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.

8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8: 1978

We were all hanging out in Eric's basement goofing around for the most part. It seemed to be the start of a pretty awesome weekend. Steven and I were lounging in our chair, Donna and Eric were cuddled up, and Michael was nowhere to be found. Fez reclined in his lawn chair looking over his recently acquired a horde of Tootsie Rolls. He had seen the owl commercial for the candy and decided to see if it was indeed true. I tilted my head and watched him; he was currently more interesting than the Gilligan Island rerun that was on. Steven shook his head lightly at Fez's antics. He had muttered earlier that Fez was bound to break a tooth at this rate.

Fez unwrapped the candy happily, "How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?" He licked it experimentally, "One? Two?" Fez grimaced, "Ah, screw it. Ow. My tooth… Why did I bite?"

I sighed and slipped Steven a dollar bill. He smirked against my neck, suckling it slightly. I pursed my lips slightly, letting out an irritated sigh, "Oh Fez, do you need to go to the dentist?"

Fez felt his teeth up with his finger before shaking his head thoughtfully, "No. I am okay, little goddess. I shall just never bite a Tootsie Pop again." I doubted that would be the case should someone goad him into doing it. He was pretty easy to rile up.

Steven raised an eyebrow at him behind his sunglasses, "Fez, man, the things you do."

Red's voice echoed down through the basement, "Eric if you don't wanna wear your ass for a hat, you'll get up here pronto!" I wondered what had happened to make Red so irate. I shrugged while Steven let out an empathizing hiss through his teeth.

Donna patted Eric's knee consolingly, "You better go. You know how that ass-hat screws up your hair."

Eric let out a sigh before nodding. He pecked Donna's lips chastely before rushing by us, but not before managing to muss up my hair. I scowled at his retreating back.

Donna looked up listlessly at where Eric had disappeared off to, "Poor Eric; I wouldn't wish that on my enemies."

Fez glared at his suckers hatefully, "I would. These suckers must pay!" He stomped over to where Red had kept his tools. Fez eventually found hammer and lined up a couple of his Tootsie Pops on the ground.

I tilted my head towards Fez curiously before snorting out a laugh, "Fez, what are you doing with that hammer?"

He let out a hiss before smacking his suckers with the hammer repeatedly, "Getting my vengeance."

Steven chuckled roving his eyes at Fez's manically hammering. Donna sighed and her attention back towards the TV.

The basement swung open, revealing a sullen Michael. He dragged his feet as he walked in and gave us all a morose look before glumly stating, "I miss Annie!" He promptly burst into childish tears, scrubbing his eyes now and again.

It was pretty close to ugly kid crying and that made my gut clench painfully. It reminded me too much of how my baby brothers cried when they got hurt back in my last life. Nope. Just…nope.

"Jeeze... Stop crying," I shot Michael an uncomfortable look while he gazed at me dolefully.

Steven rolled his eyes at Michael snapping slightly, "Who wouldn't miss her?" Steven wasn't Annette's biggest fan, but I think seeing Michael this upset made his dislike for her grow. It wasn't Annette's fault that her father had decided that Point Place wasn't yielding them enough money. It certainly wasn't Annette's fault when Michael decided to be a two timing bastard either.

Michael plopped himself down into his usual seat sparing a furious Fez a glance. He hiccupped slightly before grimacing, "Spare me the sarcasm, Hyde. I am really hurting here, and I'm totally lonely."

Steven pulled me further into his lap giving me a slight hug for some reason. He shook his head at Michael and frowned, "Man, I've seen people gut-shot who've complained less than you."

I raised an eyebrow at Steven and he in replied by shrugging slightly. I think he meant in movies because as far I as I was concerned we really didn't have a gun shooting problem around this neighborhood. Maybe it was from back when he was still 'living' with his mother?

"It's your fault she left you anyways, Kelso. You cheated. Remember?" Donna shot Michael a disgruntled look before flipping through the channels on the TV. Gillian was apparently not scintillating enough at the moment.

Michael scowled before crossing his arms, "I know….I still miss her though." He let out a huff and stubbornly stared at the TV.

My curiosity was piqued so I asked, "So what do you miss about her?"

Fez triumphantly came back to where we were all seating holding a clear bag of crushed suckers. He promptly sat beside Michael, "All she ever did was call you names. Heck, I can do that for you. You idiot. See?"

Michael nodded and let out a disappointed sigh, "Oh. Thanks, Fez."

Fez shrugged beaming at him while he shook his crushed suckers slightly, "No problem, fart face."

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I adjusted my sun hat and started watering the plants that grew at the side of my house. I heard the bouncing of a basketball and turned. Michael was sullenly bouncing one of Eric's basketballs along my driveway. I grimaced and put down my watering pail. I shielded my eyes against the afternoon sunlight, "Hey, Michael. You're playing basketball in my driveway again. How's it going?"

Michael stopped dribbling the basketball and held it tightly against his chest, "How's it goin'? Great! Just 'cause a guy shoots hoops by himself doesn't mean he's lonely." He curtly turned back to his dribbling and shot the ball in through my basketball hoop.

I shook my head and picked up my watering pale. This hot day was not doing my hydrangeas any favors. I snorted out a slight laughing calling to him over my shoulder, "No. Far from it. I just find it a little odd that you're doing that here instead of at your place."

"Oh okay. I don't wanna go home yet... Besides, you guys have a better driveway anyways," He stopped dribbling and shooting the basketball for a moment, letting out a deep sigh. I seriously considered throwing water at him like a cat. I didn't mind hanging out with any of them really, but I needed some alone time now and again. This was my peaceful gardening time, damn it.

I rolled my eyes while I finished watering the rest of my plants, "Well…alright then."

I heard the grass rustle near me after a while and glanced at him for a moment. Michael gave me a pathetically sad smile, "Hey, Lin, you know, all this talk about bein' lonely kind of reminds me of me, you know?"

Was he really looking to me for pity? I internally groaned. I still firmly believed that he had gotten himself into this mess, and that this was a step in him growing. He hadn't ever felt this kind of sadness and I was all for it. Not because I wasn't his friend, or that I liked seeing him suffer; he just needed to grow up a little. This seemed like the right path, even if it brought him pain.

I gently let my watering pail clank down onto the pavement stones that led to my porch. I shielded my eyes while I looked up at him, "Michael, are you gonna get all emotional again? Because, just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I won't poke fun at you; especially since you deserved what you got." I would certainly willingly rake him through the coals now, especially since he was irritating me. Why couldn't he have gone to bother Donna? Wait…I think she was babysitting Tina at the park or something. Drat.

"Fair enough… Okay. I know I keep things bottled up but underneath this cool exterior there's a really sad human being…." He pouted and shuffled over to my porch steps, soon plopping down on my last step.

I heard a car engine stop in my drive way. When I turned around, Steven grinned at me waving slightly while he got out of his car. Steven leisurely made his way to me and I think he might have seen the irritation that I was trying to temper down. He raised his eyebrow and looked to around soon spotting Michael which caused him to scowl, "Kelso, what are you doing moping on our porch steps?"

"Oh. Hey, Hyde. This is about Annie," Michael looked up at Steven and wilted even more.

Steven pecked my lips and neck softly before grunting, "Again?"

I smiled against Steven's lips before leaning against his slightly sweating form. He gave me a loose hug while we spoke to Michael.

Michael tilted his head and hugged the basketball tightly against his chest, "What gave it away?"

I rolled my eyes letting a patient smile tug at my lips. In my best kindergarten teacher voice, I stated slowly, "The fact that it's all you ever talk about, you stupid dillhole. Look, Michael, you've gotta get it through your head: Annette is not coming back to you."

Michael shook his head, totally ignoring my tone, before pouting heavily, "Well, why not?"

Steven and I started making our way towards our house and up our porch steps. Steven gave Michael a frustrated narrow look, "Because you slept with someone else and she's already moved to Texas, Kelso." That was certainly not a close drive away; besides, it wasn't like we had the technology that would've helped them cultivate a long distance relationship.

Michael set the basketball at his feet and threw his hands up into the air, "Yeah, like, a month ago! God!" He stared out past our large at nothing in particular before muttering, "And long distance can work…"

Steven pulled me onto our patio swing, letting his hand ghost over my hip, "Oh, Kelso, with your cheating streak; I doubt that it would."

I leaned into Steven's half embrace and serenely asked, "How was work, Steven?" I looped my fingers with his other hand while we gently swung. The wind picked up a bit and a cool breeze blew by. I let out a content sigh. The temperature today was finally cooling down. The earlier heat had made doing any chores outside unbearable.

Steven made a slight face, "Eh. So-so. Leo was being really weird today."

I tilted my head towards him, "Weirder than usual?" Leo was pretty strange on a good day. I'm still unsure as to what made him act that weird though. It may have been the copious amounts of pot that he smoked, but if it was; he was the only one I knew that reacted that way with that drug.

"Yep," Steven let out a deep chuckle keeping our swing in motion with his leg.

Michael glanced up and called out to us, "Hey guys?"

Steven inclined his head down to Michael and raised his brow, "What, Kelso?"

"Can I keep shooting hoops here?" A hopeful look lit up Michael's face and I felt supremely sorry for him for just a moment. I sighed and gave Steven a pleading look; the ire that had colored his face diminished somewhat.

Steven glared at Michael before hissing through his clenched teeth. He shook his head in frustration, "God damn it. Fine, but you better not stay here after dark sulking."

Michael popped out of his seat; basketball in hand, cheerfully exclaiming, "Thanks Hyde. Thanks Lin."

Steven and I got up from our seats; mutually deciding it was too hot out today, and started heading inside our home. I glanced at Michael over my shoulder and firmly stated, "Don't mention it, Michael. I'm serious. Don't mention it."

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Circle Time:

PAN TO ERIC

Eric grinned at us while he took out a lighter intent on lighting the Mary Jane incense stick, "Hey, guys, I really cracked Red up today and not by tripping or getting wet or vomiting." He flicked his zippo open expertly igniting the Mary Jane stick. It let out a slight hiss and began to emit the smoke the guys so dearly enjoyed.

PAN TO LIN

I pursed my lips and slipped out both my inhalers from my hot pink drain pipes. I rolled my eyes at Eric, taking a puff of my two inhalers soon after. I titled my head towards Eric curiously, "You were helping out at the shop today?"

I was pretty sure he was only trying to help out at the shop to get onto Red's better side. He would certainly have to do more than that though, even if he was Red's son.

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven snorted out a laugh, "Did you bump your head?" He inhaled the fumes that rose off of the Mary Jane stick before nuzzling into my neck. He happily murmured, "That's good stuff."

I wondered if he meant the Mary Jane fumes or if he meant that he liked the new apple perfume I was trying out. Could it be both? I shook my head. I really didn't want to compare myself to his drug of choice…that led to thoughts that I would rather not dwell on. Nope box it is.

PAN TO ERIC

Eric shook his head and still had a shit eating grin on his face, "Yup, and no, Hyde, I didn't bump my head. I just made a joke, and he just got it. I mean, it worked. We're, like, just two guys brought together by the common goal of fixing your car up with mufflers. Plus, I mean, it is so great to see him chew out other people."

He inhaled deeply and swayed a little as his shoulders relaxed.

PAN TO STEVEN

"Yeah, Forman. Ain't that the truth," Steven nodded in an understanding way and I joined in as well. Red's wrath was fascinating to watch, as long as you weren't on the end of it; that is.

PAN TO LIN

I sent Eric a wry grin, "Well now you know how we feel when he yells at you, Eric." I was only partially joking. Whenever Red and Eric got into one of their hissing cold angry matches, I worried about both of them. Red because of his excruciatingly high cholesterol; and the possibility of a heart attack, and Eric because he didn't have any sense of self-preservation some times.

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven chuckled and teased Eric lightly, "Yeah. It really is hilarious, man. You get all bug-eyed and stuttery."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric rolled his eyes at us smiling all the while, "I swear it looks better on other people than me, man." I was glad that Eric had changed a little while we grew up. Last year alone, he would've snapped waspishly at that comment instead of joking about it.

I smiled slightly, hiding my mirth by burying my head into Steven's shoulder. It also helped to smother the smell of the Mary Jane smoke. Mrs. Burbank certainly knew how to grow them well.

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael suddenly sat up and firmly stated, "Fellas and lady, I've been thinkin'." He looked up at the ceiling blankly before dopily declaring, "There's a lot of ladies out there, right? And I haven't seen nearly enough of 'em naked."

He gave us all a perverted smile, which caused Steven to scowl at him. Steven then proceeded to wrap his arms around me protectively. Eric gave Michael a measuring look. All this passed over Michael's head, however.

PAN TO FEZ

Fez bounced in his seat and sighed happily, "Sometimes I am looking at naked ladies, and then I get exhausted. And then I get a second wind, and then I'm ready for more naked ladies." He stared out past the TV at something only he could see, and he giggled perversely now and again. Fez was probably thinking about all the naked women he had seen in magazines and pornos.

PAN TO ERIC

Eric shot Michael a heated glare before switching to a megawatt smile, "It's, like, at the shop, there's this guy, Earl, and he's a real screw up, right? So Red gets pretty P.O.'d, but that deflects all of Red's anger from me. So, I mean, Earl's, like a dumb-ass lightning rod." I wondered if weed made Eric a little bipolar? Their reactions to the drug always amused me somewhat since weed only really made me sleepy.

PAN TO MICHAEL

Michael nodded distractedly, "I hear that, man." He held out his hands in front of his face before giggling like a little girl. He shook his head and gave us a dopey grin.

PAN TO FEZ

Fez still had that dazed look on his face while he loudly muttered, "Yeah."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric rolled his eyes at them and gave me and Steven a wink, "I'll only work with the barely competent. It takes the stress out of everything. Besides that, it makes me look like a totally awesome human being." I rolled what Eric said in my head and even though he seemed to be joking for the most part, my gut felt like something soured slightly. I hadn't pegged Eric to be any sort of manipulative. I tucked that thought away. It wouldn't do to think about that now.

PAN TO LIN

I glanced at Eric and Steven and impishly grinned, "I like my completely competent workers. It means I can fuck off when I want and my store'll still be standing when I decide to come back."

