a/n: special thanks to Luci for the beta!
Chapter 9: The Talk
"Wow," Jackie mumbled as she stepped deeper into the dark store. She ran her fingers through her tangled brown hair carelessly as she practically skipped after Steven, who pushed past her softly, towards the front counter.
Jackie observed silently, letting her eyes wash over the sight in front of her as Steven exchanged words with the sketchy hippie operating the cash register.
"Thanks, man." Steven nodded his head. Jackie's lips curved into a smile as Steven and the hippie shook hands, the hippie quickly pocketing a crumbled sum of cash into his back pocket. "Come on," Steven tapped Jackie's arm, motioning for her to follow.
Jackie took a good look at the aisles of random paraphernalia to each side of her as they ventured deeper into the store, past rows of old dresses and amusingly shaped bongs. The events that had just taken place in Eric's basement were starting to melt out of her memory every time Steven looked back at her, checking to see if she was still following him, which she was. For the first time, in a very long time, Jackie was letting someone else guide her. The moment was new and exciting. She had no idea where they were or where they were going. It was sort of liberating.
"Where are we going?" Jackie asked skeptically as Steven stopped, holding back a beaded curtain with one hand, and taking Jackie's with the other, instructing her to step inside.
"Whenever I'm in a really bad mood, I come here." Steven said quietly.
Jackie raised her eyebrows in question, smiling bashfully as Steven forced her inside.
Jackie's eyes stung at the clouds of smoke that surrounded her. She quickly slipped her sunglasses on, which were resting in her shirt collar, and pushed her stray hair behind her ears.
"What is this place?" Jackie laughed loudly, as the clouds of smoke began to part and the area in front of her was revealed more clearly.
The room was larger than Jackie had first thought and had a dark purple theme to it. People of all ages were lying down on large, antique purple plush couches, sipping coffee and alcohol. To the right of Jackie was a bar where a few elderly men leered at her, but in a non threatening way as they bopped their heads along to an unbelievable guitar solo, pouring from the young guy on the dimly lit stage. Neon purple lights lit up Steven's face as Jackie turned towards him, waiting for something else to surprise her.
"Hyde, haven't seen you in awhile!"
Jackie's eyes went wide as she turned towards the voice, which happened to belong to the sultry bartender. Jackie felt a slight pang of jealousy rise throughout her body as the bartender placed two beer bottles and two glasses on the counter in front of her, motioning for Steven and Jackie to take a seat. Normally, she wouldn't accept drinks from a skankwad like that, but hey, free beer.
Jackie sipped her beer quietly as the bartender and Steven whispered to each other secretively. She didn't like it, so she turned towards the stage, trying her best to concentrate on the music, which was really, really good. But it was hard to drink beer and listen to great guitar when the boy you sort of …when the person you're with... but not 'with', …whatever, it was hard to not eavesdrop.
Jackie eyed the bartender, who was leaning suggestively, letting her cleavage spill out from her tight purple tank top. The girl was a lot like Jackie, with her dirty jeans and aviator shades resting on her shirt collar. Jackie slipped her sunglasses back off, since her eyes had adjusted to the smoke by then.
"Jackie," Steven placed a hand on her knee, awaking her from her daze. "This is Luci; Luci, this is Jackie."
"So," Luci chuckled, "This is Jackie." Jackie ignored the dirty look seeping from the girl's envious eyes. "How do you guys know each other again?"
"School." Jackie muttered self consciously, almost. Steven glanced at her, an evil grin spread across his lips.
"That's right, school." Luci laughed as she wiped down the counter with a wet rag, "Sometimes I forget Hyde's only 17."
"Hyde?" Jackie mouthed towards Steven, who shrugged with a lazy grin.
"Whatever happened to that blonde you brought in here that one time?" Luci glanced towards Jackie, with good reason, since Jackie's back arched in attention, immediately.
"Luci…" Steven rolled his eyes. "What blonde?"
They both laughed coldly.
So the rumors were true. Steven Hyde was a manwhore. Jackie figured as much, he had been so good when they slept together, like he's done it a million times. They must be the two sluttiest people in Point Place. A perfect fit.
"Hey Luci!" The hippie popped through the beaded curtain, which seemed to be a million miles away and waved towards the bartender.
"See you later, sugar." Luci planted a sloppy kiss on Steven's cheek and squeezed his hand, "Nice meeting you, Jennifer."
