Behind Steven Hyde's Blue Eyes

By: Tokoyami

Author's Note: Thank you all for the reviews. This is the most reviews that I have ever gotten for just one chapter! I am so happy. More reviews make me want to write more because it seems more people are reading my story. School starts in two days, so I am hoping to get one more chapter in before it starts. The title of this chapter is based off a song by The Rolling Stones called 'Mixed Emotions.' Please review and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own That 70's Show or any of its characters. I do not own any of the songs that I am using for my chapter titles.

Chapter Seven

Mixed Emotions

Jackie beamed as she gratefully ate a plate full of steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. She was especially happy about the green beans and the steak because they would give her more iron. She glanced around the table. Mrs. Forman was chatting about her day at work with Mr. Forman and Eric was laughing about something funny with Hyde. This was how a family was supposed to be. It wasn't supposed to be an empty house with no one there to be there to comfort and laugh with you…and nobody there to love you. As these thoughts went through Jackie's mind she inwardly sighed. What was she going to do? Her father was in prison and her mother was in Mexico. She didn't know when either one of them would be home. What would she do in the mean time? She didn't have enough money to buy food for herself. And if she developed anemia, she defiantly wouldn't have money to pay for medical bills.

She took another bite of her steak. After Hyde and Eric had told Mr. And Mrs. Forman about her condition, Mrs. Forman practically pushed her into a spare chair at the table. Then she had put piles after piles of food on her plate. They seemed to have cared, unlike her real parents. She sipped some milk out of her cup. Man, her life has taken a total 360 on her lately. First, she finally decides to end her on and off again relationship with Michael and his cheating ways. Nest, she starts to appreciate having Hyde had a friend. Then, she has an iron deficiency. And now, here she finds herself with the Forman's. Things have defiantly been strange lately. But, Jackie was actually glad that her life had changed, even if she might have an iron deficiency. She was much happier now without Michael. She felt like a better person…maybe.

She placed her fork and knife down and drained the rest of her milk. She then placed the cup down and stood up to leave.

"Thank you very much Mr. And Mrs. Forman for letting me eat dinner with your family tonight," Jackie graciously said as she slightly bowed to show her gratitude, "You do not know how much this means to me."

"Oh Jackie, dear, it was my pleasure," Kitty replied while putting on a smile, "We enjoyed your company."

Jackie smiled once more and turned to leave. She walked down the hallway and opened the front door. She walked outside at looked up at the night sky. The moon was almost full and millions of stars twinkled down at her. Sometimes she wished she could gaze at the sky forever and forget about all her problems in her life. She breathed out, and started to walk down the Forman's driveway towards the drugstore.

----

As soon as Jackie left the room Hyde quickly stood up. He had just thought about the situation. It was night and Jackie had to walk her car.

"Um, Mrs. Forman," Hyde began, "Jackie left her car at the drugstore and I don't think its safe for her to walk alone at this time of night."

"Oh your right, Steven," Kitty slightly gasped, "I was having so much fun that I had lost track of the time."

"Yeah, so was I," Steven nodded, "But I am going to go bring Jackie to the drugstore, just so you know where I am going."

"Steven, honey," Kitty started. Hyde turned slightly, "You're a good boy…a real gentleman."

Hyde nodded again, and left the kitchen. He made his way down the hallway and saw that the front door was already opened. He stood in the doorway while watching Jackie. She was looking up at the sky, just staring at it. She had a contemplating expression depicted on her face. Hyde looked up to see what she was staring at. Wow, the sky sure was beautiful at night, he could see why Jackie was just staring at it. But the sky wasn't the only thing that was beautiful…He was shook from his gaze when he saw that she had started walking down the driveway. He quickly followed her.

Hyde didn't know what he was doing. He was just silently following Jackie. He felt like some weirdo stalker. It was night, and he was making sure she didn't hear him...yeah sounds like a stalker to him. Why didn't he just tell Jackie that he wanted to walk her home, for her safety of course. Hyde placed his hands in his pockets and continued to sulk. Why did she leave her car in the parking lot? Didn't she know that she was going to have to get it after dinner? Jackie was so…

Hyde just noticed that they were passing by the alleyway by The Hub. Great, this is where all the potheads and other druggies hung out at night. God Jackie, why did she have to take this way to the drugstore? Maybe because it was the fastest way… idiot. Whatever, shut up conscious, I'm supposed to make sure Jackie doesn't get into any trouble on the way to her car. Hyde quickened his pace so that he was about five feet behind her. He could see that she was trembling slightly. She must be scared shitless.

