1980- Steven, Seattle WA

It had been three days since he had begun his office job for WB, at the take off of his record label, he had already signed Robert Plant in a solo career. The death of John Bonham had rocked the states, and the band, and ultimately split them up for good.

Julianna had watched in awe as WB walked up to his desk. "Steven, I brought you lunch."

Steven smiled. "Aw, Dad, did ya write me a love note?" He joked. WB rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face was hard to miss. "I'm joking. Thank you."

"Dad?" Julianna piped up. Julianna, who Hyde had learned preferred Julie instead, was his new work friend. Today she wore a velvet dress and chuck taylor sneakers with another beret. Apparently this was her signature look. Angie told him she never takes them off.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. I'm the owner's son." He told her, nonchalantly.

"Adopted?"

"Nah. My mother kept me a secret and let another deadbeat raise me. She was glad I came out white. Then, my Ma and fake Daddy abandoned me." He stopped talking. "We were reunited and here I am." He finished. Julie quirked a brow.

Her eyes told him that she knew he was leaving something out.

"And yet, you work at employee level." She was skeptical. He was relieved she didn't ask more questions.

"Yeah, they don't trust me." He shrugged. WB scoffed.

"Steven." He warned. Hyde laughed.

"I'm a lush." He explained casually. Julie's brows raised. "A sober lush."

"So a recovering alcoholic?" Julie corrected.

"That's just a fancy way of saying it. I got three months. I'm sure once I have a year he'll move me to CEO." Steven reasoned.

WB patted him on the shoulder. "Keep dreamin'."

The day flew by quickly, and as they were punching out and laughing together, Julie piped up. "Hey, do you like pancakes?"

"Yeah, who doesn't?"

"Well, I know this really good diner-"

"Listen Jules, you're really cool and everything, but I'm a super complicated guy." He put a hand on her shoulder.

"Okay, well that's cool. Because, as your new friend, I'm here for you." She corrected, taking his hand off her shoulder. "I have a crush on your sister, anyways." She whispered, putting her coat on.

It almost slipped by him. But he caught it with a delayed reaction. By the time he looked up, she was halfway out the door. "What?"

He ran to chase after her, his boots clanking around on the ground. He had quickly realized that it was casual dress around here. Jeans and a button up would suffice. He ran outside, and she was waiting for him. "You what?" He asked, out of breath. "You have so many people, and you choose Ang?"

"Well, if I'm gonna rebel and like women, might as well like a black one, right?" She was sheepish about it. He laughed.

"Good luck. As far as I know, Angela is straight, but my sister is a surprise, so." He shrugged. "So, about those pancakes?"

She smiled at him. "I thought you'd never ask!"

1984- Miluakee, Jackie and Steven

Eric wasn't feeling too good, and somehow he had wound up coming to pick up Jackie. She tried her best to hide her discomfort towards him when she caught his eye during discharge, but he could feel it radiating off of her like he was poison to her, and he completely understood why. She was on crutches, but walking made her dizzy still, so she sat in a wheelchair. But they ran out of the big wheels, so he had to push her.

Tyler was with Angela and Julie, and he warned his friend that if his daughter was wearing a beret, he would sue for child endangerment. He received an eye roll in response, but they agreed.

"Where's our daughter?" She asked him finally.

"Eric is sick, and our folks are all kind of busy so I left her with Angela. She's been bugging me to get to know her. When I left they were having a dance party, and Jules was trying to put her in a beret." He explained. "I said if Tyler is wearing one when I get home I'm gonna sue." Jackie laughed, but winced at the pain in her side. "I'm sorry." He pursed his lips. "Didn't mean to hurt you with my hilariousness."

"Stop apologizing. I'm just glad we're getting along."

"Trust me, it'll come to a head. You wanted to know why the hell I'm so different. I haven't told anyone the full story, just that I'm a sober lush." He was nonchalant, walking up to his Dodge Charger.

"What is this?" She asked, gaping. He swore to never get rid of the Camino.

"I banged up the El Camino pretty bad. Got in a wreck, was arrested for drunk driving and possession of drugs. It's been sitting in WB's driveway in Washington state ever since." He explained. "Care to get inside?" He offered a hand to help her out of the wheel chair, and she took it hesitantly.

"Who are you?" She whispered.

"Steven." He smiled. "But all my friends call me Hyde."

They had agreed to go out and talk about their differences this weekend, when Jackie got settled, and Eric felt better. He was nervous that she would tell him off and tell him to beat it, but when he was moving to leave that evening, she stopped him.

"Steven, where are you going?" She asked him.

Hyde scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "I, uh- didn't think-" He swallowed. "Thought you'd like your space, so I was gonna go crash at Red and Kitty's."

"Tyler, baby, why don't you go get your jammies on?" Jackie suggested.

"Yes, Mama." She obliged, padding up the stairs with Shelby following close behind.

She motioned him over to the couch, and pointed to the other end. "Sit." He sat, like a dog. "Clearly I'm kind of helpless right now." She told him. He pursed his lips.

"Jackie, the last thing I want right now is for you to be uncomfortable in your own home." He told her seriously. She looked taken aback.

"Who said-"

"You didn't need to say it, Doll." He gave her a sad smile. "I can read it on you. And, it's okay. I was an asshole and I fucked up, and I can't change it no matter how much I want to. I wanna be in your lives, but I don't want it to cost your sanity. So, if me being here hurts too much, I can come back another time."

She just stared blankly at his face, too stunned to speak. "I-" She swallowed. "You're so different."

"Is that good or bad?" He asked, after a moment.

"It's good."

"Daddy!" He jumped at the name, and looked up the stairs. He wasn't used to it, but he smiled at the warm feeling.

"Yes, Grasshopper?" He asked. He couldn't help it. She was so much like her mother.

"Look at my new pajamas that Aunt Angie gave me!" She was wearing a fuzzy onesie with The Grinch on it. He grinned.

"You look so scary!" He cried. "Jackie, who is that?"

Tyler giggled. "It's me, Daddy." Steven screamed, making Tyler fall near his feet in a heap of giggles. He started laughing also, trying to pick her up and set her on his lap. Once she calmed down, she looked at him. "Dad, are you leaving again?"

"I was only going to Mimi's house." He spoke, looking at Jackie.

"Dad's not going anywhere right now." Her mother assured. Steven nodded.

"And, hey, look at me." He told her seriously. "I'm not going anywhere, ever again, unless it's with you, okay?" He promised, extending his pinky. "Pinky swear?"

"Pinky swear." His daughter confirmed.

He held his out to Jackie, and she stared at it, before locking pinkies with him.

"Pinky swear."