"Jackie." Jackie corrected her quickly, not even bothering to return the 'nice to meet you'.
"Ok…" Steven laughed, sighing.
"So, is she like, your ex?" Jackie tried to sound as nonchalant as possible and bit her lip, knowing she was failing, miserably.
"Luci? No, she's more like…" Steven hopped off the bar stool, grasping Jackie's hard firmly. "A sister."
"Really?" Jackie rolled her eyes. "Cause I've never seen Laurie and Eric flirt."
"Hey, you never know what those two do behind closed doors." Steven poked her softly, "Ok, so Luci's like my really hot, beer serving, sister."
"Whatever." Jackie crossed her arms. "Why did you bring me here?"
"I told you," Steven wrapped his arm around her, even though her body tensed angrily at his touch. "It's where I come to clear my head."
"I don't see anything special about it." Jackie muttered, sticking her chin out defiantly.
"That's because I haven't given you the whole tour yet," Steven pulled her towards a door marked 'members only'. He knocked on the door, in a particular pattern. Jackie tapped her foot impatiently, glancing back at this greasy looking guy, who had been eyeing her since she got there. A few seconds later, the door opened slowly. Steven pushed it open further, quickly muttering, "She's cool."
"Oh, I get it." Jackie slapped her knee dryly. "Is this, like, where the homecoming court meets up to get high and discuss their royal duties?"
"Cute," Steven whispered into her ear. "Very cute."
Jackie squirmed about as they entered the dark room, Steven's body pressing against hers in complete darkness.
As soon as Jackie felt Steven's body warmth disappear from her side, she began to panic, on the inside of course. On the outside, she was cool as a cucumber, swaying back and forth, trying to hone in on any noise she could, since it was impossible to see. Jackie blinked widely as a light switch clicked and a purple glow of a black light settled upon the room. Jackie laughed as she spotted a purple couch, with two kids making out on it heavily.
"Get out." Steven laughed at Jackie's side. The two kids looked up. They had to be about 15.
"Hey, man, we were here first." The feeble boy muttered.
"Yeah, well, time's up." Steven pulled the two kids up forcefully.
"Wait, you're Steven Hyde!" The girl gushed. "My friend Polly, like, totally slept with you."
"Probably." Steven said quietly, opening the door.
"No, she, like, so did!"
Jackie sat down on the now empty couch, watching Steven handle the lovebirds in amusement. She leaned back on the plush, enjoying the sensation it brought to her skin. She was enjoying this strange little trip. It was taking her mind off Eric. Until now. Damnit.
"She said you're hung like a…" Steven smirked as her voice trailed off and the boy weaseled away from his grip, flinging himself next to Jackie.
"Hey babe," The boy smiled widely, wrapping his arm around Jackie's neck. Jackie coiled back in disgust as he bared a few more braced teeth. "You're like, really hot."
"Yeah, I am," Jackie said nonchalantly. "Now, get out."
"But…" The boy pressed on as Steven fully pushed the girl out, focusing his attention on the pimple faced miscreant hitting on Jackie, practically laughing at Jackie's revolted face.
"No." Jackie said calmly.
"Let's go," Steven laughed, pulling and pushing the poor guy out and slamming the door behind him, locking it quickly.
"God," Jackie laughed senselessly as Steven sat down next to her.
"…Hi." He mumbled, leaning back onto the couch.
"Hi." Jackie said softly, crossing her legs.
"I didn't bring you here to make out," Steven blurted quickly as Jackie turned to face him, smiling softly at how the black light made his curly hairs gleam. "Just to let you know."
"So, why did you bring me here?" Jackie asked.
"So we can talk."
Jackie groaned loudly. She didn't want to talk. She wanted to think about anything else besides Eric and what had just happened.
"No thanks," Jackie muttered, lifting herself up and wrapping her legs around Steven's torso, straddling him carefully. She leaned down to kiss his lips softly. "I hate talking."
"Jackie…" Steven laughed hoarsely. "Look, I figured this could be like a safe haven," He pushed Jackie off of him gently, letting her body slip down next to him. "It's dark, it's quiet, and we're the only two people here."
"Steven, I don't share my feelings," Jackie sighed. "I just…don't."
"Fine, then I'll start," He turned towards her. "I haven't seen my parents in about five years."