Hyde was about to comfort her when he caught some guys leering at her as she past them. He even saw one of them take a step towards her. Hyde quickly glared at him to back off as he passed by. The guy glared back, but stayed in the alley. Hyde smirked. Yeah, that's right…no one messes with Steven Hyde. While Hyde was silently gloating, Jackie quickened her pace. When he finally snapped out of his glory, Hyde realized that Jackie had walked really far ahead. Okay, Hyde, you need to watch Jackie, not wallow in triumph. Hyde sped up to catch up with Jackie. But, then Jackie began to walk faster. Okay, I guess I need to walk faster. So Hyde started to walk even faster. By now, Jackie had broken into a run. God woman! So Hyde began to chase after her. If she got too far ahead, he wouldn't be able to prevent guys from snatching her. Jackie was in a full-fledged run now. Hyde ran even faster, he had to catch up with her.

Hyde was narrowing in on her. He was about five feet away…three feet…one foot. He reached out and grabbed her shoulder. Jackie stopped and squealed a little scream. Then she quickly turned around punched Hyde right in the shoulder. Hyde instantly let go of her out of reaction. The punch had stung, but it didn't hurt. What the hell was wrong with her? He grabbed both her risks tight. She began to squirm.

"No, No," Jackie whimpered while tears began to form around her shut eyes, "Please let me go. Let me go!"

"Jackie…. JACKIE!" Hyde shouted loudly when she didn't cooperate, "Jackie, it's me…stop trying to hit me."

"Steven? Is that you? " Jackie stopped resisting him and opened her eyes, "Oh Steven, I thought you were one of those men from the alley…I thought you were chasing me." She threw her arms around him and silently sobbed.

"Jackie," Hyde started while patting her on the back, "Please stop crying. Why are you crying? It's just me." Jackie inhaled deeply and looked up at Hyde.

"Oh, I'm just so happy it was you," Jackie sighed, "So many bad things were happening to me, I thought some guy was going to get me. And I wouldn't have been able to resist much because I don't have enough strength. Steven, I am so glad it is you."

As soon as she had said those words, Hyde's heart began to pound a little harder. She was glad it was me? But didn't she hate me? Hyde's mind began to pound with his heart. Okay say something retard…

"For not having so much strength, you sure packed a good punch," Hyde said in reply, "I'm glad it was me who found you, and not one of those guys from the alley."

"Why are you out here so late anyway?" Jackie questioned.

Hyde's mind searched for the right answer. He can't tell her it was for her safety, she would think you are an idiot. Why do I care what she thinks? He opened his mouth to tell a lie. But once he looked into her eyes, he blurted out the truth.

"I'm out so late because I was making sure you got to your car without any trouble," Hyde said a little quickly. Jackie's eyes instantly lit up after she heard those words.

"Aww Steven, you wanted to make sure one of those nasty men didn't try to do something to me," Jackie said.

"Whatever," Hyde replied in a typical Hyde fashion, "Let's just get you to your car, then you can go home." Jackie beamed and started skipping down the sidewalk. Hyde just stared at her. Wow, she's happy. He shook his head while smiling slightly. He then began to walk behind her.

----

Oh my god, he came all the way out here just to walk me home. He's so nice and considerate. He's more polite than I thought he was. Jackie smiled has she skipped into the drugstore's parking lot. She found her way to her bug, which was the only car left in the parking lot. But, when she came up to her car her smile faltered.

There right in front of her was her bug. But, its windows were all broken, the tires were deflated, and it was all dented. And that was just the outside. Oh no, how was she supposed to get home now? Jackie turned around to see Hyde come up behind her. His face turned from calm to angry.

"What the hell?" Hyde said loudly. He walked over to the car and inspected it. He circled it and looked inside. After a few moments he came back out.