It was one of the many reasons as to why I believed that my workers deserved a raise and all the benefits that a lot of the job sites didn't give. I knew it would also help Mabel save up for college, and for Leo to save up for a car. I didn't know Brooke that well, but when I broached the topic of a raise; her eyes would grow wide and she would mutter something about a house.

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven pecked my lips before going for my neck. He ignored the others for a moment and whispered against my neck, "Well, it's different when you're a boss, doll. Then competency is a must since there's no competition for your job."

PAN TO LIN

I shivered slightly and let out a hoarse, "That's true." I could feel Steven's smirk form on my neck and I let out an exasperated sigh before giving him a look that clearly stated 'stop fucking with me'.

A shit eating grin stretched across his face as he let out a low throaty chuckle.

PAN TO MICHAEL

"Man, it feels great to be free of that blonde! It's like the world is my oyster and I'm ready to shuck it! Nothin' but hot new ladies from here on in; I'm gonna be boldly going where no man's gone before," Michael suddenly popped out of his seat, startling all of us with his loud declaration. A mischievous twinkle appeared in his eyes while he glanced down at all of us, and I felt a flash of worry. What was Michael going to do now?

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We were spending some quality time with Kitty in the Forman living room. She looked like she needed the company when she had flopped down onto the couch next to us. Kitty had been working like crazy lately for some reason that she refused to tell me. I was a little hurt on that note, but I could understand the need to keep secrets. I had a shit ton of my own that I refused to ever reveal too, so I kept my mouth shut.

Kitty gave us a content smile while we shared a bucket of popcorn between us. Steven slung his arm around my waist while I laid my head on his shoulder. This was nice.

A knock reverberated against the door and Kitty let out an irritated sigh. She looked at our comfortable position and smiled softly before shuffling towards the door.

Michael's voice echoed from the open door, "Hello, Mrs. Forman. I'm here to pick up Laurie."

Steven raised his eyebrow and I let out an irritated breath while we stood up to find out what the fuck was going on.

Kitty had a strained smile on her face while she tried to convince Michael that he was wrong, "No, no, no. You mean Eric."

"No. Laurie," Michael stressed and shook the daisies that he held firmly in his hands.

I narrowed my eyes at Michael and shook my head. Those flowers alone told me that he didn't really know Laurie at all. She hated daisies. Then again, Laurie wasn't one to really talk in her relationships most of the time. Well…that's what she told us anyways.

Laurie stomped down the stairs towards us and Kitty nervously asked, "But why?"

I shifted and gave Michael a chastising look, "You're dating Laurie? Oh, Michael. That's not exactly the smartest thing to do."

"That's not different, man. You're boldly goin' where every man's gone before," Steven chipped in snorting slightly at Michael's stupidity.

Kitty sighed and patted Steven's shoulder, "Steven, it is not nice to be so truthful."

Laurie saw us crowding the door and pushed her way through towards Michael. She looked at him up and down before glancing at the bunch of daisies he was holding. A strangely disappointed look flashed across her face, "Hi, Kelso; did you buy me those?"

Michael beamed like a little kid who thought he had gotten his mother the best thing in the world, "Yeah, just like you told me." He held out the bouquet he was holding towards her as if asking her to inspect them.

Laurie strode towards him grabbing his wrist. She muttered crossly while she dragged him away, "No. I told you roses. Come on, doofus." Michael stumbled before he followed her like a lost puppy.

I tilted my head at their retreating figures before giving Kitty a silly smile, "No offense, Mrs. Forman, but those two could make the dumbest babies ever."

Steven snorted and nodded in agreement while we closed the door. Kitty looked slightly faint while we made our way back to the couch.

"Oh, Lin. I think that'll be my new reoccurring nightmare for a while," She pinched the bridge of her nose while I patted her shoulder gently. I would have the same type of nightmare if I had a daughter that wanted to date a guy like Michael.

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People were bound to start streaming in and out of the bakery while the guys were at school. All the customers meant that our business could handle better improvements, but at the same time…it was kind of scary. I helped Leo churn out as many baked goods as our ovens could take while Mabel did her absolute best to pre-prep as many frappacinos as she could. Wednesday was usually one of our busy days for some reason.

I finished helping Leo bake up a storm after a while, and started prepping the front of the store when Brooke came in looking depressed beyond reason. I raised my eyebrow at her while I started restocking the shelves. Leo rushed out holding two big trays in each arm for the other empty shelves near the door.

Brooke gave me a strained smile, "Kelso's dating the town skank." She pulled off her coat and bag and stored it behind the counter where we had all of our stuff stowed away.

I nodded while she gently took down the chairs off of the bistro tables, "What's wrong?"

Brooke sighed and continued robotically setting down the chairs, "Kelso's dating the town skank." By town skank, I assumed that she meant Laurie. Not a lot of people were dubbed that around Point Place, much to Kitty and Red's chagrin.

I placed the crème brulee tray into a nearby glass fridge and nodded, "Okay. I get that, but why do you care?"

Leo finished putting away all the finished baked goods that were to be displayed near the register while Mabel finished up prepping about 60 or so frappuccino and latte cups.

Brooke placed the last bistro chair down into its rightful place before huffing a little, "I don't….okay maybe I do. I just thought he would have better taste than that."

I idly wondered if she was referring to herself in this case. I wiped my slightly moist hands on my apron and looked up at her from my crouched position, "Do you like him?" I thought it was best to go blunt with this line of questioning.

"What? No. No…maybe?" Brooke looked startled for a moment before she let out a deep sad sigh, "I don't know. I always thought he was just the dorky boy down the street; he was always really nice to me back then. Now he's turned into this weird man-whore…I don't know how to feel about it." Huh. I guess he acted different towards her? I never really talked much to Michael, in depth; we didn't click as well in comparison to the others, which was just as well in my opinion.

I got up and stretched out my back a little bit. It made the customary cracking sound that it always made when I overstretched. Leo shot me a disgusted look and I grinned back at him cheekily. He hated it when people cracked anything in his vicinity; he said it creeped him out.

"Oh…well…I don't really know what to say," I firmly shut the glass fridge door and made sure that I had stocked up the entire thing. I shot Brooke a nervous and questioning smile.

Brooke pulled on a sweet empty grin onto her face while she waved her hand dismissively, "I'll be fine."

Bullshit. If she didn't want to talk about that with me, then it wasn't my problem…until it interfered with business that is. It was getting kind of awkward anyway. The store bell jangled and I glanced over my shoulder and saw Steven pop his head in.

He smirked at me winking, "Hey, doll." Steven then swaggered in, looking for all the world satisfied in whatever he had done; a prank then? Back in my last life, senior pranks happened annually. I wondered if they had that same mentality when everyone knew basically everyone's parents.

A lopsided grin spread across my face, "Oh! Hi puddin' pop; you're skipping today?"

Steven strolled up beside me and wrapped an arm around my waist, "Mhmm. It's not worth staying in school today."

"Okay?" I raised an eyebrow at him silently asking him what had prompted skipping. Even though most people dubbed him as a hooligan, he usually didn't skip that often; and usually he always had a pretty good reason for doing so.

His eyes crinkled, but the smile that appeared on his face felt off, "Yup. What do you need help with today?"

I tilted my head and looked at my curious employees, "Just the general, puddin' pop." Mabel ducked back to her work station when I glanced her way and Leo let out a slightly strained cough. Brooke was lost in thought as she mechanically went about her assigned tasks.

Hours passed on by and customers streamed in and out of The Rolling Scones. During the mid-day lull Steven's biological sister showed up ordering a bunch of frappuccinos and pastries for a Groove's promotional party. When I spotted her my heart lurched and I froze for a second. I hadn't thought I would see the Bennett's for a while yet. It was an unsettling surprise. Today was apparently an off day for me. I was just glad Steven, and the others didn't notice how panicked I had been for that moment.

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We all sat at the Forman's dinner table quietly munching at the meat loaf and mashed potatoes that Kitty had cooked up for us. I threaded my fingers with Steven's hand under the table while I happily ate my meal. Steven snorted slightly at me while he drank his Tab. Laurie was suspiciously AWOL tonight for some reason, but I didn't really want to know. Usually knowing where she was when she disappeared meant getting pulled into her shenanigans.

Eric cleared his throat slightly after he swallowed a spectacularly big scoop of mashed potatoes, "Speaking of work –"

"We weren't talking about work," Steven raised his brow at Eric while he took a bite out of his meat loaf. Eric shot Steven an irritated look before beaming at Red. Ahhh….

I tilted my head towards Eric and nodded, "So work. Right?" Eric grinned at me and Kitty let out an encouraging hum further prompting Eric to continue.

Eric cleared his throat again and lopsidedly grinned, "Dad and I really put in some hard hours today, didn't we, Pop?"

Red blinked rapidly before grunting, "Yep. Eric's really bustin' his hump down at the shop when he visits." How he had the time for school, his part time job, Donna and helping out at the shop; voluntarily, really baffled me.

A genuine smile stretched across Kitty's face, "Well, I am just so happy my two fellas work so well together."

Eric looked like he was itching to say something so I decided to try and make an opening for him. Swallowing my food I pseudo-curiously asked, "Hey, how's Earl doing?"

"Oh, he's okay, but his damn dog can't go a day without gettin' hit," Red let out a slightly frustrated sigh. Yeah. If I had constantly late employees, I'd get pretty peeved as well. I was just lucky in that regard, for now at least.

Kitty sent Red a sympathetic grin, "Well, that Earl's always been a character." Steven almost choked on his Tab before managing to compose himself. I shot him a questioning look and he mouthed 'later'. I shrugged bonelessly and continued eating. It could probably wait.

Eric bounced in his seat slightly, "Yeah, like today, he was late, and Dad said, "Get to work," and he said, " Sorry, Red. I'm useless without my coffee." And then I said, "He must not have had coffee in years." Right?"

Steven smirked, "That's cute."

Eric raised his brow at the silent challenge, "Yeah. And that's not even my best Earl joke." I rolled my eyes at both boys, sometimes when they egged each other on, stupid things would ensue. I just hoped that it wouldn't do anything to mess up one of our nicer dinners.

"Okay?" I nodded towards Eric while I gently squeezed Steven's hand. Steven gripped my hand slightly in return pulling my seat just ever so slightly closer to him. I doubt anyone noticed though.

"Ready?" Eric shot Steven a slightly irritated look before beaming at us, "Knock-knock."

Kitty let out a patient sigh, "Who's there?"

Eric goofily grinned at us, "It's not Earl, 'cause he's late." It wasn't that good of a punch line and the fake laugh that Kitty and I both produced was proof enough. Kitty gave me a conspiring smile, which I fully returned. Sometimes it was better off just to pretend Eric was funny; it would spare his feelings for now.

Red finished off his mashed potatoes and snorted out a derisive laugh, "Yeah, I'm guessin' "Earl's" not short for "early."" I don't think that he was very amused with Earl's tardiness; if his quips really meant anything.

Kitty nodded while the rest of us continued on eating, "That's a good one, Red." Eric looked triumphant while Steven and I exchanged a glance. Eric was on his own with this one, following Eric into a minefield wasn't our idea of a fun day.

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The basement was surprisingly warm for once. I think Kitty and Red were doing well financially because they turned on the heat for once. It worked out that today was really cold outside so this contrast in temperatures was really nice.

Laurie lounged in the basement with us which irritated the guys to no end, well…everyone but Michael that is. I was just glad she hadn't decided to darken my doorway.

Laurie chewed her gum loudly blowing and popping bubbles now and again. Eric turned and growled at his older sister rolling his eyes at her, "Hey, uh, Laurie?"

Laurie tilted her head while she leaned into Michael's shoulder, "Yeah?" She continued to chew her gum like a cow chewing cud.

Steven scoffed and shot her an irritated look scathingly stating, "Could you, uh- get out! Thanks." I patted his shoulder sympathetically and continued reading Where The Sidewalk Ends with my free hand. These poems and pictures were rather intriguing.

Laurie ground her teeth for a moment before resuming her loud chewing, "Come on, Kelso. Come to my room. I need you to, um, help me move my bookcase." Laurie then proceeded to scurry off to her bedroom making sure to sway her hips in an exaggerated motion. I idly wondered if she knew that sex wasn't the only solution to things.

Michael goofily grinned while he stood up from his seat, "That means we're gonna have sex."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah. Thanks for cracking that mind bending code, Michael." Shel Silverstein was a really good poet. I flipped to the next page in my book only half listening to everyone around me. I wasn't going to finish this book today at this rate.

Steven gave Michael an expectant look, "Hey, man, what are you doing?" I'm pretty sure he was following his penis.

Fez tore his eyes away from the TV for a moment before laughingly saying, "They're going up to have sex. Get the wax out of your ears."

I tilted my head towards Fez slightly, "Fez, that's not what they meant at all." Eric looked beyond irritated with Michael and started to shake his head.

Fez curiously looked at me, "It's not?"

I shook my head shortly, "Nope."

Eric huffed out an irritated breath, "Man, you can't bring my older sister to our half of the basement. This is like our fortress of solitude."

Michael looked around at our varying looks of displeasure before reluctantly stating, "Well, I'm sorry, but she's my girlfriend, and I love her."

Eric sneered at Michael, "No, you don't."

Michael sighed and pouted, "Well, alright, no. But I do like her."

Steven sighed and supplied, "No, no you don't."

"I think she is okay and the line between love and okay is pretty fine. But the line between doin' it and not doin' it that's not fine at all," Michael gave us all a disgruntled look, much like a child being denied his new favorite toy.

Fez snorted and indolently added, "Just like the line between moron and idiot?" Fez was getting really good with grasping the English language. I wondered if he wanted to read this book after I was done.

"Exactly," Michael smugly stated. I don't think he caught the insult that Fez threw his way even when Fez started giggling slightly.

Michael then proceeded to whine, "You know, it took me ages to get Annie in the sack. Laurie, she already lets me do it. And, plus, I'm over here all the time anyway so there's, like, the convenience factor."

Laurie popped her head back into our side of the basement and impatiently stated, "Kelso, my bookcase isn't going to move itself." She smirked at him winking, "Or maybe it will." Laurie then ducked back into her bedroom cackling all the while.

Michael looked bewildered before chasing after her, "Damn! I gotta go!"

I shook my head at their antics, muttering, "Dumbest babies ever."

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

We sat up in bed, curled together under our sheets, as the crickets chirped outside our slightly opened window. The night air blew in a pleasantly cool breeze through our room.

