Title: Aftershock (6/7)

Notes:  Well, here it is.  Hope it meets all your expectations.  A short epilogue will follow in a day or two…three at the most.
Thanks to everyone who has commented and reviewed, it's made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  And special thanks to Annie who did a wonderful beta.

~*~

They parked the car in front of a wooden post with the faded number 10 painted on it.  He took her hand and led her up a winding dirt path, a structure barely visible through the trees in the distance.

"Steven, it's a shack."

"Actually, it's a cabin.  But we can turn around and go back if you want."

"No." she smiled.  "It'll be fine."

She turned on her heel and continued walking up the path, wondering what Steven had gotten her into now.  He called her three weeks ago and said he was planning something for them, but he needed her to tell Bob she was going to a cheerleading camp for the weekend.  When she questioned him all he said was it was a surprise and not to ask again.

She did, of course.  But no matter how many times she badgered him, he wouldn't even give her a hint as to where they were going.  Just that it was a surprise.

Which is how she wound up here, two hours outside of Point Place, surrounded by forest and not another person in sight.  "Not too bad." She thought, knowing exactly what Steven had in mind for the weekend. After all, she wasn't stupid; and Donna had tipped her off, seems Steven can't keep a secret.

Her first response was shock, followed closely by elation.  This was the gesture she'd been waiting for, the thing that boyfriends were supposed to do.  Whisked away for a romantic weekend retreat.  He really was her knight in shinning armour.  Now if he could only help her with the butterflies that had taken up residence in her stomach.  It was like anticipating her very first time, all over again.

She was lucky, she knew it.  He had worked so hard at putting their relationship back together, something no one expected Steven Hyde to do.  And she loved him for it, for fighting for her when it would have been so easy to walk away. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by a strong male arm being draped over her shoulders.  She wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned into his body as they walked the last few steps to the cabin.  They paused at the base of the steps, there was a small porch with two wooden chairs that were placed to best enjoy the setting sun.   Hyde walked up and unlocked the door, standing aside to let Jackie enter first. 

She stepped through the doorway and looked around the room, but her gaze was quickly drawn upwards to the pitched ceiling and exposed beams.  From the outside it looked like a small run down cabin, but the inside was just the opposite.  A stone fireplace dominated one wall with chairs and a couch settled around it, there was a small kitchen tucked away along the far wall complete with gingham curtains.

Venturing forward, Jackie walked into the bedroom and ran her hand over the soft quilt that covered the bed. 

"There's no banner." He said from behind her, matter-of-factly.

She dropped her hand but didn't turn around. "I will always regret telling you that."

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist, giving her a quick hug.  "Do you like it?"

"It's perfect," She turned around to face him.  "and I love it, but you didn't have to go to all the trouble."

"Right, I'll keep it in mind for next time; two sleeping bags in the back of the car."

"Oh no you don't, I'm used to this now.  There's no going back."  She gave him a quick kiss and walked back into the main area of the cabin.

"What's for dinner?"  She opened the fridge and peeked inside.

"I have to feed you too?" He asked as he ducked out of the way of her playful punch.

He started rummaging through the cabinets, every once in a while he would pick up a can or a box and check out the label before putting it aside.  After a thorough search he held up a lone box of Kraft Dinner for her inspection.  "All I could come up with." He explained.

She looked at him with an amused expression. "I thought you were a cook now.  Shouldn't you be able to whip something up that doesn't come in a box?"

"It was either this—" he shook the box, "or sardines on crackers."

"Good choice." She said and moved to sit on one of the kitchen chairs. 

She watched as Hyde moved around the small kitchen and wondered what it would be like if, sometime in the future, they had a house together.  She didn't think they would be picture perfect like the Formans, but she wanted to believe they would be happier than her parents.  Or, god forbid, Stevens family.  A year ago she would have been a lady of high society; always hosting parties at their immaculate, expensive home.  She would be dressed to perfection and everyone would love her.  Now, when it came right down to it, all she needed to be happy was Steven. 

"So, how'd you find this place?" She asked as they sat around the table, eating dinner.

He shrugged, "I made friends with the hotel manager and asked if he knew of any places, he recommended this."

"It really is beautiful." She mused.

"It's just a cabin Jackie."

"It's not just a cabin, it's a symbol – "

"Don't say it – " he warned.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"Whatever you think it's a symbol of.  It's not.  I just wanted to get away, spend some time together…alone."

"Sure." She nodded, trying to hide a smile.

