Behind Steven Hyde's Blue Eyes
By: Tokoyami
Author's Note: Hey everyone, sorry about the terribly long wait. I just started a new volleyball program and I went on vacation for two weeks, and I haven't found enough time to write my new chapter. Thank you hogwartsalumni, Bluephoenix70, Vicky, Jaded-Amaya, benitagarcia, anberzen, ResEvilGirl, Darksouled Saiyanphoenix, crazy, storm, ibreak4CSI, believeandhope14, and Psyc0gurl0 for reviewing my chapter ten. I am hoping to wrap this story up by summer at the latest, but I don't know if that will happen. I really want to start my new story. The title of this chapter is based off a song by Led Zeppelin called 'Stairway to Heaven.'
Warning: This chapter is longer than usual and it is a set up for next chapter. Please read or you will not understand next chapter.
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 Eleven
Stairway to Heaven
Jackie turned around quickly and flung open the door. She began leaping up the stairs, two concrete steps at a time. She didn't really know where she was going or what she was doing, but something instead urged her to find him. Was it true what Kelso had said about him? Did Hyde really have feelings for her? Kelso had said that he thought this, but Hyde had not actually said it. Still when Jackie Burkhart finds something to believe in, she will believe in it with all her might. Just as she finished climbing the stairs, she crashed into someone and found herself on the ground for the second time that day. Instead of being stunned like last time when she had run into Eric, Jackie only felt irritation towards the person who had interrupted her mission to find Hyde.
"God!" This is the second time today that I've been knocked down by someone!" Jackie whined while pouting on the ground.
"It couldn't possibly be that it's easy to knock you down, Jackie, seeing that you only weigh ninety-five pounds," the person sarcastically sighed. At the sound of the familiar voice, Jackie looked up.
"Oh, Donna!" Jackie smiled while taking Donna's hand and pulling herself up, "I didn't realize it was you. In that case, I forgive you."
"Uhh…thanks, Jackie," Donna said slowly, "It's not I knocked you down on purpose."
"I know, that's why I forgive you," Jackie replied, continuing to smile.
"Okay," Donna said, glad that Jackie hadn't insulted her for being tall like usual.
"Yeah, it's not your fault that you're so gigantically tall with enormous feet," Jackie said in a chirpy voice while patting Donna's arm sympathetically. Donna's smile faltered.
"Well, it's not my fault that you are extremely short and easily pushed over," Donna replied while mimicking Jackie and patting her arm.
"Uh! I was forgiving you, Donna!" Jackie exclaimed while crossing her arms. Donna sighed and thought about Jackie's idea of forgiveness.
"Well, for future reference, Jackie, when you forgive someone try not to insult them," Donna said, knowing her friend would probably forget her advice in an hour.
"Okay, maybe that's why the lunch lady always glares at me when I go by her," Jackie thought out loud, " I just told her one day that I forgive her for making horrible food because I know she tries her hardest." Donna laughed as the realization struck Jackie.
"Only you, Jackie," Donna stifled another laugh. Jackie just blinked in naïve confusion, "So anyway," Donna changed the subject, "Where were you going in such a hurry? You were running so fast that you almost knocked me over."
"Oh my God!" Jackie's eyes widened, "I got so distracted that I had forgotten why I ran into you in the first place," Jackie turned to face Donna, "Donna you distracted me!" Jackie blew air out of her nose and stomped her foot.
"What!" Donna exclaimed. She was about to go on but Jackie cut her off.
"It doesn't matter, "Jackie said, more to herself than to Donna, "I just have to find Steven."
"Oh no," Donna remembered the past times when Jackie had called Hyde, "Steven", "Jackie, don't tell me you have a crush on Hyde again."
"Donna, it different this time," Jackie said exasperated, "I don't follow him around and say that we are in love like I used to."
"Isn't that what you're doing right now?" Donna asked.
"No Donna, I have to find him because he punched Michael," Jackie said, "And not a normal frog on the shoulder. Steven actually punched him across the face."
"You saw Hyde punch Kelso?" Donna questioned, shocked by what she had heard. Sure the two burned and teased each other constantly, with Hyde doing most of the burning. They even frogged each other from time to time. But they never actually punched each other, especially in the face.
"Well, I didn't actually see Steven punch Michael," Jackie began, "But, I did see Steven run up the stairs and get into his car and sped away. Then I ran into Eric and talked for a while. Then I went to the basement and found Michael sprawled on the ground out cold."
"Well how do you know that it was Hyde who knocked Kelso out?" Donna asked, still unwilling to believe that Hyde would intentionally hurt Kelso, "For all we know Kelso could have been trying out one of his bright ideas and knocked himself out."
"No, Michael told me that Steven had punched him," Jackie replied, "Then we talked and we officially broke up."
"Okay-what?" Donna asked, now in a state of great confusion, "First Hyde punches Kelso. Then you break up with Kelso. I hate to say it, but poor Kelso."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Donna," Jackie said when she realized that she had not told Donna everything that had happened over the past few days, "Michael cheated on me, again. Big surprise there, right?"
"Oh Jackie," Donna began to hug her.