Steven slung his arm around my shoulders while I snuggled into his side, "So Kelso's actually dating Laurie. Not one of his usual date and dumps."

I looked up at him and quietly inquired, "Do you think it'll blow up in his face?" I really wanted this to blow up in his face. I just wish some people would be punished already; this was probably why I didn't have super powers.

Steven snorted, "Probably, it'll probably make Laurie more of a cow too."

I nodded and tilted my head slightly, trying to find a comfortable spot on his chest, "Are we going to talk to him about it?"

Steven looked up at the ceiling and traced random shapes on my naked shoulder, "Yeah, Kelso's a moron, but he doesn't deserve to be tortured forever for following his dick." He gave me a lopsided smile before planting a quick kiss onto my lips.

I sighed and nodded, jutting out my lower lip stubbornly, "I think he should still be punished though. For cheating, mainly."

Steven let out a deep chuckle, "I know. That's one of the many reasons as to why I love you." Because I want vengeance? I really didn't get how Steven liked that, but whatever. I was glad that he did, in any case.

I looked up at him curiously, "Really?"

He let out a content hum while he closed his eyes, "Mhmm."

I grinned and snuggled further into Steven, placing a gentle kiss on his neck, "I love you too, Steven. So… I think Brooke, might have a crush on Kelso. Just a little, one if what happened the other day was an indication."

Steven opened his eyes and gave me a tired smile, "That spells trouble."

I giggled and shrugged, "Indeed, but I don't think we should get into that one."

Steven nodded and brought the blankets up higher, "A minefield sort of conversation?"

I yawned and rubbed my eyes slightly, "Yeah. I can't be bothered though."

Steven smirked slightly before turning us over into a spooning position, "That's my girl. Let's go to sleep." Sleep sounded really good. Sex sounded good too, but I was kind of tired. Eh. There was always tomorrow.

I let out another deep yawn, "Okay. Good night, puddin' pop."

I could hear Steven smiling while he whispered, "Good night, doll." Tomorrow would certainly be interesting.

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

I took the morning off to help Steven kidnap Michael before school. It was quite easy after we had convinced Eric that something had to be done. He had suggested picking Michael up to go to school instead of him doing it. I think he had plans that involved Donna in the morning as well, so two birds, one stone.

Michael looked at us suspiciously. I don't think he believed that Eric was sick at all. Then again, he did still get into our car, so who's to say?

Steven glanced back at Michael through his rearview mirror, "Kelso, we gotta confab, man."

Michael gave us a reluctant, "Okay."

Steven turned his attention back to the road an stated, "I've seen you screw up an awful lot and, sure, I've enjoyed it."

I let out a deep sigh and glanced back at Michael's mulish expression, "But now you've gone too far, Michael. This is a major sort of screw up waiting to happen."

At Michael's silence Steven gently inquired, "Do you know what this is about?"

Michael let out a huff, "Uh-huh. I think I do." He crossed his arms and started pouting.

Steven cleared his throat and stated, "Laurie's got great legs and a fine rack, but she's a major skankoid."

I raised my brow at Steven and he gave me a sheepish look in return. Whatever. I rolled my eyes and patiently added, "And she's not exactly okay with herself right now either."

"What do you mean?" Michael shot me a curious look.

I shot him a small smile and stated in the best mothering tone I could muster up, "She has issues she needs to deal with, and so do you Michael, before she should really get into another relationship."

"I don't have issues," Michael whined and uncrossed his arms. He looked at me with wide eyes. Having issues wasn't the biggest thing in the world, but it seemed like it might've been the wrong thing to say to Michael.

Steven snorted and continued on driving, "Kelso, yes, yes you do have issues. Besides that, you don't know where a girl like that has been." He glanced at Michael briefly before making a turn onto the high school parking lot, "Now, I know you're weak and easily manipulated when it comes to your penis, but you gotta learn to think more before just diving into things."

I hastily added, "And make smart choices because what's convenient isn't always what's best."

A thoughtful frown formed on Michael's face, "Okay." He pulled on his backpack while we started looking around for a parking spot.

Steven resolutely nodded, "I think we've made our point." We eventually found a parking spot near the school gym. I hopped out of the car to let Michael out while Steven got out of the driver's seat once we were parked.

"Thanks for the ride, guys," Michael gave us a grateful smile before running off.

Steven called out, "No problem." He turned to me slightly and asked, "Lin, are you sure you're okay with walking to The Rolling Scones?"

I tiptoed and pecked Steven's lips, "Mhmm. I'll be fine. I love you."

Steven winked at me and pinched my but lightly, "I love you too. Have a good day at work."

I let out a tiny laugh and swatted his wandering hand away, "Have a good day at school, puddin' pop."

He grinned at me in return while we parted ways, "I'll try. I'll see you right after school, doll."

"I'll hold you to that," I waved to him while I started heading towards The Rolling Scones.

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

Business went along as usual and soon enough the end of the day rolled on by. I flipped the sign on our door and turned off the open light sign in our window. Mabel finished up making our frappacinos and started cleaning out her station. Leo packed up the pastries we had set aside for ourselves since at this point; we were always cleaned out by 6 pm. Brooke scrubbed and shined everything with a single-minded determination. I think she was trying to keep her mind off of Michael still dating Laurie. I still really couldn't see what drew her to Michael, but to each his or her own.

Steven and Eric were helping clean up and set up our new decorations respectively. I glanced at the two of them and smiled. It was nice having extra hands besides my employees.

Eric finished stringing up the white Christmas lights I had asked him to install. He thought I was weird that I was stringing them up all along the ceiling, but he acquiesced to my request anyways. After he had commented that Christmas was many months away, that is.

He grumbled slightly, "Man, we had such a good thing goin' at work and he just wrecked that. And, by the way, without Earl, I'm back to "dumb-ass." He just- He's just mean."

I pulled down the roll up curtains that we had recently installed and rolled my eyes, "Oh, Eric. Really? Come on now." Everyone else mumbled or muttered that they had agreed that his insult was just weak.

Eric glanced around at all of us and huffed, "Well he really is sometimes, guys. It just stinks, because you know what? This is the first time we were ever, like, you know cool with each other. Why does he have to be such a hard-ass all the time?"

Brooke chortled and shot Eric a bewildered look, "Eric. I really think that's just how he expresses himself. It's a generational gap." She let out a tired sigh and finished cleaning the bistro table she was working on.

Mabel nodded and stretched out her arms, "It's totally normal with everyone's parents right now. Especially if any one of your parents were in a war. Or in the military, navy, or air force. I seriously can't understand my parents either. I totally don't want to go into the navy, but that doesn't mean that they don't love me when we argue all the time. It's the generational gap." I glanced back at Mabel, who was shorter than I was, thusly dubbed Tinkerbelle. I couldn't quite imagine her as a naval officer; it seemed like too weird of a contrast.

Eric recoiled slightly at the new knowledge that everyone at the shop apparently knew about, "A what?"

I finished cleaning the clear glass fridges and stood up from my previously crouched position. In the gentlest tone I could muster I stated, "Since the generational gap's male gender ideas circle around being stoic and emotionally constipated, a lot of that generation doesn't like to talk. Like really talk, about things, even if it would make relationships easier. Besides, that's probably how he's always expressed himself." I had known Red for a while now, and it had seemed like he had always been that way.

Eric got down from the ladder and inspected his work before muttering, "I just wish he could care, just a little..."

Leo scoffed at him while he came into the front wiping off his damp hands, "Man, at least yours doesn't beat you. All he does is yell, Forman. Be glad." I really didn't know how to react to that so I just shrugged. The other's looked uncomfortable as well. I didn't really know how they dealt with child abuse in this era. Was it still child abuse when the kid was 18 like Leo? Ugh. Just nope.

Eric gave Leo a hesitant look, "Well…yeah, but still…"

Steven cleared his throat and swept up some more while Leo helped Eric take the ladder down, "I think he cares, Forman. He just shows it in his own way. Better that, than my dead beat parents or Lin's flakey parents. At least your folks care even if Red rolls you over the coals."

The ladder was put back into its rightful place and Eric was handed a frappuccino. He sipped on it absently and muttered, "Yeah. Well, if that's true, then… I guess he really, really cares." The others happily took their finished frappuccinos from Mabel and snagged their respective pastry boxes. Mabel grinned at me along with Leo and Brooke. I like our closing times too, it felt good.

I gave Eric a measuring look while I bit into my brownie, "And if we're wrong…we'll you're moving out soon anyways."

Eric nodded and a small smile flashed onto his face, "That's true. Thanks guys."

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

The clouds had come in and the rain started spattering against the window panes. Everyone had already left while Steven and I did one last security check before we decided to leave. Sure, it seemed like a pretty safe small town, but you never know. Better safe than sorry.

Steven did the final sweeping up in the front while I scrubbed down all the counters one last time. I hummed a random tune under my breath and basked in the peace and quiet.

I heard Steven call out my name and I dropped my wash cloth onto the counter rushing over. I noticed the white Christmas lights that Eric had installed earlier glowed against the gloomy sunlight that passed through the rain clouds now and again.

Steven put a record onto the new record player; one of our customers donated it to the store as a thank you. We had made that person about 200 frappuccinos in one day for a party they had later that evening. It was double what Angie had asked us to make for her party at Grooves. I didn't personally know that person, but he seemed nice enough. I think his name was Randall, Randy, Ran- something.

Steven grinned and held out his hand while How Deep Is Your Love rang out from the record player. My hands drifted to my mouth and I let out a disbelieving laugh.

Steven swayed and let out a goofy laugh before bringing me into an embrace. I intertwined my arms around his neck and gazed softly up at him, "What's this about?" I didn't forget our anniversary, did I? No. No that already happened this year. Was it a birthday? Damn it.

Steven let his hands settle on my lower hips grazing my butt now and again, "I love you."

I let out a slight giggle, a wide beaming grin spread across my face making my eyes crinkle, "I love you too." I adored it when Steven showed me this side of him. It was a vast improvement from before, but even if he didn't do these little romantic things all the time…I would still love him any ways. This was enough.

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

We broke out a new Monopoly game Steven and I had recently purchased. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now, however, well…

Fez happily threw up his arms and whooped, "Ooh. Now I've got Park Place and Boardwalk. I am the richest of all."

Steven scowled at him and grumbled, "Damn it Fez." He placed down his face Monopoly money with a grimace.

I sighed and looked at my cards, "Are you sure you haven't played this game before, Fez?"

Fez shook his head while he bounced in his seat, "No, but I am on fire."

Eric pouted and whined slightly, "Why can't we start over?"

Fez frowned and yelped, "Because - Ay!" Eric tried to tip the board over sneakily while Steven just tilted it back up. Eric scowled at Steven slightly.

I rolled my eyes and snorted out a laugh, "Eric, stop trying to tip over the board."

Eric sighed, "But, I'm in jail." He kept getting put in jail somehow. He had the worst sort of luck with this game today.

Fez shrugged, "So?" I doubt that he would be so cool about it if he was constantly getting stuck back in jail.

Steven chortled, "We've been in real jail, Forman. Suck it up." Well it was more like a holding cell, to be honest.

Laurie and Michael barged into the basement cutting off any comment that Eric could've made as a rebuttal. Laurie scowled at Michael slightly while she dusted herself off, 'Next time we go hiking, make sure you bring a blanket. I think I have a twig in my shorts."

Michael pouted while we all laughed. Eric tried to tip our game over and I just pushed it back onto the coffee table. That joke was just too easy, so none of us bothered to insinuate that Michael had a twig dick. It could really go unsaid at this point. Annette would've loved that joke.

Laurie made a face at us and turned back to Michael demanding, "So, Michael, when you come over for dinner tonight don't wear that stupid unicorn tie."

"But I like that tie," Michael jutted out his lower lip and widened his eyes. He had a really odd taste in ties, plus I think that was one of the many gifts that Annette had given him. Hum…Intriguing.

Laurie gave him a scathing look, "No, no you don't." I think she knew who it was from as well. She then proceeded to march into her room slamming her door behind her.

Steven gave Michael a wary look, "Kelso, man, you're not seriously coming to dinner tonight, are you?" It was one of our Forman dinner nights, and I knew that Kitty and Red usually looked forward to those. Ugh. Trust Laurie to ruin dinner when it hadn't even happened yet. I rolled my eyes. Damn it.

Michael tilted his head curiously, "Why shouldn't I? You know, Annie broke up with me, and I needed a girlfriend and Laurie's it. Plus, I need to eat, so I'm coming to dinner."

I sighed and started putting away our abandoned game. Fez pouted, but relinquished his cards to me eventually. I gave Michael a tired frown, "God, Michael. Can't you just eat at your own house?"

Michael shook his head, "No, because my family'll make fun of me for getting dumped."

Eric looked up at Michael and let out a deep long sigh, "You're lame and you're sad, Kelso, but if you go to dinner with Red, you're gonna get your just deserts."

Michael shrugged settling down in to his lawn chair, "I don't really care what you guys serve. I just wanna be there for Laurie, you know? I hope there's pie."

I tucked the game away underneath the chair Steven and I usually shared and solemnly stated, "Oh, Michael. It's gonna be so bad. Just don't come."

Steven pinched the bridge of his nose and deadpanned, "For your sake, Kelso, just don't show up."

Michael nodded and it almost seemed like he understood the concept of Red tearing him apart. However, we were proven wrong when he asked, "So can I come to dinner tonight?"

Eric gave him a shark like stare while deadpanning, "No."

Michael puffed out his chest and gave us all a smug smile, "Look, Red loves Laurie, right? And Laurie likes me. Therefore, Red has to like me. I mean, what father wouldn't like the guy who's nailing his daughter?"

Steven snorted out a mocking laugh, "That would be all fathers, Kelso. All fathers."

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

Kitty had apparently needed something extra for dinner tonight, so we volunteered to go to the grocery store. Besides, we were in need of some grocery shopping ourselves; two birds, one stone.

We pushed our shopping cart along the isle in the grocery store placing various items into our buggy as we spotted them. I crossed off a couple canned peaches on our list while Steven started computing how much we were at now. I guess we both weren't quite paying attention because we managed to bump into someone.

My heart skipped a beat as my gut clenched slightly. Steven lowered his sunglasses for a moment while he lifted a brow, "Hey, aren't you that guy who owns Grooves?"