~*~

With dinner finished and the dishes were washed and put away, they stood on opposite sides of the living room, looking at each other uncomfortably.  He knew something needed to be said, something that would be the defining moment of their relationship.  There was so much he wanted to tell her; from how he never thought it was possible to feel this way about another person, to how he would spend the rest of their time together making sure she never regretted taking him back. 

"Stop it Steven."

"What?" Confusion was evident in his voice.

"I know that look, and I want you to cut it out."

"What look?"

"The one where you think everything's your fault." She took a step towards him, "Steven you're not the only one who made a mistake.  I realize that my indecision towards Michael hurt you…hurt us.  I should have told him flat out it was over, and I should have made sure you knew I was with you because I wanted to be.  I think back to all of the time and energy we've wasted because of it, and it kills me.  I almost lost you, and at the time I didn't understand how much it would have hurt.

Steven, if you need to hear it, I forgive you, but only if you forgive me too.  I just want to put this whole mess behind us.  I want to know that if we have a fight in a week or a year from now that we won't have to go through it all again.  That in the heat of the moment it's not going to be thrown back in our face.  I want a fresh start, you and me; starting right here…tonight.  Can we do that?"

She finished her monologue with a large sigh and looked at him expectantly, but he couldn't process anything other than she had forgiven him.  The words kept floating around his mind; I forgive you.

"Steven?"

He snapped out of his haze. "Hmm?"

"Could you kiss me now?"

Later, when she thought back to that night, she couldn't recall how he made it over to her side.  All she knew was one second she was alone and the next, he had framed her face with his hands and kissed her until her knees felt weak.   Then, he pulled her into a fierce hug and buried his head into her neck.  She felt like he would never let go, he was telling her without words that all was forgiven.

They pulled apart and seconds later came together in a fierce kiss, full of pent up emotions.

"Tell me you don't want to wait anymore." She pleaded.

"Bedroom.  Now." Was all he managed to get out.

"Just a second," she whispered in between kisses, "I'll get changed into something pretty."

"Next time." He said and lifted her up, Jackie wrapped her legs around his waist, never breaking the contact of their lips.  He carried her into the bedroom and gently deposited her on the bed.  Stepping back he looked down and was stunned at the picture she presented. Her ruffled dark brown hair was offset by flushed cheeks and swollen lips.  She reached out and tugged at the hem of his shirt.  Instinctively he stepped forward and captured her lips in another passionate kiss.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and gently pulled him over top of her.

"Jesus Jackie." He moaned as she wrapped her legs around his waist.  She looked up at him with a devilish smile and started to rock her hips.  Even fully clothed their bodies responded to the intimate pressure created with every motion.  He leaned down and started kissing his way down the column of her neck, stopping only when he reached the soft cotton of her t-shirt.

"This," he lightly tapped the collar of her shirt. "is getting in the way."  He sat back and watched as she lifted her arms and removed the offending garment.  She looked back at him expectantly.  He shook his head and reached for the waistband of her pants, "Still too many clothes."

Not to be outdone, she rose to her knees and pulled his dark shirt over his head and placed an open mouth kiss on his exposed chest.  With a renewed sense of urgency they shed their remaining clothing, and laid down on the soft mattress.  He used the tips of his fingers to gently trace the soft curves of her body.  She closed her eyes and arched into the touch, wanting more.

He stared at her, taking in the view, and for the first time he was able to see her completely naked.  She was giving herself to him, without reservation, without asking anything in return. 

Awed by the gift he was being granted, he used his mouth to following the path of his fingers.  He trailed kisses down her throat and paused to lavish special attention on her breasts.  Her response was immediate, and she wound her fingers in his hair as encouragement. 

Her urging soon turned to frantic need and she pulled his head up and gave him a bruising kiss.  He positioned himself between her legs and paused, asking a silent question.

 Her glassy eyes pleaded acceptance and with one thrust he slipped inside her warm heat.  He stilled his movements allowing her to adjust to his size.  Looking into her eyes he was overwhelmed by the love he saw.  He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her lips, and she lifted her hips up to increase the depth of their connection.

Their bodies moved as one, in a special dance that was older than time.  The only sounds were the sounds of pleasure, soft moans punctuating the silence of the country air.  They let their hands roam; learning by touch what would please the most.  Subconsciously memorizing each other's bodies. 

Too soon he felt the familiar tightening in his lower body, and letting instinct take over he quickened his movements.  He wrapped his arms around her small form, craving the kind of closeness that only the moment of release can bring.  He felt her suddenly tighten around him and knew that she was just as close.

