Title:  The Price is Right

Disclaimer:  Don't own, ain't getting paid

Pairing:  Jackie/Hyde, Donna/Eric

Rating:  PG -13

Archive: If you want just ask – I will freely give.

Summary: Through a series of games, Hyde and Jackie learn how they feel about one another.  And the rest of the gang does too.

Credit:  Oh I have forgiveness to ask for.  The idea for the last game came from notsodumbblonde – thank you darling. 

A/N:  Okay it is over.  Super duper Thanks to everyone who reviewed.  I'm so glad you liked.  I hope you like the final installment as well.  Please tell me if you do. 

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Present – Jackie's room

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Games are tricky things.  They are fun, amusing, and often times much more.  They can hurt physically and emotionally, they can reveal bone, and feelings. 

Jackie remembered the time she had skinned her knee in a particularly fierce game of Hopscotch.  She had bled and cried and feared the potential of a future scar even at the age of 7, but she had won. 

Thinking back over the course of events of the last month she felt the same sense of accomplishment.  She had begun her relationship with Steven thinking that nothing would come from it.  She was bored, he was willing, and it had seemed like a fun way to pass the time.  Kissing was a much better time killer than Scrabble and the least dangerous contact sport she could think of.  But at some point she had stopped playing emotional games and had started falling in love. 

She sat at her Vanity and brushed her hair for the 100th stroke.  She thought about Steven drinking the tequila, about twister, and the kiss in the pool.  She thought about their true love score and wondered if their chances were that good.  She thought about all the questions he had asked and the one's he answered and felt hopeful.  He was really opening up and she was going to try hard to not ask more than he was ready to offer.  He had surprised her by asking her to the dance.  They had surprised them all when they came out of the closet. 

It had been priceless.  Well as soon as they were sure Michael was breathing.  He was such a drama queen.  It was just like him to freak out and act like their romance was a personal attack on him.  She had set him straight though.

It was all over.  The games, the secrets.  And thinking about it now it all seemed so silly.  Replaying the events in her mind, she got the sudden urge to go to the mall and buy a journal.  She didn't want to forget all the fun she had had.

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Flashback – Pam Macy's Homecoming Party

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Laying on the floor with Steven above her she slowly came back to reality when she heard a large thud.  Opening her eyes she saw the look of annoyance on her partner's face.  Steven rolled his eyes and reluctantly struggled to his feet.  Reaching down he took Jackie's hands and pulled her up as well.  That is when she noticed Kelso laying unconscious on the floor. 

Pam had placed a pillow under his head and was looking panicked, She was the only one paying attention to him though.  Everyone else's eyes were glued to Jackie and Hyde. 

"Wh-Wh-Wh-Wha..." Eric kept repeating.  His eyes were huge and he was taking shallow breathes. 

Donna put her arm around him like she thought he might be next on the floor.  She didn't help her boyfriend voice his question though.  The redhead was speechless. 

Fez who had rushed into the room when he heard the commotion, was now glancing back and forth frantically between Kelso and Hyde.  He seemed confused as which to address first. 

"Wha –Wha?" Eric again attempted leaning heavily on Donna. 

Jackie thought maybe they should have broken the news to him more gently.  He should have been spouting off about the devil by now, not still stuttering pathetically. 

Stepping in front of him Hyde slapped him lightly across the face.  Donna found her voice and "Hey-ed" him, smacking him in retaliation.  Jackie kicked her. 

"What the hell is going on?" Fez asked suddenly, pointing toward them.

"Wha What?" Eric finally managed.

Jackie sighed. She reached for Steven's hand and squeezed it encouraging him to answer. 

Hyde rolled his eyes at his friend.  "Forman would you calm down.  I'm only saying this once so let's wake up the dumbass." He sounded like Red but that was the only way to deal with Eric sometimes.  Walking over to Kelso, he slapped him in the face as well.  The doofus regained consciousness and sat bolt upright. 

"What happened?  Where am I? Who am I?" 

"Oh GOD, he has ambrosia!" Pam Macy cried. 

"Isn't that a salad?" one of the random Swim team guys asked. 

Jackie pushed her way through and slapped Michael herself. 