Mr. Bennett let out a big long laugh after staring at us for a second or two, "Yeah. In fact I am. I'm sorry about bumping into you. I was enjoying this frappuccino concoction and I wasn't quite all here. I had heard that The Rolling Stones were rumored to visit the place, and I was trying to figure out how I could get in on that. I love The Rolling Stones."

I gaped at him. I couldn't believe we had actually bumped into Mr. Bennett. I thought he lived in Milwaukee? Steven gently took my notepad from my hands and scribbled down the numbers that he had calculated before nodding at Mr. Bennett, "It's okay. No harm done. We hadn't heard about anything like that, right Lin?"

He stared at me slightly, and I nodded my head numbly, "Right. Right…None of our employees said anything about something like that happening."

Steven smugly smiled at me, "I told you that The Rolling Scones would be a big hit, doll."

I rolled my eyes at him looping my arm around his waist, "I know."

Mr. Bennett loudly sipped his frappuccino before giving us a curious glance, "I'm glad to meet fellow business owners. It's always nice to know that there are more of us around than those big zombie corporations hanging about. Which businesses do you two own?"

Steven grinned at Mr. Bennett, "I know man! Those corporations are only out to get us man. Turning us into zombie consumers that never ask questions."

Mr. Bennett nodded, "Exactly."

I giggled and my shock melted away. These two men were more alike than I had expected, "We own The Rolling Scones bakery and café. I'm really glad you like our frappacinos; we'll be expanding on frappuccino flavors next month as a customer thank you. We're handing out poll cards at the store right now."

Mr. Bennett gave us a wide grin that made his eyes sparkle, "You two have a great business going on. It you two ever need some music or some sponsors for anything, you can call me." He gave us his business card, "Seriously. Your frappacinos are great. Have a nice day, you two."

Steven fingered the business card, "Damn. So that happened." He turned to me and winked, "You owe me sex in the car."

I laughed, "I was never opposed to losing, puddin' pop."

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

Michael walked into the dining room in the middle of dinner. I had feverishly hoped that Michael had heeded our warnings, but it looked like he was dumber than I had initially thought.

Steven shook his head and muttered something about people needing to lock all their doors more often. I nodded along while I drank some of my grape juice. It was amazing that no one had broken into either of our houses.

Michael beamed at us holing a paper bag in one arm, "Hey, guys. Sorry I'm late." Steven scowled at him while gave Michael a put out look. Eric rapidly shook his head while Kitty gave him a wary look. Red had thankfully decided that Michael was of no consequence right now.

Michael took a seat down near Red, "What? You guys started eating without me? That is so rude. I'm just kidding."

Kitty cleared her throat and gave Eric a strained smile, "Well, Eric, you must've forgotten to mention you invited Michael to dinner tonight."

Eric almost choked on his lamb chop before rapidly nodding, "Oh, right. Yeah, I guess I did. Oh, and there are my chocolates. The chocolates that I asked you to bring over to me. Ooh, Fanny Farmer, my favorite."

"No. No. See, those are for Laurie," Michael frowned and shook his head motioning to the very silent Laurie. She sighed and threw Michael a peeved look.

Red glared at Michael, "Kelso, what the hell are you doing here?"

Laurie let out a yelp, "Dad!"

Michael held out a piece of chocolate towards Red, "Uh, nougat?"

I shot Michael a scathing look, "Damn it Michael. Why do you have to be such an idiot?"

Michael shrugged off my comment and offered up the beer that he had brought for Red, "Don't worry, Red. I got something for you too."

"Five beers?" Red's eye twitched and I honestly thought he might explode. I rubbed my temples with my forefingers and I could distinctly hear Steven let out an irritated hiss.

"Uh, yeah. They were all out of six-packs. Weird, huh?" Michael chuckled nervously and stole a sweet roll off of the table nibbling on it lightly.

Red gave Laurie a stern look, "Laurie, what's going on?"

Laurie widened her eyes as her lower lip trembled slightly, "He's my boyfriend, Daddy." She glanced at Michael and frowned, "And he loves me." She glanced at our disbelieving looks and muttered, "And he's good to me." Laurie then proceeded to play with the food that she had left on her plate while she deadpanned, "And we're happy together." Yeah. That was convincing.

Red's completion matched his nickname while he glared down Michael and venomously snarled, "Kelso, you have five seconds to get as far away from me as possible."

Michael recoiled and gave Red a look that vaguely reminded me of a kicked puppy, "But, Red, what about our unspoken bond?"

Red slammed his closed fist onto the table and hissed, "One… Two…"

Michel bolted out of his seat and scrambled away from the dinner table, "I'll call you." Laurie meekly looked at Red and Michael's retreating form. Kitty let out a deep sigh while Eric shook his head. Steven gripped my hand underneath the table and I squeezed back gently. He was right. Tonight had been the wrong night for a Forman family dinner.

And the rest of dinner was eaten in complete silence. The only sound was the dull throbbing of that vein in Red's giant, shiny head. There goes the happy family dinner I was hoping for.

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

Circle Time:

Steven lit the Mary Jane stick after I had taken my customary puffs from my inhalers. He passed on the stick to Eric who placed it on the center of the basement coffee table. Fez happily inhaled the wafting fumes.

PAN TO FEZ

Fez let out a deep breath, "Boy, I am glad I am not Kelso. Sure he has had sex a lot and I am still a virgin but-" He looked dazed for a moment before declaring, "I wish I was Kelso."

PAN TO LIN

I shook my head waving away the smoke that floated into my vicinity, "No, you don't, Fez. You really, really don't."

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven pulled me further into his lap and chuckled slightly. He kissed my neck and I rolled my eyes at his antics smiling all the while. Steven peered around me and tilted his head towards Fez, "Fez, man, being Kelso is like not knowing the truth behind all the deception in society and just getting trampled all over by the man. Repeatedly."

PAN TO FEZ

Fez let out a cackling laugh rocking back and forth for a moment, "I just totally forgot why I was laughing. That is so funny."

PAN TO ERIC

Eric pulled the Mary Jane stick closer to himself as he gave Fez a wary look, "Okay. No more for Fez, okay? That outburst of cackling is really putting a damper on my mood."

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven chuckled leaning his head on my shoulder, "Well, this'll put that mood right out of you, Forman. Me and my chick, have to jet."

PAN TO ERIC

"Huh? Why?" Eric pouted and shot me a confused look.

PAN TO FEZ

Fez whined, "Why do the cool man and little goddess have to leave?"

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven rolled his eyes and gently slid me off of his lap, "Brooke got 'sick' today so we have to stand in for her at the bakery."

PAN TO LIN

I got up along with Steven and shrugged slightly, "I really should hire more people, now that we're doing pretty well as a business."

PAN TO ERIC

"There goes competency for you," Eric chuckled and inhaled more of the Mary Jane vapors.

PAN TO STEVEN

Steven snorted and shook his legs slightly, "I think she's just pissed off about Kelso."

PAN TO LIN

I wrapped my arm around Steven's waist and weakly tried to defend Brooke, "She's just a little infatuated with him."

PAN TO FEZ

Fez gazed at us dolefully, "Damn. Why does Kelso get all the girls?" Yeah. He had too much. Smoking more dank before Circle Time was probably a bad idea.

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

Steven and I strolled back into the basement after a busy day at The Rolling Scones. Steven gave everyone a curt wave, "Hey."

I nodded and wiggled my fingers at everyone, "Howdy, people."

Eric turned grinning at me and Steven, "Oh, hey guys. You wanna hear a really funny story? I was just upstairs, and Red was yelling at me about Kelso. And then I said, "What are you doing yelling at me? Kelso's right downstairs. In fact, I'll go get him for you"."

Steven chuckled while we took our customary seat, "Say, that is a funny story."

Michael shot us all a dirty look, "I don't care. I'll go talk to Red. He was really mean to me, and here I'd brought him a five-pack. So I hope he's ready to apologize."

Donna rolled her eyes as she flipped through another one of her magazines, "Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's it. If there's one thing Red's about, it's forgiveness."

Fez shot Donna a confused look, "No, he's not. He's the opposite of that." He glanced around at all of us and found that we were all giving him 'no duh' looks. The confusion cleared off of his face and he grinned, "Oh, wait. I get you. Funny."

I shook my head and sighed while I settled into Steven's lap, "Oh Michael, it's your funeral if you go."

"You guys don't get it. Just wait and see. I know he'll apologize," Michael made his way towards the garage.

Steven shook his head and gave Michael a bastardized salute, "It was nice knowing you, Kelso."

Eric snorted out a laugh and wryly smiled, "Tell me what being an ass-hat feels like, if you live."

Michael huffed and stomped towards the garage. Red was going to chew him out. I wondered what this would do for Michael.

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

For the next little while, every time that we hung out at Eric's place Michael would always find out a way to ditch us. I think Red had really rolled him over the coals, which really scared Michael off. Laurie refused to tell us whether they were still dating though. Oh well. We'd all find out eventually.

Donna swaggered through the basement door waving a brightly colored hardcover book in her hand, "Hey, you guys I just got an advance copy of the yearbook!"

I glanced at her from my comfortable position on Steven's lap, "How'd you swing that Donna?"

Donna casually strolled to the couch beside us and promptly plopped down beside Eric. Eric kissed her cheek fondly and Donna kissed his lips back lightly. She smiled at me and stated, "Tina is really good friends with the bunch of nerds that compiled it, and I guilt tripped her into giving me one."

"Oh Donna," I shot her a disappointed look. She really needed to spend more time with her sister. Especially just as time to just bond together, and not because she wanted something.

Donna frowned raising her brow at me, "What?"

I shook my head and chastised her slightly, "You really shouldn't pick on Tina like that."

Donna shrugged off my comment and motioned to the year book she was still holding, "Nah, the kid'll be fine. Besides, you'll all be happy to know that 1977 is best yearbook ever." It sometimes disheartened me when she treated Tina like she was invisible. She was a nice enough kid and she never asked to tag along with us, like some people.

Steven rolled his eyes at Donna's comment, "Is it because we're all in it, Big Red? 'Cause now you sound vapid." He really wasn't that interested in the year book. If I recalled correctly he never had enough to purchase it in the years prior, and vehemently refused to accept one as a gift from anyone. Including me.

Donna waved off his comment and opened up to a certain page, "Psh. No. You'll all see when I show you."

Eric warily looked at Donna's gleeful smile, "Donna, what'd you do?"

"You'll see, Eric," Donna's eyes sparkled with mischief as we all drew closer to look at the photo that she was pointing at.

Fez leaned in closer and bounced slightly, "This is so exciting. My first American yearbook. Show us some pictures of Fez."

Donna shot Fez an apologetic look, "Sorry, Fez. There aren't any."

Fez went to grab the yearbook, but Donna pulled it in closer to her while Eric gently pushed Fez back. Fez shot them a betrayed look, "What the hell? So, they do not let foreigners in your yearbook?"

Eric shrugged, "Uh-huh. I guess? To be fair, we haven't seen any of the pictures of any of us either. Donna just got this." Donna nodded and smirked. What was she planning?

I sent Fez a consoling smile, "I'm sorry, Fez. If it helps, I wasn't really in the yearbook at all when I went to school."

Fez sighed and slumped back into his seat pouting all the while, "Yes, that helps a little, little goddess."

Steven shrugged and gave me a peck on my shoulder, "To be fair, doll, they didn't have a chance to take much of any pictures of you since you sped through high school."

I laughed slightly leaning against Steven's encircled arms, "Touché."

"Look right here at the certain someone in the crowd," Donna smirked at us and tried to pull our attention to the specific photo that she had flipped to.

I let out a pseudo gasp and winked at Donna, "Oh my God, mooning." I didn't quite give a shit, but I could see that she thought this was hilarious. "Annette's all cheering away, and the whole time she's getting mooned."

"Yeah! You get it Lin. High five," Donna beamed at me and leaned over the armrest of the couch raising her hand for a high five.

I shook my head and chuckled returning Donna's high five. She grinned while Eric looked on at the picture squinting at the naked ass that the camera had captured. Steven gazed at the picture for a moment before rolling his eyes.

Fez caught a glimpse of the photo and giggled, "Oh, my God. That is a girl butt. Hee-hee."

Eric sighed giving us all a dry look, "There's girl butt in the yearbook and I can't tell who it is. I wish we had a magnifying glass."

Fez perked up for a moment and slid out a magnifying glass out of his pocket, "Oh. Here you go. I- I was just playing with some bugs."

I raised my brow at him and Fez awkwardly coughed into his hand. Steven shook his head while Eric stared at the photo in disbelief.

He glanced at Donna and rapidly began to pale, "God, I can't believe it. That's not girl butt. That's Donna's butt."

Donna cackled triumphantly, "Yes, it is! Eric." I really didn't get the stunts Donna would go through. Sure, it was sort of funny, but not hilarious, at least not to the point of cackling.

"Are you okay, Eric? You look like you're going to pass out," I gave him a worried glance and Eric started shaking his head rapidly. Was he just denying the existence of this picture now?

Steven snorted out a laugh, "Yeah. Could it be because of your girlfriend's naked butt?" I rolled my eyes at Steven. He would've been just as offended if I had stupidly decided to moon people on camera.

Eric snapped the yearbook shut shocking Donna slightly, "God damn it, Donna." He gave her a deeply disappointed look.

"Eric, it's no big deal," A look of hurt and confusion formed on Donna's face.

Eric gave Donna a pained look, "It is too, Donna. This is a pretty big deal." It probably was a pretty big deal to Eric considering how he was raised and the era we were in. Sure free love was a raging thing right now, but it wasn't that prevalent in our 'small' town.

Fez morosely stared at the yearbook that Eric was currently gripping, "I know why I'm not in the yearbook. It's because whitey's keeping me down."

Eric gave him a disgruntled look and handed him the yearbook, "Hey, Fez. Just look at Donna's naked butt some more."

Fez looked at it tilting his head side to side before nodding, "Yes, that is nice."

Donna grinned brilliantly, "Thank you."

Steven chuckled into my hair, "This is really stupid."

I nodded and muttered under my breath, "Let's let her have this."

Steven nodded as we watched this latest drama in our group unfold.

Eric full turned to Donna and solemnly gazed at her, "Okay. Okay. Donna, take me through the chain of events. Now, uh, you're at the pep rally. Oh. And at this point your pants are on."

