A/N: I still do not own. Heartbreaking because if I did Season 8 would have never happened. Thanks for the reviews. I have never written anywhere before, and the reviews so far have been really cool. This next chapter is a little longer than the previously posted chapters. I only watched the first three episodes of Season 8. I figured out what was going on and jumped ship. I only know what I have read on fanfiction, so bare with me. Enjoy!
Chapter 5: Out In The Open
I'm finally awake, lying curled up into Steven's side. I feel some of the dred from the previous night creep back in. There is so much unknown still between us. The unknown scares me so much, but yet I try and find strength and comfort in the fact that Steven is still here, just like he promised he would be.
After spending the night in my Puddin's arms the absolute fear that he had indeed stopped loving me has vanished. I am not the hopeless romantic cheerleader I used to be. I know that love cannot fix everything, but I also know that we still love each other and that helps. We just have to talk to each other. I have to listen, compromise, and no more childish ultimatums or I am going to lose Steven, for good this time. If I have learned anything in these last three weeks is that I cannot live without Steven.
"Jackie do you still love me?". Steven's voice is barely a whisper.
"Yes" I respond without hesitation. I am surprised to see him awake.
"Doll I'm not saying that everything is going to be okay until we talk about everything that's happened over the last three weeks. I need you to tell me everything that went down in Chicago, even if it hurts me." Steven says in total zen.
I roll over so that I am practically laying on top of him so that I am looking Steven in the eyes. His eyes are my window into his heart. The most perfect shade of blue, I could easily lose my soul in their depths.
"Look Steven, I know what it looked like. Michael thought that since you told me to "have a nice trip" that we were over. Michael always had it in his stupid head that if me and you were over and you weren't around that I would fall over myself to do 'it' with him again.
What Michael, and I suspect you fail to understand is that I love you Steven. For me Love and Sex are exclusive" I sigh.
Bringing my hands up to his face, scratching his sideburns, then scratching his head the way I know he likes I look into his eyes and I see a hint of doubt. I am kinda getting a little angry . I have waited what seems like an eternity in this basement for him to come home so we could finally once and for all get Michael out of our relationship.
"Steven look I may be a lot of things spoiled, stubborn, and loud, but I am loyal. I am not a cheater, I know all too well what it feels like to be cheated on" I choke out.
"Jackie what was I supposed to think, I mean technically we weren't together, and then Kelso just walks in naked saying that no one can see you guys doing it" Steven finishes angrily.
I reach up and grab him on both sides of his head, "Really Steven, when are you going to get it through your head that I Love You, only You! What we have means everything to me" I cannot control my tears anymore. All of a sudden this whole mess begins to make sense to me.
"Steven I know you find it hard to trust anyone especially after the fucked up childhood that you had, but you know sooner or later we have to take responsibility for ourselves and our own actions. Maybe I shouldn't have asked Michael to hangout, but I thought that I had lost you, and Donna wasn't in a good place with Eric leaving and I needed a friend. Michael was already going to be staying Chicago to see Betsy. But you know what Steven, you should have stayed and talked to me and then kicked Michael's ass.
"Doll I can see where you thought we were over. A part of me is always waiting for you to realize that I am never going to be the guy you need. That's why I couldn't ask you to stay. Baby the thing is that I know that I am not ready for marriage and all of the other things you want already" Steven says matter of fact like.
"Oh Puddin' you are everything I want. I am so sorry for making you think that you weren't. God Steven if I could take back that stupid freaking ultimatum I would. Mrs Forman and I had a long talk and she helped me see some things from your point of view. I know that you you love me, and you know I love you so as long as we are together, and working on our relationship together, someday we will be on the same page" I assure him.
"Do you mean that Jackie" Steven questions. "Because if you really want to work on us, I am ready to ask you to stay here with me. Chose me Grasshopper"
"Yes!" I interrupt.
" No Jackie, wait. Listen you are right I should have talked to you in Chicago, and don't worry I am definitely kicking Kelso's ass when I see him."
Steven Looks away and that's when I know that there's something worse than Chicago going on. Steven turns to me and the next thing I know we are both sitting up indian style on his cot. He pulls me into his arms and kisses me like it's the last time he will ever have his lips on mine.
I pull away confused by the desperation that surrounds us. "Steven what's wrong, what did you do?" I ask. Some how before he answers me I already know that this is going to be worse than that slutty nurse.
Oh God are those tears in his eyes?
"Jackie after I left Chicago, I went to Vegas….