Disclaimer: We don't own T7S or their characters, just Tracy. Nor do we claim to own any of Aerosmith's songs.

A/N: This is the second installment. Hope you like it. Thanks for the reviews. Keep them coming :)

The Kids Are Alright ~Conflict of Interest-Part Two

Kelso: Man, Jackie is turning Tracy into her. I saw Nina on my way back over here and Tracy was really mean to her.

Hyde: See, I told you she was acting weird.

Kelso: Man, I'm afraid if I talk to her she'll go crazy on me, man. Hyde, you gotta talk to her.

Hyde: Why? So you can say I'm trying to steal her?

Kelso: No. cause I'm worried about her, man, and you're good friends with her.

Hyde: Fine...I'll talk to her, even though, I'm sure Jackie could get through to her better.

Kelso: Yeah, cause she's turning into her!

Eric: No...Hyde you're the one to do this...Maybe something's going on that she won't tell us about.

Hyde: OK, fine. I'll try. ******************* [In the basement: The next day]

Jackie: Donna that is the only sleepover I have ever slept at.

Donna: Jackie! How many times are you going to tell me that?

Tracy: Come on, it wasn't that bad.

Jackie: Hey, you fell asleep too like an hour after Nina left.

Tracy: Well, I was tired. I haven't been getting a lot of sleep lately. But Donna, thanks to you I don't think I'll have that problem again. (Gets up from the couch)

Donna: Very funny...

Jackie: Hey Tracy, while you're up could you get her some ice for that nice burn.

Tracy: (laughs) Yeah, I think I will.

Donna: You know, I ought to kick both your asses for that.

Kelso: Mudwrestle! Tracy: Michael, please don't start...

Kelso: What is your problem lately?

Tracy: Funny that you ask that. I didn't think you cared.

Kelso: What do you mean? I try to spend some time with you and you get so annoying.

Tracy: I'm annoying? OK...I really don't want to fight with you again. I'm sorry.

Kelso: Me too. So you want to go make up?

Jackie: Ew!

Tracy: (giggles) Maybe later...Gotta save up my energy for work.

Jackie: OK, I don't want to hear another word unless it's about me!

Donna: Jackie, please.

Jackie: Well I don't want to hear about them "making up".

Donna: We didn't want to here you and Hyde either...

Tracy: Speaking of, where is he?

Jackie: I don't know.

Fez: He had to stay after school.

Tracy: For what?

Fez: I don't know, he didn't tell me.

Tracy: Well, I guess as long as he's not late for work. It's ok.

Donna: Is Eric, still looking for his car keys?

Jackie: Why is he looking for them anyway?

Donna: Red hid them...

Fez: What for?

Donna: He's a dumbass, I don't know.

[At the restaurant later]

Tracy: So, we have to put together an appetizer for dinner tomorrow night. OK, Hyde?

Hyde: Yeah sure, whatever.

Tracy: Are you OK? You've been acting weird all day.

Hyde: The question is: Are you ok? You haven't been sleeping and Kelso said your hands are cold and you don't eat much.

Tracy: What? I'm fine...Hyde don't change the subject...what's going on with you?

Hyde: Nothing, I didn't know how to bring this up. But some people are worried about you.

Tracy: (scoffs) What? Why?

Hyde: I already told you why.

Tracy: (seeing that he's serious) OK...um...the reason I've been acting weird is, um, because I'm homesick...It happened a lot when my family and I traveled around...I wouldn't eat for a little while...and it is cold here, you know. Hyde, I'm fine...really.

Hyde: Are you sure? Cause if you want to talk...

Tracy: Hyde! I'm fine. Please tell everyone to stop worrying...You guys want me to eat? I'll eat. OK?

Hyde: Alright, I was only trying to help.

Tracy: Thanks, but I don't need you to be my guardian.

Hyde: Man, this is a first, Kelso is right.

Tracy: Why?

Hyde: You never acted like this till you started dating him. There's either something wrong with him, which it probably is, or there is something wrong with you.

Tracy: I'm going to say this as calmly as I possibly can.... Hyde, you have no right to interfere in my relationship with Michael...because, you know what? If I were you, I'd concentrate a little more on keeping my own relationship together.

Hyde: What is that supposed to mean?

Tracy: When was the last time you guys went out? It couldn't have been recently since you never seem to be around...Are you cheating on her? Dammit Hyde, how could you?

Hyde: I'm not cheating on her! I have to work!

Tracy: Yeah, sure whatever! (Storms out of the kitchen and runs into Kelso) Oh, Michael...I'm sorry.

Kelso: It's OK.

Tracy: (lowering her voice) Michael...did you talk to Hyde about us?

Kelso: What? No.

Tracy: Don't lie to me...Michael, if there's a problem, we need to figure it out ourselves. I can't believe you would do that.

Kelso: Maybe we should just take a break.

Tracy: What? You're dumping me? You...are dumping me?

