Dirty Disco Dancing

"Hyde, you're taking me to the prom tonight."

Hyde thinks he must be more stoned than he's ever been in his life. Because there is no way Jackie Burkhart is standing in front of him, hands on hips, and demanding him to escort her to what is sure to be the lamest event in Point Place's history.

"Dude." He looks to Eric for confirmation. "Did we smoke?"

"Nah, man," Eric shakes his head. "But why don't me and Donna leave you two alone to sort this out?"

Despite Hyde's loud groan of protest, the couple hurry up the stairs, leaving him to face Jackie's wrath. "Listen," he proposes. "I don't really know how to put this nicely, so I'm just gonna say it. … I would rather die than go anywhere with you. Especially this stupid prom."

"You don't really think it's all that stupid," Jackie retorts. "You're just saying that so you can still be cool Hyde who resists all things organized and commercial. Whatever, man, if that's your thing, but just for tonight, you're gonna forget all that and put on a suit and pick me up at eight."

Command issued, she turns on her heel and leaves as abruptly as she'd come. Eric and Donna are back the moment she's gone, still holding the glasses they'd been pressing against the basement door in an effort to hear more clearly.

"Oh my God!" Donna bursts out laughing when she sees the stunned expression on her friend's face. "Hyde! You're taking Jackie to prom!"

"What? No, he didn't say yes. He didn't say anything, Donna," Eric argues.

"Look at that face, Eric. Open your eyes." They both peer intently at Hyde. "He's taking her."

For his part, Hyde does his best to portray reluctance and a little bit of disgust as, hours later, he readies himself for a memorable night. He has to borrow a suit from Red because Eric is so scrawny and Kitty claps her hands delightedly and snaps about a dozen photos before letting the two boys leave the house.

When they pull up to Jackie's house, Hyde tries one last time to weasel out of the night, "Forman, why don't you tell her I got sick, huh? I can duck behind the bushes and walk back from here. Be a pal."

Eric seems to consider the idea, probably because he knows Jackie won't go alone and he'd do anything for more privacy with Donna. The girl ruins it, though, with a sharp blow to his bicep and a menacing look at Hyde. "You march right up to that door and get your date, Steven Hyde," she directs, "And make sure to tell her she looks good."

Muttering all the way, he does as he's told. He knows he can't bail now, that he never really had a choice of bailing, because it would be too mean to subject Jackie to the humiliation of not going to prom. He knows her, he's sure she's had a dress for weeks and that she bought shoes especially to match and bragged to all her friends how cool it was going to be. He doesn't want to be lumped in with the pile of losers who've disappointed her, Kelso included.

Jackie's house is bigger than Hyde could have imagined, and her father is just as imposing. He remains silent while leading Hyde to the living room to wait then, just as Jackie calls that she'll be down momentarily, leans in to say, "Son. I've never heard of you until this afternoon and I don't know why you're taking Jackie to prom instead of that Kelso boy, but mark my words, if anything goes wrong for her tonight … it'll be your head."

"Ready!" Jackie chirps as she enters the room and Hyde does something he'd never thought he'd do – thanks God for the sound of her voice. "Wow, Steven, you sure do clean up nice."

The words 'back atcha' were almost out of his mouth before he looked up and was struck dumb. Her dress was light pink and form-fitting, her curls swept atop her head to give her a soft, elegant look. And he'd been right … the shoes matched perfectly.

"Wow. Jackie, you look … beautiful," he manages to get out, then immediately slams his mouth shut.

She looks pleased at the effect she's had. "Thanks, Steven. We should go, Eric and Donna probably want to kill me. Bye, Daddy, I love you."

The ride to the school isn't long, but it feels that way to Hyde. The girls are chattering mindlessly, swapping predictions of how the night will go and who will wear what, and every time the car takes a turn, Jackie slides a little in her seat and her thigh brushes his. He wishes he didn't notice it as much as he does. He also wishes the trip had more turns.

He refuses to think about what his wishes mean.

He manages to lure Jackie away from the dance floor at first, coaxing her away with the point that all the good stuff at the buffet will be gone if they don't get in line. When they've finished eating – and man, can she pack it in, a fact that fascinates him considering she's 95 pounds - he distracts her again with the idea of making the rounds of the room to show off how much better she looks than anyone else.

"Steven, don't me wrong, you're a great date," she says when they've made their second circulation and she's had all the praise she can handle, "But … are you gonna dance with me, or what?"

Compared to the endless squeals of 'Oh my God you look amazing!' and 'Where did you find that dress?' he just subjected himself to, the dance floor beckons like an oasis. "Sure," he surrenders, "Let's go."

Smiling, she hooks her arm through his and bats her lashes lovingly. "Don't sound so enthused."

It's while they're dancing that Hyde finally starts to relax. The music, while completely not his taste, is low enough to tune out and slow enough so that he doesn't need to embarrass himself. He just … sways, back and forth, and Jackie nestles in closer, resting her head on his shoulder, and he begins to feel zen.

"Ugh," Jackie says, breaking in on his momentary peace, and Hyde is surprised to find that he's closed his eyes. He opens them and follows her line of sight and finds Kelso cuddling in the middle of the dance floor with none other than Pam Macey. "What does he see in her?"

"Don't freak out," Hyde admonishes before she can begin one of her patented Jackie rants. "Don't give him the satisfaction. He's gonna look this way in a second, and when he does, just … do what you always do. Look good."

She tilts her head. "You think I always look good?"

Hyde shrugs and fumbles for an offhanded response. "Well, I wouldn't kick you out of bed."

Jackie laughs. "You're something else, Steven Hyde. Tell you what. You were so great tonight that I'll let us cut out early … as soon as you admit you had fun."

"I had fun," Hyde says, so quickly that she laughs again, a sound he can feel himself getting used to. "Now let's blow this joint."

And just as Hyde predicted, Kelso finally glances their way. It takes a moment for him to recognize them, as Jackie giggles and her eyes shine up at Hyde, who is cracking a small, genuine smile in return. As realization dawns, his friend leads his ex girlfriend out the door, his hand resting on the small of her back like it belongs.