"Right," Donna deadpanned. I think that she was being really, really stubborn and stupid about all of this. I thought she was done acting out. What was up with her?

Eric cleared his throat and searched Donna's face, "And then they weren't. Donna, mooning's not something you just do."

Donna looked affronted and snapped, "No. Men and women should have equal rights to moon people, Eric."

I let out a deep sigh and shook my head slightly, "Donna, I don't think that's what he was getting at. At all."

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I popped some more popcorn into my mouth while Donna and I had another one of our girl's day's in. Steven had opted out of hanging out with an angsting Michael and Eric tonight even if it meant ditching Fez.

Donna tossed some popcorn into her mouth before acidically stating, "You know what? I love showing my butt! I don't care what Eric says. I like to show it, and I like to shake it."

Steven almost snorted out the soda that he was trying to drink while I let out a slight chuckle. I shot a sympathetic look at Donna while she reclined in her seat. I tucked my legs underneath me and leaned my back against Steven's side, "Donna, I can totally respect that. Just be careful, though, or they'll call you a home-wrecker."

Donna huffed, "I can count the number of homes I've wrecked on one hand. None."

I rolled my eyes at her dry comment, "You know what I mean. A lot of the folks around here are kind of traditional."

"Well, they need to shake their booties some more and get with the times," Donna petulantly looked at the show that was playing across our TV.

I shrugged bonelessly, "I doubt that they see it that way."

Steven popped a piece of popcorn into his mouth only really glancing at us now and again deadpanning, "Don't worry, ladies, 'cause no one's gonna label you here. If you guys want to take off some clothes and shake some stuff, feel free. I don't really care."

I don't really know if he was being sarcastic, so I poked his belly slightly, "Steven. Really?"

Steven glanced down at me gifting me with a lopsided grin, "What? It was just a suggestion. Besides, the only one I really want to see naked is you, Lin."

Donna shot us a disgusted look, "Ugh. Hyde, turn down the gross."

I fluttered my eyelashes at Steven pecking his lips lightly, "Awe…thank you sweetie."

A commercial came on with a couple people singing, "Shake, shake, shake! Shake, shake, shake! Shake your booty-"

"Whoo! Rock it, girl. I'll shake too", Donna zoned back onto the TV and started to wiggle as well.

I idly wondered how Donna and Eric would deal with this new development, and if we'd be pulled into it.

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We walked into the Forman's kitchen and found that Red, Kitty, and Laurie were gathered around a red faced Eric. Kitty glared at Eric, for once, and hissed, "Well, I hope you're happy. I don't think Bob will ever recover from the sight of your rear end."

I tilted my head and curiously asked, "What rear end?"

"Eric was being a dipshit, and mooned Bob", Laurie spared me a glance before sneering at Eric.

Steven shook his head, "Damn." The stuff we missed while we went at work.

Laurie nodded and added with a superior sort of air, "Yup. You guys missed it by being at work."

Steven rolled his eyes at her, "Well, some of us have to make a living." I was glad that I hadn't told him how much money we really had. I was kind of hesitant to add any comment onto his because we really didn't need to work for a living, not technically.

"Whatever, orphan," Laurie flipped her hair over her shoulder and sashayed out of the room.

Red chuckled and really looked like he wanted to praise Eric's actions, "What I can't figure out is how you expected to run away with your pants down around your ankles."

I shook my head while Eric sheepishly looked at his feet. I muttered under my breath, "Damn. He's really dumb sometimes."

Red grinned at us, "You two really missed the funniest damn thing."

Kitty began to pace and she shot Eric a deeply disappointed sad expression, "Oh, Eric. How'll we ever patch this up with Bob now?"

Eric gazed at her, irritation clearly visible on his face, "Mom, it's not a big deal. It was just my butt."

Kitty suddenly stopped her pacing and snapped, "It was rude, that's what it was."

Red grinned proudly at Eric, "I think it was perfect. Just God damn perfect."

"Really, dad?" Eric's eyes sparkled slightly.

Red nodded, "Uh-huh."

Kitty raised her brow at both men and dryly asked, "Uh-huh?"

Red cleared his throat and tried to pull down the grin that had previously been on his face, "I mean…you really screwed up this one. Now your mother and I can't play cards with them."

Steven chuckled while I nodded, "Oh, I see…"

Steven muttered under his breath, "Nice one, Red."

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Eric cleared his throat while we all sat around at Charlie's again. He glanced around and muttered, "All right. They didn't even check our fake I.D.'s."

Fez sighed into his drink, "And I wasted a whole day thinking up my fake name."

Steven rolled his eyes, "Yeah. Sorry, "Pez." Let's drink."

A man with waved hair strolled up to our table and glanced down at all of us, "So, fellas, school let out early?"

Michael perked up, "Yeah. We're just-"

I kicked him under the table and hissed, "Michael, shut up."

"Uh, I mean, no. No, we're old. We're workers," Michael deepened the tone of his voice and backpedaled.

Eric piped in, also trying to deepen his voice, "We're all construction workers."

Fez added, "Hey, fellas, did you see that brick today? Whoo!"

He gave us an easy going half smile, "Relax, guys. It's "Serve a Minor Night". You look familiar. Do I know you?" I glared at him slightly from my seat. He was definitely going to get fired if he kept giving drinks to minors. I personally knew that Charlie was an upstanding guy; the people that he hired sometimes though…not so much. This guy certainly proved my point. At this point I just hoped that he wouldn't cause Charlie to lose his liquor license.

Steven took a swing of beer and sneered, "I should hope so Dad." Oh dear.

A bewildered look crossed on Bud's face while he let out an exaggerated laugh, "Hey! Steven! Wow!" He looked at Steven up and down from where we were sitting and a smile settled onto his face.

I felt Steven tighten his hold on me. After I took a swig of my glass of juice I gazed up at him, concern coloring my face, "Are you going to be okay, puddin' pop?

He nodded and muttered, "Yeah. Just don't go anywhere."

I smiled at him and pulled my chair closer, "I wouldn't dream of it." A small smiled tugged at his lips.

Bud stood still at our table chatting with the guys. Eric took a long look at him and made a slight face, "So you're Hyde's Dad?"

Bud chuckled slightly, "Well, that's what his mother says." That was rather insulting. I turned a gimlet gaze onto Bud. I don't think the other guys saw the veiled insult, but I had. Bud may have looked like a passive easy going good guy on the surface, but something felt rotten about him.

Steven muttered under his breath, "I wish that weren't true."

I felt my gut clench. It really wasn't, but I didn't know how I could slip him that information. How would I know about that in the first place? All I could really do now was to comfort him as best as I could. That would just have to do, for now.

Bud rubbed the back of his neck and sheepishly added, "Kidding. Who's this little lady?" He glanced down at me and his expression made my skin crawl. That genial smile was betrayed by the hungry gaze that raked over me. Steven stiffened and pulled me even closer to him; I had briefly thought that he was going to pull me onto his lap.

Fez obliviously stared at Bud's expression, not quite getting what it meant. Michael recoiled a little and made a face.

"She's my baby sister, Mr. Hyde," Eric gave him a narrowed warning look sipping on his beer slightly.

Steven firmly stated, "She's my chick, pop."

The disturbing look that had been etched on his face slowly disappeared. Bud pulled on a happy smile, "Huh. I didn't know Red had another kid… Like how your mom was my chick." His eyes actually twinkled then. I found that a little odd since he had apparently been so unhappy with Edna that he chose to walk out on them. Then again, that was just what the rumors around town were.

Steven threaded his fingers with mine, "No. She's more than that."

Bud raised his brow at me, while his mouth twitched, "I see."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Hyde," I could feel Steven grip my hand throughout this entire interaction. This whole thing made him shake slightly even with his Zen firmly in place. I personally didn't feel quite good about this interaction either.

I pulled on a strained smile, "It's nice to meet you too."

Fez noticed the tense atmosphere and chipped in, "Hello, Mr. Hyde's Dad. I am Pez. I've heard much about you."

Fez had garnered Bud's attention, "Good things, I hope." He still had that hollowly genial smile on his face, and I was so thankful that Fez had taken his creepy attention away from me.

Fez tilted his head and sipped his beer, "Well, if running out on your family and becoming a drunk is good, then, yes."

Michael choked on his drink and dragged Fez and Eric away, "Okay, guys. Let's look over here." Eric glanced back and I caught the worried look in his eyes. I always hated it when he looked at me like that; like I was a china doll that was about to break.

Bud let out a slight chuckled, "Wow! Well…Look at you! You're bigger- and you got your mom's hair and her sideburns. So, how long has it been?" He took a seat beside Steven and I had to wonder, was he already on his break or what? Bud was acting really, really shady.

Steven adjusted his sunglasses with his free hand before taking a gulp of his beer. He deadpanned, "Eight years and fifty-one days, but who's counting?"

Bud shrugged, a small chortle escaped out of him like air out of a balloon, "Wow! Time really flies when you're-"

I shot him a scathing look, "Drunk?" I wasn't normally rude, but seriously? This guy gave me the God damn creeps.

"Y-Well. I was gonna say "havin' fun," but-" Bud sheepishly laughed, "…same thing I guess."

Steven stonily set his beer down onto the table, "Yeah, so how long you been back for?"

Bud looked up to the ceiling and muttered out random numbers before smiling at Steven sheepishly, "Well, let's see. Ah, that must be about a year."

Steven deadpanned, "A year?"

Bud nodded and quickly added, "Yeah! Hey, I was gonna call ya."

Steven and I stood up from our seats. He gave Bud a dirty look, sneering, "Oh, you were gonna call me? Oh, man, that makes you, like I don't know, what, father of the year? We'll see you around, Dad."

The other guys saw that we were making our way to the exit of Charlie's bar and scrambled after us. This whole shebang certainly could have gone better. It was going to take forever to wipe that sour look off of Steven's face. I sighed inwardly. Damn it.

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As we sat around the dinner table, strangely eating BLT's tonight, Steven stared at the sandwich that lay on his plate. I sipped my watermelon juice and took another large bite out of my sandwich. The whole thing with Bud really seemed to shake Steven to his core. I didn't really know how to relate with him for once. It felt…jarring, to say the least.

Kitty glanced at Steven, "Well, Steven, honey, you haven't touched your sandwich. You feel okay?"

He gave Kitty a half smile that didn't reach his eyes before hollowly saying, "Yeah. I'm just not hungry."

I swallowed what I was eating and sighed, patting his thigh under the table. I murmured quietly, "Oh, Steven." Steven smiled tightly at me in return. I suppose, now wouldn't be the right time to talk about it either.

Laurie shot Steven a mean little grin, "Are you finally tired of freeloading?"

Eric hissed, "Can it, Laurie."

Laurie shrugged, spitefully saying, "All I'm saying is Lin's probably tired of paying for all of your stuff, and nothing here is cheap."

Steven winced just only slightly before sneering, "Except you."

Laurie nibbled on her sandwich and flipped her hair over her shoulder, "Believe me. I'm not cheap."

I glared at her and quipped, "Fine. "Free." Whatever." I nudged Steven gently, whispering, "Puddin' pop?"

Steven glanced at me and quietly murmured, "Yes, doll?"

I looked down at my sandwich and moved it around my plate for a little while. I glanced up at him and inaudibly stated, "You're not freeloading off of me. You know that right? Because whatever I have-"

"I know. Is ours, and vice versa," He let out a slow steady breath and an actual smile tugged at his lips.

I grinned at him, "Mhmm."

Red called out into the dining room bringing along Steven's weird boss, "Hey, honey, I'm home! Also, a hippie's here."

Leo, not The Rolling Scones Leo, gave Steven a curiously confused look, "Hyde, man, your dad come by lookin' for you, man. Which is really freaky 'cause I thought this bald dude was your dad."

Steven looked up at Leo and a concerned frown spread across his face. He gave me a quick peck on the head before getting up, "Thanks, Leo." He looked around the table and stated in a subdued manner, "Excuse me for a second, please." It was one of the few emotions that really threw me off, ever since I knew Steven. I really didn't know how to feel about all of this.

Steven promptly left the dinner table and went out for some air. I stared at his empty seat and let out a deep exhausted sigh.

Kitty gazed at Steven's empty chair and at a still slightly confused Leo, "Steven's father is in town?"

Laurie snorted out a snide comment, "Yeah, right. Like he even knows who his father is."

Eric coughed into his hand, "Bitch."

Laurie rolled her eyes at him, "Dork."

Kitty cast Eric a concerned look while Red took his customary seat at the head of the table. Red cocked his head to the side, "Eric, you know something about this?"

Eric gulped and nodded nervously, "Right. Okay. Uh, yeah. We bumped into Hyde's dad last night. He'd been back in town, like, a year- hadn't even talked to his own son."

"Cool, egg salad," Leo had opted out of being confused and took the empty seat at the end of the table spooning some egg salad onto his plate.

"Well, I'm gonna talk to Steven and see how he's feeling about this," Kitty glanced at the door that Steven had taken and fidgeted in her seat slightly.

Kitty then decided to sit up and was about to get out of her chair when Eric quickly added, "You know what, Mom? I wouldn't do that. Hyde likes to bottle those things up."

"Good for him. That's where those feelings should be kept," Red nodded taking a rather large bite out of his BLT.

Kitty rolled her eyes at Red and plopped back into her chair huffing, "Well, what is he gonna do? Pretend he doesn't have a father?"

Red sighed and swallowed what he was chewing. He gave Kitty an impatient look, "Kitty, this is a family issue, and, for once, it's not about our family. Look, the bond between a father and a son is complex and subtle."

Eric smothered a laugh with a cough and tried to pull the smirk he had growing off of his face. Red caught Eric's attempt at composure and scowled at his son, "You wipe that damn smirk off your face!"

Kitty sighed and cast a beseeching look at Red, "Red, when we took that boy into the fold it became our job to see him through thick and thin and now it's thick- or thin- I don't know, but he needs us."

I tilted my head to the side and rolled the word 'fold' through my head. What did that mean exactly? I munched on my BLT and decided that could be figured out later on. It was a little off to me since I thought he was more a part of the Forman family, like I was… Was I wrong?

Leo hummed happily around his spoonful of egg salad, "Cool egg salad, man."

"Fine. Stick your nose in where it doesn't belong. Go ahead," Red scowled at Kitty while he took a drink of his ice water.