"Oh god…Steven." She moaned softly, as an unexpected wave of pleasure washed over her.  The pulsing of her inner walls pushed him over the edge and with a final thrust he exploded inside her.

It felt like hours before he could gather enough strength to lift himself off her small body.  "Hey." He whispered, and brushed a stray lock of hair off her forehead.  "You still with me?"

She looked up and smiled a radiant smile.  "Yeah, just give me a minute."

He lightly kissed her nose and rolled off of her and onto his back, pulling her along so her head was resting on his chest.  They laid together in a lovers embrace, caught up in the emotions of the moment.  After a few silent minutes she looked up and asked innocently, "Can it be the next time now?"

"Oh yeah."

"Good." She gave him a quick kiss and hopped off the bed. "Stay there." She warned, and quickly grabbed her overnight bag, taking it with her into the bathroom.  He leaned his head against the dark wood of the headboard, looking forward to all of the next times they would have tonight.

~*~

Hours later, moonlight bathed the two entwined figures.  They had been quietly talking when Hyde looked over and noticed her closed eyes and rhythmic breathing.  Placing a soft kiss on her temple he whispered in her ear, "I love you Jackie."

"I love you too." She murmured sleepily and snuggled deeper into the mattress.

He wanted her to know all of the little things he couldn't share with anyone else.  Like the time when he was eight and he wanted to sail around the world.  Or how his world came crashing down when his dad walked out, and he stopped believing in the happily ever after.  He wanted to tell her how, little by little, she has given him hope that the world wasn't out to get him.  That he might just get his own piece of happiness.

He ran his fingers through a silken strand of hair that was splayed out on the pillow.  She was a peaceful sleeper, even in the tight confines of his basement cot she never tossed and turned.  She just snuggled up against him and fell asleep with a security that usually only comes with years of familiarity.  He hoped it was because of him; that somehow they were meant to be and he got lucky, it didn't take a lifetime of looking.

When he looked at her sleeping, there was an overwhelming sense of rightness about the whole situation.  He could quite comfortably fall asleep and wake up next to this girl for the rest of his life.  A thought that should terrify him, but it didn't.  He wasn't going to run to the nearest jewellery store either; they were too young for that, and it wasn't his style.  He would stick around Point Place for another year and if all went well, they could start discussing their future.  For now he just wanted to be with the girl he loved.

~*~

She woke up to the delightful feeling of the sun warming her body and her lovers fingers trailing over her arm.  She stretched languidly, "I missed this." She said, looking over her shoulder to see him.  "I love waking up with you."

Hyde leaned over and softly kissed her exposed neck.  "We never got to wake up exactly like this." He said, trailing kisses along her arm.  "I missed it too." He added as an afterthought.

She reached over and laced her fingers through his.  "Steven, do you think we'll be able to get away again?"

"If it leads to anything like last night, I'll find a way."

Jackie rolled her eyes at the statement.  He could be such a guy sometimes, always thinking about sex; but he was her guy and that made all the difference.  And if it wasn't for the rumbling in her stomach and the lack of real food in the cabin, she would have been quite content to spend the rest of the weekend in bed.  As it was, she knew they would have to venture at least as far as the small convenience store down the road.

"Is getting up in your plan for the day?"

"Isn't the first thing that comes to mind." He admitted.

She turned over to look at him, "So you thought we'd just stay in bed, and do what exactly?"

He shot her a wicked smile.

"I'm still not doing that."

"I'll make you breakfast." He tried to bargain.

"With what?" She said and moved to get out of bed.  He anticipated the movement and grabbed her by the waist before she got out of arms reach.  Settling her astride his hips he pulled her down and gave her a hard bruising kiss.  Breathless, she sat up and looked at him intently, "Well…maybe." She conceded before leaning over to kiss him again.

It was well into the afternoon before they walked, hand in hand, to the small store at the end of the road.

~*~

"Are you sure we can't stay?" she pulled her suitcase off of the bed and gazed around the room longingly.  They had spent two beautiful days together and she didn't want to return to the real world.

"Come on," He prodded, "let's go face the music."

She stopped and gave him a curious look. "Steven, where did you tell the Forman's you were going this weekend?"

"Left a note, said I was dropping you off at the camp and I'd be back in a couple of days."

"You know Red's going to kick your ass."

"Probably." He agreed, and ushered her out the door.

To be continued…