"Damn Jackie!" Kelso screamed.  "Why did you have to go and do that?"

Jackie smiled satisfied that no permanent damage was done.  "Cause you are getting on my nerves." Pulling him by his arm she moved him to the couch.  Once there she directed Donna to bring the still blank eyed Eric to the couch as well.  Fez came around behind it and waited patiently.  "Now you all need to listen.  Hold all questions to the end please." 

Hyde waited for Jackie to finish.  Sitting down on the opposing couch he gestured for her to join him.  When she sat in his lap another round of gasps temporarily caused another delay. 

"Shut it" Jackie yelled. 

Moving her to a position beside him he took her hand and began.  "Okay guys –look – I know this is shocking.  But Jackie and I…" glancing in her direction he took a deep breath, "are together now." 

More  gasps and Kelso began to sway again –Fez put a restrictive hand on the back of his head and he regained his composure. 

"What?  What? Who?  How?  WHY?" Eric asked. 

Jackie looked to Donna "Could you control him please?"

"Why?  I mean –How?  Who?  What?" Donna returned with only a little more clarity than Eric. 

"Oh god people –work with me here." Hyde demanded. 

"How could you do this to me?" Kelso finally squealed.  He jumped up, pacing across the small living room in a rage. 

Jackie watched him walk back and forth, not sure to whom he was addressing – her or Steven.  She on her part had no plans of justifying it with an answer.

Hyde was livid.  Do this to him?  "Well it was almost as easy -as say –running away to California.  Except it took less time and I didn't have to use as much gas." 

"Burn" Fez offered in a small voice. 

"I wasn't talking to you." Kelso said snottily refusing to look in Hyde's direction. 

Jackie jumped up at that.  His tone was uncalled for.  Walking around the couch she stepped in front of him mid-pace.  Holding her hand up to make him stop, she replied "This isn't about you Michael.  Not everything is.  You made your choice.  We are over.  And I can date whoever I want.  And it just so happens that that is Steven".

Eric still frozen in position on the couch began again "But why?  And and how?"

"Can you struggle out of catatonia long enough to listen?" Hyde asked.

"We are listening." Donna offered. 

"I don't want to hear it." Kelso pouted. 

"Oooh Oooh I do." Fez giggled. 

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Flashback:  Summer – Forman basement

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Sitting on the couch Jackie wondered how sad or lonely your life had to be for you to think that playing a game like The Price is Right was a good idea.  

Sitting in his chair Hyde wondered if this show had a loser prerequisite or something.  You had to be old, preferably senile, stupid or fat to get on. 

They were only watching it to have something to do.  And they were only talking to each other to keep from going crazy.  At least that is what they told themselves. 

"Antique my Aunt Fannie – I've seen more expensive furniture in a JCPenney catalog."  Jackie scoffed as another "Beauty" ran her manicured nails over the designer set of bookcases. 

"Yeah, I think Bob Pinciotti owns that Liquor cabinet."  Hyde joined in. 

"Oh god and she just said that bottle of Shampoo cost 2 dollars."  Jackie rolled her eyes, what did a woman with split ends know about fashion products "It is VO5!" 

"Well that is better than that old geezer yesterday who said Toothpaste was 50 cents.  It is the 70's.  Not the 50's." 

"Well he had no teeth." 

Hyde nodded.  That was true. 

30 minutes later, it was time for the Showcase Showdown.  He didn't know why but over the past few weeks they had begun playing along during that part.  They would both pick a Showcase and guess at its worth and whoever won got to pick what show they watched next.  Hyde always tried extra hard to win so he wouldn't end up being forced to watch some stupid Soap Opera. 

Today Jackie really wanted to win.  It was the day that her two favorite characters were getting married on Another World.  They were this pair of star crossed lovers, divided by their background.  Their romance had been brewing for several years.  They had fought the odds and today were going to celebrate their love in a grand ceremony shot on location in some exotic locale. She knew that if she didn't win Steven would never let her watch it. "I want the second showcase"

Hyde rolled his eyes and sighed "You always want the second showcase"

"Well it is always the better one."

"It is always the cheesier one."