"Looks like somebody stole your keys, 8-tracks, and any money that you would have had," Hyde stated, "Also, they ripped a lot of the interior and it smells weird." Jackie just stared at her car. Her fingers twitched a little, but those were the only signs that she was listening. Suddenly, she just turned and started heading in another direction.

"Hey Jackie," Hyde yelled after her, "Where are you going! It is getting late, and you shouldn't go walking in the streets at this time of night." Jackie just kept walking and ignored all of Hyde's shouts. Hyde rolled his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh and took off after her.

"Jackie, you can't go wandering at night like this," Hyde said grabbing her arm. Jackie yanked her hand out of his grasp. She turned around and looked him in the eyes. Again, those eyes held so much emotion, but her face was blank.

"Steven, as you have seen, my car is totaled," Jackie continued to stare at him while talking in a strangely calm voice, "Even if I could get it fixed, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Hell! I can't even afford any stupid food to eat. I might develop some freakin' disease. Then I go to the hospital and I can't afford those bills…. and I'm…I'm…sorry…"

Huh?" Hyde was really surprised by this outburst and know she was apologizing, "Jackie why-"

"I'm sorry for causing you all this trouble," Jackie kept on speaking while ignoring Hyde, "You must be really annoyed to have to keep looking after me and helping me. I must be taking up so much of you're time. I'm such a useless burden. And I…"

Jackie's eyes opened in shock. While she had been speaking, Hyde had quickly pulled her into a tight embrace. He just stood there, hugging her. She sucked in some air, trying not to cry. Remember crying is a useless thing…it gets you nowhere. But I already am…nowhere…Then just like a dam that had been smashed open, the tears came out like a barrage of water. All the pain and suffering that Jackie had endured came gushing out in rivers of tears. And Hyde held her silently, and she cried into his shoulder.

"Ohh, what am I going to do?" Jackie sniffled while wiping her tears away, "I don't have any money, my parents are gone, and now my car is gone."

"Jackie, don't worry," Hyde comforted her while rubbing her back, liking this unfamiliar feeling, "I'll think of something and then everything will be okay."

"Wait, you'll think of something?" Jackie asked shocked, "Why would you want to help."

"Jackie," Hyde rolled his eyes, "I have been helping you since yesterday." Jackie's face formed a look of her hurt at these words. "But, it's not like I don't like helping you. It's given me something to do. And I don't mind…in fact…I would like to help…I guess."

"Thank you Steven," Jackie smiled while hugging him tightly, "I feel so much happier now. Well I better get going"

"Uh, where you going," Hyde questioned. Jackie turned and rolled her eyes at him playfully.

"To my house, dummy," Jackie giggled, "I can't sleep out here."

"I will walk you home," Hyde said. Jackie smiled and skipped away. God, what they say about girls and mood swings is true. Hyde walked after her and wondered what this new feeling was.

----

Jackie and Hyde rounded the corner to her house while the two laughed at something stupid. She had been enjoying his company. I guess it is better than having no company, besides he made her laugh. But as she turned to face forward, her smile faded. She looked at her house. It was tall and towering in the dark. It was dark and lifeless. She hated that house, but she had nowhere to go. The two walked up her driveway in silence. Finally she reached the front door. She turned to face Hyde.

"I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful evening and your generosity," Jackie said while getting her keys out, "You don't know how much this helped me get through all of this. You are very nice when you want to be, Steven Hyde."

"Whatev-"

Hyde breath caught up in his throat. Jackie leaned forward and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. Hyde was frozen. Even though it was only about five seconds long, the moment seemed to last forever. The only thing that was moving was Hyde's rapidly beating heart. Slowly Jackie moved away and looked at him with her kaleidoscope eyes. The feeling of her soft lips still lingered on Hyde's cheek. He yearned to touch the spot where she had kissed him to see if it had really happened, but he wasn't the kind of guy to do that. But then why was his heart racing faster than a speed car. Jackie had kissed him before on the cheek before, to be exact twice. Both times he had felt a vague feeling, but nothing like this. He wanted to…to… Hyde began to lean forward towards her.

