Switched.

Chapter 10: The Mistakes

Jackie felt like someone had ripped her heart out. Actually, someone did and his name was Eric Forman. She knew that she had hurt him, telling him that she could never return his love, but what he did, it was so low. Eric knew that the only good thing that ever happened to Jackie was moving in with the Forman's. Now where was she going to go? Jackie rolled over in her tiny cot, forcing her eyes to concentrate on the Zeppelin poster across from her, rather then let herself cry. She would not cry over this. A few hours ago, she was actually happy, for the first time in weeks, with, of all people, Steven Hyde. Jackie's stomach growled angrily as she rolled over, facing the blank concrete wall next to her. What on earth was she going to do? Everything was falling apart, especially her friendship with Eric, which until today, she valued incredibly. She was quite possibly in love with Steven Hyde. She had no home and no family. Jackie sat up gently, tucking some stray hair behind her ears and clutching her knees. She knew who could make some sense out of this right now, who could make her feel better. Jackie quietly threw a sweatshirt over Eric's old football jersey, almost laughing at how she wouldn't feel right sleeping without it, even if Eric did betray her. She stuck her bare toes into a pair of old sneakers and quietly snuck out the basement door, running towards the one person who never failed her.

"Mom?" Eric knocked on the door of his parent's bedroom quietly. If Kitty was sleeping, he sure as hell wouldn't want to wake her up, no matter how important this is.

"What?" Kitty grumbled angrily.

Eric opened the door gently, wondering how much he was going to regret this. But he had to do it, for Jackie's sake.

"I need to talk to you."

Kitty stared blankly at her son. Eric knew that the one thing Kitty Forman hated more than dirty commies was talking, so once again, he reminded himself who this was for.

"It's about Jackie." Eric sat on the edge of the bed as Kitty sat up, her eyes glazing over with concern. "Um," Eric held out the paper bag of sandwiches Red had given him. "Hungry?"

"No." Kitty said flatly.

Damn. Eric was hoping Kitty would eat so it was harder for her to yell. Eric closed his eyes, preparing to throw out his next announcement as he realized that he deserved Kitty's yells. The louder, the better.

"Mom, you can't kick Jackie out." Eric said quickly, trying hard not to see her reaction. When he finally let his eyes rest on hers, he could she didn't have one.

"Excuse me?" Kitty said softly, which freaked Eric out more then it should have.

"Jackie's never pressured me to do anything." Eric inhaled sharply, looking his mother straight in eye as he spoke. "I thought that maybe if she didn't live in the same house as me, I could get over her."

"That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard." Kitty said blatantly, her eyes dawning with realization. "You love her?"

"No." Eric said loudly. "Yes. God, I don't know." He sighed sadly.

"Eric, how could you do that to Jackie?" Kitty uncrossed her arms, softening slowly. "She's been through so much, that girl, and you are her best friend."

"Things change." Eric said dryly.

Kitty shook her head sadly. "What do you want me to do? Ask Jackie not to move out? The damage is done, Eric. You made a mistake and now Jackie's the one paying for it." Kitty leaned back on her pillows, waiting for her son to say something, anything.

"Mom, come on." Eric pleaded. "You can think of something to say to her to make her stay. She can't leave. Where will she go?"

"I don't know, Eric." Kitty's voice rose with slight anger again. "Maybe you should've thought of that before you ratted her out."

There was a moment of silence and Kitty was about to ask Eric to leave so she can sleep already, until Eric suddenly jerked upright.

"Fuck!" Eric screamed loudly. Kitty glared at her son, not sure if she should scream or just let it slide. "Why do I always mess things up?" He rubbed his forehead softly with his palm, deep in thought. He stood up, sticking his hands in his pockets.

"What are you going to do?" Kitty asked calmly, recognizing the idea in his head.

"I'm going to make things right again." Eric said quietly. "Since you won't."

"Eric…" Kitty started, but he would have none of it as he quietly left the room, without even muttering a goodbye.

As Eric left his parent's bedroom, he spotted bouncy blonde hair making it way's out of the bathroom.

As soon as Laurie caught his eye, she frowned.

"I'm not speaking to you." Laurie said angrily, which was strange to hear, since usually she's bubbly as a cheerleader. "Traitor." She spat out as she passed him.