"Then why can't I have it?"

"Cause you always get it –and it's the better one."

Jackie crossed her arms and pouted.  It took a whole commercial for Steven to give in. 

"Fine – don't be a baby – you can have it."

She instantly brightened.  "Thank you".

The first showcase consisted of some dishes an Oak Kitchen table and an outdoor grille.  Hyde bid 1000 bucks. 

Jackie's showcase featured prizes brought to you by the Love Doctor.  It had a King sized bed, His and her sleepwear and a 5 night trip to Paris for two."  Jackie bid 3,969 dollars.

Hyde won. 

"Well it looks like the Princess and the Pauper will have to get hitched without me" Hyde gloated getting up and switching the channel looking for another game show.  He didn't really want to spend anymore time with games but it was better than all that romance bullshit. 

Jackie thought about pouting but knew that Steven had probably exceeded his limit for the week.  She could leave now and get home before the nuptials. 

Hyde watched her get up and wondered why his stomach flipped.  Why did he care what she did?  He must just be hungry.  Or so relived that she wasn't pouting that he couldn't control himself.  "Where are you going?"

Jackie stopped, looking at him oddly, was that genuine interest in his tone?  "Well I just thought I would go home and watch TV.  Since we can't ever agree on what to watch."

Hyde didn't know why but he didn't want her to leave.  "Uh uh, nope you lost –you gotta stay here and watch what I want to."

Jackie rolled her eyes. 

"Did I or did I not watch that stupid show of yours 3 times last week?"

Jackie sighed and sat back down. She didn't know why all of a sudden she cared about fairness and playing by the rules.  She didn't know why she was contemplating staying and giving up the show she had been waiting for- just because Steven seemed to want her too.  But she was.  "BUT it is the WEDDING." She whined in protest. 

Hyde smiled evilly but was surprised when he suddenly wanted to let her watch the soap.  Stopping himself before he got up he tried to shake it off.  He had been feeling very non-Hyde like for a while now when it came to Jackie.  It was starting to piss him off. 

Glancing over at her sad face though he found himself saying "Jackie I told you it is Thursday.  They aren't going to get married until Friday.  They are going to find someway to drag it out.  It is a stupid soap opera.  It is just a media ploy to turn you into a mindless drone addicted to their propaganda.  They keep you wanting more so you will be dependent upon them.  So you will keep watching and giving them money.  Even when they do give you what you want and let your couple do it –they are just going to break them up.  So what is the point?"

Jackie smiled at the elaborate conspiracy theory and decided it was too confusing too argue against.  "So what are we watching instead?"

Surprised that she agreed, Hyde turned the dial past a few more channels. Finding nothing but Jackie's show and a few other daytime dramas –he stopped on the channel they began with.  "Look another episode of The Price is Right is on." 

Oh Lord. 

"Another old lady.  She can't even reach the wheel." Jackie complained. 

"I can't watch another episode of this show.  I can't." 

Arms, chest, lips – and suddenly Jackie and Hyde had found a much better source of entertainment.

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Present – The basement

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Games were tricky.  They appeared innocent too.  But over the course of the last month, Hyde had found them to be anything but.  If he was the kind of guy to sit around and think deep thoughts he would try to figure out what they said about human nature.  He wasn't though.  He was just a master of Zen, he didn't question life.  He just went with the flow. 

His friends were having a harder time. 

Eric was still freaking over the idea that was "Jackie and Hyde".  He still thought it was unnatural.  Donna was still agreeing more than she was defending. Fez was cool. And Kelso?  Kelso was probably going to be trying his patience for months to come. 

Hearing the phone ring –he walked over to pick it up.  Jackie's voice filled his senses.

"I'm not taking you to the mall Jackie"

A pause. And God help him he was listening to her reasoning.

"No"

Shaking his head, he ran his hands through his hair and rubbed his temple.

"Fine!  Fine, Jackie.  You win.  Shut up.  I'll be over to pick you up in a minute.  But you are sooo making it up to me later."

Steven smiled as he heard his girl innocently ask what he had in mind.

"Well let's just say I want to make sure we lose the next game of I Never we play.  Really REALLY badly."