Chapter 3: Pulling a Kelso

I was in her bedroom now. I couldn't believe it. I was seconds away from cheating on Jackie. It wouldn't matter, right? We are as good as over. But, I still had a nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach. What is that? Guilt? No, there's nothing to feel guilty about. Jackie doesn't really love me. Or does she?

"What's wrong, Hyde?" Janet asked, interrupting my thoughts. She walked over to the bed where I was sitting. I didn't answer her. She leaned in for a kiss. Right then and there, I started having flashes of Jackie.

~ Flashback~

Me and Jackie, sitting on top of my car, on our Veteran's day date. We had our first kiss that day. She said that she didn't feel anything. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. How could she not have felt anything? I have to admit that I felt a little something that night. How can she feel something when she kisses Kelso and not me? There is no way Kelso is a better kisser than I am!

Even though I didn't get any that night, it still remains one of my best dates ever.

~ End of Flashback ~

~ Second Flashback ~

She was waiting for me on my porch. It was prom night. I went outside and walked over to her. That was the first time I noticed how beautiful she was.

"Wow, you look beautiful," I told her. She did. The gown, the way she styled her hair, everything was working in her favor.

"Oh my God, so do you," she said, looking me over. I guess she didn't know that I cleaned up pretty nicely.

When she noticed that I was carrying a corsage for her, she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. It took all of my will power to not kiss her back. She was my best friend's girlfriend. I may be an ass sometimes, but I'm loyal when it counts.

~ End of Flashback ~

~ Next Flashback ~

The day that I taught her Zen. I never realized how cool she could be, when she wasn't around Kelso of course. Then she kicked Laurie's ass. That just added icing to the cake.

"I guess that wasn't very Zen of me, huh Hyde?" she asked me.

"Jackie, where Zen ends, ass kicking begins," I told her. She nearly glowed.

~ End of Flashback ~

~ Fourth Flashback ~

That one fateful summer, where all my lustful energy was put into good use. I began liking her all over again. She was bummed out about Kelso ditching her, so she needed some loving that summer. And, I was the right man for the job.

I thought my feelings for her were just physical ones. But, one day, she didn't come to the basement at her regular time. Usually she came around 11:00 and we would immediately start making out. But, she wasn't there. I started to feel weird. I actually missed her. I needed my dose of Jackie. She was like a drug, and I was hopelessly addicted to her.

She finally walked in around noon. "Sorry, I'm late. I guess I slept…"

I didn't even give her a chance to finish. I pulled her down to the couch for a passionate make out session. I didn't need her to explain herself. I just needed her.

~ End of Flashback ~

~ Final Flashback ~

We were sitting on my bed, and Jackie was feeling my face. I had just shaved my beard off for her. "Oh Steven, I love it. It's so smooth. But, I think you missed a spot," she said, referring to my side burns.

"Don't push your luck, Jackie," I told her.

"I know. But wouldn't it be better if you'd…"

"No," I told her firmly.

"But…"

"No."

"Fine, forget it. The beard is enough. I love it so much," she said again, caressing my face. "I love you too," she said softly, almost shyly.

I was completely shocked by what she had just told me. Not once since we've been going out has she ever told me that she loved me.

She gave me a questionly look. She wanted me to say it back. I really wanted to tell her that I loved her too, but my pride took over. All I did was kiss her back. She looked disappointed.

~ End of Flashback ~

Why couldn't I have said it to her? I mean, I love her and all… Wait a minute. I do love her. I've always loved her. Why didn't I realize this before! There was something about her. She was the only one that really got under your skin. The only one to ever make me feel this way.

All of this information was pounded into me in a period of 10 seconds. Look at me. I'm about to pull a Kelso; I'm going to cheat on Jackie. I couldn't hurt her like this. I can't lose her.

"I can't do this," I told Janet, pulling away from her.

"What? Why not?"

"Because, I don't want to hurt her."

"Who, Jackie? Forget about her, Hyde. She's not right for you. Now, you and me, we are right for each other. I know you feel it, Hyde."

"No, I don't. The only reason that I thought I felt something was because I was pissed at Jackie," I explained. I got up from the bed, and got ready to leave.

"Why are you going back to her? You two are nothing alike," she spat at me.

"Why would I want to date someone who's just like me? That's like dating myself. I know Jackie has a pretty weird personality and likes the dumbest things, but," I paused, " that's what I love about her." With that, I left Janet for good.

* * *

I went back to Forman's. I decided to talk to Jackie tomorrow. I wanted to give her time to cool off. If I went over to her house now, I think she would kill me. I didn't want to risk it.