"For your information, Laurie." Eric said in a snobbish tone. "I have a plan."

"Really?" Laurie's eyes began to shine with hope. "You convinced Mom to let Jackie stay?"

"No." Eric said flatly. "I'm going to give Jackie a place to stay." He sighed unsurely as Laurie gave him a denouncing look.

"Whatever, Eric." Laurie mumbled, in a very Jackie-like way. "We'll see how your little plan works out." She turned towards her bedroom, but slowly stopped herself. She turned around quickly and hugged Eric, kissing his cheek gently.

Her eyes were teary as she stepped back. Eric brought her back to him, whispering "thank you" into her ear before she slipped into her bedroom and Eric went to his own.

Tomorrow morning, he'd catch Jackie before she leaves and fix everything.

After all, it was all his fault.

He had to make it better. For her.

"Open the door, open the door." Jackie said aloud as she hopped from foot to foot. It was beyond freezing and she was wearing old, thinning gym shorts.

She saw a light turn on in the house as the door slowly opened.

"Thank god." Jackie muttered to herself.

"Jackie?" Kelso rubbed his eyes gently since they were still heavy with sleep.

Jackie couldn't help but notice how much Kelso has grown. Some days, she still saw him as that little boy she used to have sleepovers with. But now, in a tight gray tee shirt and flannel pajama pants, she could see he filled out and nicely.

"Michael, let me in." Jackie pushed past him hurriedly, shivering as she sat down on his couch, tucking her legs beneath her to warm up.

Kelso, confused and tired, shut the door and went over to Jackie, sitting next to her. She shivered once more and he wrapped his arm around her tightly. She had called him Michael, so he knew that she was upset.

"I'm homeless." Jackie said quietly, resting her shoulder on Kelso's. A little spooked at how broad his shoulders have become and comforted by how warm her was.

Kelso didn't say anything; he just squeezed her shoulder softly in understanding.

"I should be mad at Eric." Jackie laughed gingerly. "But I'm not."

Kelso couldn't bear to look at Jackie's quivering lips or sad expression as she spoke. He stared at the wall at she went on.

"I haven't felt this confused since…yesterday." She laughed again, in an ever sadder tone. Jackie was trying to laugh things off, but it wasn't working.

"Jackie…" Kelso started, wincing as she looked up at him.

Her eyes were hollow and red. It looked like she hadn't slept in days, and it was finally catching up with her. But, still, she was so beautiful that Kelso couldn't help but stare into her blue-green eyes, wilting with emotional drain. He wanted to hug her, to tell her everything was ok, to see her smile like she used to, before her parents abandoned her. But his muscles froze as she leaned in closer, breathing heavily.

"Michael…" She closed her eyes, pursing her lips. Kelso didn't know what to do. "No one loves you like I do."

"Jackie…" He paused, leaning back as her eyes popped open. "What are you doing?"

She sighed, shaking her head.

"I don't know." She mumbled angrily, placing her hands over her growling stomach.

"Come on." He stood up, holding a hand out for her.

"Where are we going?" She stood up, gripping onto his hand for dear life. She never wanted to let go. It was the only thing that made her feel safe.

"To the kitchen." Kelso said happily. "I'm starving, how bout you?"

Jackie nodded gently. She knew what Kelso was doing. And she appreciated it.

Jackie sat down as Kelso began digging through the fridge, taking out eggs and milk as he turned on the stovetop, winking at her quickly in between.

"I'm so lucky." Jackie said quietly, causing Kelso to look up at her awkwardly. "I'm so lucky." Jackie repeated, "That I have you."

"No, Jackie." Kelso laughed, continuing to cook. "I'm the lucky one."

Kelso flashed an award winning smile, smearing some butter on her nose playfully as she laughed, letting all the drama of today melt away.

"So, I totally forgot to ask but," Jackie's eyes hungrily landed on the plate Kelso just placed before her. "How was your date with Laurie?"

Kelso handed her a fork, smiling thankfully as Jackie scooped up a bunch of scrambled eggs and popped them into her mouth, savoring the taste.

"It was…nice." Kelso smirked. "We watched the movie and then we went to the Hub to grab something to eat."

"And then?" Jackie asked suggestively.

"Then," Kelso said calmly. "I dropped her off at home."