Kitty, looking utterly satisfied with herself, settled into her chair and tapped her lower lip, "Okay. Will do. Bud's comin' over for drinks tonight."

I took a sip of my drink and did my very best not to spit take. Did she forget that Bud had been a raging alcoholic? Or is one? Either or…still a bad idea. I cleared my throat slightly and meekly stated, "Uh, Mrs. Forman, do you really want to invite an alcoholic over for cocktails?"

"Oh, right. Okay, well, I'll just, um I'll make him a nice Shirley Temple and he can fill up on cheese," Kitty smiled happily, looking certain that her plan would bear fruit. I personally thought that it wouldn't end well. From what I heard from Steven, anything to do with Bud usually didn't bode well.

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Leo sifted through the mixed nuts that Kitty had placed onto the coffee table, "Oh, wow, man. Look at all these different nuts intermingling in one bowl. It's like "Nutstock," man."

I snickered into my hand while Steven rolled his eyes at his boss's latest display of weird. Red glared at the man while Kitty adjusted where all the drinks sat on the table we had recently set up in the living room. Fez and Michael had their heads turned to one another while they muttered and mumbled things that vaguely sounded like it was about the playboy magazine. Donna glared out into space turning something over her head, probably.

Red stomped over to Kitty and tapped her shoulder scowling, "Kitty, I think we should rethink our "Don't Throw Leo Out On His Ass" policy."

Kitty finished fixing up the drinks, just to her liking, and stoutly stated, "No, no. Leo stuck around because he cares about Steven."

Leo popped up off the couch and chipped in cheerfully, "And, plus, I can't find my shoes, man."

The Forman's doorbell rang out and I felt a pit of dread suddenly reforming in my belly. Steven encircled me in a hug from behind and scowled at the door. He venomously hissed, "I've got nothing to say to him!"

I looked up at him and put my most encouraging smile on, "We'll get through this. I swear, puddin' pop." I internally doubted that, but one of us had to the optimistic one. It wouldn't work if we both thought that this whole thing was a bust.

Steven glanced down at me, and I could see his Zen shake for a moment before an impassive look stole across his face, "Why'd Mrs. Forman, have to go and do this?"

I saw a glimmer of betrayal lurk behind his sunglasses and I clutched the arm around my waist, "She had good intentions." Steven in return grunted, he was vastly displeased with the turn of events when his step father walked through the Forman's front door.

Kitty, with that strained smile of hers, herded Bud into the house, "We have fancy nut mix."

Bud nodded and noticed Red, "Hey, Red! Remember me?" His smile was as oily as his hair.

Red's forehead deeply furrowed while he grumped, "Of course…I wasn't the one passed out in the gutter."

Bud let out a nervous laugh and coughed slightly, "Yeah, I have this weird condition where I drink a case of beer and fall down." He forced out a laugh when he saw that Red was currently not amused, "Man, you're lookin' good. Have you lost, um…hair?"

Red deadpanned, "Excuse me, I have to go do something not here." Red then proceeded to speed out of the living room into the kitchen. I honestly wanted to do the same before Bud noticed the two of us.

Leo squinted and bent a little at his waist, staring at Bud's shoes, "Hey, man, nice shoes. Are those mine?"

Bud took a step back from Leo and shook his head soon noticing how Steven and I were sequestered away from them. Bud walked over to us, and I felt Steven stiffen.

Bud's face took on that fake warm quality, that I hated, "Hi, son." What did his hollow smiles mean?

Steven looked at Bud and scanned him from head to toe before grunting out a curt, "Hi." He looked over at Kitty and sharply asked, "May I go now?"

Kitty sternly stated, "No." She walked over and fidgeted with the apron that was still worn around her waist, "Bud can I get you a drink?"

Bud let out a forced laugh, his eyes widening noticeably, "A drink!"

Kitty's eyes narrowed and her smile thinned, "A drink of soda. A nice drink of soda, Bud. Plus, we have cheese." I glanced at the loaded snack table and sighed inwardly. This wasn't going so well so far.

Bud's eyes dimmed slightly and he softly stated, "Soda sounds great, Kitty. Yeah, I'm off the hooch." Red walked back into the living room, looking much calmer than he had been previously. He shot us a short smile while he took a seat on a couch, with a sweating soda in hand.

Donna, Fez and Michael scurried out of the living room, shooting us apologetic looks. I supposed that they really couldn't take the weird atmosphere of whatever this shindig was.

Kitty raised her brow and handed Bud a random cold soda, "Oh, really? So, no more boozing?" Kitty took a seat beside Red and shot him a smug look.

Red rolled his eyes and nodded, taking a sip of his A&W root beer, "I heard him."

Bud stood awkwardly to the side, shifting his weight from one foot to the next, "Yep. I can finally see clearly."

"Isn't it great, man?" Leo smiled at him and popped some cheese into his mouth.

"It is. I got a job and an apartment. Color TV," Bud glanced over at us and nodded back at Leo. Was he trying to ensnare Steven with the prospect of a colored TV? I inwardly rolled my eyes. Seriously?

Kitty nodded happily and shot Steven a hopeful look, "Ooh, color TV. That's nice." I tightened my grip on his hand. Like Steven would ditch me for a stupid TV.

Steven glanced down at me and pecked the top of my head. He fixed Bud with a shark like stare and dead panned, "Wow, Bud, you're doing great now, huh? Color TV? Man. I remember when I was a kid; I didn't even have a father."

Bud froze and let out a strained laugh. He soon wandered over to the snack table and stuffed his mouth with cheese. A contemplative look crossed his face.

Red tilted back in his seat a little and gave Kitty a smug grin, "Well, well. Who could have foreseen this terrible-"

Kitty looked around and hissed, "Can it." Red smirked and drank some of his soda. Steven and I sneakily left the living room and made our way down into the basement.

We waved to the guys and took our customary seat. Steven felt tense and I hadn't a clue as to what to do in this situation. I leaned back against him and Steven let out a long frustrated breath.

Fez shook the playboy magazine that he was holding, "None of these tricks worked. I hate this stupid magazine." He threw the magazine against his lap and sighed, "Oh, no. I didn't mean it. I love you."

Michael chuckled and brought his magazine closer to Fez, "Hey, Fez. Check this out. "Tight pants turn a man's derriere into a lady's dream "and an open shirt shows a sexy chest and an irresistible joie de vivre."

Fez tilted his head and looked over at Michael's different playboy magazine, "Really? I always thought my joie de vivre was in my pants."

I snorted and Steven grumped, "You guys are dumbasses." I patted his hand and Steven buried his face in the back of my head. I sighed. We should've said we had something to do today instead of actually showing up. Sure, it would've made Kitty sad, but then Steven wouldn't be in such a funk.

Fez scowled at Steven, "Just because your dad ruined upstairs, does not mean you should ruin downstairs, Hyde."

Steven deadpanned, "Fez, don't push it."

Fez squeaked for a moment before muttering, "Okay."

I wiggled my fingers at Donna, "Hi Donna."

Donna smiled at me and nodded in return, "Hey, Lin." She let out a sad sigh and took a look at all of us before deflating slightly, "I can't believe I'm asking you guys this, but would you still look at those magazines if you had them?"

I raised my eyebrow and looked up at Steven, "Well? Would you Steven?"

Steven's Zen melted slightly as he rapidly shook his head, "Pssh. That's not my sort of thing and you know that Lin."

I playfully rolled my eyes at him, a smile tugging on my lips, "Oh, don't I ever."

Donna gaged and made a face at us before turning to Fez and Michael, "Eww, guys. That's just gross…No. How about you two boneheads? If either of you two had girlfriends, would you need magazines too?"

Michael smirked and held out his playboy magazine, "Hey, I had two girlfriends- and a little action on the side- and I still looked at those magazines."

I raised my eyebrow, "You had action on the side?"

Fez let out a delighted laugh and grinned, "Who?"

Michael took a nervous gulp, glanced at all of us and quickly stated, "You guys don't know her. She went to Sacred Heart."

Steven let out a disbelieving snort, "Okay."

I shook my head, "Riiigght." It was almost as bad as saying he had a girlfriend in another country, and that was why we didn't know her. To be fair, that happened often enough in the future, but in this era? It was just utter tripe.

Donna rolled her eyes at all of us and huffed, "Anybody here have an opinion who's not a skeevy pig or utterly gross?"

I jutted out my lower lip and scowled, "Hey! We're not gross."

Steven smugly smirked at her and stated, "We're just completely functional, man. Unlike many people, I know."

Fez puffed out his chest and laid the magazine that he was reading facedown onto his lap, "I'm glad you asked, Donna. If I had a woman, I would never look at those magazines- Unless she's on the phone or went shopping or took a short nap."

Michael sighed and gave Donna a patronizing look, "Look, Donna this is just the way guys are. Okay? I mean if Forman was actually dating the- the "Naughty Campus Coeds" he'd be locked in a bathroom looking at naked pictures of you."

Fez nodded enthusiastically, "He's right, so- Are there naked pictures of you?" Fez wiggled his eyebrows causing Donna to kick his leg in retaliation. Fez groaned out, "My leg!"

Steven snickered and called out, "Hey, knee him in the groin!"

Donna then proceeded to do just that, and I couldn't help but wince for Fez. I think that was a bit excessive. I didn't want to incur her wrath though, so I chose to just stay quiet while Donna had her rampage.

Michael let out a delighted laugh and pointed at Fez's writing form, "Oh! Oh, my, God! She did it!"

Donna then proceeded to frog Michael's shoulder. He let out a small grunt of pain and deeply pouted.

I cleared my throat, managing to gain Donna's attention, "Donna, don't listen to those two. Not all men are skivvy, but at the same time…would you want Eric pawing at you all the time?"

Donna stopped frogging Michael and gave me a wry smile, "I guess…."

Steven shrugged and added, "Big Red, at least you don't have to deal with two timing bastards, right?"

Donna stepped away from a cringing Michael and firmly stated, "That's true." I wondered if this

would either help or hinder, Eric.

wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

After a while, the adults upstairs and the guys down in the basement decided to part ways and leave. At that point Steven and I had decided that the coast was clear. Before we could get away from the Forman's house, Kitty had intercepted us with hot chocolate. I slipped on a smile and tentatively accepted the hot chocolate that she had presented us with. Steven sighed and accepted his grudgingly. Kitty herded us into the kitchen and soon enough we were all siting around the kitchen table nursing our respective drinks.

Kitty took a sip out of her mug and gave us an encouraging smile, "So how's your cocoa?"

Steven took a deep gulp and glanced at Kitty, "Chocolaty good. Thanks."

I took a couple small sips, it was still pretty warm, "It's perfect as usual, Mrs. Forman." What was she up to?

"That's good. I'm glad you two like it. Steven, I think your father has really changed. He is not the same man I used to know, and the marshmallows make it extra good," Kitty smiled at us and placed her mug down delicately. Silence rang out around us for a moment and Kitty's smile thinned.

Steven gulped the last of his hot chocolate and settled his mug down on the table, "Well, at least you knew him, Mrs. Forman, because I never did."

Kitty encouragingly nodding and asked in her most mothering tone, "Okay, well, here's your chance. Maybe now you can make some new, happy memories. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

A couple beats of silence passed and Steven shook his head, "Yeah, you know what, Mrs. Forman? No."

Kitty worriedly looked at Steven, "Are you sure? Because I kinda think you're bottling things up."

"I'm not bottling anything! Just- thanks for the cocoa, Mrs. Forman… Lin and I are going to go," Steven managed to contain his volume and kept his tone as respectful as he could, but he couldn't hide the irritation and hurt that bled through.

Steven and I stood up. I gently set down my mug and sadly smiled at Kitty, "Bye, Mrs. Forman."

Kitty let out a sad sigh and nodded, "Well…bye dears."

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Steven and I had made our way to Charlie's bar. Steven had figured that the heavy feeling, that he had mentioned when we left the Forman's house, wouldn't go away. So I suggested actually confronting his stepdad since it didn't seem like anything else was working. Bottling it up, certainly wasn't the answer right now. Sad to say.

Bud seemed to be taking a smoking break by the side of the bar. At the sight of him, Steven stiffened and glowered. We got out of our car and he marched right up on over to Bud. Steven snarled coming up right into Bud's personal space, "Hey! You can't ditch me, then walk back into my life eight years later and expect everything to be okay. You screwed me! You both did."

Bud's eyes widened comically as he took a step back raising his hands up in defense, "I did. I guess we both did. You're right. I know."

Steven took a breath and looked at him like he was crazy, "And- You what? You know? What do you mean you know?"

Bud's eyes softened and he gently stated, "I got no excuse. I was a jerk. I've been a jerk my whole life. And all I can do is tell you I'm sorry and hope that you'll believe me." I didn't buy it. I glared at him and glanced at Steven. I hoped that Steven didn't either.

Steven took a step back and took of his sunglasses. He narrowed his eyes at Bud and growled, "You jerk! How am I supposed to yell at you now that you're being reasonable? I was gonna yell! I was gonna tell you off!"

Bud nodded putting out his cigarette, "I think you should. I mean, you wanna yell? Go ahead. I deserve it."

Steven stared at Bud and shook his head, "You're ju-You're caving? That just makes it worse! Come on, man. Give me something!"

Bud looked towards the entrance of Charlie's bar and shrugged, "You want a beer?"

Steven's eye twitched and he nodded, "Yeah! Okay give us both a beer!" We all made our way into Charlie's bar. Bud wandered away while we took seats by the door. Steven deflated into his seat and I sat on the edge of mine.

They both talked and Bud was irritatingly charming about the whole thing. I think that's how he got away with so much shit. I could see that Steven's guard was down, and for once that didn't make me happy.

Bud took a seat beside us and sipped some beer, "So, they takin' care of you there?" I glanced around and tried to see if Charlie was around. Did Bud even really work here?

Steven ignored the way I kept looking for something and calmly stated, "Actually, me and Lin have our own place. It's great."

I was glad he didn't bring up The Rolling Scones, and that he didn't know how much money we actually had. I knew that Bud would try to hit us up for whatever amount he was looking for, had he known. I still wanted Steven to know how much we really had as a unit after this Bud debacle was over though.

I stopped my search and offered Bud up a slight upward tilt of my lips, "It's a nice place right by the Formans. We spend a lot of time with them though."

