Project Restoration Chapter 9: 'Cause we've always had each other

Author's Note: This is it y'all, down to the last two chapters. I'm so happy so many have said they like this story. The next chapter is more like an epilogue so this is the end of the fateful trip to Chicago. Feedback is not only appreciated, but adored. Enjoy everyone.

Disclaimer: Of course they aren't mine, I've got a little Irish in me but I'm not quite that lucky.

DEEP BREATHES

In the whirlwind of Jackie's entrance, and amidst the shock of what he thought he had just heard, Fez must have forgotten to breathe. But as he looked at the faces of his friends, all eyes wide in disbelief, he started to remember oxygen was a good thing. So he took a much needed breath. Deep breath in…exhale out. Deep breath in…exhale out.

Fez breathed with relief. There was light at the end of the tunnel. Of course things weren't quite perfect. Kelso still had to figure things out to make his move a reality. Eric would still be gone for two more months. And well Jackie and Hyde had a lot of talking to do, which always meant there was a danger of angry voices. Both of them certainly had a temper.

But things were progressing quite nicely. In a short matter of time things had begun to change from dismal to hopeful. Maybe this trip had not been a sign of his naivety as much as his genius.

He watched as Kelso left to go talk to Brooke for a while. And Jackie and Hyde went to the bedroom to have their discussion. And the moment Donna hung up the call from Africa, she called Mrs. Forman, eager to begin planning something special for Eric's return.

So Fez was left to sit on the couch alone.

Smiling.

Taking deep, satisfied breathes.

QUITTING:

Eric had heard that quitters never win, but in this moment he frankly thought that just wasn't true.

He had quit.And that meanthe was going home. To Donna. That sure felt like winning to him.

He'd called home first to talk it over with Kitty. She reacted much like he knew she would. Crying, laughing, shouting, "I knew you needed your mommy!"

Red had called him a quitting dumbass, but specified, in a rare moment of fatherly love, that Eric was a quitting dumbass he'd be glad to have home…the garage needed to be cleaned.

And just before calling Kelso's, Eric had talked it over with the coordinator of the program. Apparently this was something that happened often, 20 was apparently awfully young to be away from home for so long. Most the people who stayed the full year were a little older, and had brought a spouse with them. The man had told Eric he'd been doing a good job, that the program would miss him but the kids would be in good hands. He said Eric shouldn't look at it as quitting, but simply as "ending a stage of his development."

Eric had appreciated the euphemism, but honestly had no problem calling it quitting.

DEALS:

Jackie had always been the kind of girl who could recognize and appreciate a good deal. Buy one pair of fantastically gorgeous shoes, get another pair free. Bring home at least 4 A's on her report card, get diamond earrings. Turn 16, get a brand new Mustang. And good deals had always made her happy.

This deal was different though. There were no fancy and expensive rewards involved. The task required was more difficult than simply having a birthday or getting good grades. She was about to offer Steven herself, her love, her loyalty. All in exchange for him and his.

She hoped he thought it was a good deal.

Because she knew it would make her happy.

As they sat on the bed, Steven's reaction still reflecting shock and awe, she put on her game face. She'd haggle if she had to. She was here to make a deal.

"Steven?" He blinked hard and then looked at her, finally looking focused enough to really talk. "I meant it, I love you. And I'm sorry for last night. I was angry and hurt and that was all that I could show you. But I don't want to be angry anymore. And I want to let the hurt heal. And I think I need you to make that happen. I want to fix us."

He had taken off his glasses so she could see every shadow playing in his eyes. She thought she recognized some as gratitude and relief. So she continued.

"I think the first step is for you to get divorced. Nothing can happen between us until that is out of the way. I've been cheated on too many times to let myself be that woman. And I love you too much to let you be that man. And when things do start, we need to take them slow. I know I can't push so hard. And we have to establish trust. Michael will always be my friend. But you will always have my heart, and I hope that can be alright with you."