Kelso: All we have done is fight since we started dating. It's worse than Jackie and me together. I think I need to step away for awhile.

Tracy: Michael, please...I'm sorry. I'll try, I swear...we can't just ends things like this.

Kelso: I think we can, cause I just did.

Tracy: (choking on a sob) Michael... (Walks quickly to the restroom)

Kelso: I wish Jackie would stop making me read Cosmo, she cuts out all the good pictures and then there's nothing to look forward to.

(In another room at the hotel)

Jackie: Tracy, slowly tell us what happened.

Tracy: I walked out of the kitchen and bumped into Michael...and then he dumped me...It was horrible, Jackie. (Starts to cry)

Jackie: What? Why would he do that?

Tracy: (sobbing) I don't know. Something about me being worse than you.

Fez: That's impossible!

Jackie: Excuse me? No offence, Tracy, but you shouldn't have wasted your time on Michael. He isn't worth it.

Tracy: (stops crying) Jackie, he was really fun to be with. I shouldn't have treated him the way I did.

Jackie: I wish I didn't waste my time on him, but you live, you learn. Just like I learned that orange does not look good on you.

Tracy: (starts crying again) Oh my God. I am pathetic...I have to get back to work, I've been gone long enough...Ron is going to kill me.

Jackie: Um... Maybe Donna should help you out with this one cause I'm not good at this kind of thing.

Donna: Tracy. Just take a deep breath and get back out there_ and_ cook.

Tracy: Thanks, Donna. I think. Jackie: Yeah, make a cake and put poison in it and give it to Michael. He deserves it.

Tracy: I don't think so Jackie...Thanks for coming down so fast you guys.

Jackie: You're welcome.

Donna: No problem, Trace. So, is there any way that we can get a sampler plate or something? Eric will kill us if we go back empty-handed.

[Back in the kitchen]

Ron: So you two are going to have to come up with something great, Steven. Where is Tracy anyway?

Hyde: She took her break early. She wasn't feeling well.

Tracy: (rushing in) Ron, sorry about that. I'm here.

Ron: Ok good...You and Steven have been doing a great job, but I need you to be a little more creative. Cooking is about passion.

Tracy: Passion?

Ron: Yes. You have to look within yourself to find the perfect dish.

Hyde: I thought it was about following recipes.

Tracy: Yeah, well, I guess that sometimes you just have to wing it.

Ron: Right. Well, I expect to taste great things. I'll leave you two to get to it. (Exits the kitchen)

[In the basement, later that day]

Kelso: Man, today at work really sucked. Cause I had to do actual work... Tracy and I broke up so I couldn't goof around with her.

Hyde: Man, I am never helping you, ever, again. You said that you were worried!

Kelso: I am worried about her, but she keeps pushing me away, man.

Eric: And you dumping her was supposed to fix that?

Fez: Hyde, you need to get your girlfriend to be nicer to my girlfriend.

Hyde: I have no control over Jackie, Fez.

Fez: You have to do something because Nina said I would have to play hand ball until Jackie is nicer to her.

Kelso: Yeah Hyde, be a pal.

Hyde: Fine. I'll talk to her...but if I get yelled at again, it's on your heads.

Fez: There is a God!

Eric: (laughs) So Kelso, are you going to feel weird having Tracy here? Considering you humiliated her and probably ruined her reputation...

Kelso: Why would I feel weird? It's just like the whole Jackie thing.

Hyde: You hurt her! Just like you hurt Jackie and we're going to have to pay for it.

Kelso: What do you mean "we're going to have to pay for it"? I'm the one that's going to have to! I won't be getting any! And you have Jackie to do that with, so stop complaining!

Eric: Maybe, if you'd stop breaking hearts none of this would be happening.

Kelso: Or if I call Pam Macy, oh I'll be getting some!

Hyde: (shaking his head) No amount of time sitting here is making me feel any better. What the hell?

Kelso: Or maybe, Tracy will call me and give me pity sex like Donna did with Eric after her mom left.

Eric: Kelso, shut up! This is serious...something was wrong with Tracy and I'm sure since you've stomped on her self-esteem, it won't get better for her. I think we need to do something.

Fez: Yes, we should get her candy, that's what I get when I'm sad.

Hyde: Ugh! I wish she would at least tell me what's going on with her.

Kelso: See that's why I dumped her, because she couldn't shut up! She was always going on about this one guy... I don't remember his name like an ex- boyfriend or something. I think he did something to her or something. I don't know.

Hyde: (grabs his shirt) Kelso, what did you catch?

Kelso: He made her sad... he cheated on her with her sister or her cousin and she hates his guts. Get off me man!

Eric: Then why would she date you?

Kelso: Cause I'm man pretty, come on guys, you should know this by now! That's why all girls date me!

Fez: Yes he boosts their self esteem!

Kelso: Exactly.