Steven straightened up in his seat and glanced at me. He turned to fully face Bud and stiffly said, "So, yeah, despite your negligence along with ma's…I turned out okay."

Bud nodded and set his beer down onto the table, "That's nice. I like my place too. It's good. It's got an extra room." Did he seriously just ignore what Steven just said? I felt Steven's hand grip mine and I squeezed his hand gently. He took a deep breath and let out a slight hiss through his teeth.

I ground my teeth slightly. How rude, "That's cool."

Steven gave Bud a cold look, "That's nice, Bud."

Bud gave Steven and I a snake oil salesman smile, "Yeah. So, if you ever wanna, you know, come by or whatever. You know? I'm not usin' the extra room." Okay. Did he just totally forget that Steven mentioned that we were living together? I narrowed my eyes at Bud. What was he getting at, exactly?

Steven bit out, "Hence, the term "extra room.""

"Yeah. Yeah, the rent's due, but they don't evict you for, like, three months so, I still got two days," Bud rubbed the back of his head and laughed. I knew that he was up to something.

Steven's Zen was firmly in place when he asked, "So…you lookin' for a loan, Bud?"

"Just a little one, I figured that if you guys already had a house…You look like you're both doing well. What's a little to spare, right?" Bud shot us an expectant look. I shook my head at the gall this man had. After abandoning Steven? After all the other shit, my Steven had to go though, he has the nerve to ask for help? I knew that you were too good to be true, Bud. It'd be like Edna not being bitter for once.

I cleared my throat steadily staring at Bud, "Bud, as much as we'd love to help you-"

Steven placed his hand on my shoulder and shook his head, "Lin. Wait."

I frowned at him and raised my brow. He looked at me with that sort of sad look that I saw on him when I first found him in the rain. I sighed and nodded.

He turned back to Bud and grunted, "How much do you need? And just be aware, that this'll be the first and last time that you can get some help from us, Bud."

"I just need a $500," A greedy smile lit Bud's face, and I felt deeply disappointed and distraught. This man didn't deserve our kindness, or Steven's.

I glared and let out a muttered curse before I gave him an angry baffled sneer, "$500? What the fuck?" I wasn't prone to swearing at adults, but hot damn. What the hell? Steven let out a surprised grunt and gave me an amused look before giving his father a gimlet glare.

"I know what rent is like in those buildings. Do you owe the mob or something?" Steven deadpanned and pushed his beer away. If that was the cost to associate with his father, it wasn't worth it. We weren't selfish about our money, but we certainly weren't stupid about it either. If we let have Bud have this inch, he would probably ask for a mile later on.

For once Bud's smile completely faded from his face as a contemplative look took its usual place, "Well okay. A month's rent is $150, but I thought well…why not?" He shrugged at us and downed Steven's beer without a care. I looked around and inwardly sighed, how was this guy not already fired?

Steven shook his head and sent me a pained look, "Lin." I nodded. I hated seeing my Steven this way. Even with his Zen in place, this whole conversation was exhausting mentally and emotionally. Some people were just assholes, and no matter how hard you try, they would stay assholes. It was just a shame they were related, well technically anyways.

"I got it Steven," I took out my cheque book and scribbled the necessary items onto one of our cheques. I slid it over to Bud and got up with Steven. I paused for a single breath and grimly stated, "Here, after this, for your sake…don't darken our door again."

Bud's face morphed into an offended mask as he scoffed scoff, "He's my son." With the way you treated him that was unlikely. We both got up and started walking away from the table. Perhaps it had been an all around bad idea to try and resolve Steven's issues with direct confrontation. At least with this issue, any ways.

Steven spared Bud a single dark look over his shoulder before we were completely out of ear shot, "At this point, I don't consider myself your son at all. This time, I'm leaving, not you. Thanks for the beer."

I managed to catch sight of Charlie and we both gave him a respectful nod hello. Charlie looked bemused that we were here and noticed a clearly slacking Bud. He nodded to us in return and quickly made his way to his wayward employee. Things didn't look good for Bud, but at this point…I didn't much care.

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It was a silent car ride home and we quickly tried to make it back into our house before anyone could trap us into a conversation. Especially Kitty. Out of everyone Red was the last person I had thought that would derail our journey into hiding away from the world for a while.

Red caught sight of us and quickly closed the wide gap between us, "Steven, good. I wanted to have a talk with you. Steven, your dad is not good."

I paused and Steven's spine stiffened, "Yeah. I know, but, you know, he's my dad." I think at this point, Steven didn't want Red knowing how bad things were between him and his dad. No cause to make more worry over something that we couldn't change. Right?

Red had a grim smile before nodding, "Yeah. He's your dad." There was a clear but in the pregnant pause that came after his statement.

Steven and I inched our way towards our home while Steven sent Red a stoic nod, "Yeah. Anyway. He bummed some money off of me and Lin with the promise that he'd never bug us again."

Red moved his scrutinizing attention to me and his eyes softened noticeably, "How much did he ask for, sweetheart?"

I tugged on my shirt sleeve and mumbled, "About $500 initially, Mr. Forman." I didn't quite have the cause to be embarrassed, but I still felt embarrassed that a virtual stranger asked me for that amount of money. It had never happened before because no one had ever connected the dots, but if they had, they hadn't ever called me up for any sort of loan or monetary favor.

Red flushed and ground his teeth at the injustice that he may have felt that we underwent, "That rat bastard….thinking he can just go and take advantage of kids." I inwardly sweat dropped and twitched. I wasn't technically a child, but since he didn't know that…I let it go for now. Red never meant much harm whenever he said those things to me.

Steven pulled my hand into his, threading our fingers together while he pulled on a better Zen façade, "It's alright Red, we only gave him the $150 he needed for the rent he was missing."

Red shook his head and sighed, his temper had waned, but I don't think Red would let this slight go. He let out a deep burdensome sigh, "You kids shouldn't have given him a dime. That scum wad." He looked out at our drive wave and glared at something that neither Steven or I could see.

Steven cleared his throat while we ever so slowly went up to our porch steps, "I know, but….he's still my dad though. Dead beat that he is."

Red nodded solemnly, "True."

Steven tugged on my hand, silently reprimanding me for lagging, while I sent Red a sweet smile, "We're going to stay in at our place for dinner tonight Mr. Forman. I think we need to tonight."

Red tilted his head in silent acknowledgement before nodding while he made his way back onto his property, "That's alright, sweetheart. We'll just see you tomorrow."

Steven threw a short but sincere, "Thanks, Red," over his shoulder while we continued on our way.

I turned had happily waved, "Bye, Mr. Forman."

A small smile tugged at Red's lips as he watched us go briefly, "Bye, Steven. Bye sweetheart." I wonder what was going on in his head.

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After all the hubbub of the day Steven and I had decided ordering out for pizza would be the best course of action. I called in and ordered a large peperoni pizza for both of us. Steven snagged two beers from our fridge and we took to sitting in the living room waiting for the pizza.

Steven took a deep gulp of his beer, staring out into space, "Do you think Red, was right?"

I snuggled into his side and let out a slight sigh, popping a chocolate cake pop into my mouth. I chewed thoughtfully for a while before asking, "About what, puddin' pop?"

He held the beer tightly in both his hands while he stared past the TV, "That we shouldn't have given Bud any money? I mean, $150 isn't as much as he was asking for initially, but it's not like we're millionaires, you know?"

I swallowed what I was chewing and let out an uncomfortable, "Uh…."

Steven frowned glancing at me, "Lin?" I sheepishly rubbed the back of my neck and sighed, "Oh, Steven"

I pecked his lips and got up going over to a heavy history book on a nearby book shelf. I plopped back into my seat and opened it up, revealing it to be a hollowed out book, "You should really look at our financial, report." I gently placed the manila folder into his lap.

Steven let out a slightly irritated huff as he placed down his beer onto a coaster on our coffee table, "Fine, Lin. If it'll make you happy…"

I nodded firmly and sat back down next to him, "It will."

Steven flipped through the files and as he looked through them his eyes got wider and wider, "What the fuck?"

I leaned back in my seat and barked out a laugh, "Yeah…I was pretty surprised too when I found out initially." I was pretty freaked out when all the numbers had come back to me. That much money would stun most sane people. More so if said people were used to poverty.

Steven let our file folders drop carelessly onto our coffee table beside his beer. He gave me a bewildered look, gasping, "Why am I even working? Why are you working? What? Whhhat?" He fell back into the backrest of the couch beside me and looked at me with sheer wonder.

I nodded and turned my head towards him, "Yeah…I like The Rolling Scones though. It gives me something to do, and don't you like working with Leo?" I needed something to occupy my time and mind when they weren't around. I winced at my line of thinking. Steven really shouldn't be the center of my world…I still had to work on that. But if he and the Formans weren't, who would? What would that mean for me? I stored those thoughts away in my nope box.

Steven nodded and snorted out a laugh, "Yeah, but I don't have to now. Damn. Just. Damn. We never have to worry about money." He looked up and around the room briefly before letting out a bewildered breath.

I tilted my head and lowered my eyes. Was this a problem? I bit my lower lip and muttered, "Well, no. Not really, even if we had a bucket load of kids, we wouldn't have to worry that much. We don't exactly spend money like crazy as it is."

Steven suddenly sat up and a slight look of panic overtook his face, "Who knows about this?" Was there any real reason to panic? I inwardly snickered. Worry-wart.

I shook my head and smiled at him, pulling him closer so I could lay my head onto his chest. Steven's panicking heart slowed as I hummed a directionless tune. I looped my arms around his waist and he let his head drop onto mine. I listened to his heart beat and quietly murmured, "Ummm…just me, our financial advisor, and you. Not even my parents know; I thought it was for the best really."

Steven gently tugged me closer and let out a disgruntled sound, "Huh. Well…okay. Okay. I-I'm…I'm totally okay."

A deep frown marred my face, "Are you?"

Steven let out a long sigh that made his chest rumble, "Yeah. Yeah…this-this'll just…take some getting used to. Why aren't we living like fat cats again?"

I raised my brow and leaned back to look at the stress lines that marred his forehead, "Because we don't need to."

The wrinkles in his forehead faded as his face relaxed visibly, "Huh. Okay. Oh wow. We shouldn't tell anyone else." That's what I honestly thought. It was one thing to be ridiculously rich, and it was another to stupidly flaunt it.

I nodded and leaned back into his chest, "That's what I was going with. It's better if the other's don't know. Are you going to quit?" I glanced up at him from my position and saw a wry smile dance across his face.

Steven snorted out before shaking his head, "Nah. At the end of the day, I'm kind of worried that Leo will accidentally burn the FotoHut down if I'm gone."

I giggled and could actually picture that. This was the same man who could accidentally burn a salad. "He does seem like the type to do that."

Steven let his head fall to the side onto the backrest of the couch, "Yeah. Damn. Thank you for telling me, Lin. I-I really can't wrap my mind around all of it right now, but thank you." I honestly thought that his reaction would be worse than this, so this was pretty nice…shock aside, of course.

I bonelessly shrugged and smiled slightly, "It's not a problem. It's our money, and I thought you should know." It was one thing that I always made sure to impart on him when it seemed appropriate. I didn't want him to think that we weren't a team and money was one of his touch subjects so I figured it would help to remind him of that. Syntax was pretty important.

He let out a low whistle, "I certainly don't have to worry about whether we could afford a wedding now."

My eyes widened and I tilted my head back laughing, "You worried about that?" Sometimes I really wondered what went on in Steven's head. I kept thinking that he would be the one to abhor marriage, not the one to bring it up.

A slight blush dusted Steven's cheeks while he sheepishly admitted, "Yeah. I figured if you weren't going to worry about it, I should just a little, but now I guess neither of us has to."

I let out a slight giggle, "Mhmm. When do you think we'll do that?"

Steven looked away from me and coughed, "Eh. Down the line in a couple years. I wouldn't want Red and Kitty to kill me." What was that about Kitty and Red?

My heart clenched and I couldn't help the little fluttering hope in my chest from spreading, "Sounds like a plan?" I dearly hoped that it was one of his stubborn plans. He always went through with those kinds of plans. Sue me, a girl could dream.

The blush on his face eventually receded as he hummed thoughtfully. He softly smiled down on me, "Mhmm. It is. You just won't know when I'll propose. It'll be a surprise."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't contain the smile that threatened to break my face, "Ugh. Alright." This was decidedly unSteven-like, but I would take it. It was a nice change.

He kissed my forehead, "I love you."

I tilted my head and kissed his lips, "I love you too." I glanced at the nearby wall clock and grumbled, "The pizza's taking forever."

Steven glanced at the wall clock as well and scowled, "Yeah. We're not tipping the pizza guy."

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I crumbled the day old cake I had made and mixed in some chocolate icing making sure that it was the proper consistency. I was making more cake pops for the store at home. It was one of the few sweets that Leo didn't really like making. I glanced at the kitchen counter and made sure that I had the chocolate and pot out ready to go for the next part later on. Donna made a morose sound and I stretched out my back before looking her way.

I frowned while I continued mindlessly mixing, "Donna, what's wrong? You look upset."

Her brows were furrowed and a decidedly unhappy look, "I think Eric thinks I'm boring. I mean, why else would he be spending so much time with Shelly? Do you think I'm boring?" She took a sip from her iced tea and sighed while she watched me work.

I finished mixing my cake pop mix and began to roll little balls onto a plate I had nearby. I rolled my eyes at her and offered her up an easy smile, "Oh, Donna…Yeah, a little bit sometimes. But it's not like it's a bad thing. Everyone's boring to someone sometimes." It wasn't a crime to be boring sometimes. Everyone did so now and again, so I didn't get what the big deal was.

Donna sat up and scowled slightly, stealing one of my cake balls, "Lin, I'm not boring. Eric and I do lots of fun stuff together. We go to movies- Every Friday, early show."

I barked out a laugh raising my brow in the process, "The early show?" I didn't particularly mind if a cake ball went missing, just as long as the majority wasn't eaten, I was happy.

Donna pouted defensively said, "What? I get sleepy." She popped the cake ball into her mouth and chewed loudly. I twitched on the inside. I hated it when people did that.

When Donna tried to snag another cake ball I swatted her hand away. She gave me a puppy dog pout causing me to roll my eyes. She then choose to huff and sip on her iced tea. I shrugged, "Mm-hmm. I can get that. Sleep is important." Sleep was pretty important. Every time Steven got less than eight hours, he'd be the grumpiest grump. I inwardly laughed.