He stared at her, adoration his only expression now. So she cupped his cheek, kissed his forehead, and gave him a genuine, sparkling, Jackie smile. "Deal?"

"Deal."

GOODBYES:

Donna knew goodbyes could get messy. And she hated mess and mush as much as most guys would. But the weekend had already wreaked emotional havoc on all of them, why not risk the mess to say goodbye to her good friend.

Kelso had gotten back from Brooke's a few moments before, and the Vista Cruiser was already packed for the drive to Point Place. Hyde had gone to give Kelso a handshake but had been pulled into a ferocious hug instead. They patted each other's backs to make it more manly, but Donna giggled at the two boys failing miserably at hiding their emotions. Then Fez had hugged Kelso, thanked him for the tootsie rolls, and ordered him to move home quickly, before the new season of Charlie's Angels started.

And Jackie had tears in her eyes as she clung to him, kissed his cheek with fondness, and told him too to hurry home, doofus. Her bossy tone making Kelso beam.

Donna hung back a second, letting the others make there way out and to the car. Then she turned to him.

"Thanks, you know. For everything. Letting us stay here, putting up with the drama, the beer and the sundaes. Really. And we do need you in that basement. As soon as possible." She laughed a little, "Everything's gone to shambles without our King."

He laughed with her, his contagious laugh that had gotten them all through heartaches and tragedies without losing their sense of humor. And they hugged. It was something that, for as good as friends as they had always been, they had rarely done. Yet it felt natural.

Up until she felt his hand on her ass.

"Kelso!" She pulled away and slapped his arm, playfully, but still hard enough to make him give an "ow."

"Bye Pinciotti, you tease."

"Bye Moron."

ROADS:

They were on the road home after what had felt like forever away. The silence that had been his haven on the way was thankfully no more. Jackie and Fez were talking in the back at great length about who was hotter: Mary Ann, Ginger, or Jackie. Of course, Jackie maintained she was the hottest. But that based on the glamour of being a movie star, Ginger was a close second. Fez pointed out that he wasn't sure, there was something strangely alluring about the wholesome girl-next-door in pigtails. Hyde had pretended to be annoyed, but couldn't help himself. He eventually piped in, giving Jackie his vote, and receiving a bright smile in the rearview mirror that took his breath away.

Donna was singing along with the radio, staring out the window. She seemed relaxed and at ease, and Hyde was glad. Donna and Forman completed each other, he was happy for her sake as much as his own that Eric would be coming home.

And he looked out at the highway stretching for miles in front of him, thinking of all the crap they'd had to travel through to get to this point, this moment where everything felt as if it would be okay.

It had been a long, hard road. Hurt he didn't know he could feel and tears had hadn't thought he could shed had littered the way.

But it had been worth it.

PUPPIES:

Kelso watched the back of the Cruiser until it turned out of sight before heading back in to his apartment. It seemed bigger now, and sadly empty. The home-y feel had vanished with that Wisconsin liscense plate. He sat on his couch, thankful for Prince, as the puppy jumped up beside him and nestled in.

He loved puppies because they weren't always bright, but they were loyal. They sometimes made a mess, but their energy was infectious. Without words a puppy knew what to do to make things a little better. He loved puppies because he could understand the sentiment of "man's best friend."

And because he could relate. And he hoped his friends saw him in that kind of light, minus the excessive hair and fleas and all that.

"Well, Prince, it's just you and me again, buddy. What do you want to do?"

He looked down at the dogs dark eyes, glistening playfully as the tail began to wag. He laughed.

"You want to play? Is that what you want, you wan to play?" The puppy bounded off the couch and began to jump excitedly at his feet. Moving from the couch to the floor he began to bat at the dog's paws, giggling as Prince batted back, barking with delight.

And they played like that for quite a while, Kelso laughing and rolling all around.

In this moment he couldn't think of a single reason not to be happy.