Author's Note: You know what, guys? To tell you the truth, I'm getting kinda sick of Jackie and Hyde. Not on TV, but, like, all the Jackie and Hyde centered fanfiction. It's getting played out. But, nevertheless, I put it in here. That makes sense, doesn't it. _ Anyways, that's why right now I'm working on something else. Something un-Jackie/Hyde-ish. You'll see. Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's kinda short and it's not that funny. Jackie and Hyde pretty much take this chapter over.

Cruel Summer

-chapter six-

Eric's Basement, June 19, 10:59am

Normal. Everything was so normal, as if he had never been gone in the first place. How long had it been? Two weeks? Two days? Two hours? Minutes? Seconds? A dream? Did his mother really have cancer? Did he really go to Milwaukee?

Everything was not normal. That's where he had lied to himself. He was good at doing that. Something was wrong. He felt like he should not have been sitting by himself in Eric's basement, carelessly watching the "Price Is Right." He felt something drawing him back to Milwaukee, back to his mother, who the doctor said was on her way to recovery. Strange as it was, he could not shake the feeling. Yet, at the same time, something was drawing him to stay in Eric's basement, watching the "Price Is Right."

Jackie.

Of course. She was his girlfriend, after all.

But where was she at the moment? He didn't know. Eric had told him that Jackie had waited all day for him the day before, finally leaving Eric with a headache a ten 'o'clock. He had come home at around eleven.

Right now, he was tired of being alone, but did not want to get up. He just wanted Jackie. But of course, he wouldn't call her. He wasn't whipped like Eric.

He looked up at the sound of the door opening.

"Steven!" exclaimed Jackie, walking through the door. She plopped down next to him on the couch, wrapping her arms around him.

Hyde surveyed her when she pulled back. The summer sun had worked wonders on her skin, leaving it a rich tan color. He could even see a few faint freckles on her nose. Before he knew what he was doing, he reached out and began to caress them with his thumb.

"Oh no, is there something on my face?" Jackie squealed in horror. She began to open her purse to look for her compact mirror.

"No," he said simply. Hyde retracted his thumb from her face. "I was just looking at your freckles."

She frowned. "Ugh, I know, they're ugly. I hate them." Jackie resumed looking for her compact. When she found it, she held the pad up, ready to apply foundation over her freckles.

He moved quickly, grabbing her wrist and bringing her and away from her face. "Don't," he said. "I like them."

Jackie looked at him for a moment, blinking a few times. He could be sweet at times, he really could. "Okay," she said, putting her compact away. She examined his face. "You have a few, too," she observed.

Hyde looked down at their linked hands, just realizing that he had unconsciously taken her hand. Then, he looked at Jackie and kissed her. The kiss lingered for a moment and he was the one to break it off. Suddenly, he stood. It wasn't happening. It was not happening. He did not just have butterflies. He was in denial.

Since they had been together, he'd always been able to tolerate her. He liked her, maybe even a lot, but never butterflies until then. He wanted them to go away; they weren't welcome.

"So, why didn't you end up going to New York with Kelso?" asked Hyde. He walked over to the freezer, trying to play off his action of suddenly standing up.

"Oh. Michael." Jackie leaned back into the couch heavily. Hyde could see a frown emerging on her face. "He ditched me."

"What?" Hyde took his seat next to Jackie. He couldn't believe it. He knew Kelso was dumb, but not that dumb. What kind of idiot would ditch their friend like that? Especially Jackie? Especially since he and Kelso had that little talk? Actually, it just consisted of Kelso begging Hyde to let Jackie go with him to New York and in turn, Hyde threatening to kick Kelso's ass if he touched Jackie. And that was just the nice version of it.

Wait a minute. Was that the reason he left her behind? Was Kelso actually getting some brains and instead of putting himself in a situation where he would not be able to control himself, he left Jackie behind?

"Yeah, I know. I couldn't believe it either. I still can't. I mean, how could he ditch me? It's me we're talking about here."

Hyde gave a small laugh.

"What?" asked Jackie. Was he laughing at her?

 "It worked," he said, more to himself than to Jackie. "Yeah."

"Steven, what worked?"

"Oh, nothing. I just told Kelso that if he even thought about touching you in New York, I would royally beat him to a pulp and leave him for dead." He laughed to himself again.

"Aww, Steven," cooed Jackie, wrapping her arms around him. "You threatened a life for me. How sweet." She began to kiss him.

"Okay, I am officially blind," said Eric.

Jackie and Hyde ended their kiss. They had not even noticed that Eric had come downstairs. "Shut up, Forman," ordered Hyde before he took his place on the armchair. Jackie just smiled at Eric smugly and sat down on the couch.

"So, what are we doing today?" asked Eric. "Oh yeah, that's right. I have to work since Jackie lost the necklace that Fez stole from my car which was for my mom."

Hyde looked up at Eric, who was standing in between his chair and Jackie sitting on the couch. "Wait, Eric, what's this about a necklace?"

"Well, Fez got his really pretty necklace for me that he actually stole. It's Eric's mom's necklace."

"Okay, thank you, Eric," mumbled Eric while Hyde began to laugh.