Jackie lifted her gaze off of the floor, biting her lip as soon as she saw how serious his deep blue eyes were; they were staring past her, almost right through her.
"It's not like they're dead or anything, they're just…gone." He laughed softly, but it was the saddest sound she'd ever heard. "They use to send cards, like on my birthday and for Christmas, but those stopped coming."
"I had no idea…" Jackie said quietly.
"Yeah, well, you're the first person I told." He forced himself to look her in the eye.
Jackie took a deep breath, nodding her head in understanding.
"My dad was a really great guy," Jackie cleared her throat, slightly annoyed at how shaky her voice was. "Until he left." It was Jackie's turn to stare off into nowhere. "God, only Kelso knows this." She took another deep breath. "I mean, everyone knows. Our town is so small that everyone knows everything, but I mean, I never talked to anyone about it, except Kelso."
She looked at Steven, wondering if he'd say anything like 'I know' or 'it's ok'.
But he stayed silent, placing his palm on her knee, squeezing her ever so gently.
And it was the most perfect thing he could have done.
"When my dad first left, I convinced myself it was temporary," Jackie looked into Steven's eyes, smiling as her eyes watered up in remembrance. "I swore he would just walk in, put down his suitcase and I'd run down the staircase and he'd hug me and everything would be like it was." Jackie wiped at her eyes angrily. "But that never happened, obviously," Jackie blinked as her tears stopped. "Then, a few years later, my mom left too. I made Kelso promise that he wouldn't say anything. I didn't want anyone to feel bad for me, you know?"
Steven nodded and Jackie knew that he really did know.
"Anyway, Eric found out," Jackie laughed bitterly. "He told his parents and they made me move in with them." Jackie sighed, resting her head in her hands. "God, if Eric didn't make his parents help me, I'd probably be rotting away in some alley." Jackie sighed softly, her back feeling heavy as Steven began to rub small circles on it. "I really fucked up with Eric."
"Jackie, the way I see it," Steven pulled her up so she'd face him. "You and Eric have been best friends for so long, you've been through so much. This is just one more bump on the road."
"Yeah…" Jackie's voice trailed off, not convinced.
"What if…" Steven paused, sighing, "What if I talked to him?"
"You don't have to." Jackie straightened herself up, pushing her hair back.
"I know."
Jackie smiled appreciatively, leaning against Steven. There was so much about him she didn't know, but she really wanted to find out. She wanted to know how he knew this odd little place, why he was friends with the weird hippie and the skanky barmaid. Most of all, she wanted to know why she started to feel all strange around him, her heart racing when he walked by or her lips pulsating against his.
"Thanks, Steven." Jackie whispered softly. "This helped, really."
"Welcome," Steven laughed gently. "I just have one more question."
Jackie nodded reluctantly, waiting patiently.
"Can we make out now?"
Jackie punched him in the gut, smirking as she nipped at his lips.
"Take me home, you pig."
"Yes, dear."
"Hey," Kelso said quietly as he spotted Eric, kicking back and forth on a swing in the park.
"How'd you know I was here?"
"Donna told me," Kelso said, nodding his head as he sat in the swing next to Eric. "She's worried about you."
"Yeah, I kind of blew her off before," Eric mumbled. "I just needed to get away, from everyone."
"Yeah," Kelso nodded his head in agreement. "Look, Eric…"
Eric sighed heavily as Kelso cleared his throat.
"Here it comes," Eric muttered, shaking his head angrily. "Donna already yelled at me for fucking up Jackie's life, so save it, ok?" Eric laughed dryly, turning towards Kelso, "You know, I went over to Donna's, thinking that maybe she'd understand, since she is my girlfriend and all. But, instead, she was all 'how could you do that to Jackie?' Jackie doesn't even like Donna." Eric rolled his eyes. "Of course, I didn't tell Donna why we fought or what Jackie said to me…"
Kelso watched as Eric's voice trailed off and closed his eyes, adjusting his position on the swing as he kicked forward gently.
Kelso let out a stifled laugh, "Remember that night when you, Jackie, and me decided to camp out in the park? Our tent wouldn't stay up and we were too scared to fall asleep, so we stayed up all night just talking. And we made that pact, remember? That'd we…"
"Stay friends forever," Eric interrupted. "I remember."
"It seems like so long ago," Kelso added. "I hadn't seen Jackie that happy in weeks."