"Did you walk her to the door?"

"Of course."

"So?" Jackie smirked. "Did you guys…?"

"Yup." Kelso smiled modestly. "We had crazy sex right there on the Forman's porch." Kelso laughed to himself as Jackie pointed her fork at him maliciously. "Seriously, no." Kelso polished off the rest of his eggs as he placed his dish in the sink, not facing Jackie. "We didn't kiss or anything. I mean, it's Laurie. She's practically a nun."

"Well, next time." Jackie insisted, finishing her eggs as well. "I still can't believe you've never been kissed."

"It's not that hard to believe." Kelso said sadly. "I mean, look at me."

Jackie stood up, wrapping her arm around Kelso's torso, leaning her head against his chest. She was a great deal shorter then him and the way they fit when they hugged, Jackie always thought it was perfect. Her head landed squarely in the middle of his chest and if she listened hard enough she could hear his heart beating. It soothed her nerves.

"Look at you, Michael." Jackie titled her chin so she could face him. "I hate to say it, but you're looking pretty good these days."

"Shut up." Kelso muttered, picking her up. Jackie wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to the living room. She felt a slight bolt of excitement go throughout her body. Maybe they were getting too old to be playing around like this. Maybe that thing they say, about how girls and boys just can't be friends without some sort of sexual tension, is true.

"Put me down." Jackie demanded, pouting her lips in a playful manner. "Pretty please, Michael?"

Kelso couldn't deny the attraction he felt to Jackie at that moment. He had one of the most gorgeously sexy girls in all of Wisconsin wrapped around his body. Who could ignore that? He couldn't help but notice that Jackie had been calling him "Michael" a lot lately, something she used to do only when she was mad or upset.

"Ok, princess." Kelso dropped Jackie on the couch beneath him, turned on as she bounced slightly, her brown hair falling out of it's messy ponytail. She put the hair tie around her wrist and then took off her sweatshirt, a bit of her lean stomach and the bottom of her bra was revealed. Kelso swallowed the lump out of his throat as Jackie pulled down on Eric's jersey.

"God, why am I still wearing this thing?" Jackie muttered. "Give me your shirt."

"What?"

Jackie turned to face Kelso. "I said, give me your shirt."

Kelso knew better then to argue with Jackie Burkhart, so he carefully took off his tee shirt, placing it in Jackie's lap. Jackie tried to focus on anything but Kelso's chest, which radiated in the streaming moonlight. He was lean, but muscular at the same time. Jackie's stomach throbbed, but not because she was hungry.

Jackie tore Eric's Jersey off her back and Kelso's eyes practically bulged. She saw it too. In fact, maybe she was doing all this purposely, trying to see what Kelso's reaction would be. Jackie didn't know what she was doing anymore. There seemed to be an endless supply of boys in her life but only one that really mattered, right now. And that was Kelso.

Kelso glanced at Jackie as she covered her practically naked upper half with his tee shirt, sniffing the collar softly as she put her hair back up.

"Now I know why Eric and Steven are both head over heels for you." Kelso laughed awkwardly.

Jackie peered at him innocently as she folded Eric's jersey.

"What should we do with it?" Kelso asked, taking it from Jackie.

"I'd like to keep it." Jackie grabbed it back quickly. "Just, because."

Kelso nodded, once again seeing unwanted pain in Jackie's eyes.

He lunged at her, knocking her over onto her back, tickling her ribs with his fingertips as she muffled her giggles, knowing that his parents were just upstairs.

"Quit it!" She groaned as his cold fingertips felt bare skin, his shirt lazily riding up her body as he tickled her fiercely, wincing as her knee, out of habit, jolted straight up into his crotch. He leaned back in pain as Jackie laughed, running to the kitchen for ice.

She came back quickly, sitting next to him, Indian style, holding the bag of ice between his legs.

"Sometimes, I forgot you're a boy." Jackie laughed hoarsely.

"Thanks." Kelso said sarcastically, staring at Jackie's trembling hand, which was about two inches away from giving him a 'job' of some sort.

"Does it hurt?" Jackie asked gently, trying hard not to laugh.

"It's getting better." Kelso said softly, eyeing Jackie as she let go of the ice, letting it settle on him comfortably. He moved it aside as Jackie took a deep breath.

