It's Been A While
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the 'That 70's Show' characters, regretfully. I do not own the title names either.
Summary: See 'Where Is Your Heart'
Authors Note: Again thank you very much for the reviews. I just wanted to point out that the titles of the chapters are of the songs that have inspired me to right that particular chapter. The first one was 'Where Is Your Heart?' by Kelly Clarkson, the second one was 'Dream A Little Dream of Me' by Michael Buble, and this one is 'It's Been Awhile' by Staind.
-Foreman's Basement-
Hyde sat down on the couch and stared at the blank television screen. What did he do? To him, heartache was a lame excuse to not get out of bed before one in the afternoon, but now he felt it. He felt the raw pain of his heart being ripped out, shown to him, and stomped on. The worst part of it was that he did it to himself.
-Jackie's Car-
She couldn't move. She sat in her car, sobbing uncontrollably. She hadn't even turned the car on. She had raced out of the basement as quickly as her legs could carry her, sat down in the driver seat of her car and sobbed. She felt worse then when Steven cheated on her with the nurse. It was as if she couldn't breathe. All she could think about was that he loved her, but wouldn't ask her to stay. It didn't make any since.
-Foreman's Kitchen-
They were all torn. They had heard most of every word they had said. They heard the sharp smack of flesh hitting flesh. And they could all see Jackie crying in the driveway.
Red sat in his usual chair with a more perplexed frown then normal. Kitty sat next to her husband pursing her lips together in a sad, pitying smile, as she reached for Red's hand. Eric was sitting on the counter looking down at the linoleum of the kitchen. He didn't know what he could do for his friend. Donna sat at the kitchen table thinking about Jackie and glancing at everyone in the room. Fez and Kelso sat the closest to the sliding door, but they didn't speak. Fez didn't even once think about trying to french Jackie.
Kelso was the first to speak. "Man, they were Betsy's godparents!"
Red looked over at his son. "Why did you befriend him?"
"I was young and naive." Eric answered shrugging.
Donna stood up from her place at the table and shoved her hands in her pockets uncomfortably. "I'm gonna go talk to Jackie."
"That's a good idea, sweetie. I'll make her some cookies." Kitty said jumping up from the table and running around the kitchen, retrieving ingredients.
"Yeah, we'll go see how Hyde's doing." Eric said jumping off the counter.
"Here, bring him this." Red marched over to the fridge and pulled out a six pack. "Beer always makes me feel better." He shrugged handing the beer to his son.
Eric nodded. "Mom too."
-Foreman Basement-
Hyde had just finished draining his fourth beer as all the boys came bounding down the stairs. "Well," Eric said surveying the remnants of empty beer cans, "looks like you won't need these." Eric held up the six pack.
"No, I'll still need that." Hyde corrected as he pulled a beer off and opened it.
"Don't worry Hyde, you don't need to explain anything." Kelso said sympathetically, patting his friend on the back.
"Yes, we heard the whole thing." Fez finished. Kelso reached over and punched him in the arm. "Ow! I mean, it's just that you two were yelling." Kelso hit him again. "Ow! We know nothing!"
"You guys, I don't want to do anything. I just want to go lie down." Hyde stood up and walked to his room, closing the door behind him.
"Since he's in there, I'll be taking these." Kelso said taking the now five pack into his lap.
-Jackie's Room-
"Donna you said he'd do the right thing!" Jackie sobbed.
"I know I did and I'm sorry." Donna apologized rubbing her friend's back soothingly. "Well at least you can still be on TV."
Jackie looked at Donna as if she had grown a third eye. Then realization sunk in. Chicago. She was supposed to give them an answer by noon. Jackie pounced off the bed and flew to the phone, dialing the number at the station.
"Hello, Chicago Public Access?" a woman answered.
"Yes this is Jackie Burkhardt, I was calling to confirm that I would take the job."
"Oh dear, I'm sorry that position has been given to somebody else." The woman responded.
"What?"
"Yeah, we didn't get your call we just went with someone else."
"Oh, I see."
"I'm very sorry."
"Yeah." Jackie hung up and put her hands in her pockets, turning to face Donna.
"What happened?" Donna asked walking toward her friend.
"They gave the job to someone else." Jackie sobbed into Donna's open arms. "What am I gonna do, Donna?"
"Oh… Jackie…" Donna was at a loss for words. All she could do was hold her friend.
Author's Note: Sorry it's so short but I got a little case of writer's block. I'll get over it.