Donna seemed to notice my inward mirth and whined, "Oh come on, Lin. I'm not boring."

I shrugged and put away the cake balls into the fridge to cool for fifteen minutes, "Yup."

Donna groaned and slid off of her bar stool stretching out her legs, "I'm not. Oh, no. Fuck. Damn it, Lin. Come with me to the saloon."

I looked back at the fridge and shrugged. It could all be done later on. I put away the various items that I needed to complete the cake pops and walked away from my house, after securely locking it, with Donna, "Donna…don't tell me you're going to do something rash, just because Eric was being a dillhole." Was she going to go and dye her hair blonde?

Donna rapidly shook her head, smiling all the while, "No, I'm going to do something exciting."

I nodded while we got into my beetle, "Well, alright then. Just promise me you won't do something stupid."

She buckled up while I started up my car, "It's not that stupid. I swear." We ended up getting her a wig at the saloon and I got the solemn promise that it was only to lure Eric into a water tower picnic. I thought it was terribly sweet and surprising. Why Eric could ever think Donna was too boring didn't make any sense.

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It was after store hours and all my employees kept glancing around nervously at one another. I hadn't ever called a meeting like this, so it seemed to make them all anxious. I shrugged. There was no real need for any anxiety since this was good news. I beamed at all of them and happily stated, "So I've held you all back after work because we've been doing fabulously. This means that the raise that I had mentioned when I hired all of you can become a reality."

Brooke's eyes widened and she tapped her lower lip, "So that means we'll be getting how much?"

I nodded, "About $3.12 an hour." I really couldn't afford to raise it any higher after that. We'd have to do much better than we were now, but that didn't look like it would be a problem soon enough.

Leo let out a low whistle, "Damn. That's as much as the nice factories in Kenosha." Those factories had boasted $3 an hour pay as well, but it was much more hard labor that what I had them do.

I smiled at them and handed little info packets to each of them, "Yup. I'll also be tacking on medical, dental, and optical for about $100 a much. This can accumulate if you don't use it over time; just be aware of that. So if you don't need it, don't use it." I wanted to have a good business, and that meant having properly motivated, happy, hard-working, employees.

Mabel looked it over with a couple scans and let out a quiet gasp, "Holy crap."

Brooke looked up from her info packet broadly grinning, "This is the bomb."

I continued on, "Because we are doing so well, I've decided to hire to more people to our team. It would be nice if we didn't have to work like crazy on our busy days. So if you see people coming in to see me, that'll be why." I really hoped that I would get the same quality employees I did the first time. These guys were pretty great.

Mabel tilted her head, "Huh, it would be nice to have some extra help with making all the frappuccinos and lattes. I swear people get cranky if we don't crank them out like robots."

Brooke nodded and asked, "Are we getting another cash register too?"

A smirk made its way onto my face, "I did, indeed, take your suggestion to heart Brooke. We'll be purchasing a new additional cash register to add to our original, to make lines shorter." I'd have to purchase that from Bargain Bob's before his store officially closed. It was getting pretty bad down there. I silently thanked God for the good business that had been heading my way.

Leo tilted his head, "I'm good with you and Mrs. Forman just helping me out in the kitchen. We're pretty fast and accurate with what we make, but it would be nice to have another baker next time."

I scribbled that down on the note pad I had on hand, "I will keep that in mind, Leo. So is everyone good with all these changes?"

Mabel gave me a shark like grin, "Hell yes."

Brooke gratefully grinned, "I'm totally down for a more help."

I watched as they all got up and started putting up the chairs they had been siting on, "A side effect of this means that you'll actually have to train the people that'll be helping out; this'll also show me how much information you've retained."

Mabel whined, "Awe, come on boss lady."

I rolled my eyes and laughed a little, "Mabel, come on. You were all for it, a second ago."

Mabel pouted and crossed her arms, "Yeah, but I don't wanna be stuck with a dumbass." I clucked a little at dumbass.

Leo snickered, "I doubt that the chief would hire a dumbass, Tinkerbell." He leaned against one of the tables and smugly grinned at Mabel. I raised my brow as he stared at her. They were getting on better. Hmm….I wonder?

Mabel shot Leo a dark look, "Whatever, Leo." She flipped her braided blond hair and ducked her head slightly. A light blush dusted her cheeks. There was definitely something between the two of them.

Brooke shrugged, "I think it'll be fine. It's not that hard in any case."

I was really glad Brooke got over whatever thing she had for Michael. Either that or she was hiding it much better than I anticipated. Still, it was good for business and it made things less tense at the shop.

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Author's note: This is another reader and reviewer thank you. You guys are just amazing. A warning though, there will be some mention of past child abuse; physical and neglect.

…A Steven Hyde omake….

Hyde's heart skips a beat

I trudged along the side walk. The dirt and grime on my person felt unbearable, and I had the fleeting thought that normal fourteen year old's probably didn't have go through this. I made sure to hike up my backpack and garbage bag up to my shoulders while I skulked back to Lin's house. The lamp lights flickered on and off, and I silently vowed to myself that I would get my driver's license as soon as I could. Doing all this on foot hurt like a bitch.

I tried to comfort myself with the thought that a hot meal, a hot shower, clean clothes, and a soft carpet was in my near future. I looked back at where I had been and scowled at the empty street. Edna and her bozos were supposed to provide those things for me. Hah. Provide my ass. Even when Bud was around neither of them bothered with me…If Mrs. Forman didn't pack Eric double sandwiches, I would've probably starved in grade school.

I glanced down at the boots that my newest 'Uncle' had given me. It was a size too small and every step that I took made my feet just ache some more. That was the last time I'd ever ask for anything in Edna's vicinity. She'd just take the easiest root not even bothering to take in what I specifically needed. I wasn't a picky ass person, but God damn.

I lifted my sunglasses and squinted under the lamplight. Lin's cheery yellow house came into view and I let out a breath of relief. Her porch light was on again; she had started leaving it on for me ever since last year after that one night…

I never liked to think about that night since it was a mix of horrifying realization and utter embarrassment. I was just glad that Lin had meant what she said from before.

I trudged along flattening my discomfort as best as I could when I had finally made it to Lin's porch. I let my backpack and garbage bag slump onto the floor and let my head just fall onto Lin's door. I rubbed the back of my neck and sighed.

Before I could knock on the door, it creaked open slightly before opening fully. Lin stood under the porch light holding out hot chocolate and Advil. I let out a breath I hadn't known I had been holding and accepted the proffered items gratefully. She took a seat on her porch swing holding her chunky cardigan closed. I guess I was pretty late and cold out tonight. During the trek here, I guess I was too angry to notice.

I made my way to the porch stepping over my stuff and flopping into my seat. She gave me a nervous smile and her eyes clearly reflected concern. I shook my head and downed the Advil and hot chocolate. Ahhh…This is one of the many reasons why I came here. She flushed slightly and tucked her legs under her.

I slipped off my boots and let out a deeply content sound, "Thanks Lin."

She glanced back at me smiling slightly while she rubbed my knee, "Whatever and whenever, Steven."

I actually believed her by now. After coming here for over a year now, she had not once gone back on her word. I felt like I could actually trust her, and that made my gut coil. I was always a little worried that she'd leave or Eric would find out and tell on me. He was such a goody-two shoes when it came to Lin. I'm not sure what happened but over time he started referring to Lin as his baby sister. His parents didn't even correct him, although Laurie would always try to correct anyone that would say that.

I let out a deep breath and took in the cold night air, my shoulders slumped slightly, "So…"

Lin let out a slight laugh taking her hand off of my knee, "You want some food? I know it's late, but I made your favorite." My heart ached a little at the loss of her touch.

I raised my eyebrow at her and slipped my sunglasses onto my shirt collar, "Yeah?"

I didn't really believe that she knew that, although a small part of me really hoped that she did. That little part had been growing over the years, and I didn't really know what it all meant. It wasn't like I could ask anyone about it either. Most people in Point Place thought I was a hooligan after that stupid science fair. My reputation didn't get any better when my dad decided to fuck off when I was 10.

I made sure to tug my boots off of my feet. Bare feet against a cold floor was better than those pinchy boots. I wiggled my toes and let out a deep sigh.

Lin helped me up and hummed happily while she looped her arm around my waist, "Mhmm. Pizza rolls, steak bits, and mashed potatoes with gravy. I figured it would help after- After whatever may have happened to you."

I flinched slightly. She probably saw the bruises. I forgot about the ones on my face. We walked into the house, dragging my stuff in behind us while we went. I should really just stay here, forever. I doubt Lin would mind. I glanced down at her briefly and my heart fluttered. Damn.

She stared at me with wide eyes, a nervous smile playing on her lips, and I couldn't help, but genuinely smile back at her. I wouldn't mind if she stuck around me forever.

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Hyde's Green Monster

I was helping Lin out by coming with her do some grocery shopping since Kitty had some other pressing matters to attend to, apparently. I glared at the checkout boy who dared to try and flirt with Lin. She had gotten curves at 15 and I was at one point, glad and horrified. I hated the looks that she unknowingly gathered from people that we grew up around. Damn perverts, the lot of them.

She smiled obliviously and handed him the cash. I glowered at him some more behind her back and he flinched. His smile wavered when we made eye contact. That's right, cower. You can't encroach on another man's girl; that ain't right.

We made our way back to her beetle and she turned her big brown eyes at me. Her brows furrowed and I sighed, "What?"

She shook her head and while we put her groceries into the back of her car, she snorted out a laugh, "You shouldn't traumatize people, Steven."

I scowled that the way she was chastising me without sounding like it. I managed to pull down my temper and let out a tired sigh, "He was ogling you."

She shrugged bonelessly while we got into the front of the car after we had finished loading up. She buckled up along with me and I drove us away from the parking lot. She glanced at me smiling despite the tense silence, "It doesn't matter because he's not the one I'm going home with…"

She said something else after that, but I didn't quite catch it because I felt sudden warmth encapsulate my chest while we drove towards her house. I was pretty sure I was certain she was insinuating that she was mine. A smirk tugged onto my lips and I couldn't help but feel smug. I was glad she knew that she was mine. And even if the world kept taking away anyone and anything that made me happy, I was determined that they wouldn't take Lin.

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Eric finds out

The day was broiling while I set up the basketball hoop in Lin's drive way. I had found out recently that she liked to play sometimes and thought that this would be a nice way to not verbally say that I liked her. I wasn't that good with expressing myself with my words.

Eric strolled onto Lin's drive way and shielded his eyes with his left hand for a moment. His face was pretty blank, which was really weird for Eric. Usually his face was like an open book, especially if you asked me. He was pathetically easy to read, but I think that was because I knew him so well.

He stared at me, "Hey, Hyde. Do you have a moment?"

I slid down the ladder and raised a brow, "Sure. Whatcha need, Forman?"

He glanced around before a grim look appeared onto his face, "I heard that you had a crush on my little sister from Donna."

I inwardly cringed. Out of all the people that would rat me out, I didn't think it would be Big Red. I didn't know how to feel about this. I schooled my features into my well practiced Zen, "Is that a problem."

Eric regarded me for a moment before shrugging, "It depends…"

I tilted my head and adjusted my sunglasses, not really minding the sweat that clung onto me like a second skin, "On what?"

Eric tilted his head and for the first time in a while, I was wary of my childhood friend. I considered him like a brother, but at the same time…I wondered if he felt the same way about me. Eric grimaced and wiped away the sweat that clung to his forehead, "You're not going to hurt her, and you're going to treat her right…"

I made a face at Eric, "It's not like I would ever do that in the first place."

Eric bonelessly shrugged, "I trust you, but at the same time….It's Lin. She's been through a lot of shit, and I don't want something to really hurt her."

I raised my brow, "What kind of shit?" Did she date someone previously and get hurt? Why was Eric so protective?

Eric made a face, "You'd have to ask her. It's not my place to ask, but even if we are really, really good friends….family even, I'm gonna keep my eye on you for a bit." Eric shrugged and walked back to his house, "Good talk, man."

I tracked him with my eyes and shook my head. Sometimes I really didn't get Eric. I would get the information out of him eventually, but….I looked back over to Lin's place. I wish Lin would tell me first instead.

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AmethystSiri: Thank you for another awesome review. I'm glad you like her new business venture. I find that it lets her keep busy, which keeps her happier for the most part.

Guest: Thank you for your review. I'm glad you loved it. c:

Guest: Thank you for your review and I'm sorry that this update hasn't came in soon enough. I don't really have a fixed schedule for when I churn out these chapters.

Fool'sTutor: Awe. Thank you so much for your fantastic review! I like the ranty reviews to be honest. They're always fun to read.

Since it's a valid business in Steven's eyes; it's not controlled by the man, I don't think he'd really sneak in any of his special brownies. Although, I think they would probably sell the aforementioned special brownies on 420 just to celebrate. There would probably be a lot more chaos on that day.

There is a rumor going around Point Place about The Rolling Stones probably visiting, but they won't be making an appearance in this chapter.

There will be other adults that do show up in this chapter, but I'm not exactly sure if you would call them parental. They do get interesting reactions out of Lin though.

Laurie in my warped universe isn't as evil as the one in the show. Sure, she's bitchy and is a total sociopath sometimes, but she has other dimensions to her just like the other characters. In the canon universe up until about season six they were developing her character into someone who had the capacity to change and grow. When they switched writers, they just put her back to where she was growth wise, in season one. I wanted to remedy that, although the change will be slow burning throughout the story since Lin isn't Laurie's biggest fan.

Guest: I'm happy that you like my story. Thank you for your review! c:

anon91: Thank you for following my story!

Jessica190: Thank you for adding my story to your favorite's list and following it. c:

love112love: Thank you for adding my story to your favorite's list and following it. c:

Girken: Thank you for following my story! c:

Author's Note: You are all awesome and I am very grateful that you're all reading my story and reviewing it as well even when my updates have become sporadic.

We have hit over a thousand views, and I am seriously ecstatic. I had initially planned on putting the Steven Hyde Omake before this chapter, but after reflecting on it, I decided to, instead, put it at the end of this chapter. This decision keeps in line with how many chapters I had initially wanted for this story.

I hope ya'll liked this chapter. Frappacinos and caramel scones for all! c: