Sorry everyone. This chapter isn't what I wanted it to be but I had a sort of writers block. Thanks for reading and all suggestions and comments are welcome.

Chapter 4- Going through the motions

"Hyde….Hyde, wake up!" Eric was shaking Hyde's shoulder. Groggily Hyde sat up.
"What do you want?" Suddenly he remembered yesterday's events. "Did something happen to Jackie?"

"She woke up about an hour ago and she's asking for you. And the hospital just called. There are arrangements she has to make today you know. We didn't tell her they called, we think you should tell her." Eric looked at Hyde who sighed.

"Did Kelso and Fez show up yet?" Hyde hoped Kelso hadn't said anything stupid to Jackie, or Fez hadn't tried to hit on to her.

"Yeah, they stopped by last night after you left. They said they'd be back in the morning."

"Alright I have to get ready. I'll meet you at Jackie's in a half hour." Hyde dreaded the day to come. Watching Jackie go through the motions. Being hugged by everyone that walked by. Having to put up a front for people she didn't even know. It was making him sick just thinking about it.

When Hyde arrived at Jackie's later that morning, he found her sitting alone in a chair in her living room staring off into space.

"Jackie," Hyde said quietly walking over to where she sat, "are you okay?" He placed a hand gently on her shoulder. She looked up at him with a sort of blank expression. He took her hand and pulled her up. She placed her arms around Hyde.

"I think so," Jackie said softly, "the hospital called this morning. I heard Donna talking to them. I guess I have some things to take care of today." Her voice was calm and steady. Hyde was pleased, she was stronger than he though. But she probably hadn't started to come to terms yet with what had happened.

"Yes."

"I'm leaving soon to meet with someone from Waterton's Funeral Home, then I have to see Mr. Power from Powers Marble Works to discuss head stones. I was hoping if it's not too much trouble, could you come with me?" Hyde looked into Jackie's eyes. They pleaded with him to come, he knew she needed him.

"Of course I'll come. I told you yesterday, anything you need…." His voice trailed off as Jackie buried her head in his shoulder and whispered "Thank you," ever so quietly.

The day seemed to crawl by. Although Jackie and Hyde met with people all day and Donna, Eric, Fez and Kelso cleaned the house and helped to greet everyone who stopped by, each minute seemed like hours to them. Jackie was exceptionally composed. She met with doctors, lawyers, salesmen and so on. She made all the funeral arrangements herself, picked out flowers, headstones, caskets and verses and music for the church service. By the end of the day she was visibly worn out. She and Hyde had just finished their final task, picking out the casket, and they were on their way back to Jackie's.

Hyde sat in the drivers seat, Jackie next to him. He kept his eyes on the road, glancing at her ever so often. He wondered what was going through her mind. He glanced at her. Jackie was staring out the window and Hyde couldn't read her expression. He wanted to talk to her but he didn't know where to start. Hyde realized he loved her very much but he just couldn't tell her. He had never said that to anyone before in his life. Then again he had never loved anyone like Jackie before in his life. He glanced at her again and she glanced back. She gave him a forced smile.

"Thanks for coming with me today. It really meant a lot." Jackie looked at Hyde as she quietly thanked him. Unlike her smile this thank you was not forced.

"Look whatever you want or need, I'm totally here for you." His sunglasses hid his eyes and his true emotions. "I don't really know what to say or do but if you ever want to talk…" How could he possibly put into words what he wanted to say to Jackie. How could he tell her that more than anything in the world he just wanted to protect her, to hold her, to kiss her, to be with her.

"It's okay Steven. I don't really even know what I want to hear. This is all so new to me too. I mean yesterday I never dreamed that I would be making funeral arrangements for my healthy and alive parents the next. It just happened so quickly I don't think it's even really hit me yet. What am I going to do?" Jackie's voice began to shake. "I just don't know what's going to happen to me….."

Hyde looked at Jackie sitting next to him. Her voice broke silent tears began to roll down her face that quickly turned to racking sobs. He pulled the car over to the side of the road and pulled Jackie close.

"Hey…Jackie…look….you know whatever happens you'll always have me and the rest of the group. Everything will work out, it always does in the end. Come here." Hyde stroked her hair and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Jackie gazed up at him, leaned up and kissed him softly.

And without realizing what he was saying, the words that Hyde longed to tell Jackie slipped from his mouth, "I love you."