I walked into the basement, and I was surprised to see Donna and Forman sitting on the couch. "What are you guys still doing here?" I asked, removing my jacket.

"Waiting for your dumb ass," Donna snapped at me. "What the hell did you do to Jackie?"

"Ah, so you've heard," I replied.

"Damn right we've heard," Forman said. "I know I'm not one of Jackie's biggest fans, but she doesn't deserve to be cheated on again."

"Cheated on?"

"Yeah, Jackie called me and told me everything," Donna answered. "She was crying her eyes out. Please don't tell me that you pulled a Kelso on her."

"I didn't cheat on her. Well, technically I didn't."

"What do you mean 'technically' you didn't?" Donna asked. "Who's this slut that you've been sneaking off to?"

"Janet is not a slut," I corrected her.

"Aha! So, the slut has a name!" Forman exclaimed.

"Look, we didn't do anything. We just kissed a few times," I admitted.

"How could you, Hyde? Normally, I wouldn't give a rat's ass if you were with a bunch of girls, but this is Jackie. She's one of my best friends. If you break her heart, I'm going to have to clean up your mess," Donna lectured me.

"I'm not going to break up with her. I'm just going to wait until tomorrow to talk to her."

"Why don't you just go now?" Forman asked.

"Because… I … uh… don't feel like it," I said coolly.

"You're afraid, aren't you?" asked Forman, smirking at me.

"Very."

"No, Hyde. You are going to talk to her now," Donna commanded me.

"No. She's super pissed at me right now."

"You," she said, pointing her finger at me, "are going to talk to her now."

"No." I was going to stand my ground.

She took a step closer, tempting me to argue with her. Truthfully, Donna scares me sometimes. "All right, all right, I'll go. But, if I don't make it out alive, it'll be on your consciences."

"We'll take that chance," Forman told me. "Now, go get the woman you love back."

"Shut up, Forman." I left the basement and made my way to Jackie's.

* * *

I drove back to her mansion. I walked up stairs and down the hallway. I noticed her light was on, so I let myself in.

"Hey," I said, as I entered her room.

She didn't answer. She just looked at me. Deep, red circles surrounded her puffy, watery eyes. Tissues were scattered on top of her bed spread. She looked miserable. I hated seeing her like this.

"Jackie, I'm sorry, all right?"

She didn't respond. She turned away.

I walked over to her bed and sat down right in front of her, forcing her to pay attention to me. "Look, you were right. I did sneak out. For the past few weeks, I've been seeing this girl named Janet." Jackie put her hand to her face and began to sob.

"No, wait,' I told her, pulling her hands away from her face. "Nothing happened. We just talked. But, tonight I went over to her house and I…"

"You slept with her?" she asked. Her voice was breaking.

"No, god no. I just kissed her. I was going to, you know, but I didn't want to. Look Jackie, I had doubts about us. I didn't know if we were right for each other or if you would ever go back to Kelso."

"I would never go back to Michael," she said, firmly.

"I know that now. But, I wasn't sure before. Now, I know that this is it. This is what I hoped would never happen to me. I am in a relationship where I actually care about the person that I'm with. This has never happened to me. It kind of blew me away."

"Do you still like this Janet girl?" she asked, disgusted.

"No, I don't. I mean, we do have a lot in common, but she's not the one for me. I know I should have talked to you about this instead of going to another girl, but I couldn't. So, do you forgive me?"

"I don't know. Are you sure it's me you want to be with?"

"It's always been you, Jackie. Always."

A smile crossed her lips. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and kissed me deeply. That night, I made love to her like never before. I really wanted to prove to her that she was the one.

After that, we snuggled in closely. I wrapped my arms around her securely, giving her a light kiss on top of her head. "Jackie?"

"Hmmm?" she moaned in reply.

"I love you."

She quickly opened her eyes. "Don't tease me, Steven."

"I wouldn't do that. Not unless you asked." I winked at her.

She nearly beamed. "I love you too, Steven." We fell asleep in each other's arms. And all my doubts about our relationship went out the window. Too bad it had to take another woman to make me realize something that I've known for along.

That I love Jackie Burkhardt.

~ The End ~

* * * * * * * * * *

Yay, happy ending. I couldn't bring myself to write a sad one. I also hated Janet. I would never let Hyde end up with her. That would just be wrong. Also, I added kick-ass Donna to knock some sense into Hyde. He needed it. So, R & R and tell me what you thought of it!