitty a curious look, "Kitty! I noticed you're selling the kissing dolphins Bob and I bought you."

Kitty gave them a strained smile, "You know, what is that doing on this table? Red, I told you not to sell that. Give it to me. I'll just I'll run it right back into the house." I personally knew that Kitty didn't like dolphins at all, but was trying to spare Midge and Bob's feelings.

Bob smiled at Red convivially, "Red? You're also selling that Pocket Fisherman we gave you for Christmas. Don't you want to run that back into the house too?"

Red gave Bob a blank look, "No, Bob. That was a really dumb gift."

Bob pouted and shrugged, "Okay."

Eric came back to our table looking anxious, "So 'The Goodbye Girl' starts at 2:00, so I better go." He twitched slightly and shifted his weight from one foot to the next.

Steven raised an eyebrow at Eric before nodding, "Well, I guess this is good-bye, girl."

I wiggled my fingers giggling, "See ya, lady."

Eric scowled at us trying to pull the twitching smile he had down, "That is so funny guys! See you two later." He waved at us and speed walked off to where I assumed Donna was.

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Steven sighed and pulled at his hair counting the money we had made again, "Forman, this doesn't make any sense. We out of brownies, but we should have more money."

Eric rolled his eyes and leaned against the kitchen counter, "Hyde, that's dirty money. There's never enough."

I shook my head, a deep frown furrowing my brow, "No, Eric. We're short $100." A hundred dollars meant a lot in this case. I would have to make sure to put that down just in case someone had taken our brownies by mistake or we had lost it or something. I wracked my brain thinking about the possible ways I could fix this mess.

Steven let out an exasperated sound throwing his hands into the air, "Fuck. It's like we lost an entire tray of brownies."

Eric paused and stared hard at Steven, "Wait. What kind of brownies did you lose, Hyde? Were they regular Lin brownies?"

Steven gave him an unamused look, "Of course they were special brownies, Forman. When would an entire tray of brownies ever equate to a $100?"

I patted Steven's shoulder consolingly, "Where was the last place you had them, puddin' pop?" Did he leave it in our oven to keep them warm or in the Forman's oven? I recalled him saying how the customers liked them better warm.

Steven gave the oven a frustrated look, "In the oven. I had to keep 'em warm."

Eric started pacing throwing us an anxious look, "In my mother's oven or in Lin's oven?"

Kitty walked in holding our missing tray of brownies, "Oh, now, see? Steven, Lin, your brownies and pastries were a big hit!" She happily ate a brownie while she walked out of the kitchen. Fuck. No. I twitched slightly. Was this actually happening?

Steven stared at the spot that Kitty had just been occupying, "Shit."

I bit my thumb and let out a distressed sound, "Oh dear. They're probably all eating that now." Fuck. This was actually happening.

Eric stopped pacing and snapped, "Damn it, Hyde!" He crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared at Steven; his hands had started shaking.

Steven took off his sunglasses and rubbed his temples, "I'm sorry, Forman." I rubbed his back gently trying to ease the stress out of his shoulders.

Eric shook his head and looked like he was going to begin ranting when Red hopped into the kitchen.

Red popped into the kitchen and grinned manically chirping, "Hippity-hoppity Easter's on its way-"

I gave Red a concerned look, "Mr. Forman, are you okay?"

Red nodded wiggling his butt slightly, "Yup. Yup, I was hoppin' down the old bunny trail and this guy offered me $200 for the Vista Cruiser. So I sold it to him."

I gaped at him and stopped rubbing Steven's shoulders, "You sold Eric's car?"

Steven chuckled slightly and shook his head, "For $200? I think you should've asked for more, Red." I knew that Steven was pretty shocked as well, but tried to bury that with humor. He did that with other situations as well. I asked him about it once and he had said, 'Doll, if you don't laugh then you'll just cry.'

Eric had stopped shaking and paled dramatically, "Dad, you sold my car? How could you? Just what in the hell were you thinking?"

Red whined pouting, "I thought I was helping, because you're always saying how you need money." This was true, Eric was usually complaining about needing money for something or another. However, it usually was mostly for his car. This was very ironic.

Eric threw his hands up and began pacing again, "For gas! For the car!"

I shot him a chastising look, "Don't yell at him, Eric."

Steven sighed, "But to be honest, Red, we're a little disappointed."

Eric wagged his finger at Red while he paced back and forth, "I'm not gonna be running any more errands for you, pal."

Steven walked over to Red and patted him on the shoulder patiently saying, "You should have checked with us first, Red."

Eric stopped right in front of Red and growled, "You know how many times I rotated those tires!? You're not supposed to take things that aren't yours! I had stuff in the backseat. Now that's all just gone, mister."

I pulled a chair from the table and forcibly sat Eric down, "Eric, calm down."

Steven gave Eric a bewildered look, "Forman, it's okay."

Eric shot back up out of the chair and glared at Red, "No, it's not okay! Look, Red. Who did you sell the car to?"

Red pouted and suddenly smiled, "I sold it to a guy named Peter. Peter Cottontail. Hoppin' down the bunny trail Hippity-hoppity Easter's on its way." Red then proceeded to hop out of the kitchen back to wherever he had come from.

I rubbed my forehead with the heel of my hand and let out an exasperated breath through my teeth. This was going to be a long night.

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Donna walked into the kitchen with a bounce to her step, "Hi Lin. Oh! I have some stuff to tell you later." I hoped it was good news because I would need some after Eric's continued rant. If I wasn't calming Steven down between Eric's intervals, Steven might've slapped some sense into him.

I waved to her from my seat on Steven's lap, "Hi Donna. Okie dokie."

She smiled and turned to Eric, "Eric, I was just talking to Annie and –"

Eric gave Donna a dismissive look, "Donna? Not now." Donna looked taken aback and sent Eric an irritated look before leaning against a nearby wall. I shook my head at Eric's attitude. He was going far too far here. This could be solved easily, but once something made Eric really truly pissed off, he could and would rant until he was done.

Eric turned to Steven sneering, "Okay? See, Hyde? I asked you not to make special brownies. But did you listen?"

Steven frowned, "Well –" I could feel him clench his fist slightly and I rubbed his thigh. He let out a breath through his teeth.

Eric shook his head and started pacing once again, "Exactly. You didn't. You were just so smart. What were you thinking?"

Steven sighed pinching the bridge of his nose, "I was-" If I didn't see Eric like family, I would've punched his face by now. Even though Steven had screwed up, no one deserved to be treated like this. It was a fixable mistake. It wasn't like we killed someone. I glared at Eric and I felt Steven pat my back.

Eric waved away what Steven was about to say, "Yeah. That's it. That was the problem. You weren't thinking. Now my folks are fried, and I got no car." Rude much.

Donna perked up and stood away from the wall, "Wait a minute, brownies? Your mom and dad are – "

Eric shot her a glare, "Hey, Donna. Keep it zipped." Donna gave him a put out look, but stayed in her place. Man if Steven talked to me that way I would've squirted him with our hose. Seriously.

He turned his glare to Steven, "Okay? Guess what, buddy? There's a lesson in all this. You know what that lesson is?"

Steven rolled his eyes, "The lesson is-"

Eric shook his head and continued to rant, "Why don't I just tell you what the lesson is, okay? You dance with Mary Jane, you get your toes stepped on. That's right. Consequences, my friend."

Steven snorted, "Yup." I'm glad that Steven's muscles had relaxed. I wound my arm around his waist and laid my head onto his chest. It was beating steadily and not as furiously as it had been before. He was using his Zen, which was both good and bad I guess.

Eric moaned sadly crossing his arms and letting out a tired sigh, "Now my car's gone, and Red's high as a kite."

Donna simpered, "Red's high as a kite?"

Eric gave Donna a sharp look, "Okay, Miss Smart-mouth? Shut it. Cause you're parents are high too." This got Donna up and out of the kitchen to where she thought her parents might've been.

Red popped his head into the kitchen, "Okay? I remembered who I sold the car to."

I gave him a patient smile, "Who was it, Mr. Forman?"

Red shrugged walking into the kitchen, "I don't know, but I remembered."

Eric grabbed onto his father's shoulders shaking him slightly, "No, wait! Red. Red. Think. Think!"

Red pulled away from Eric's grasp gasping in delight, "Wait! Maybe his name is on that check he gave me!"

Steven grinned getting up and slipping me off of his lap, "Yeah."

I walked over to Red and gave him a hug, "Maybe it is! Good job, Mr. Forman."

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We took the El Camino and drove to where the address had said the cheque was from. Steven drove towards our destination speeding past the ice cream parlor.

Red whined in the back of the El Camino, "You said that we were goin' for ice cream."

Eric glanced at his father and sternly stated, "When we get the car back."

Steven looked back at them through the rearview mirror frowning at Eric, "You know, you did tell him you were gonna get him ice cream, Forman." He only really sped past the ice cream parlor at Eric's insistence.

Eric shook his head and angrily said, "After. And you're not helping, Hyde!" Steven shrugged not really caring at this point.

I gave Red a warm grin, "Mr. Forman, I promise we'll get you some ice cream as soon as we can. Okay?"

Red looked at me with wide eyes and sat still, "Okay."

When we got to the address from the cheque; a boring looking grey rancher with a yellowing lawn, we spotted the Vista Cruiser parked in their drive way. Once we all got out of the car; Red held onto the door shaking his head, "No! No, listen. I don't want to do this."

I tried to gently pry him from the door, "Well, you have to."

Red shook his head whining, "I'll wait in the car." Steven watched from the sidelines chuckling before he intervened. I sighed and let go of Red who resolutely held onto the door.

Eric sighed and pulled him away from the car successfully, "No, no, Red. You have to learn to take responsibility for your own actions."

We walked to the front door and Red grimaced, "Well, that's stupid."

Steven smirked, "Yeah?" I think he would've wanted some sort of way to record this conversation especially since Eric was using Red's words against him.

I knocked on the door politely and the door opened to reveal a short irritated pockmarked dirty blonde girl. She gave us a bored look taking in our appearances.

Red frowned, "That's not the guy."

I rolled my eyes and curtly asked, "Did your Dad buy a car this morning?"

Eric nodded adding, "A station wagon?"

The little brat made a face at us before sneering, "Yeah. He bought that piece of crap for me."

Red glared down at the girl, ""Piece of crap"? That is a Vista Cruiser, young lady. You could literally cruise the vistas."

The brat rolled her eyes and called out, "Daddy? Where are the keys to the piece of crap?" She walked back into their house closing the door on our faces.

Steven glared at the door sarcastically stating, "Boy, she's lovely."

The door opened and she thrust the keys into Eric's hands, "Gimme his cheque."

Eric looked bewildered and handed over the cheque clenching his car keys in his hand, "Right. And thanks again. I, too, understand parents can be quite a-" She then proceeded to slam the door in our faces.

Red frowned deeply, "What a bitcharoonidooni."

I nodded, "Very true." I would be sure to get Red a big ice cream cone before we dropped him off at their house. That was an awful brat.

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Kitty placed down a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon onto the table and gave Eric a strained smile, "Okay, Eric, it's your father's last day at work. But don't mention it. In fact, my advice to you to is just to eat and get out."

I kept eating my pancakes quietly placing some scrambled eggs and bacon onto my plate. This was an interesting series of events. Usually Kitty always wanted everyone together for breakfast no matter what we had to do later on during the day. I wondered what she was trying to avoid.

Steven sipped his orange juice tilting his head slightly, "Mrs. Forman, I could hide in the basement."

Kitty placed down toast and butter onto the table as well. She grinned down at Steven shaking her head, "No, no, Steven. He likes you." She gave Eric a pat on the shoulder, "Eric, you know what's fun? A bacon sandwich. Here. You can eat it in the car."

Eric pouted and frowned, shoving bacon into his mouth, before he took the sandwich from his mother.