"Michael, I think I want to kiss you." Jackie leaned in towards him.

"Jackie…" Kelso started. "You're just confused."

"No, I mean, I know that I don't love you that way." Jackie said sheepishly. "But, you're my best friend and I just, maybe," She sighed. "I want to see what it's like."

"Um," Kelso felt slightly uncomfortable as Jackie gently moved her bare leg, stroking his side with it. She was seducing him, he could feel it.

Jackie knew what she was doing, but swore to herself it was out of good intentions. If anything, it would be practice for Kelso before Laurie finally lets go of her prudish ways.

Jackie maneuvered her body so that she was now on to of Kelso, pinning him to the couch. She placed her small hands on his bare chest, tracing circle with her fingertips. The ice beneath her crotch started to send shivers down her spine, as droplets of condensation trickled down her legs. She stuck her hand between her legs, wiping at the water as Kelso watched with amused, hungry eyes. Her index finger, now cold and damp, traced another circle around Kelso's chest as his hands reached the small of her back, holding her in place.

"What are we doing?" Kelso laughed, more to himself then to Jackie.

"I really don't know." Jackie laughed as well. She didn't know anything anymore. But she knew that this, as weird as it was, felt almost right.

Jackie made the first move towards his lips, skimming them softly as Kelso's hands cupped her rear, pushing her up so that she could reach. Her tongue trashed violently in his mouth, her breath ceasing as his tongue met hers. It took a minute for Kelso to adjust this new experience of kissing a girl as he moved his hands up her back and under her shirt, feeling the clasp of her bra with his fingertips.

Jackie popped her eyes open as Kelso leaned back, breaking the kiss.

His face was contorted with confusion and realization at the same time.

Had she gone too far?

"Huh." He muttered softly, taking his hands away from her back and placing them on his sides.

"What?" Jackie's core throbbed with intense craving. She wanted sex, and she wanted it now.

"It's like," He laughed. "It's like kissing my sister."

Jackie blinked widely in shock, carefully getting up and off of Kelso.

"Oh my god." Jackie smacked herself internally.

"I'm sorry, Jackie…" Kelso stood up slowly.

"No, it's ok, really." For the second time that night, Jackie felt like someone ripped her heart out. Any craving that she had wanted for Kelso slipped away as she grabbed her sweatshirt and her shoes, throwing them on carefully. "I should go."

"Jackie, I don't want things to be weird between us…"

"Then they won't be." Jackie mustered a pleasing smile. She hugged Kelso briefly. "I love you, Michael Kelso. Nothing will change that."

He smiled from ear to ear, wiping at his mouth softly.

"Are you sure you felt nothing?" Jackie asked quietly.

"Pretty sure." Kelso nodded. "I'm glad we did it though. Otherwise, I'd always be wondering what if, you know?"

"Yeah." Jackie nodded, opening the door for herself. "Later, Kelso."

She smiled quickly before he could see the disappointment on her face and walked outside, down the path of the Kelso's lawn.

"Jackie?" Kelso called out.

"Yeah?' She turned back to face him, hopeful.

"No one loves you like I love you." He said whimsically, smiling wide before he shut the door.

Jackie smiled back to the door, walking out towards the street, in tears.

She had just offered herself to Kelso and he rejected her. What was happening in that crazy mind of hers? Did she really think Kelso was the answer to her problems? Sure, he's her best friend, but that's where it ends. She knew that. Jackie really didn't want to walk all the way back home, since it was still cold and she was extremely tired. The sun started to poke out of the horizon as Jackie mechanically began walking towards the richer part of town.

Before she knew it, she was at the Hyde's doorstep.

She yawned as she rang the doorbell, her eyes closing as the door opened.

"Jackie?" Steven glanced at her tired form, pulling her inside.

Jackie passed out contently in his arms as he scooped her up and took her upstairs, taking off her shoes as he placed her in his bed, wrapping the blankets around her.

"Steven?" Jackie whispered softly, her eyes remained closed as she rolled over.

"Yeah?" He whispered back, settling down next to her, wrapping his arm around her as she nuzzled her chin into his chest.

"Sometimes, I think I might love you." She yawned loudly, snoring gently as she passed out completely.

"Same here, Jackie." Steven smiled warmly, kissing her forehead before he drifted off into sleep as well.