Hyde: I can't believe she told you all that... Kelso: I know. It was so boring. All she wanted to do is talk, we like never made out! That's why I was worried I wanted her to talk to you, and me to make out with her.

Hyde: Kelso...I think something's wrong with Tracy...I mean, seriously.

Kelso: Yeah, she probably already told me what was wrong, but I was always checking out other girls. Cause Tracy is hot and all but she can't shut up!

Fez: Tracy must have known he wouldn't pay attention and that's why she told him, so she could tell someone, but they wouldn't remember.

Hyde: But she deserves better than that! Kelso, if you're so worried about her talking, just stay the hell away from her, alright?

Eric: Whoa! Sine when is there violence in the circle?

Kelso: I was planning on it but it's going to be hard for her to resist me.The only reason Jackie could was because she was stabbing me in the back with my best friend!!!

Fez: Eric, let's make popcorn.

Eric: Wait, Fez...We need to see this.

Hyde: Kelso! You know what? I'm not going to fight you anymore. I'm with Jackie and you need to get that. I'm not going to let you hurt Tracy, the way you hurt her.

Kelso: What are you going to do about it man?

[Hyde punches Kelso and storms up the stairs]

Kelso: See, he can't back up his mouth!

Eric: These girls are ruining our circle. I gotta go find Donna... (Leaves)

Kelso: I guess I should go see how Tracy is doing. After all of what Hyde said I feel kind of bad.

Fez: And you may get lucky, my friend. Here, take her some candy.

Kelso: Thanks Fez, you're the best.

[In the basement, a few days later]

Jackie: Man, Donna, we are like the Charlie's Angels. Only we're missing one. It's like when they are going to kill one off and put a new one on.

Donna: Jackie, if I were Tracy I wouldn't want to hang around Kelso either... (To Kelso)I still can't believe you did that to her.

Kelso: She was getting to be like Jackie when we first went out, only Jackie would once in awhile shut up and make out!

Jackie: What? You were going to break up with me!

Donna: Kelso...you're a jerk, but I never thought you could stoop that low.

Kelso: Well after all those hurtful things Hyde said I'm thinking about apologizing and making up.

Eric: You think she'll take you back?

Kelso: Why do I have to keep going through this? I'm man pretty; every girl wants me! It's been a week; I think I'm going to go see her now. She's at work and I have to go in anyway.

Hyde: Kelso...I think I should be there when you talk to her.

Kelso: Why? You're going to make me look stupid!

Hyde: You do that by yourself...I'll just be the mediator.

Kelso: I'm not going to make myself look stupid.

Fez: I beg to differ.

Eric: Hyde, make sure that he doesn't use the words, "You know you can't resist me" because there's no way that'll work.

Kelso: Eric just because it doesn't work for you, doesn't mean it doesn't work for the rest of us.

Donna: Well, if you're going to do it, there's no better time than now.

Kelso: Yeah, let's go.

Hyde: Fine. Jackie, I'll pick you up at 8:30, ok?

Jackie: Alright, bye babe. (Hyde gives her a quick kiss and leaves with Kelso)

[At the restaurant, in the kitchen]

Kelso: Hey Tracy... can I talk to you for a minute?

Tracy: OK, Michael, what? And does he have to be here? (Pointing to Hyde)

Kelso: He said he wants to be the mediator or whatever.

Tracy: OK, so what can I do for you?

Kelso: Tracy, I just wanted to apologize for how I treated you. I mean I was wrong to dump you and I feel really lonely and I want to go back out with you.

Tracy: (trying to hide a smirk) You feel lonely and you want to get back together with me? Michael, I need more of a reason than that... Kelso: Come on you can't resist me! I'm man pretty!

Tracy: (trying not to get angry) Hyde, I think this is where you start mediating.

Hyde: OK (steps in between them and faces Tracy) Tracy, what Kelso wants to say is that he's been miserable without you and. work hasn't been the same without being able to talk to you. And he really wants to be able to be your perfect guy, but he can only be the guy that's here...now.

Tracy: Really? Wow... (Gazing at Hyde) Michael, I never knew you felt that way. (Walks past Hyde and hugs Kelso)

Kelso: Yeah, I meant every word he said.

Tracy: (giggles) You are too sweet.(pulls his face down to kiss him) (turning to Hyde) Hyde, thanks for your help...and I'm really sorry about everything. Are we going to be ok?

Hyde: Yeah...please no more silent treatment though.

Tracy: Deal. (They shake hands)

Kelso: Come on Tracy let's go make up in the walk-in deep freeze.

Tracy: Fine....as long as I don't get stuck to the wall again.

Kelso: It only happened once! Alright let's go! Hyde, make sure we don't get locked in.

Hyde: I've got you covered, man...

Kelso: [pulls Tracy by the hand and leads her to the deep freeze] Thanks man.

Hyde: Sure thing. ("Accidentally" bumps the door shut) Oops... (Leaves the kitchen)

End of episode.