"So you're saying Fez stole you Mrs. Forman's necklace? That's, like, the funniest thing I've ever heard. Man, I've missed you guys."

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," said Eric. "But until I get that necklace back, I'm grounded. So, yesterday, when my parents weren't home, I got a job. That's the only way I can leave the house and I'm hoping to save up enough to buy my mom a new necklace. There goes my summer."

"How'd you get a job on such short notice?" asked Hyde.

"Oh, a guy can work wonders when he wants to," replied Eric.

"Well where do you work so I can come and laugh at you?"

"Uh…" started Eric. He looked at his watch. "Would ya look at the time, I'm late for work, got to go, bye." He ran out of the basement door.

"I wonder what his problem is," Hyde said. Jackie just shrugged. After a few moments of stealing glances at each other, Jackie jumped onto Hyde's lap and they began to make out.

"Hey, Fez," said Kelso, walking into the movie theater. He stuffed some popcorn into his mouth and found a pair of seats. "I'm really glad you came to the movies with me. Nobody else wanted to go."

"It is no problem, Kelso," said Fez, looking at his watch. Then, he looked around.

"Yeah. Hyde said he was busy, Eric said he had to work, and Jackie just hit me. All I did was ask her if she would let me go up her shirt if we came to the movies."

"Yes, that Jackie," said Fez, absentmindedly. He took a look at his watch again and then looked back at the way they had come.

"Hey, Fez," said Kelso. "What's the matter? Are you looking for somebody?"

Fez looked back at the way they had come again and said, "No. I just have to leave soon."

"What for?"

"I have to meet someone." 

Kelso sputtered, offended. "Fez!"

"Shh!" the two heard from all around them.

"Fez!" repeated Kelso quietly, ducking down into his seat. "You've got some 'splainin' to do."

"Well, you see, my new friend, Reese, wants to hang out."

"But I want to hang out!"

"Shh!"

Kelso ducked down into his seat again. "I paid for your ticket and you're not even going to watch the whole movie—where are you going?" he asked Fez, who was getting up.

"I already told you," said Fez, exasperated. "I have to meet Reese."

"But Fez!" called Kelso.

"Look, buddy." Kelso looked behind him to find a man menacingly staring him in the face. "Why don't you shut up?"

Kelso looked at him in disbelief. His mouth hung open. "Well, I never! Fez! Are you gonna just let this…stranger talk to me like that?" He waited a moment to allow Fez to answer. "Fez?" He looked around.

Fez was gone.

"I think your little buddy's gone," sneered the man. He sat back down, as did Kelso.

"I knew that," Kelso muttered to himself. He sank down into his seat, popping a few kernels of popcorn into his mouth and focusing his attention on the movie.

Donna gazed into Louis's eyes. "I really like you, Donna," he whispered to her.

Ohmygod. Oh. My. God. He had just told her that he liked her. What should she say? What should she do? He was waiting for an answer; she could sense it.

"Louis," she started out, softly. "I can't."

"Shh," he silenced her, putting a finger to her lips. "You can."

And then he kissed her. Just like that. It was long and sweet and so nice…and then she woke up.

Donna sat up in bed and ran a hand through her hair. Why had she just dreamt that? She didn't like Louis that way, did she? She was engaged, for God's sake. He was just extremely good looking, that's all. Even better looking than Eric—which didn't matter at all.

Her mom's wedding had been that day. Surprisingly, it had actually, kinda, sorta, almost been fun. Almost. The most fun part was the end because she knew that now that it was all over, she would get to go home to Eric. In two days, to be exact.

But something had happened. She didn't know where he had come from; he just came out of nowhere. They had been alone in the kitchen in the midst of the reception (which had been held at the house). She remembered going into the kitchen to grab some more napkins and then, he was there. And then, they had been joking around as usual. And then…

It was an almost kiss. She knew it. She could feel it. She'd had enough almost kisses with Eric to know. But the question was, was she glad that he hadn't kissed her? Did she want to know what it would feel like, just that once?

Of course not…

Review Corner

Candy.7: This chapter should have satisfied you, somewhat.

Rachel: You're not the first to say that about their phone conversation. I dunno, I really don't see it…thanks, though.

k: Your review is appreciated.

concertina: Thank you. Yeah, focusing on one couple can get boring, unless it's a really good storyline.

hydejackie4ever: Donna's back, Hyde's back. I just hope Donna will be a good girl in the upcoming chapters. *hint hint*

L.J: Thanks, I love long reviews. And yeah, you like Jackie and Hyde from what I can tell. A lot. It's understandable; they're cute.

Allybally: I hope you think this chapter is as good as the last.

kenzimone: I sense some animosity towards Edna…don't worry, she'll be in the story more.

Raider: Jackie can be a little high maintenance sometimes, but she's a good character. She balances out the show, know what I mean?

sugarRay_baby: Eric and the blow pop thing…do you remember that one Valentine's episode?

End Note: Nothing really to say…I just hope you I've caught your interest enough in this chapter for you to stay around for the later chapters. You'll get to meet Fez's new friend.

February 25, 2003

Copyright, theMuse