Laurie came into the kitchen yawning to no one in particular, "Morning."

Kitty turned and grimaced, "Oh, great. You're wearing your University of Wisconsin sweatshirt."

Laurie took a seat across from Eric rolling her eyes, "Yeah, mother, I went there."

Kitty glowered at her while she poured herself a glass of orange juice, "No, you flunked out of there. You might as well just wear your "University of I Wasted My Father's Money" sweatshirt. Take it off."

Eric shook his head muttering into his sandwich, "Oh, God, no."

I sighed and swallowed some bacon, "Please, no. Leave it on."

Laurie sneered at us stripping off her sweater revealing a skimpy tank top underneath.

Steven raised his eyebrow stoically stating, "She lacks character, Mrs. Forman."

Laurie rolled her eyes and glared at Steven, "Shut up, loser. You are lucky to even live next door."

I was just about to throw my orange juice into her face when I felt Steven gently grip the hand that held the glass. Steven shook his head, and I sighed. She was lucky…for now.

Eric glared at Laurie, "Psh, you're lucky to even have mom and dad let you live here again after your fiasco with University and that married guy." Red had to have a really serious conversation with Laurie after they had found out that she had been having dalliances with a married man.

Laurie flinched slightly at the mention of the married guy before schooling her face into a snide expression, "Whatever, King of the Dorks."

Kitty slammed down a plate of extra pancakes glaring at Eric and Laurie, "Okay, that's it. You two hide in the basement! Go." Eric and Laurie got up glaring at one another, but suddenly froze.

We all stared at Red as he walked into the kitchen nodding towards us while he took his seat, "Morning."

Kitty cleared her throat quickly stating, "Amen. Everybody sit and eat." Eric and Laurie promptly sat back down again while Kitty took her usual seat beside me.

She gave him a weak smile, "How are you, honey?"

Red flipped through his newspaper sipping on his black coffee quietly, "Great, dear."

Laurie pushed around her eggs and meekly asked, "So, um, what are you doing, Daddy?"

He gave her a short nod not looking up from his paper, "Reading. Having some coffee." Ouch. That conversation of theirs before probably didn't go too well since he wasn't treating her in his usual doting fashion.

I thoughtfully frowned before I decided to test the waters, "Is the coffee good?"

He looked up from his paper and smiled shortly, "It's alright, Lin." Everyone nodded and he let out a great big sigh, "Okay everybody knows that today is my last day at work. Last day that the plant is open. So, I just want to tell you all that everything is going to be great." He went back to reading his paper.

Steven nodded taking a bite of his bacon, "That's good, Red."

I beamed at him, "That's wonderful, Mr. Forman."

Eric shrugged and simply stated, "Okay, dad." He went back to pouring more maple syrup onto his pancakes.

Laurie perked up giving Red wide innocent eyes, "Daddy, that is such good news. Can I have $20?"

Red gave her a deep frown, but before he could say anything Kitty glared at Laurie and hissed, "You. In. The. Basement. Now!"

Eric grinned happily munching down pancakes, and I cackled inwardly doing a happy dance while I finished off my scrambled eggs. So far this day was turning out to be pretty great.

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Circle time:

PAN TO STEVEN AND LIN

I looped my arms around Steven's waist after I had taken a puff from both my inhalers. He rubbed my back gently and I sent Michael a curious look, "So, what's up with that look, Michael?"

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael grinned stupidly giggling slightly, "Oh, man. I mean, nothing. So, Eric, i-isn't your sister hot?"

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven rolled his eyes, "No. In fact, Kelso, I think you're the only loser here who thinks she is hot.

PAN TO FEZ

Fez frowned and swayed slightly, "Not true. I have pictured her naked hundreds of times. Why, just this morning, I was taking a shower."

PAN TO LIN

I shook my head and looped one of Steven's curls on my pinky finger, "Come on, Fez, that's uncool."

PAN TO FEZ

Fez shrugged swaying some more, "I am sorry little goddess. It is the truth."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric glared at no one in particular, "It is absolutely inappropriate and disrespectful to talk about how hot somebody else's sister is no matter how bad you want to give it to her. Right, Hyde?"

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven looked slightly gobsmacked, "What? How'd this get back to me?

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael giggled sending Eric a delighted look, "Oh, man. Oh, man. I –"

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven smirked looking at Michael, "What is it, boy? Is there trouble? Is there something you want to tell us about Eric's sister?"

PAN TO LIN

I glanced at Michael inquisitively asking, "Michael, do you have something to say?"

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael burst out beaming, "I totally did it with Laurie!" He glanced at Eric with a semi-apologetic grin, "I'm sorry, man."

PAN TO LIN

I shook my head making a face, "Awe eww."

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven shook his head in dismay, "Kelso."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric glared hard at Michael, "What?"

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael balked and stuttered, "I- I mean, she took advantage of me. Uh… Uh, I'm- I'm violated." He had his thumbs pointed at himself.

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven deadpanned, "You're an idiot, Kelso."

PAN TO LIN

I rolled my eyes and motioned to his thumbs, "Your thumbs are still up, Michael."

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael nodded putting his thumbs away and giggling, "Acting's hard."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric grimaced and glared at Michael, "Hey, shut up, perv. That was my older sister."

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael whined, "Come on."

PAN TO FEZ

Fez wiggled his arms swaying back and forth rather than side to side, "I know what you mean, Kelso. It is forbidden, taboo, titillating." He laughed and proceeded to wink at me.

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven glowered at Fez, "Fez. Back off man."

PAN TO LIN

I shook my head, "Steven."

PAN TO STEVEN

He shook his head as well scooting me further onto his lap, "Yep."

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael chortled, "Isn't it ironic that titillating has the word "tit" in it? Oh, man."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric nodded, "That reminds me-" He shook his head and fixed Michael with a glare, "No! Shut up! Look, I swear to God, you say one more word about my older sister, and I'm gonna tell Annie."

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael gulped anxiety creeping into his voice, "Man I forgot about Annie."

PAN TO LIN

I grinned wickedly at Michael, "Annette's going to kill you, and it's gonna be fun to watch."

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven nodded blinking slowly, "Right. Right. You forgot you have this huge, bitchy anchor tied around your neck."

PAN TO FEZ

Fez waved goodbye to Michael, "You are doomed my friend."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric snorted chuckling, "Serves you right, sleeping with the devil. I mean, my older sister."

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We sat on my back patio drinking lemon aid basking in the sunlight that streamed through the branches and leaves of my tree. I sighed contently while I took a sip from my tall glass of lemon aid.

Donna tilted back on her chair before plopping back down on all four legs, "So, when'd you break your hymn?"

I gave her a funny look before shrugging, "That's a really personal question, Donna. I guess the first time it actually really happened was when I was horseback riding." That was when I was about eleven and daddy dearest thought that extracurricular activities would get me to stop wanting to go to school. That obviously didn't work out in his favor.

Donna blinked and titled her head back exhaling loudly through her mouth, "Huh. That can happen that way?"

I nodded stretching my legs out in front of me, "Yup."

Donna sat up properly again giving me bewildered look, "Damn."

I chuckled and enquiringly asked, "So, did the whole motel plan go?"

Donna snorted through her nose and started braiding her long hair, "Yeah, it was a flop. The other kids saw us and eh... It was all really awkward and really bad, so we just went back to the dance."

I made a face shaking my head and patting her shoulder, "Oh. I'm sorry Donna. I know you were really looking forward to it."

She shrugged letting the braid she had been working on fall apart, "Nah. It's okay. It'll happen when it happens."

I beamed at her and raised my glass, "That's the spirit!"

She laughed and raised her glass against mine, "Yeah, I guess."

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Kitty had gotten a call from Charlie's Bar saying that Red had gotten far too drunk to drive home safe, and since she had dinner in the oven she sent Eric, Steven, and me out to retrieve him. Fez had managed to convince us to take him along too. He loved car rides apparently.

We walked in through the heavy wooden bar doors and I scanned the diminished crowd of bar patrons and spotted our target.

I gave Red a short sympathetic smile, "Hey, Mr. Forman."

Red turned around flushed and bleary eyed. He smiled at us genially waving goofily at the rest of us, "Hey, hey. The gang's all here. How ya doin', Fez?"

Fez took a step back with wide eyes gasping quietly, "Oh, my God. He knows my name."

Red turned to Steven and pointed, "Hey, are those sideburns?"

Steven nodded adjusting his sunglasses, "Since eighth grade, Red." He looked so much cuter without the sideburns, but I still loved him even with them on.

Red turned back to me and gave me a tight hug which I returned, "My little girl! What are you doin' here?"

I patted his back gently removing myself from his arms, "Hello, Mr. Forman. I came with the guys as back up."

Red leaned back on his chair and nodded happily waving to the barkeep, "Hey, bring these guys and my little girl a beer!"

Eric choked out a laugh shaking his head, "Uh, no. Dad, I'm supposed to take you home. Mom said so."

Red narrowed his eyes and grabbed Eric's hand pulling him closer to Red, "Normally, you do what your mother says. Sometimes, you know, you're a dumb-ass. But mostly you're a good kid."

Eric gave his father a strained smile before gently and quickly prying Red's hand off of his arm, "Thank you, sir." Eric inched away from Red and glanced at the nearby payphone. This whole situation would've had an easy ass solution if we all had smart phones.

Red nodded happily and turned around on his bar chair nestling his head into his hands. He sighed sadly, "But this was my last day at work. And I didn't get a party. And I didn't get a gold watch. And I didn't get crap. And I worked there as PLANT SUPER for TWENTY God damn years. So let's drink." He turned giving us all a bitter smile while he raised his partially empty beer bottle. I could see why he wanted to drink away those thoughts. Being underappreciated for whatever you did, whether it was at work or at home really felt like a big punch to the gut.

I sighed flashed the barkeep my college I.D and slipped the barkeep $40, "You know what Mr. Forman. This one'll be on me."

Red gave me a teary eyed smile, "You see that's one of the many reasons why you're my favorite!"

I shooed Eric away and he managed to get to the phone unnoticed.

I could hear Eric call home quickly muttering into the phone anxiously, "Hello? Hello, Mother? Hi, Mom! This is your son, Eric. I am not feeling well. Okay. We'll see you soon." He nodded to me and I sighed leaning against Steven who had been quietly observing everything the entire time. He rubbed the small of my back gently all the while.

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The warm sunlight streamed through the windows in the kitchen warming me up during another Forman breakfast. I had helped Mrs. Forman make eggs Benedict, baked bacon, hash browns, and hollandaise sauce. It was a pretty fun early morning cooking spree, but I think the food turned out great.

Steven let out a quiet moan once he tried some of the food and I smugly grinned into my watermelon juice. I was really glad that I knew how to cook, and that although Steven never said it, he loved my cooking too. I tucked into my breakfast and sighed happily.

Laurie walked in sashaying her hips chirping, "Hi, Daddy." She plonked down into her seat and proceeded to load up her plate.

Red looked up from his newspaper slightly before nodding, "Hi, sweetie." His tone was a little gruff, but still somewhat gentle which meant that they were on slightly better terms now. I wondered how Laurie pulled that off.

Michael was trying to not so subtly sneak out of the kitchen and Red glared at him, "Oh, Kelso. You watch your ass." Michael squeaked nodded and bolted out of the kitchen through the patio doors. I shook my head munching on some baked bacon and hash browns. Dumbass.

Kitty worriedly looked at Eric, "Eric, you've hardly touched your breakfast."

Eric gave her a strained smile moving his hash browns around his plate, "My head kind of hurts."

I patted his arm lightly taking a sip out of my glass, "That just means you're hung over, Eric."

Steven snorted shaking his head while he continued eating. He had never gotten a hangover for some reason, but I could never figure out what he did. I think he probably made sure he was hydrated and ate food or something. Every time I would ask he'd just smirk at me and say that he had a body that could handle it. Psh…bullsiht.