"That's the night Jackie told me about her dad leaving town." Eric said sadly.
"Yeah," Kelso muttered. "And you promised Jackie you'd make things better."
"Yeah, some promise," Eric kicked the dirt angrily. "I didn't do shit."
"You made her forget that he was gone," Kelso said quickly. "You made her smile. You," Kelso smirked wildly, "You went off to pee and came screaming cause you thought you saw a bear and Jackie went to go check and it was just a bush." Kelso slapped his knee, laughing hard.
"It was bear shaped." Eric said with a smile.
"She hadn't laughed in days, but that made her laugh, really hard."
"It made all of us laugh really hard." Eric recalled.
"Eric, what you and Jackie have, it's not love," Kelso said quietly. "It's bigger," Kelso stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets. "It's friendship."
Eric nodded, "Thanks, Kelso."
Kelso blushed softly and began to walk towards the park gate.
"Wait, Kelso!" Eric called. "How'd your date with Laurie go?"
"It was…" Kelso grinned. "It was great."
"Good, that's really good." Eric said happily.
"Later, Eric." Kelso laughed, heading home to have sweet dreams about Laurie. Being with her tonight had made him forget about all romantic thoughts about Jackie. In the end, Laurie was his ultimate dream girl. But Jackie would always be his best friend.
"Red, do you know where Eric is?" Jackie asked quickly as she spotted Red, staring blankly at his mug of coffee.
"Jackie, you're home." Red said quietly as Kitty walked into the kitchen, sadness taking over her usual angry self.
"What's going on?" Jackie asked unsurely as she sat down at the kitchen table.
"Jackie…" Red's voice nearly cracked and Kitty took over.
"We know you smoke marijuana," Kitty said in a hushed tone. "And you know we don't tolerate that in this house."
Jackie blinked widely in disbelief, stumbling over her chair as she stood up.
"What are you saying?" Jackie asked in shock.
"We're sorry." Kitty sighed, leaving the room in a huff.
"I made some sandwiches, for you to take." Red sniffled softly. "They're in the fridge and I put a twenty on your nightstand," Red hugged the girl tightly, parting from her as he tied his robe tighter around him. "We're so sorry."
"Whatever," Jackie managed to get out. "It's cool." Jackie nodded her head in understanding, pushing past Red.
"Jackie, you can stay tonight."
"No, Red," Jackie sighed. "If you don't think that I'm good enough to live in this house, then I guess I'm not." Jackie's lips curled up into a forced smile. "It's cool, seriously. I'll find a motel or something."
"Jackie, please…"
"Hey, Dad, what are you still doing up?" Eric came in through the slider, whispering softly, tensing up uncomfortably as he spotted Jackie. "Listen, remember that thing I said earlier…" Eric's eyes dropped the floor as Jackie slowly realized how the Forman's knew she smoke pot. She stared at Eric in awe as he continued, "I was wrong."
"Wrong?" Red asked angrily.
Eric was taken aback at Red's fierce tone.
"It's a little too late for that, Eric." Jackie muttered; a disappointed and bitter smile spread across her lips. "I'll leave first thing tomorrow." Jackie said this towards Red, "Good night." She glanced between Red and Eric, both looking sullen and confused. "Thanks, for everything." Jackie mumbled quickly before she went down towards the basement.
"What do you mean you were wrong?" Red asked quickly, walking towards his son. "Your mother and I were well aware of Jackie's behavior. We're not idiots, you know. The only reason we agreed to kick Jackie out is because of the promise we made to you, that if Jackie ever pressured you, we'd fix it."
"Jackie never pressured me."
"Yeah, I know that." Red laughed sadly.
"I just…I thought that if Jackie went away that maybe what I felt for her would go away too." Eric's shoulders sunk as he spoke. "Is Mom still up?"
"She should be."
"You think that if I ask really nicely, she'd let Jackie stay?"
"Your mom's a softie at heart, you know that." Red laughed, briefly hugging Eric. "Kind of like her son."
"God, Dad, you're so mushy." Eric laughed, patting his father on his back. "Maybe I should bring her something to eat. This way, her mouth will be full and she can't yell at me."
"Or bite you." Red said nodding, grabbing the bag of sandwiches from the fridge.
Eric took the bag, nodding with a determined look as he left the kitchen, feeling slightly better then the last time he had left it.