A/N: This is my very first fanfiction. I have been reading it for awhile and this story came to me when I realized how horrible season 8 was. I actually only watched the 1st three episodes of season 8. I hope everyone enjoys it so far. Thanks for the reviews and follows, It means a lot to me.

Chapter 2 Waking Up

2am Forman Basement September 7, 1979

This is not exactly what I thought I would find when I finally decided to come home. During the last three weeks I have tried drink and smoke this girl out of my brain, and yet here she is asleep on the couch in the basement. Surely she hasn't been waiting all this time on me. Despite the late hour Jackie doesn't appear to be resting peacefully. It kinda seems like she's having bad dreams like she used to have when her mom ran out after her dad was arrested and sent to prison.

Flashback

"Jackie why are you so tired all the time?" I asked her again for the third time in as many days.

"Fine, Steven are you sure you want to know, because it involves emotions and you know how you feel about that stuff."

"Yeah I am sure" letting my zen fade out.

Finally she turns to me "Look you can't say anything, but my mom is still not back and I'm not sure she is coming home anytime soon." She turns away, quickly.

I pull her onto my lap, putting my arms around her and I turn her to face me, and I remove my sunglasses, because I know she's not finished. That's when I notice the tears she's so bravely trying to hold back.

"Doll you should have told me"

"What was I supposed to say, Steven guess what my mother isn't coming home. She prefers warm weather, tequila, and whoring around with pool boys."

Now she's barely whispering, "Steven, God, why don't my parents love me? What's so wrong with me that my own mother doesn't want to be with me. That house is so big and scary at night that I can't sleep, but what am I supposed to do? I have no where else to go."

End flashback

Even it fit full sleep I can't help but see just how beautiful she is. Why can't I just pluck her out of my heart. I have tried to stay angry for the last three weeks but I have to admit at least to myself that I missed her.

What I wouldn't give to curl up beside her on the couch and pull her into my arms and love her. God help me I still love her. Why did she have to be just like everyone else that was supposed to love me. She left just like Budd and Edna. She took off for Chicago before I could answer her ultimatum, and why in the hell did Kelso have to show up in nothing but a damn towel.

I have to stop thinking about this right now, I can feel my Zen slipping away.

"Steven?"

I almost thought she was awake.

Suddenly Jackie jerks awake, gasping for air, "Oh my God Steven are you really here?"

"Yeah"

She jumps into my lap throwing her arms around my neck, " Steven I know you are mad at me, maybe you don't even want me anymore, but please for right now just hold me. Please." she practically begs.

My body has a mind of its own and I feel my traitorous arms wrap around her tiny body pulling me as close as possible. I feel her begin to shake in my arms and without a second thought I pick her up and carry back to my room. Whatever tomorrow brings, I know that I just need her tonight. I'll deal with the rest tomorrow.