Laurie rolled her eyes before finishing off her bacon, "You should totally eat, loser. Or I'm going to eat your bacon."

Eric glared at her stuffing half of his bacon into his mouth, "Back off my bacon."

Steven chuckled eating the last of his eggs and hash browns, "You're going to get fat if you keep eating like that, Laurie."

Laurie huffed scowling at Steven, "Oh shut up twerp." She batted her eyes at Kitty pouting slightly, "Mom, if Daddy gets his business off the ground fast enough; can I have a car?"

Kitty looked at her sternly, "Laurie, no. If you want a car get a job."

Laurie whined and shot Eric a dark look, "But Eric doesn't have a job."

I shrugged eating the last of my eggs slathered with hollandaise sauce, "So? You don't have a university degree, and we're not complaining."

Kitty sighed and took a long sip of her coffee, "That's enough kids."

Red placed down his newspaper and grinned, "So? Would you want to be my employee?"

Laurie turned up her supposed charm, "I'd work for you, Daddy, because you're the World's Best Father."

Eric made a gagging sound into his food, "Oh, you make me sick."

Kitty smiled sweetly at Red and pulled out a book that she'd apparently been hiding behind her back, "Honey, now I know you've been just a little bit blue since the plant closed. So, I got you a present. Ta-da! "You're In Business! The Essential Guide For Setting up Shop.""

Red took the book gingerly grimacing slightly, "Kitty, I don't need that. I've been working since I was 16. I fought in two wars. Hell, I killed people. I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy it. No, no, no, no."

Kitty's smile dissolved off of her face and she sighed, "I just- I thought it'd give you a little edge."

Red stood up and gruffly said, "I don't need an edge. I'm Red Forman. I'm experienced, loyal, and hardworking. That's the trifecta of business!" He placed a loving kiss on Kitty's cheek, "Well, in any case thanks, sweetie." He then proceeded to exit out of the kitchen probably off to the shop again in case any applicants came in. Business was slow to start for some reason.

Kitty gave him a warm smile, "Good luck, honey."

I called out drinking the last of my watermelon juice, "Bye, Mr. Forman!"

Laurie waved at Red's retreating back, "Bye, Daddy!"

Eric waved shortly while eating the rest of his breakfast, "Bye Dad."

Steven sat back nodding slightly, "Bye, Red."

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I tucked one of my legs underneath Steven's while I sat on his lap. He let out a deep sigh while I wound my arm around his shoulder, I could feel his embrace tighten and loosen randomly. Fez was telling us why he was in his underwear and this part apparently seemed to bore Steven.

Donna burst through the door interrupting Fez's story, "All right, it's official. My parents are freaks! Which one of you is my boyfriend again? Right, it's you. You're taking me out of this stinkin' town tonight!"

Eric gave her a curious look, "Wait, wait, wait. Donna, don't you wanna know why Fez is in his undies?"

She flopped down onto the couch beside him curtly stating, "No."

I nodded towards her smiling slightly, "It is a really crazy story, Donna."

Steven smirked, "It's a good one, Big Red."

Donna waved us all off dismissively, "Oh, you know what? I'll tell you guys a crazy story. It all started like four minutes ago. They were fighting and suddenly TANTRIC sex talk! TANTRIC guys! Like- like monkeys!"

I giggled shaking my head, "Okay, Donna. I think we get it."

Eric winked at her and let his arm wind around her waist, "I think we need to take you out for some dirty bad fun."

She shot Eric a grateful look, "Thank you, Eric."

Fez beamed at them wiggling his eyebrows all the while, "Oh, you want dirty bad fun? Listen to this. I came here fully clothed!"

Annette shook her head; she apparently didn't want to hear any more of his story, "No, no, no."

Michael had a lightbulb go off in his head and he chirped, "I know! There's this new club that opened in Chicago. It's supposed to be like the hottest spot this side of Studio 54."

Donna nodded and happily stated, "You guys, that's perfect."

Annette shook her head standing up, "No, no, Michael, we can't go. My parents are gonna be out late tonight, and we have to study."

Michael pouted at Annette slowly standing up as well, "Study? Ah, what a gyp! I'm going to the club."

Annette gave him an irritated frown while she walked out of the basement, "No, no, Michael. You're coming over to my house tonight. And we're gonna "study"."

Michael called out to her while she left crossing his arms, "Fine! God, I never get to do anything fun."

I sighed and gave him a pitying look, "God, you're so dumb, Michael."

He flopped back into his chair pouting again, "I guess that's why I gotta go study."

I whispered seductively into Steven's ear, "Do you wanna go "study", puddin' pop?"

He smirked adjusting me slightly so I could feel his hardened length, "Meh. We can do that after."

I laughed quietly before nipping at his neck, "Sounds, like a plan."

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

We lined up to a gritty looking building that was supposed to this amazing club. I wasn't much of club person and neither was Steven, but this seemed like an interesting experience.

Fez came away from a nearby corner that housed some slutty looking prostitutes. He grinned at us, "People are so friendly around here. Two women on the corner just offered to have sex with me."

I snorted through my nose shaking my head, "Yep, that they did Fez."

Steven patted Fez's shoulder patiently saying, "For money, man. For money."

Fez's eyes widened and he looked back at them, "I could not ask them for money." His eyes took on a lecherous grin before he muttered to himself, "Or could I?"

Donna smiled at all the people, "Wow, guys. Check out this crowd." I think she was doing all of this very un-Donna like things to try and get her parents pissed off at her and not at each other. I'd seen something like that in a movie once; it didn't turn out well for that girl.

I curtly nodded, "I know."

Donna bounced on heels and somehow managed to drag us all along with her, "This is gonna be so great! Let's go see how long the wait is."

She beamed at the big bouncer, "Excuse me, how long?"

He looked at her from head to toe before opening the door, "You're in."

Eric looked beyond giddy, "Oh, man, I'm so up for this."

I tilted my head looking up at the burly man, "Are we next?"

He looked over at what was left of our group, "You're in, but only with the afro guy. I like his boots." I was suddenly very glad I had gotten him new boots after his had gotten worn out.

He gave Eric a deep frown before shaking his head at Fez, "Not you, string bean. Or you, fancy pants."

Eric shuffled his feet and frowned slightly, "Well, that's fine. I'll just wait with Fez."

Bouncer man gestured for us to go through the door, "Go in."

Donna gave them a worried look, "You guys will be okay, right?"

Eric and Fez nodded hesitating slightly.

I looked back at them, "Yeah?" Eric waved me to go in encouragingly.

Steven squeezed my hand gently pulling me into the dark thrumming room, "All right, we'll see you guys inside."

While we walked in I could hear Eric state, "You know what? This is probably just some kind of fire code thing."

I shook my head. They wouldn't get in for a while, but I could bet that they would figure out how to get in eventually. They were persistent like that.

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The music thrummed loudly in the back ground and strobe lights tore through the darkness now and again. For a 70's club this scene really reminded me of some club from 2012.

We sat near the bar and I watched Donna dance wildly with several men at once, "Steven do you wanna dance?" I wanted to watch out for Donna. She was acting really crazy lately and I think it might've been a way to garner her parents' attention away from fighting each other.

He glared at the men that kept stealing looks at me, "Yes, but not here."

I rolled my eyes, "Is it because of all the other men?" I had noticed them, but decided not to react to their creepy gazes. They were probably looking at me for the same reason they had been staring at Donna. We looked underage. Damn perverts.

Steven grunted and pulled me closer to him, "Okay, yes. I know you don't see it, but they do look at you and I don't like it."

I sighed and looked up at him good-naturedly, "Oh sweetheart, they can look, but they can't ever have me. And don't say you think I like their attention because you know it freaks me the fuck out."

Steven let out a tired breath through clenched teeth, "Are we really going to have this conversation here?"

I gave him an irritated look spotting a family bathroom nearby, "You know what? I think we will. No time as well as the present."

I proceeded to drag him towards the family bathroom shoving him inside, "Lin. Lin? You're dragging me to the- what the hell? There's a family bathroom? What does that even mean?"

I turned and looked the door securely, "It means that there are very irresponsible people that want to party, but still have their babies with them. Now sit." I motioned for him to sit on the plush leather arm chair that they had placed in this spacious bathroom.

Steven looked at the single stall and the family signs on the wall, "This is weird."

I looked at him squarely in his eyes, with my hands on my hips, "I know, but seriously Steven. I mean we live together and I share everything with you. You've known me since we were kids. Why all the jealousy over some lousy creepy strangers? Or our friends for that matter?"

Steven combed a hand through his tight curls letting out a frustrated sigh, "It's not that Lin. I just don't want them to take you away. Any of them. Especially Fez and Michael."

I started pacing around the small room giving him an irritated look, "We've had this conversation before, Steven! No one's going to take me away from you. Fuck, if we're being totally honest here; only death will take me away from you, okay?" I stopped pacing in front on him shaking him slightly by the shoulders.

Steven looked at me skeptically, "Death."

I rolled my eyes and held his face in my hands, "Yes, Steven, death." I let go of his face and combed both of my hands in my lengthening hair. This was so frustrating! What would I have to do to make him understand?

Steven let out a tired sigh and quietly muttered, "But what if I can't give you your dream of a picket fence and a happy family? What if you want to suddenly leave me-"

My eyes teared up slightly and I took in a deep long-suffering breath, "I know that Edna pounded it into your head that I would leave too. I heard that conversation through the door the couple times I was over at your place."

Steven raised his eyebrow and wiped away a stray tear that fell down my cheek, "You eavesdropped?"

I let out a sad laugh, "Yup. It's one of my quirks. I would never leave you though, Steven. I can reassure you of that." He stood up and wrapped me in an embrace which I happily returned.

He let out a short chuckle, "Heh. Alright."

I let out a shuddering breath, "I love you, and I want a family with you. It doesn't have to be now because I know that freaks you out. Frankly, getting married now would freak me out too. I just- I just want you to know that you are one of the few constants that I see in my future. My nexus point."

Steven stepped back and held my shoulders. I could see fear flash behind his sunglasses, "Marriage? Marriage is…You saw how Bud and Edna ended up, Lin. Or how Midge and Bob are handling things. They're all a mess."

I nodded and embraced his waist. I stared up at him and tried to convey the utter determination that I felt through my eyes, "Yeah, but we're not them. And you are neither of your parents. You are an amazing person even with all your flaws. You love me for all of my flaws so why won't you accept that I'd do the same with you?"

He stared at me looking at me with that look of his again, "I just- I just… Fuck Lin. I still need to sort it out in my head. I know we've talked about marriage, babies, and all that kind of shi- stuff. I always thought it would be a dream though…but now we're actually living together and-"

I gave him a sad smile rubbing his back slightly, "And it's freaking you out so you're lashing out a little?"

He sighed and nodded curiously inquiring, "Yeah. Why aren't you more mad about this?" I usually got cat hissing mad when he did this, but right now that wasn't how I was feeling.

I tilted my head slightly looking past Steven at something only I could see, "Because I'd prefer you lashing out at me, then clamming up and doing something stupid like cheating on me." I recalled season eight of this show with the new writers. I know this was different from what I had seen though, but I couldn't help feel a little scared. I didn't want him suddenly deciding to cheat on me with some random hoes. It would break my heart.

He pulled me back a little, slipped his sunglasses off, and looked at me straight in the eye, "Hey. Hey, now. I've never ever cheated on you. I would never stoop down to Kelso's level." I could see that he was sincere in that statement and I felt my shoulders sag in relief.

I shrugged helplessly, "I know, but I worry about stuff too."

He scanned my face for something; for what, I wasn't too certain, "Lin, you're a sap…. I love you too." He let out a deep sigh, "Do you really want to marry me?"

I raised an eyebrow at him narrowing my eyes slightly, "Do you know what I mean when I say marriage?"

He gave me an odd look, "Don't answer my question with a question."

I gave him an impatient look, "Steven."

He let go of me and threw his hands in the air, "Damn it Lin! You know I can't lie to you. I don't know… Marriage is… Is sticking together and having a wedding? It's something really adult. "

I laughed and pulled him back into an embrace, "Well…yes to the sticking together part, but a wedding… We don't have to have a wedding in the future; that's just a party. We could go to a court house for all I care. I wasn't one of those little girls that fantasized about that sort of thing. All I want is to spend my life with you. It is an adult thing, but… we will eventually grow up and I hope that we'll go through it together."

He sighed and tilted his head back staring at the ceiling for a moment, "Awe Lin. Fuck okay. I'll try not to be so possessive. And… later on, much later on, we can get hitched if you still want my lousy ass."

I nodded and let my head fall onto his chest, "I'll try not to get so irritated when you happen to be possessive, and I will most assuredly still want your ass as my husband down the line. I'm a pretty stubborn person when I set my mind to it."

I could hear his chest rumble in a silent laugh, "That you are, Lin. That you are. Sooo this was an odd choice to have our first whatever." He rubbed my back gently groping my butt slightly.

I shrugged bonelessly, "Eh. We can tell it to our future kids to gross em out." I looked up when his heart skipped a beat.

He made a face, "I'm gonna have to get used to that."

I tilted my head slightly, "Hmm? What?"

He gave me a soft smile and I could see love reflected back in his eyes, "Using the word 'our'; it's gonna be strange to think in those terms now."

I poked his belly gently, "Well get used to it buddy, cause I'm not going anywhere."

He gave me a lopsided grin with hope shining in his eyes, "Yeah?"

I nodded resolutely, "Yeah."

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I sipped on my orange juice munching on some waffles now and again using my free hand to graze Steven's inner thighs. He let out a slight shudder grabbing my wandering hand. Steven gave me a frustrated growl while he ate his waffles with a slight irritated frown. Ahh…so far my morning was turning out to be pretty fun. He took a deep sip of coffee from his mug shooting me a slight warning look. It was fun getting him horny though.

Laurie had a scheming smile on her face while she pushed around her waffles, "So, look at us. This is just like a Norman Rockwell painting. Mom is serving breakfast, Daddy is reading the newspaper, Lin the nerd that she is; is reading and eating at the table, Steven is here still, and brother Eric is trying to hide a big, purple, nasty hickey."

Eric glanced up looking alarmed, "What hickey? I don't have a hickey." He couched and slouched in his seat. Damn. That was a really bad hickey. I rolled my eyes. I liked the whole hickey thing as well; I loved it when Steven gave me one, but we were smarter about it. Never leave it somewhere visible was our main rule. If it could be covered with our regular clothes that patch of skin was free to suck or nibble on. I would have to have a talk with Donna and Eric about that later. I can't believe they were being so obvious about things.

Kitty gave Eric a disappointed look, "You know, Eric, hickeys lead to dirty things." She took a sip of her orange juice as a thoughtful frown slipped onto her face.

Red glared at Eric violently slicing his waffles, "For God's sakes, don't let Donna suck your neck. She's a nice girl."

Eric groaned, "I don't have a hickey. I was using a curling iron."

I caught a better glance at his hickey and let out a quiet whistle, "Oh, wow, will you just look at that."

Eric covered his neck and whined, "Lin!"

Kitty smiled at Red warmly, "Red, remember that time –"

Red flushed lightly and shook his head, "No, and neither do you."

Kitty sighed sadly and glanced at Laurie, "Okay. So, Laurie, what's on the agenda today?"

Laurie looked like a deer caught in headlights, "Agenda?"

I automatically answered her question without thinking, "A list of goals or actions one might feel good about achieving to succeed in life."

Kitty nodded approvingly patting my arm lightly before she turned to Laurie with an expectant look on her face.

Laurie groaned whining slightly, "Mom, come on, relax. I'm still getting used to being back home."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah. Sure you are, Laurie." She sent me a mild glare before turning back to Kitty giving her a pathetic look.

Eric pretended to wipe his brow sarcastically stating, "Yeah, flunking out of university can be draining. Whew!"

Steven sighed and shook his head, "Eric. Come on. That was so mild."

Kitty sent Laurie a disappointed look, "Laurie, all you do is sit around the house and watch television. You should come down to the hospital and volunteer."

Red nodded looking up from his newspaper, "She's right, Laurie."

Laurie looked slightly panicked, "Daddy! You know, I think Eric needs an agenda. Look at his neck."

Eric squawked, "It's a birthmark! It's been there since birth."

Red shook his head at Eric, kissed Kitty's cheek, patted my head, patted Steven's shoulder and rubbed Laurie's shoulder goodbye. Hopefully he'd have a better day at the muffler shop. Apparently finding decent employees were hard.

Kitty noticed that Steven had been sipping coffee this entire time, "Steven, honey, you are too young for coffee. Have some juice."

Steven shook his head letting out a tired sigh, "Mrs. Forman, I need coffee. Your son kept me up all night bragging about his hickey."

Kitty laughed lightly before getting up with her and Red's empty plates.

Laurie gave him a mischievous smile, "Okay, whatever you do, Eric, do not wear a turtleneck to school."

Eric looked at her curiously, "Okay?"

She gave Eric a mean grin, "It's a dead giveaway."

Steven finished off his coffee nodding at Eric, "Yeah, I'd go with a decorative scarf."

Eric looked indignant and huffed crossing his arms across his chest.

Laurie and Steven high fived and I rolled my eyes, "Or, you know, wear a band aid. Here. You can say you were trying to shave." I slipped Eric one of my 'just-in-case' Band-Aid that I carried on me at all times.

Eric smiled at me, nodding and placing the Band-Aid on his neck.

Steven snorted, "Yeah, with your nonexistent facial hair."

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Donna barged into the basement with fire in her eyes. She glared at Eric, "Did you have to tell everyone about the hickey?"

I tilted my head at her quipping, "Well, everyone can kinda see it, Vampira."

Eric gave her a sullen look peeling off the Band-Aid from his neck, "Laurie had a field day at breakfast." I suppose even with something covering it, everyone already found out some other way. I wondered how that happened.

Steven chuckled adding, "Yeah, I hopped on that dog pile too."

Eric shot him an irritated look, "You sure did, you dillhole."

Steven shrugged bonelessly, "All right, Forman. Yeah, that was sorta mean. Still very fun though."

Eric pouted crossing his arms, "At least I had Lin on my side."

Fez gave us a hopeful look raising his hand, "Excuse me. May I please have a hickey, please?"

I shook my head while Steven shot Fez a dark glare. Donna shook her head laughing slightly.

Michael looked at Annette begging her silently for a hickey as well. Annette gave Michael a glare, "No."

Michael whined, "Please Annie?"

Annette sent him a heated glare, "No!"

Michael whined some more shaking her shoulder slightly, "Annie?"

She pushed him away resolutely saying, "No!"

Michael pouted, "Please?"

Annette pushed Michael away from her firmly stating, "No!" With that Michael left in a huff up the stairs.

Fez pouted looking at us morosely, "So the three of you do things to please your man? Well, Fez is a man. Why do you not please him? Why?"

Steven sent an even darker glare at Fez, "Fez, back the fuck off my girl."

I gave Fez a disappointed look, "Fez, no. That's not cool, and I certainly don't like you that way."

Eric gave Fez a challenging look, "Try it, and I'll kick you Fez."

Donna rolled her eyes and gave Annette a teasing look, "Annie, just give him a hickey."

She let out a frustrated sound getting up and stomping her foot, "No, I'm just gonna go home. Bye!" She stormed out of the basement letting the door slam behind her.

Donna sighed and looked up at the ceiling before getting up as well, "Whatever, I gotta go too. I have to go shopping with my mom. Suddenly it's really important that we be best friends."

I gave her a curious look, "What happened?"

Donna deadpanned, "She's been reading."

I raised my eyebrow, "Reading what?" Donna shrugged carelessly.

Eric chuckled while Donna left, "Damn it. When will they learn?"

Once the coast was clear Michael came back down into the basement looking around slightly, "Finally. I thought Annie'd never leave."

Steven gave Michael a suspicious look, "Okay, Kelso, what are you doing?"

He grinned at us smugly holding out a pair of panties that he had pinched, "Oh, I needed a sexy memento from Laurie. I'm gonna commemorate our forbidden love with panties."

I rolled my eyes and gave him a disgusted frown, "Fine. Just take your panties and go home, Michael."

Eric caught a better look at the panties and squawked, "Man, those are my mom's! Come on!"

Steven gave Eric a steady look, "Okay, Forman, look, man. I'm not telling you how to live your life but if someone touched my mom's panties-"

Eric gave Steven an irritated from while he swiped back his mother's panties, "Hyde, didn't everyone touch your mom's panties?"

Michael grinned gleefully, "Burn! Man that was a burn."

Steven glared at Eric, "Okay, Forman, I have a solution; why don't you just jump off Point Place peak."

Eric slumped back in his seat making sure to shoot his mother's panties into the open washer, "Well, that's just not gonna happen."

Steven rolled his eyes, "Hey, fine, you big baby."

Eric smiled slightly, "Still friends?"

Steven huffed, but I could see the slight upward tilt of his lips, "I need time to heal."

Michael rummaged through the dryer picking out dainty looking panties, "Okay, these are Laurie's, right?"

We all shrugged, but with all the lace it was probably a good bet that they belonged to Laurie.

Eric had a frown that furrowed his brow, "Kelso, what, exactly, are you gonna do with those panties?"

Michael dreamily looked at the panties that he had clenched in his hands, "Just look at 'em."

I shuddered in disgust throwing him a grossed out frown, "You are a very big pervert, Michael. And kind of creepy."

Steven raised an eyebrow at Michael, "Kelso, did you ever notice that Laurie and Eric have the same eyes? So, if you're doing it with Laurie, and she's perhaps wearing a hat, it's kinda like you're doing it with Eric too!"

Michael dropped the panties into his pocket completely ignoring Steven taking swift steps out of the basement, "Okay, bye."

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Someone knocked on the door and Laurie answered it. She went stock still so we gathered around her to see what was going on.

A skinny balding man in a tan jacket gave us a strained smile, "Hello, Laurie. I apologize for coming unannounced." He honestly looked kind of like a pedophile.

Laurie gave Red and Kitty an innocent look, "Mom! Daddy! This is Professor Stark. He was my art history teacher." Oh she was up to something. Was this another one of her dalliances? Knowing her, it was a very high chance that it might've been.

Professor Stark let out a dry cough, "Well, actually, I was your psychology teacher."

Eric looked at him critically, "Well, whatever you taught her, she flunked it."

Kitty had an admonishing look on her face, "Eric!" She turned back to the Professor giving him a cautious look, "So, you're from the, uh, University of Wisconsin?"

The Professor nodded quietly shifting his weight from one foot to the next. He kept glancing at Laurie weirdly. Something was definitely up between the two of them.

Red stared him down before gruffly asking, "Are you here to give me back my money?"

The Professor sheepishly stated, "Well, actually, I came here because of Laurie."

Laurie panicked slightly stating, "Oh! Yes. He came to see if the university would take me back."

Kitty looked between the two of them hopefully, "Really?"

Steven gave him an analyzing look, "Seriously?"

Kitty beamed and dragged him into the house plonking him down onto the couch, "Oh, please! Here! Have a seat! Ha! I'll make coffee and cake! I'll make coffee cake and coffee! Oh, gosh!"

Red gave him a wary look, "Really, can you get her back into the university and out of my house?"

The Professor had a bewildered look, "Well, I'm going to try my darnedest."

Red nodded stoically happy, "Well, this is really good news."

Kitty came back with coffee cake and coffee, "This is the best news I've ever heard."

I gave him a wary look, "Yes, it is." This whole situation smelled fishy to me.

The Professor nodded giving us that same strained smile Laurie had, "I wanna get Laurie back in school."

Eric tilted his head narrowing his eyes, "Professor, question. How lame, exactly, is your student body if you're trying to get this dumb cow back –"

Red glared at Eric, "Eric! Don't be a smart-mouth. We've got company."

Kitty pulled us away from the professor while Laurie called out sneering, "Yeah. Go make more coffee."

She gave us all a kind look, "Don't scare him off. He's our only hope." I nodded and I could feel Steven giving the Professor his searching look. He could feel that something was off too. It probably wasn't like what happened when I went to college…I hope.

Kitty turned back to the Professor, "So, um maybe you could stay for dinner?"

The Professor gave her a polite smile, "Why, yes, thank you. That would be lovely." He then started to fidget and held out a bunch of peeled paint chips to Red, "Oh, uh, and I believe these paint chips are yours."

Red gave him a deep frown, "Yeah. Well, these are the color of our front door, aren't they?"

The Professor stuttered slightly, "Yeah. You had a paint chip hanging from your front door. So I- I started to peel it, and I guess I got a little overzealous."

Kitty let out a strained laugh, "So psychology, huh?"

The Professor nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes. Human foibles fascinate me."

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Kitty bustled around the kitchen and glanced at us, "Eric, Lin, go to the store and get me three pounds of ground beef, lean."

I nodded and started making my way towards the patio door.

Eric paused and sighed giving his mom a pleading look, "Mom, look, before you go and blow money this guy. He is not gonna get Laurie back into college. She is stupid and evil. Mostly stupid."

Kitty pushed the potatoes into the oven and looked at Eric, "Eric, she is not stupid. She's just- She has special- Just go." She waved us away.

Steven walked in through the patio door with a thoughtful from spread across his face, "I'll go with them, Mrs. Forman."

Kitty smiled sweetly at him, "Oh, Steven; such a sweet boy. Alright, hurry up you three." We went out of the patio doors and headed towards the driveway.

Steven held my hand and he gave us a perturbed look, "So Laurie and her professor are tonguing it in the garage like hungry dogs. It was disgusting."

I made a face at Steven squirming in disgust, "Ewww. That's disgusting, Steven."

Michael popped out of nowhere. What the hell was he still doing here? "Laurie wouldn't just make out with some old guy. She wouldn't do that!"

I rolled my eyes at him, "Yeah she would. This is Laurie we're talking about, Michael. Not a nun."

Steven shook his head giving him a lazy look, "No, it's true, man. I was in the upstairs closet putting away some boxes, and I saw 'em. It was like live porno, but not good porno, 'cause he's, like, really old and she's Laurie. It was like old, bad porno."

Annette walked out from behind Michael. Was she there the entire time? The fuck?

Annette simpered, "Michael, why do you care if Laurie kisses the professor?"

Steven grinned at Michael, "Yeah, Kelso. Why do you care?"

I simpered, "Why would that be important to you, Michael?"

Michael scrambled for the right words, "Well because…uhh…" He gave Eric a pleading look.

Eric sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before turning and giving Annette a placating look, "You see it's wrong for an old person to make out with an innocent, young student."

Annette nodded happily and bounced away and out of the driveway.

I gave him a wry look, "Seriously?"

Steven snorted, "Innocent? Okay, Eric, no offense but your sister is as slutty as they come."

Michael gave us an affronted look, "Eric, are you gonna let him say that about your older sister?"

Eric shrugged not really giving a fuck, "Sure."

I chuckled slightly, "It is true, Michael. If you looked up the definition of slut, her picture would be right next to it in the dictionary."

Eric grinned and bounced on his heels slightly, "Exactly. You see what's beautiful here, people? I finally have something big on Laurie. I own her! Oh, yeah! She is so screwed!"

I snorted, "I suppose she would be."

Steven laughed getting my innuendo, "Nice one, doll."

I cuddled his arm batting my eyes at him with a silly grin on my face, "I do my best."

Michael pouted while he turned around and walked away, "All right, just be nice."

Fez ran up the driveway showing us his hand, "Look. Did everyone see my hickey? Somebody loves me."

Steven shook his head, "Moron, you gave that to yourself."

Eric gave him a pitying look, "It's still wet."

Fez shook his head resolutely, "Oh, no, I did not. Somebody loves me. There is a lady love. There is!"

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Eric heaved up another box and laid it down onto the attic floor, "This is the room where we put all that crap we just can't throw away. Like you."

Steven rolled his eyes and placed down the box he was holding on top of a pile of other boxes, "Forman, is it just me, or do your mom and dad like me a lot better than they like you?"

Eric pouted and stretched his back, "See, I kid, but you hurt."

I rolled my eyes at them and let the box fall onto the floor. That damn thing was heavy.

We heard Kitty call up to us, "Boys! Lin! Dinner!"

Steven gave Eric an encouraging look holding onto his shoulders, "All right, man. You ready to make Laurie squeal like the family pig?"

Eric grinned menacingly, "Ohh yes."

I gave him a tired sigh, "Eric, you're gonna punk out, aren't you?"

He gave us a sheepish look, "Well, it is my nature."

Steven shook him slightly, "Look, Forman you've always been the runt of the litter. This is your chance to bite the big dog on the ass."

I nodded adding in, "She is quite large."

Steven nodded and gave Eric a firm look, "So my advice to you is bite the big dog on the ass."

Eric wiggled out of Steven's grasp and gave us a hesitant look, "Okay, what if I let her off with a warning? You know? Just this one time."

I sighed and stretched out my arms, "Well, that would be the mature choice."

Steven shook his head and slapped Eric's back, "But not evil! You gotta think evil, man! Where would we be without the A-bomb?"

Eric frowned and stated, "Well, actually, the war was all but won when –"

Steven pinched his lips shut, "Shut up! Okay, now, let's review." Steven pitched his voice higher and annoyingly stated, "Daddy, Eric has dirty magazines under his bed."

I joined in smiling mischievously. I did my best imitation of Laurie's nasally voice, "Daddy, Eric snuck out last night."

Steven mimed twirling long hair, "Daddy, I saw Eric drinking all your beer."

I rolled my eyes batting my lashes, "Daddy, Eric made it hard for me to concentrate, so I flunked out of university!"

Steven grinned, "Or the latest one, daddy, Eric used all my hand lotion."

Eric growled and started stomping down the stairs that led to the hallway, "Okay, that bitch is dead."

I cheered happily pumping my fists, "Go get her, Eric! You can do it!"

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We all quietly ate the meatloaf, steamed vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Kitty cleared her throat and gave the Professor a strained smile, "So, um, this news about Laurie leaving it's just a little ray of sunshine. Well, I just wish that more teachers cared about their students like you do."

The Professor nodded quietly shooting Laurie a look while he spooned some meatloaf into his mouth.

Red nodded curtly stating, "I think it all started going downhill when you couldn't paddle the kids anymore. Pansy-ass Supreme Court." He grumbled slightly while he proceeded to eat his meal.

Steven whispered to Eric nudging him slightly, "He who hesitates is boned."

Eric nodded and swallowed what he was chewing before mouthing silently to Laurie, "I own you."

The Professor cleared his throat and smiled politely, "Laurie is one of the most gifted young women in my class. I've always enjoyed having her."

I couched into my hand, "I bet you did."

Steven smirked and I could feel him trail the hand he wasn't using along my thigh. Ahhh….tit for tat then. I raised my eyebrow at him and his smirk just widened.

Eric hissed quietly, "Laurie. I know something that you don't know that I know."

Laurie glared at Eric quietly demanding, "You know?"

Eric grinned, "Yes, yes."

Steven prodded Eric quietly, "Tell us, Forman, so that we can all know."

Laurie sneered at him, "You don't know anything. And if you do know something, I will make you sorry you were ever born."

Eric shrugged not quiet whispering any more, "For your information, I'm already sorry I was ever born."

Red glared at Eric, "Eric!"

Eric gave us a look, "See?"

Kitty gave the Professor a hopeful look, "So, what does she need to do to get back into school?"

The Professor gave Laurie a warm look, "Well, she'll have to work with me. Make a commitment to school. She'll really have to buckle down." Buckle down on top of you, you mean. I could hear the subtle innuendo that he used.

Red gave Laurie a measured look, "What do you think, Laurie? Are you willing to give it a go?"

I snorted lightly and gave Laurie a sarcastic smile before turning to Kitty, "Oh, Mrs. Forman, she's probably very willing."

Eric perked up, "You know, Dad, I just saw the most interesting thing today in the garage."

Laurie quietly started chanting, "Burst into flames! Burst into flames! Burst into flames!|

Eric grinned maliciously at Laurie, "It was just- It was so surprising."

Steven smugly smirked, "Oh! Eric, do tell."

Eric nodded, "I saw Laurie-"

The Professor stood up yelling, "I'm in love with your daughter!"

Red turned red and I could see his vein bulge. He slammed down his cutlery and turned a dark glare at the Professor. Kitty stood up with her knife still in hand. Eric shook his head, Steven laughed quietly, and I sat back and watched the show.

Laurie pathetically called out, "Dad –"

Red stomped over to a scrambling Professor, "That's it! Come here!" This was certainly one of the more interesting dinners that we've had. The Professor managed to bolt out of the house before Red could get a hold of him, which was too bad. Kitty sent Laurie a deeply disappointed look before she herded us all into the kitchen.

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Kitty threw her hands in the air and let out a very frustrated sigh, "Oh, for God's sake, Laurie! The man's in love with you, and you still couldn't pass?"

Red frowned and gave Laurie a deeply disappointed look, "So?"

Laurie pouted and pressed her arms in front of her chest. She fluttered her eyes, "So I guess I disappointed you, Daddy. I'm really sorry. I just wish he wouldn't have taken advantage of me and my love for education!" My eye twitched and I felt my temper simmer.

Steven scoffed and glared at Laurie, "That is just so wrong."

Red started nodded slowly giving me a worried glance, "Well I guess you're not the first student to be taken advantage of by a teacher." Oh hell to the no.

Eric gave Red a cautious look, "Where you going with that, Dad?"

Laurie had a triumphant look glimmering in her eyes, "Just try not to be too hard on yourself." She did not just- Motherfucker!

I shook my head and quickly took a hold of Red's arm before Laurie could get away with this. He looked down at me curiously and I continued to shake my head, "No. Mr. Forman. This isn't like the time when Mr. Gurdwar molested me. And you shouldn't blame yourself about whatever was going on with Laurie and her teacher because it's not the same."

Laurie sent me a death glare, "Lin!"

Kitty put a worried hand on my shoulder and Red's eyes softened, "Lin?" I had refused to talk to them any more than I had to about that incident in the past, but I would never let Laurie use what happened to me as an excuse. That was just motherfuckinglow.

I gave Laurie a dark look, "It isn't. Laurie's not crying or genuinely upset and when we confronted her about it she was angry that we caught her. She's not angry at all that it happened when they were making out earlier in the garage. She was reciprocating."

Red gave me a slight hug before he turned to his rapidly paling daughter, "Laurie. You and I have to have a very hard talk. Come on." His voice was cold and he yanked her arm making sure she followed him.

Laurie hissed back at me while she was pulled into the living room, "Damn it Lin."

Kitty glared at Laurie helping Red get her into the living room by pushing her through the kitchen door, "Living room. Now. Young lady."

Eric glared at the spot that Laurie had been standing in, "Well, this is unforgivable."

Steven shook slightly and pulled me into an embrace, "I can't believe she tried that. I'm sorry, doll."

I muttered quietly, "It's alright." It really wasn't, and I preferred not to ever bring this up again. Talking about it only brought it out of the nope box. I would rather not bring things up and out of that box when I could get away with it.

Kitty gently took me away from Steven engulfing me into loving hug, "No, Lin, honey. It's not. I'll make you kids some coffee and cake. Today's been a hard day." She let me go and Steven immediately encircled my waist with his arms.

I sighed slowly letting my head rest on Steven's chest, "I'm glad that guy's in jail now."

Eric gave me a soft look, "Yeah? They finally put him away?"

I nodded focusing on Steven's steady heart beat, "Mhmm."

Steven grumbled glaring off into space, "Too bad. I would've loved to gouge his eyes out, chop off his penis and feed all of that back to him."

I chuckled slightly, "Awe Steven. I love you too." All I wanted to do now was go home and sleep. This was much more taxing than our normal dinners.

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Fez stared off into space dreamily, "Do you think when girls have sleepovers sometimes they play games and giggle and then, every once in a while, they start to make out all together in a big naked heap?"

Steven chuckled, "I sure hope so."

Fez nodded happily, "Me too."

I rolled my eyes and nudged Steven gently, "You guys are dumb. We don't do that kind of thing."

He winked at me pinching my butt subtly, "Well I wouldn't mind if you did though, doll."

I smiled and grabbed his hand away from my tush. I patted his hand and kissed it lightly, "Pshh-"

Annette and Michael had apparently walked in. Annette cleared her throat, "A-A-A-hem! May I have your attention, please? I would like to introduce to you all, the new Michael Kelso!"

Michael fluffed his shirt and pulled on his leather jacket displaying himself to all of us, "So, huh? What do you think? Annie says it makes me look like Marlon Brando in The Wild Ones. Yeah, I'm so Brando."

Steven rolled his eyes at Michael, "Yeah, if Brando had a buddy named Potsie." I giggled slightly. Michael really did look like Fonzie right now.

Michael frowned at Steven, "What are you even saying?"

Steven gave Michael a smug smile, "I think you know what I'm saying."

Eric burst into laughter, "Aaaaay!"

Michael frowned at Annette, "Annie, did you dress me up like the Fonz?"

Annette pouted and shook her head, "No, Michael. I did not dress you up like the Fonz, although, I like the Fonz."

Donna piped in, "I think he's kind of –"

Michael ignored her and turned to Fez, "Fez? Fonz. Yes or no?"

Fez gave him a brilliant smile, "Well, you know me, Kelso. I just want you to be happy."

Michael gave us a smug look, "Thank you, Fez."

Fez garnered back his attention and a sneaky smile flitted across his face, "Now, if I could just have a moment of your time."

Michael nodded, "Sure."

Fez goofily grinned at him, "Good, yes. Okay, a gang of toughs has taken over Arnold's. Help us, Fonzie. You're our only hope."

Michael threw up his hands giving everyone a tight look, "I can't believe you guys. Here I am, as Brando as can be, and you guys can't even see that."

Eric snorted raising his eyebrow at Michael, "Well, you can both just "Sit on it"? Aaaaay."

Michael let out a deeply frustrated sound before stomping out of the basement.

Annette ran after him yelling, "Michael, wait!"

Donna and Eric followed after them about to do some couple stuff. We waved silently and tuned back into the Brady Bunch.

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Michael walked back into the basement with a smug smile holding pizza boxes in his arms.

Steven smiled and leaned his head on my shoulder, "Ahh, Kelso, it was brave of you to come back."

I nodded and tilted my head towards him, "We gave you quite a ribbing."

Michael nodded holding out the pizzas and letting their wonderful aroma permeate the air, "Except for this time, I brought a hot, fresh pizza. But it's only for my friends who don't make fun of me."

Eric walked in from the kitchen and groaned while he sat down, "Mmm! Pizza!"

Michael smugly smiled and placed the pizzas down onto the coffee table. He flopped back into his lawn chair with a pizza piece and munched on it.

Steven shook his head taking the pizzas in his eyes, "Kelso, man, I got a thousand insults and no pizza's gonna make- Is that sausage? You brilliant bastard!"

Steven leaned over holding me close to his chest while he did so. He took some of the meat lovers pizza from the box and handed me a couple pizzas as well.

I sighed taking a bite out of the pieces he gave me, "God, I love pizza."

Eric leaned back sighing as he finished off his slice of pizza, "Guys, let me ask you something. Donna told me she loves me. And then I told her I love cake. That's not bad, is it? I'm still- I'm still cool, right? Okay, I don't know what happened. I just panicked, and it popped out. I mean, I don't even remember wanting to ever talk about cake. I wasn't really that hungry."

I kept munching on my pizza giving Eric a sympathetic look, "Oh, God Eric. You screwed up big time."

Fez gave him a bewildered look while he kept eating, "Cake is good. But you cannot have sex with cake. Of course, you cannot have sex with Donna either, so…"

Michael snorted swallowing the last of the slice he had taken for himself, "Yeah, man, you should've just lied and told her that you loved her. "I love you, baby." See, and I don't love you. Isn't that great?"

I gave Michael a slight glare, "Michael, you're horrible. Like seriously. That's a really bad thing to do."

Steven nodded and rolled his eyes at Michael, "He does love her, you dope. Right?"

Eric finished his slice and grabbed another slice, "Okay, well, if I admit it, are you guys gonna make fun of me?"

Fez gave Eric an impatient look, "Oh, Eric, love is not a joke. This is a joke: Knock, knock."

Michael genially laughed, "Who's there?"

Steven waved away Fez's joke giving Eric a serious look, "Look, if you really do love her there's only one thing to do, man."

Michael chipped in biting into another pizza, "You gotta dump her and live free!"

Steven rolled his eyes and munched on his pizza, "Don't listen to him, man. He's stupid. Here's what you gotta do. She said it, so now you got to say it. Then she'll say it back, and everything will be okay. Oh, and get her pizza. 'Cause right now I kinda love Kelso."

I raised my eyebrow at him letting out a slight burp with my mouth closed. I laughed internally and poked Steven's belly.

He pecked my cheek with greasy lips, "Not as much as I love you, doll." I laughed slightly before I continued eating.

Eric nodded and leaned back into his seat stretching out his arms, "Yeah. I can do that. I'll just say it, and I'll be back on top again."

I gave him a concerned look, "You have to mean it when you say it, Eric. That's the most important part."

Eric smiled at me serenely, "Oh. I do mean it though."

Steven nodded and firmly stated, "Then just say it."

Eric let his head flop to the side and he nodded. He took a look at how Michael was dressed before chuckling and taking another pizza, "Okay. So, now, uh where was I when Fonzie here moved to town?"

Michael frowned and attempted to take back the pizza that Eric had grabbed, "Hey, give that back-a-mundo!" Eric stuffed the entire pizza into his mouth smiling all the while.

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I folded my laundry on my clean kitchen counter while Donna sat on her usual bar stool. She continued to rant and I paid attention to her with half an ear.

She threw up her hands, "And then he punched me in the arm and said, "man.""

I looked up from my task folding the last t-shirt from the clean pile, "Oh, my God. He didn't."

Donna shook her head and morosely stated, "He did. I guess I like totally screwed things up 'cause ever since I said "I love you," he's been acting so weird."

I put down the pants that I had begun to fold and looked at her frowning slightly, "Okay, wait a second. I don't think you screwed things up by saying 'I love you'. Did you mean it?"

Donna let out an exhausted sigh playing with the socks that I had finished pairing off, "Yes, of course I did."

I smiled at her while I walked over to her side, "Then you didn't screw up. All right, look. Eric doesn't know how to handle that kind of thing… I know he's trying for you though, so until he gets it through his thick head all you can do right now is play it cool for a while. He'll get it eventually." I patted her shoulder gently before going back to my side and folding the pants that I had been holding.

Donna tilted her head and had a thoughtful look cross her face, "I guess. How'd Hyde react when you said it?"

I choked out an embarrassed laugh, "Well, actually see…he said it first."

Donna gave me an irritated look, "Damn it Lin."

I pouted raising my eyebrow at her, "What?"

Donna shook her head and her shoulders slumped down, "That doesn't help me here."

I nodded and dropped the pants onto the counter with the rest of mine and Steven's laundry, "I know. Hug?"

She nodded holding her arms out. I gave her a tight squeeze patting her back slightly and she sighed, "Thanks, Lin."

I nodded smiling slightly, "Any time, Donna."

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Steve, me, Donna, Eric, and Fez were all hanging out in the basement again watching another show. I knew that Michael would eventually come where we were, and I didn't really want Annette to get it into her head that she could come and go out of mine and Steven's home. He agreed so we booted everyone out back into the basement. She was a nice girl, but I didn't know her very well even after all these months.

Donna got up and walked towards the basement door, "I've got to go. See you Lin. Hyde."

I waved to her along with Steven. He turned his attention back to the TV and I watched the way she was interacting with Eric. This would be interesting.

Eric looked at her hopefully, "So, will I see you later, Donna?"

Donna deadpanned quietly going out of the basement, "No, you're never gonna see me again."

Eric let out a strained laugh, "Ha. She's a little pistol, huh?"

Steven turned back to Eric and gave him a gimlet look, "What did you do, Forman?" He sucked on one of the Fudgsicles we had recently purchased this week. Today was hot enough to warrant Popsicles. I stole it from him and sucked off a piece. I loved Fudgsicles almost as much as Pudding Pops.

Eric waved his hands in front of him pouting slightly, "Nothing! I did what you said. I told her I loved her."

I rolled my eyes at him while Steven bit a piece of the Fudgsicle off, "You're lying, Eric. I know what you did."

Eric's eyes widened in a slight panic, "No, it's true. Except- Except, then I might've, you know popped her one on the shoulder and called her "man.""

Steven rolled his eyes, "You idiot."

Eric frowned looking a little put out while he crossed his arms in front of his chest, "Hey, this isn't my fault."

Fez shook his head putting his two cents in, "It is exactly your fault, Forman."

Eric shook his head, "Nuh uh. Hyde said if I told her I loved her, she'd say it back. But she didn't, man. She just stared at me."

I pursed my lips shaking my head at Steven when he offered me more of our Fudgsicle, "Well, did you give her a chance to answer?"

Steven sucked on our Fudgsicle some more before asking Eric dryly, "How long did you wait before you completely muffed out?"

Eric rolled his eyes looking at the ceiling, "Forever, man. Like five minutes."

I made a face at him, "You're lying, again!"

Eric shook his head shooting me a sheepish look, "No, it's true. It was like- Well, maybe just a couple of seconds, but I Time ceased to exist, okay? I was just hanging out there, really far out there. Just hangin'."

I licked the Fudgsicle a little while Steven sighed and gave Eric a disappointed look, "Eric contributes in class but does not follow directions."

Fez tilted his head and sighed, "Damn."

Michael wondered into the basement and rummaged through Eric's freezer. He looked up at us pouting slightly, "Where the heck is that Fudgsicle?"

He narrowed his eyes at the Fudgsicle Steven and I were sharing, "Hey, is that my Fudgsicle?"

Steven rolled his eyes at Michael, "No, this one's mine. Me and Lin bought some over the weekend." I stuck it into my mouth stubbornly giving Michael a look that clearly said 'back off'.

He frowned and wiggled his arms, "Damn it. Where's my Fudgsicle? Just tell me!"

Eric ignored Michael and gave us a sad frustrated look, "How am I supposed to fix this?"

Michael snorted, "Well, first of all you need to learn how to handle little woman troubles without getting all freaked out."

Fez nodded slightly turning to Eric, "It is pretty unmanly."

I squared my jaw and bit out, "Michael, you dillhole." Steven then proceeded to rub my back while I bit off a piece of our Fudgsicle.

Laurie came through the basement door and stopped to stare at Michael. Michael wiggled his eye brows and deepened his voice slightly, "Laurie."

She burst into laughter walking away and up to the kitchen, "Aaaaay!"

Michael stripped off the jacket and threw if onto the ground, "That's it! I hate this stupid thing! Even Laurie's laughing at me." He frowned at where Laurie had previously stood.

Steven smirked at Michael, "But, Kelso, I thought we were supposed to handle our woman troubles "like a man.""

I kissed the side of his neck humming, "Thank you puddin' pop."

Steven smiled and sucked on the Fudgsicle, "Any time, doll."

Michael's eye twitched and he pointed at us, "You shut up."

Steven waved him away dismissively, "Whatever, man. Aaaaay."

Fez and Eric chuckled along muttering Fonzie under their breaths.

Michael actually stomped his foot pouting, "Damn it guys! If anybody else here laughs at me, I swear I'm gonna kick so much ass!" He turned back to me and Steven and petulantly pouted, "And that's my Fudgsicle."

Steven gave him a very irritated look while I ate the last bit of our Fudgsicle, "I'm telling you, man, it's not."

Michael pouted and flung himself back into his chair refusing to believe it really wasn't his Fudgsicle.

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Annette had come in at some point, which proved our point of Annette always following after Michael.

Steven took the jacket that Michael had thrown off and onto the floor. I looked at him and he shrugged trying it on. I nodded and gave him a sultry look licking my lips all the while. He grinned and encircled me in a warm embrace.

Fez gazed at Steven and grinned, "Oh, Hyde, what a fabulous look for you!"

I laughed and looped my thumbs into his front jean pockets, "Seriously, you look like Marlon Brando or something." I swayed slightly and he followed along grinning down at me.

Annette gave Steven a hungry look, "Oh, my God. Hyde, when did you get so hot?" My eye twitched and I felt Steven tighten his embrace. If she kept going on about how hot he was I would claw her fucking eyes out.

Steven pecked my lips lightly giving Annette a blank look, "I've always been hot. The jacket just brings it out."

I noticed Annette was approaching with that same look on her face and I growled, "Back off Annette. Or I'll cut you."

Eric laughed from his position on the couch, "She probably will too, Annie. I'd back off if I were you."

Annette pouted at me; the hungry look melting away from his face, "Awe Lin!"

I gave her a dark glare which made her step back, "No, seriously, Annette. Back the fuck off."

Steven looked down at me with a smug grin, "Lin. I like this side of you."

I rolled my eyes at him and pushed him back, a slight smile twitched on my lips, "Shut up, Steven."

Michael stood up angrily pushing past me and Annette. He glared at Steven, "That's…No. Give it to me. Give me back my jacket!" He pounced onto Steven and tried to forcibly slip the jacket off of Steven.

Steven yelled at him wriggling while Michael continued to slip the jacket off, "What are you doing? Get off of me, you load!" Michael managed to slip it off and Steven stood back up brushing off his shirt.

He glared at Michael and I held back his shaking fist. I rolled my eyes at Michael and pressed a kiss onto Steven's chest, "We can just get you a better one, puddin' pop."

Michael threw on the jacket looking triumphant, "Hah! I have it now."

I sneered at him while we made our way out of the basement, "One that makes other people look less like Fonzie."

Michael pouted and yelled after us, "Hey!"

Steven rolled his eyes and slipped an arm around my waist, "You obviously mean aaay. Let's blow this pop stand, Lin."

I nodded and slipped my arm around his waist walking in sync with him despite his long legs, "Mmkay."

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I sipped my hot chocolate quietly humming along to the radio playing in the background while Eric wrapped up his present for Red. I snuggled into one of my couch pillows closing my eyes slightly. It was a peaceful night so far.

Steven walked in carry Bacardi rum and some type of brandy that I didn't recognize, "Hey, man."

Eric looked up and placed a bow on the gift he was wrapping, "What's up?"

Steven nudged Eric over with his leg so he could take a seat beside me, "Well, it's Red's birthday, and I gotta get him a present. Red Forman you know him, you love him. What do you think brandy or rum?"

Eric took a good look at his choices and tapped on the Bacardi, "Hmm, definitely rum."

Steven smiled and placed the Bacardi onto our coffee table and left the brandy on the ground, "My thoughts exactly." My father's whores kept sending us gifts probably thinking that if they sucked up to me they would gain my father's favor. It sucked to be them, because daddy dearest didn't really give me much of a second thought. Seriously. If he was actually signing the cheques and didn't have everything as an automated transaction, I doubt he would remember to send me anything.

I tilted my head at Eric blowing on my hot chocolate while Steven leaned into his seat winding his arm around my waist, "Did you have something planned for him, Eric?"

Eric grinned and patted the present he had finished wrapping, "Yup. I think he'll appreciate it."

I nodded snuggling into Steven sipping my hot chocolate all the while, "Okay."

Eric gave me a suspicious look, "Did you get him a big gift again?"

I rolled my eyes at Eric snorting slightly, "That TV was to bail you guys out." It did make Red brighten and smile, and that always made me happy.

Steven dropped a kiss onto my head and patted my thigh gently, "And we appreciate it, doll. But did you?"

I pouted placing my hot chocolate down onto the coffee table with a coaster, "Maybe."

Eric whined and combed a hand through his hair, "Lin! You're gonna make me look bad. Hyde, back me up."

Steven smirked and shook his head, "Nope. He's gonna love the classy rum I'm getting him so you're on your own, Forman."

Eric crossed his arms and mulishly huffed, "Damn it guys."

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Donna, Steven, and I sat around her kitchen for once and I found that it looked much bigger than it did on the TV.

Midge walked in stomping all the way violently yanking a note off of the fridge, "Ah, this one's for me. Oh, I see your father left me another message. God, he's an ass!"

I coughed slightly and waved weakly, "Hello."

Steven gave Midge a curt wave, adjusting his sunglasses, "Hey there."

Donna groaned and gave her mom an irritated sigh, "Mom, I have company."

Midge blinked rapidly giving us a smile, "Oh I didn't see you there, Steven, Lin. Isn't Bob an ass?" She stuck a reply onto the fridge written in sharp thick black ink. Midge then proceeded to walk off back to where she had come from. Insert laugh track here. It would only be appropriate since otherwise this whole thing was really uncomfortable. Why were we checking on Donna again?

I leaned closer into Steven and blinked rapidly, "Uhhh…."

Donna took in my expression and buried her face into her hands, "Okay, um, my parents are freaks, and I'm sorry you had to see that."

Steven shook his head and rubbed my shoulder soothingly, "S'okay, I guess."

Bob proceeded to charge into the kitchen yanking the note off of the fridge. He read it quickly and grimaced, "Donna, I don't want you reading this."

Donna gave him an irritated huff, "Dad, Hyde and Lin here."

Bob nodded towards us and offered us the note, "Well, you two can read it 'cause you'll appreciate it, but not you."

Steven shook his head and I pushed back the note into Bob's hand politely smiling all the while. He shrugged and headed to where Midge had gone.

Donna flopped her head onto the table with a light smack, "This sucks."

I gave her a sympathetic pat on the back, "Do you want to talk about it?"

She looked up at up resting her chin on the table, "No. Yes… Maybe…You know; they wanna date other people?"

Steven raised his eyebrow at this new fact, "Your mom's dating? Daaayum."

Donna nodded and sighed morosely, "Mm-hmm."

My eyes widened perceptibly and I let out a hiss through my teeth before saying, "Huh. I am so sorry, Donna."

She let her head fall to the side and let out an utterly defeated sound, "But you know what the worst part is? Watching your parents split up and knowing there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

Steven coughed awkwardly, "Yeah…." We both had our parents split up right away. There wasn't a crescendo that led up to either couple's separation. It just happened one day. With mine; it ended with my disastrous tenth birthday. With Steven's; it happened after another one of his parent's fights during lunch.

She sat up and leaned back on her chair giving us a sullen look, "And you know what else? My mom moved out of their bedroom into the guest room."

I scratched the back of my head and gave her a wary smile, "I can't really relate since when my parent's split they also fucked off…sooo…."

Steven patted my shoulder trying to alleviate some of the awkwardness, "Yeah, it sucked when my dad split. But I can honestly say that my parents' divorce made me the man I am today."

Donna let her chair fall back down onto all of its legs with a thump, "Oh, man. Am I gonna go crazy and think the government's out to get me too?"

I gave her a raised eyebrow whispering with a smile, "The government is out to get you."

Steven deadpanned eye smiling at her, "They're totally listening in, Donna."

Donna grinned for the first time since this conversation started, "You guys are shit heads."

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Kitty set down a chocolate fudge cake in the center of the dining table and piled the gifts near Red's seat. I helped her set down a roast chicken, while she went to and fro from the kitchen placing down steamed seasoned rice, mixed vegetables, and steak bits onto the table.

She wiped away the sweat that trickled down her forehead, "Okay, now, I want your father to enjoy this birthday so we're all gonna try our best to make it good."

Eric snickered while I took a seat down next to Steven, "Except for Laurie, who's going to stumble in smelling like cigarettes and beer."

Laurie rolled her eyes at Eric and sneered, "Hey, at least I'm here."

Kitty shot her a deep frown sternly stating, "You better be here with a present. I gave you $20 yesterday."

Laurie huffed and crossed her arms, "God! Relax."

Kitty sat down on her seat beside Red and snapped, "Can it, Laurie."

Eric piped up snickering, "Yeah, can it, Laurie."

Laurie growled, "Can it, Eric."

Eric gave Laurie a shit eating grin, "No you, can it, Laurie."

I snapped at them when I saw that Red was approaching, "Why don't you both can it?"

Laurie threw me an indignant look, "Whatever."

Kitty stood up and gave Red a big hug which he returned lightly, "Oh, look! It's the birthday boy!" Red kissed her cheek and sat down in his seat eyeing the table and the small pile of gifts. Kitty sat down and held his hand lightly.

I grinned at Red tilting my head towards him, "Happy birthday, Mr. Forman!"

Steven smiled slightly, "Happy birthday Red."

We finished dinner in relative silence for once, and it was kind of strangely peaceful. Kitty served us all cake and she looked expectantly at Red while he happily devoured his piece of cake. Red had quite a sweet tooth underneath his gruff layers.

Kitty nudged her husband gently, "Come on in, birthday boy. Open your presents. I wonder what's in the big one."

Red raised his eyebrow, "Is it a Corvette?"

Eric coughed and gave his father a sheepish look, "No, it's, uh, two-by-fours. For the roof."

Red let out a disappointed sigh, "Oh, yeah. Thanks for reminding me." Eric nodded and swiftly went back to eating his cake.

Steven shook his head and slid his gift towards Red, "Here you go, Red. This'll help you forget his crappy gift. Happy birthday, man."

Red's face noticeably brightened and he gave Steven a warm pat on the shoulder, "Steven, thank you. Kitty, look he got me Bacardi gold."

Kitty beamed at him and I could see her shoulders sag a little in relief, "Ohh! That's lovely Steven."

Laurie got up from her seat and presented Red a card before going back to her seat, "Daddy, this is for you."

Red opened the card and his face fell again, "Well, let's see here. Well, seven dollars and a card. Isn't that something? Thanks, sweetie."

Kitty gave Laurie a glare and quietly hissed, "If I don't have $13 on my dresser by tonight, then so help me God –"

Laurie deadpanned, "The card cost 50 cents."

Kitty clenched her fist and gave Laurie a look that clearly said she wanted to choke her, "Fine. $12.50, and I want a receipt."

Laurie shrugged unheeding of her mother's wrath, "Whatever."

Red gave both Eric and Steven a small smile, "Okay, boys. Thank you for the wood and the booze."

Kitty pushed her gift towards him, "Okay, now, now, two more presents."

He opened it and wore a strained smile, "Ooh! Underwear." It was a practical gift. Kitty had mentioned it off handely during one of our grocery trips that he was running out of nice ones. Besides underwear was something essentially that, hopefully, all people wore.

Kitty pursed her lips and sighed, "Oh, damn it. Well, happy birthday."

Red gave Kitty a deep sad sigh, "So, is the happy-birthday fun over yet?"

Kitty gave Red a sheepish look, "No. Bob and Midge want to take us out tonight."

Red looked flabbergasted, "Bob and Midge? Kitty, it's my birthday!"

Kitty patted his hand gently stating, "I know, but they like you, and they want you to have fun on your birthday, like I do."

Red grumbled picking at what was left of his birthday cake, "If they really liked me, they'd leave me alone."

I gave Red a hesitant smile, "Mr. Forman?"

He gave me a tired smile, "Yes, Lin?"

I cleared my throat handing him a small box, "I have a gift for you too."

Kitty nodded and rubbed Red's shoulder, "Oh, yes! Open Lin's gift, honey."

He sighed, "Is it a corvette?"

I grinned and my eyes twinkled, "You should open the box, Mr. Forman."

Red carefully popped open the black box I had handed him and stared at the contents, "Kitty…"

Kitty looked at Red curiously trying to peer into the box as well, "Yes, Red?"

Red gaped at the key that he pulled out, "It's a corvette key." Red got up silently and headed for the driveway.

Kitty got up and followed after him, "Red where are you going?"

Red called back to her, "The drive way." I wouldn't stop grinning while we all followed suit after Red.

Eric's eyes bugged out as he took in the black corvette in their drive way, "Oh my God, Lin."

Steven chuckled and patted my back, "Good going, doll."

Laurie sneered at me shaking her head, "Nerd, always showing me up."

Kitty flushed and gave me an embarrassed look, "Oh Lin, this is too much! This must've at least cost $7 000."

Red ran his hands over the hood of the car caressing it's exterior before checking it's insides, "Shhh….Kitty…this is perfect. This makes everything better….." He beamed at me gratefully.

I gave him a wide grin, "I'm glad you like it."

Laurie had a calculating look in her eye when she sweetly asked, "Does this mean, I get the Toyota?"

Kitty frowned at her before turning back to Red, "Laurie, hush. You're father's having a moment."

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Steven let out a long yawn, "Man, last night we could hear the Pinciottis fighting all the way across the driveway and into our backyard."

I let out a tired sigh letting my head rest against Steven's shoulder, "It was horrible. We couldn't sleep for hours. It was all, "You're the devil, Midge!" And "Oh, Bob, shut up!" and "Oh, Bob, shut up!""

Michael snickered, "That's classic."

Steven rolled his eyes at him and let out another yawn, "Man, if you get any dumber, you're gonna need a helmet."

I sleepily muttered, "It is a big bummer for Donna though."

Steven nodded rubbing his eyes slightly, "I personally can't believe they're sleeping in separate bedrooms."

I yawned and stretched out my legs making Steven tighten his hold on my waist, "Yeah, I know."

Eric started nodding before looking at us rapidly; a surprised look flashed onto his face, "Wait, I don't know. What are you talking about?"

Fez commented off handely, "Well, Hyde and Lin know something about Donna that Eric does not know."

Michael nodded pretending to eat popcorn, "This is an interesting development. Let's watch."

Steven rolled his eyes, "Midge is sleeping in the guest bedroom, man."

Eric deeply frowned, "How did you know that? Did Donna tell you that? What else did she tell you two?"

Steven sleepily waved Eric's rising hostility away, "Look, Forman, it's not a big deal."

I sighed and shot him an irritated look, "Eric, calm down. She just tells us some stuff that she doesn't tell you."

Annette piped in snootily stating, "See, this is why communication is so important. Michael and I always –"

Eric shot her an exasperated look, "Excuse me. We were talking about Donna and me."

Annette waved him away dismissively, "Oh, hush. No one cares. Now, Michael never keeps secrets from me. Do you, sweetie?"

Michael gave her a subtly panicked look, "Huh? Uh, no, no. Never."

I deadpanned, "Michael, you hesitated."

Eric raised his eyebrow and added, "You totally hesitated, Kelso."

Annette glared at him pointedly asking, "Why'd you hesitate?"

Michael turned a silently pleading look at Steven, "No, I didn't hesitate. Did I, Hyde?"

Steven looked at him and wearily stated, "Yup. You did."

He turned and gave Fez a desperate look, "Fez?"

Fez gave him a half-hearted shrug, "Yes, if you really loved her, you would not have hesitated."

Annette forcibly dragged Michael away, "Conversation, Michael! The van, now! –"

Michael stumbled and shook his fist at us yelling, "No! No! I didn't hesitate! You guys are dead!"

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Steven gave Eric a curious look, "So, where's Donna, man?"

I nodded humming slightly, "Yeah, I haven't seen her lately."

Eric gave a shit eating grin, "Donna? Donna? Oh! You mean that girl who spent last night in my bed? She went home this morning."

Steven smirked and nudged Eric slightly, "So? Huh? Huh?"

Eric kept grinning, "So, let's just say she went home a very happy woman."

Steven patted his back in a congratulatory manner, "All right, man. You finally did it."

Eric gave Steven a sheepish look, "Yeah. You know, "it" can mean a lot of things."

I rolled my eyes, "No, "it" means one thing. And you either did it or you didn't."

Eric pouted, "Okay, then we didn't. But we did plenty of good stuff. New stuff. Plenty of good, new stuff."

I made a face and shook my head, "Ew, Eric. Too much information."

Steven sighed and gave Eric a disappointed look, "God, man, you're bumming me out. Couldn't you have at least just lied to me?"

Eric shrugged and stated, "Uh, okay, we did it."

I deadpanned, "Liar."

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Steven walked into our home after he shut the door firmly behind him locking it absently mindedly, "Hey, honey I'm home!" He pulled me into a tight hug twirling me in the air slightly.

I let out a breathless laugh while he spun me, "Welcome home Steven."

He put me down and gave me a toe curling kiss, "I love saying that and hearing you reply."

I nodded happily and gave him a curious look, "Always happy to help, puddin' pop. So why the cheer? Not that I don't like it. You're just usually not this happy."

He grinned down at me, "I got a job at the Foto Hut."

I tilted my head trying to recall who ran that place, "You mean the photo hut run by that weird guy?" I think his name was Leo something or another.

Steven chuckled while we made our way to the kitchen, "Yup. Turns out he's the owner."

I looped my arm around his waist while he did the same, "Huh. I never would've thought that."

He nodded shrugging slightly, "Yeah, he is kind of weird."

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Donna gave me a coy look, "So, you know what?"

I tilted my head towards her and shot her an intrigued look, "What?"

Donna giggled and shook her head, "I can't tell you."

I gave her an irritated frown and shook her shoulders slightly, "Oh, my God Donna. Now you have to tell me. Don't mess with me, woman!"

Donna nodded and grinned, "I was really bad last night."

I raised my eyebrow, "Did you shoplift?"

She shook her head, "Nope, I slept with Eric last night."

My eyes widened, "Oh, my God! That's so much bigger than shoplifting! I'm glad you didn't do that though. Was it okay?"

Donna smiled proudly, "Yeah, I was asleep."

I made a face at her and shook my head, "Aw eww Donna. I don't need the nitty gritty details!"

Donna let out an embarrassed laugh waving her hands in front of her, "No! No, Lin, we were both asleep."

I raised an eyebrow at her giving her a skeptical look, "So nothing happened?"

Donna wiggled her eyebrows, "Well, you know, some things happened, but we mostly slept."

I sighed and tapped my chin thoughtfully, "You mean, you were in his bed and didn't do it at all?"

She shook her head, "Nope. He just, like, held me all night."

Understanding flooded my face, "That's so sweet! I love cuddling with Steven."

Donna gave me a bewildered look, "Man, that's a weird image; Hyde cuddling someone. I would have never thought he could."

I shrugged smiling warmly, "He can with me."

Donna nodded, "I love it when Eric holds me."

I let out a content sigh, "It's a wonderful feeling when someone you love holds you."

Donna grinned, "True, that."

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Circle time:

Steven propped me up onto his lap making sure that I had taken both my inhalers before he lit the Mary Jane incense stick. He quickly handed it off to Eric and I waved away his hands from checking on me. I appreciated that he cared and loved me, but sometimes he smothered me a little. To be fair, sometimes I smothered him, so I guess in the long run; we were even.

PAN TO STEVN

Steven gave the guys a wary look before stating, "Well, guys, I'm a little ashamed to admit this to you guys, but I got a job."

PAN TO LIN

I patted his knee lovingly, "I think that it's wonderful, Steven."

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael studied the chips in his bag and firmly stated, "Yeah, I'm thinking about getting a job at a chip factory. I gotta know how they do this!"

PAN TO ERIC

Eric let out a sigh, "Red won't let me get a job. He says if I don't study hard and get into college once I turn 18 he's gonna kill me, and I think he's serious, man."

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael gave Steven an irritated look, "Hyde, did you ever stop to think how you working would make me go to the mall alone today? You didn't think about that, did you?"

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven bonelessly shrugged, "Nope. Hey, guys, check this out, man. Forman had Donna in his bed last night, and he didn't even do it." I rolled my eyes at the way Steven managed to switch the attention away from him.

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael gave Eric a bland look, "You're a bonehead, man."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric scowled at Michael, "I'm not a bonehead. I mean, we did other stuff, and we cuddled. It was great."

PAN TO LIN

I gave him a grossed out look, "A little too much information, broseph."

PAN TO FEZ

Fez sighed happily, "Sometimes when I'm alone, I just love to cuddle."

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven rolled his eyes, "Forman, she climbed up the trellis of your house through your window, to get into bed with you to cuddle? Sorry, man, I never read that letter in Penthouse."

PAN TO LIN

I gave Steven a surprised look, "Penthouse, Steven? Where'd you get that?"

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven motioned to Eric, "Under Forman's bed."

PAN TO LIN

I glared at Eric, "Eric, I blame this one on you. Also if Donna finds out about your stash, she'll be hurt."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric glared at Steven, "Hyde, you traitor."

PAN TO FEZ

Fez sagely stated, "Those stories are true, you know."

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael gave Eric a bewildered look, "Why would you just cuddle with her when you could do it? I mean, Forman, doin' it is "it." That's why they call it "it.""

PAN TO FEZ

Fez giggled, ""It!""

PAN TO ERIC

Eric rolled his eyes, "Guys, it was just one night. There are gonna be lots of other nights."

PAN TO LIN

I gave him a high five which he returned, "Good on you, Eric. That's the spirit."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric smiled, "Thank you, Lin."

PAN TO FEZ

Fez gave Eric an exasperated look, "Forman, opportunity does not knock, and then ring the doorbell and then knock again, and then leave a note that says "Sorry I missed you," and then call you on the phone-"

PAN TO ERIC

Eric let out a tired sigh, "Yeah, we get it, Fez."

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven gave me a half lidded seductive glance, "And we get "it" from our partners, right Lin?"

PAN TO LIN

I winked at him, "This is true."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric covered his ears with both of his hands, "Lalalalala I'm not listening to this! Lalalaa. You're killing my buzz, man."

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven rolled his eyes at Eric's behavior, "What my foreign friend was trying to say before we got sidetracked, Forman, is that you blew it, man."

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael nodded, "You gotta get with her. There is nothing more beautiful than when two people fit together perfectly like well, like two of these potato chips."

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AmethystSiri: Thank you for your lovely review!

Heavenly-vixen: Thank you for another fantastic review! You'll actually see them have an argument about his possessive nature that ends up leading to a conversation about commitment in this chapter. This Hyde does have the same issues, but not to the same degree since Lin is the loyal sort to stick around. Living with him brings this more to her attention and irritates her enough make her do something.

Guest: Thank you for your kind review!

Girken: Thank you for your review! c:

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A great big thanks to whoever for adding my story to the community Midnight Cowboy in the Circle! I really appreciate that.

All of you are great and deserve virtual cookies! c:

I hope ya'll enjoyed this chapter.