What had she done? She had kissed Hyde's cheek. It was a sign of gratitude, wasn't it? But when she had done it, she had wanted more. This was beginning to weird her. She had never felt this way towards him, not even when she had followed him around after one of her notorious break-ups with Kelso. She had pulled away reluctantly. When she had gazed up at him, Jackie had noticed he was looking at her strangely. Great, I probably freaked him out. She had been worrying so much that she hadn't even noticed when he began to lean in. Jackie was trying to think of a way to cover up her mistake. She found a solution: she should invite him in.

"Well, thanks again," Jackie said a little quickly, "Do you want to come inside to get something to eat or drink?"

A startled Hyde pulled back instantly. What had he almost done? This wasn't like him at all. And he couldn't kiss a girl who has been so much in two days…man he is inconsiderate. He quickly put on an indifferent look. He stared at her for a few moments to look like he was thinking it over. Finally he answered.

"Nah, I am fine. I think I should be heading home. I don't want Mrs. Forman to think something bad happened to me."

"Okay," Jackie replied, relieved he didn't say anything about her kiss, "Well I better head inside." She turned and opened her door and went inside. Hyde stood there for a few moments waiting. After three minutes of hearing nothing, he opened the door and went inside.

----

Once inside Jackie went to the kitchen. She opened the fridge to see what she had in there. All that was left were a few eggs, some sour milk, and a bit of fruit. Well, she better start eating the fruit to increase her iron. She reached in and took out an apple. Jackie closed the fridge door and walked to a table. She just sat there and started to munch on her apple. She thought about everything that had happened in the last two days, especially her kiss.

"You're hopeless"

Jackie jumped slightly and stood up. She turned around only to meet Hyde's blue eyes, which were staring at her.

"What are you doing in her," Jackie questioned, "I thought you said you didn't want anything."

"It's not like there is much of a selection to choose from anyway," Hyde replied while slightly nodding his head towards the apple in her hand. Jackie took another bite of the apple.

"Then why are you here," she asked after swallowing some apple.

"I'm here cause you're hopeless," Hyde said casually.

"Huh?"

"When you went inside I waited there for a few moments. Do you know what I was waiting for?" Hyde watched as Jackie shook her head, "I waited for you to lock the door, which you didn't."

"So?"

"SO? Jackie you are a beautiful young girl who is living home alone," Hyde said loudly, "Don't you know what could happen if you didn't lock the door?" Jackie just stared at him with awe. Hyde noticed this.

"What?" he asked, "Why are you staring like that at me?"

"You called me beautiful," Jackie whispered, "You called me beautiful…"

"No I didn't'," Hyde said quickly.

"Yes you did."

"No."

"Yes."

"Fine, whatever," Hyde sighed in defeat, "The point is you need to be more careful and lock your windows and doors at night, okay."

"Okay," Jackie repeated while she watched Hyde turn to leave, "Um, Steven…would you…um…like to stay here for tonight?"

"What?"

"Oh no, "Jackie realized what she had said, "Not like that. It's just it's a long walk, and it's the least I can do after all the things you did for me. And-"

"Sure"

"Huh?"

"I said sure."

"Okay, you can sleep in the guest room or the couch," Jackie said, "It's your choice. And you can use the phone to call Mrs. Forman."

"Okay." Hyde made his way over to the phone.

"Good night Steven," Jackie chirped as she walked up the stairs.

Hyde just looked up at the place where she had disappeared. He thought of all the events that had happened, and all thesemixed emtions that he was feeling.He would have never guessed he would end up here at Jackie Burkhart's mansion. If someone had told him this a few days ago, he would have burst out laughing. But, now he realized it. She had changed. It wasn't significant at first because he never spent time with her. But, now after all the time they have been together, he noticed. And, for once he didn't flinch at the thought of himself spending time with Jackie. Maybe she wasn't the only one who has grown up…

"Good night Jackie," Hyde whispered.

Author's Note: School started while I was writing this chapter. So the updates might be a little longer. But to make up for the long waits, I will make the chapters longer, like this one. Sorry, I didn't get to any Kelso confrontations; I promise there will be one in this story. These last two chapters have been moving slowly because I wanted the readers to see Jackie and Hyde's thoughts. But in the next chapter I am going to try to get things going faster because I want to start writing my new fan fiction. However, I will first finish this one. Please review and stay tuned for the next chapter.