Behind Steven Hyde's Blue Eyes

By: Tokoyami

Author's Note: I am so sorry that I have not updated in over two weeks. My cross-country and volleyball practices just started. Also I had company for Labor Day weekend. But, I promise to complete this story. I only received five reviews for my seventh chapter, so I think I am losing readers because of they don't like my story. But for those who are loyally reading (bfan2good4u, ibreak4CSI, crazyschick, bluephoenix70 and Sylphide) I thank you for reviewing. I especially want to thank crazyschick who has reviewed all of my chapters. The title of this chapter is based off a song by The Doors called 'People Are Strange.'

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 Eight

People Are Strange

The next morning, Jackie and Hyde ate what little they had for breakfast in silence. Both of them were thinking of solutions to solve the complex situations. The only sounds that could be heard were the metallic clinks of silverware and a few muffled coughs now and then. The two occasionally looked at the other from the corner of their eye now and then. The minutes seemed to be passing slowly, each more tension filled than the next. Finally Hyde stood up and headed to the sink. He washed his plate and placed it in the drying rack.

"Well, I am going to head to the Foto Hut," Hyde said as wiped his hands on a towel, "Leo is getting spaced out these days. I have to get to work before he accidentally catches the place on fire."

Jackie giggled softly at this comment. Hyde noticed and made a soft smile. At least she was laughing today. It had been awhile since he had heard Jackie laugh. But hearing her now, gave him an unfamiliar contempt feeling. He found it odd, but he all wanted to do was stay with Jackie. It was a thought that he never would have guessed he would have thought. He no longer dreaded having to be in the same room as Jackie. In fact, he would actually welcome it.

"Well, I guess I will go to the store and buy some food," Jackie sighed, "A nice pharmacist gave me some money yesterday after she told me about my…condition." Her smile receded as she said these words. It saddened Hyde to see her unhappy. He quickly remembered something.

"Hey Jackie," Hyde replied, "I just remembered that you don't have a car anymore. So if you would like me to walk you to the store, I wouldn't mind." He secretly wouldn't mind spending more time with her, even if it was for a few minutes.

At these words, Jackie's smile quickly returned. She stood up instantly and put her dishes in the sink.

"Thank you so much Steven," Jackie chirped as she pushed her chair in, "You are so thoughtful. I am glad I have a friend like you."

Friend…It just didn't seem fit to in Hyde's mind. It wasn't that he hated her. Friend just didn't sound right. Oh well, anything to see Jackie smile again. What! Hyde just realized all the things he had just said in his mind. No, he didn't think like that.

"Whatever," Hyde turned and started walking. It pained him to see how Jackie had reacted to his coldness. But he had to be that way. He had to be zen…aloof. He must never let his emotions get out. He must be indifferent. He must hurt others, or he will get hurt. His parents had already hurt him, and he never wanted to feel like that again. He will not stare after someone else as they leave him behind. No, he must live like this. Maybe one day he will be different, but for now he must be this way.

----

Jackie silently followed Hyde to her driveway. Her head was full of different thoughts. Was it something she said or something she did? Why had Hyde gone back to his cold usual self? A few moments ago, he had been eating breakfast with her and he even smiled. But, then he switched to his zen mask and said his infamous "whatever." He must have gotten annoyed with her. Jackie had been surprised that he hadn't gotten annoyed with her sooner. She had just been thinking that maybe they were friends. But when she had said he was a great friend, Hyde went back to his zen facade. Maybe, he did not wish to be her friend, or anything else along those lines.

She took a quick glance at Hyde. He was wearing his dark glasses, so she couldn't see behind his blue eyes. Yep, he was back to usual Hyde. Jackie frowned at this thought. She had started to like being with him. Now she would have endure various burns and cold stares. It seemed like she had lost a friend, even though he didn't think they were. In her mind, they had been friends. Would he never accept her? It had seemed like he had, but now she didn't know. So many bad things had happened, and Hyde had been with her through every one of them. But now, she was alone and Hyde was ignoring, just like the old times.

