Chapter 7

"Another round of Tequila shots" Jackie shouted to the oh so tall bartender..  This would be her 3rd or was it 4th  (oh who knows –they were good) round.  And people had always told her such horror stories.  What were they talking about?  If she could do them then…what was she saying? The tequila shots while seemingly not that strong were having a weird effect on her short-term memory.  And it felt like someone was pulling her arm?  Oh someone was –it was Steven.  God she loved Steven.  He was so –so- Steven.  He was her true love, her first real friend, and her kidnapper.  She was having so much fun. 

"I'm having so much fun Steven"

"Me too" Steven was drunk.  He'd had as much as her –so she didn't know how –but he was drunk. 

"You are drunk," she told him as he sat her down in a booth in the corner –placing a bottle of rum on the table that she immediately reached for. 

"No Princess –you are drunk"

I'm drunk? So what if I can't think straight.  He didn't know that –it wasn't obvious. Whatever, she thought.  He was rubbing off on her.  Ooh Steven rubbing –that sounded nice. She shook her head though –even drunk she knew they weren't there yet.  Still building trust –baby steps.  She'd forgiven him though – so rubbing would be coming –but she hadn't told him yet.

"Steven I'm glad you kidnapped me," she said loudly getting several looks from bar patrons.  Hyde quickly recovered by lifting the rum bottle indicating that she was drunk and talking crazy. 

"I'm not drunk," she pouted.

"You just told me you were glad I kidnapped you".

"Well I am"

He looked shocked and touched at the same time.  Ooh Steven touching.  She reached out and touched his cheek –he had started growing back the damn beard in order to look older –so they would get less hassle.  It was working if her blood alcohol level was any indication. 

"You're hairy again".

"I know I told you..I'm sorr'"

"No I like it – I always did –we were happy when you were hairy."

Oh now he looked sad.  She didn't mean to make him sad.  But there it was the seldom seen Steven Hyde sad look.  He took a big swig of rum and tried to hide it.  It didn't work so he had another.  An hour later they were both no-denying it drunk.  The bottle of rum lay empty before them and Jackie was idly spinning it. 

"You know I like Tennessee."  Steven stated, looking around the bar.

"I  Lovvvvve Tennessee" She looked around too.  She really did.  The people here were nice –really nice –but they left you alone.  And that is what she really loved.  It felt good just being her and Steven.  No gang, no family, just the two of them seeing the world.  Or at least the Central Time Zone. 

"Steven lets not go back"

"Okay" he agreed too soon reaching for the bottle. 

"NO I'm serious" she took his hand.  He looked her in the eye and tried to sober up.  Steven was always going to try to do the right thing."

"Jackie we're drunk.  We can't make decisions."

"Why not?" she whined. 

"Because…I don't know…we just can't."

Oh he was wavering.  He really was too drunk to resist her.  Time to seal the deal.  She climbed over the table –squeezed in beside him –then just because her liquor addled body demanded it, put her arm around his neck and sat in his lap.  Oh god she had missed this. 

"Steven I don't want to go home."  She was in his face.  He looked like he couldn't believe it.  She could tell he wanted to kiss her.  And give her anything else she wanted.  He tried one last time to be strong.  Then caved. 

"Then we won't" She smiled –but she knew that tomorrow he'd remember his noble streak.  He'd remind her about school, and Red, and they'd have to go back.   Not now but eventually.  Then what?  Michael would remind her that her and Steven had issues.  And he'd go to college and meet college girls.  And even if she trusted him –she'd still be in Point Place alone.  If there was one thing the last few weeks had taught her it was she didn't want to be alone.  She wanted it to be her and Steven.  So as she sat there –in the lap of a willing Steven –she proposed one more idea.