Time to get our favourite couple back together, I think. Please R & R - and thank you Emily Jane for all your comments.

"Look, Hyde, if you don't stop your twitching I'm gonna have to kick your ass," Kelso threatened. Hyde tore his gaze from the basement door to frown at the lanky doofus.

"Good idea, man. Putting your melon in a headlock would really help pass the time 'til…"

"Til what?" Donna asked. "Oh my God – you're waiting for Jackie, aren't you?" Hyde's silence was an admission of guilt.

"Wait, you told us she was going back to New York," Fez accused. "She made her choice, Hyde, and a damn fine choice it was." Fez and Kelso had forgiven Hyde for abducting their potential benefactress of motor vehicles when he had told them Jackie was honoring her Grandmother's deal. Still, putting those two love-charged teens in the same room was a foolhardy risk their friends did not wish to run.

"Look, we agreed to meet back here this afternoon. We still have some things to… work out."

"Sure, of course," Kelso said soothingly while making frantic signals to Fez. Suddenly they pounced on Hyde from different directions, grabbing one arm each and dragging him towards his bedroom.

"Sorry, Hyde, but this is for our own good," Fez explained. "Donna, grab something to barricade his door with!"

"Oh, give it up, you idiots," Donna said in exasperation as Hyde broke their hold. "Hyde and Jackie have a lot of things to work out. As their friends, we should be supportive."

"Oh yes, Hyde was very supportive last night," Fez said with suspicious compliance, "when he masterminded planting microphones and a camera in your bedroom. Kelso and I could never have done it without him."

"What!" screeched Donna. "That's how you knew Jackie was there! You bastard! I'm not giving up a house for you! Get him, boys!"

With Donna joining the attack, Hyde began to panic that he really would be locked away from Jackie. He was clinging onto his bedroom door jamb, resisting their efforts, when he heard a strident voice blast out "Get off my boyfriend!"

Looking up, Hyde saw Jackie, eyes blazing and fiercest frown aimed at his assailants. Reluctantly they released their hold. As soon as he was free he raced towards his rescuer, enveloping her in a hug that said I'm sorry, I love you, don't leave me.

"DAMN," Kelso yelled. "Well, isn't that the sweetest thing; giving up wealth and security for love – you two make me sick."

Hyde detached himself from Jackie's mouth long enough to say "Jackie doesn't have to give up anything," and then resumed frenching her mercilessly.

This sounded hopeful, Donna thought. "Someone throw some cold water on them – I want explanations!"

"Sure, throw water on my designer silk shirt – if you have a deathwish," Jackie warned. "Although – what did you mean just then, Steven?"

Hyde pulled Jackie down onto the couch, settling her in his lap. He felt it was essential not to break contact with her. Even though nothing had been settled between them yet, he felt more certainty inside of him than he had since the first day he realised he loved her and therefore had something to lose. Both Jackie and Red were right – the most important thing was not to let go. All the things pulling them apart were just details compared to that truth.

"Well, I was hoping to talk to you without an audience," Hyde said with a speaking look at his three friends.

"Yeah, I know how you feel. I was hoping to have the right to privacy in my own bedroom," Donna said pointedly. "Isn't life a bitch?"

"Oh, you found out about that?" Jackie said, her eyes laughing.

"You know too? How can you paw at him in that disgusting way when he's no better than a peeping tom pervert?"

"Well, I thought it very romantic. Steven missed me so much that when he found out I had come back but wouldn't see him he arranged things so he could gaze at my beauty and listen to the music of my voice. You really can't blame him, Donna," Jackie explained. Steven nodded solemnly at Donna as though in full agreement. "In fact, I'm surprised you're not more upset with Fez and Michael. Steven spied on you for half an hour but these guys have been at it all weekend."

Struck by this realisation, Donna rotated towards the two perpetrators who were inching their way towards the basement door. At the look on her face, they broke into a frenzied retreat, the flame-haired avenger in hot pursuit.

"Way to clear the room for us, baby," Steven said admiringly. He rewarded her with 10 minutes of kisses before pulling back to say "OK, we'd better talk now while I can still remember my name."

"Mmmm… afraid I'm already past that point, Brian," Jackie drawled sexily.

"Time to get serious, Jacks. I meant what I said – you don't have to give up anything on my account. I'm going to New York with you!"

Jackie was befuddled by this about-face. "But – what about your job?"

"I'll get another one."

"And where will you live?"

"They have apartments for rent in New York, don't they?"

"And fitting into my high flying lifestyle?"

"I guess I could steal a tux off a waiter and crash some parties with you. And I'll take you slumming at the best dives and rock clubs in the big city. All those things we can work out, honey. So long as we stick together."

Tears stood in Jackie's eyes as she heard Steven's promise to her – that he would never let her go. After a life time of being abandoned by people who were supposed to be there for her, Jackie felt enfolded in the warm protection of Steven's love.

"Steven, I love you so much," she said tenderly. "But there is one more obstacle to your following me to New York."

"What? Whatever it is, we'll get around it." Hell, what new drama was going to try and tear them apart.

"I'm not going," Jackie said.

He could not have heard her right. "Say again?"

"I called my grandmother half an hour ago and told her I'm staying here in Point Place – with you."