Jackie felt tears forming her eyes. No, no crying. He will hate you even more. Why was she crying over Hyde anyway? Because, she thought she had found a friend. Well, think again, he hates you and he always will. No matter what you do, you will always be a stuck-up, snobby cheerleader in his eyes. And there is nothing you can do to change his mind. Jackie shut her eyes, trying to keep the tears in. But, they just fell down her cheeks instead. Oh no, what if Hyde sees the tears. He will probably get more annoyed with her. She lifted a hand to wipe the tears away, but a hand already was wiping them away. Jackie looked up.

Hyde was wiping her tears from her cheeks and looking at her with a concerned look. She hadn't seen that look since last night. She was glad to see it again. Jackie had been wrong. She hadn't lost a friend. This was just the way Hyde was.

"Jackie, why are you crying," Hyde asked while he continued to look at her.

"I had thought that you didn't want to be my friend," Jackie answered, "But after you comforted me again, I knew that you were just being you. And now I know, that you don't hate me anymore."

Hyde was at loss of words. That was exactly how he felt. Someone understood, and that someone was Jackie. He couldn't help but smile. But, then he just realized that they were at the store.

"Hey Jackie," Hyde said, "We're at the store. I have to head to work now, but I'll see you later."

"Okay," Jackie smiled, "I'll see you later. And Hyde, thanks for being my friend." Jackie leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, just as she had the night before. Then she turned and skipped away.

----

The day went by slowly for Hyde. He was stuck with having to help many customers while Leo just randomly walked around repeating words from some talk show. Hyde was beginning to wish that he had just stayed with Jackie, but Leo needed him. After helping one impatient woman with her pictures, Hyde went over to Leo.

"Hey Leo, man it's four o'clock," Hyde stated, "I'm going to close the place and head home."

"And the grand prize is a new microwave!" Leo excitedly recited as he walked out of the Foto Hut and down the street. Hyde just shook his head and began to lock up the store.

He walked home and headed down towards the basement. It was weird, but he hadn't been in it for about two days. It seemed longer than that. He just wanted to relax and watch some television, like he used to. But when he opened the door to the basement, he knew he wouldn't be relaxing.

There sitting on the couch was Kelso. He was watching some random T.V. show. Hyde could care less about what he was watching. But, what he cared about was that he dared show his face in the basement. Hyde stood there in the doorway for what seemed like hours. It took Kelso awhile before he realized that Hyde was standing in the doorway.

"Hey, Hyde, why are you standing in the doorway?" Kelso asked while turning back to his T.V. Hyde just rigidly walked across the room, and opened the deep freeze to grab a Popsicle. He unwrapped it, and stuffed it in his mouth. He sat down in his usual chair and looked at the television. Of course, it was Charlie's Angels. The two sat in silence for about fifteen minutes. Kelso squirmed under the tension. He wasn't used to Hyde not insulting him or ranting about the government. He tried to strike up conversation.

"So, uh, Hyde have you seen Jackie?" Kelso questioned.

"Why are you asking me?" Hyde said a bit harshly, "She is your girlfriend… or is that what you call her so you can get some?"

"What the hell Hyde!" Kelso stood up abruptly, "Why are you acting so weird? First you just stand in the doorway, then you don't burn me at all, and now you're sticking up for Jackie and accusing me of stuff. Why are you down my throat?"

"I couldn't possibly be going down your throat since another girl was going down it with her tongue at some party," Hyde retorted while also standing up. Kelso stared at him blankly.

"How do you know about that?" Kelso asked angrily.

"Because I saw it idiot!" Hyde was beginning to feel like he did when he had first seen Kelso making out with that girl.

"Whatever, why do you care about who I make out with anyway?" Kelso questioned, "I thought you hated Jackie, why are you defending her?"

Hyde did not know what overcame him or how it happened, but someone is right fist ended up colliding itself with Kelso's face. All his anger that had built up over the past few days came out with the punch. In a blink of an eye, Kelso lay out cold on the ground. Hyde stood over him breathing heavily. His eyes widened. What had he done? Why was he doing this? Why did he care enough to punch one of his friends? His hand trembled…why was he defending Jackie? Suddenly it dawned on him. The idea seemed so unlikable, but he finally knew why he defended her.

"…Because I love her…"

Author's Note: So how did you like the chapter? It seems Hyde is finally starting to let Jackie in. Again I apologize for such the long wait. But remember I promised to finish, and I will finish this story. This chapter was a little shorter because I felt bad for not updating in a long time, so I updated sooner. Please review. I would really appreciate it.