"It's okay," Jackie said, glad she had a friend as caring as Donna, "It happened a few days ago."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Donna asked, slightly hurt.
"Well, as weird as it seems, Steven was there with me when I saw Michael cheating on me again," Jackie began. Jackie got into how she had been looking for Kelso. She had asked Hyde and then found Donna and Eric in her car. Donna blushed slightly at this. Then Jackie told Donna how Hyde had volunteered to help her look for Kelso. They found him at a party, making out with another girl. Jackie said she had been frozen on the spot until Hyde pulled her away and drove her home. Then Jackie giddily retold how they had romantically embraced each other in the rain. Donna had a feeling that Jackie was exaggerating on a few parts, but continued to listen silently with slight nods of the head.
Jackie reported more startling news saying that she had visited the pharmacy and found out that she could develop anemia because of a lack of iron. Again Donna felt a bit guilty for not realizing that Jackie seemed skinnier than normal. Jackie explained that her parents were gone and she didn't have much money. Then she said that Hyde had overheard because he had gone along with Eric to buy something. Probably the new Star Wars doll that he had been talking about, Donna thought. So Eric invited Jackie to dinner. Then she dreamily sighed and said that Hyde had walked her to the drugstore because it was dark and she had left her car there. More startling news: Someone had broken into Jackie's car and trashed it. So Hyde walked her home and she let him stay over for the night.
"No, not like that, Donna," Jackie said quickly, seeing the look on Donna's face, "He slept in a separate room. So to make a long story short, the next day, Steven went off to work and I found some money and bought some food, notice the grocery bags in my arms. Then I came here to tell him, but he was already running out the door. So I talked with Eric and went to the basement. Then-"
"Wait, Jackie, you and Eric having a civilized conversation?" Donna interrupted, "I just don't see it. What did you two talk about?"
"Kind of the same things that we're talking about right now," Jackie replied, "Except in a more condensed form and it focused mainly on me and Steven's friendship. It was kind of boring, just like now." Donna rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, I found Michael unconscious," Jackie continued, "Then I helped him with his injuries. Then we came to the topic of why Steven had punched him. Inevitably, I told Michael that I had seen him cheating on me. So we talked things out like mature adults, and we broke up. The End."
"Wow, that was a lot of information," Donna said blinking, still taking in the last part.
"Yes, I know," Jackie agreed, "Can I go and find Steven now? Or do you have more questions?" Jackie gave Donna a look telling her that if Donna did have any questions, then she better ask them later.
"No, Jackie, I don't have anymore questions," Donna answered, "But, if you have anymore problems, you know I'll always be here for you."
"Yeah, I know that," Jackie said, "Thanks Donna." Jackie hugged her, and a few tears slid down her cheek. It's a good thing that I wore waterproof mascara today, Jackie thought. Donna wrapped her arms around Jackie. Sure, Jackie sometimes seemed that she didn't care about her problems and was obsessed with popularity and fashion. But Donna knew that it was just a mask to shield her vulnerability. And Donna thought maybe somebody else had recently learned this about Jackie, too.
"Oh, oh, girls," a familiar singsong voice broke through Donna and Jackie's thoughts. Both girls realized what image they might be giving to people if they saw what position they were in. They instantly pulled away from each other and looked away, pretending to be interested in something else.
"Hello girls!" Kitty came out from her kitchen. Both Jackie looked in her direction.
"Hello Mrs. Forman," both girls replied in unison, hoping that Kitty hadn't seen them hugging and gotten the wrong idea.
"Jackie, Donna, may I ask you two to do a really huge favor for me?" Kitty asked, folding her hands.
"Sure," Donna smiled.
"Okay," Jackie said a little slower. She really wanted to find Hyde, but Kitty had provided her with a meal the night before. And she wanted to repay Kitty because Jackie Burkhardt is in no way, shape, or form a freeloader. That, she thought, was for poor people. Then Jackie frowned. Who am I kidding, Jackie inwardly sighed, I'm practically poor myself.
----
Hyde finished driving down the mountain and pulled out onto the highway. The radio went on a commercial break. Hyde realized the grill advertisement was playing. He quickly turned the radio off.
"Damn grill," Hyde mumbled, "Damn American commercialism, killing our Founding Fathers and independence with grills and watermelon." Hyde shut up, realizing he had been muttering to himself like an old war-crazed veteran. Hyde continued down the highway. Of course, his thoughts turned to her. He had only seen her briefly today. Hyde wondered if she had stuck around and found Kelso unconscious. Hyde shook his head. This wasn't like him. Normally he didn't care about what people thought or did, especially Jackie. What had happened over the past few days? What had changed his feelings towards Jackie from barely coping with her presence to actually enjoying…Sometimes, Hyde thought quickly, sometimes I enjoy her company. He had a hard time convincing himself. He should have never volunteered to drive her to that party.
By now Hyde was turning down the Formans' road. Jackie probably had left already. He had spent almost forty minutes away from the basement. Hyde pulled into the Formans' driveway and parked his car. He jumped out and locked it. Hyde inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. He had to let all anger towards Kelso go for the moment, or he might say something stupid or rude to someone. He walked through the kitchen door. The only person in the vicinity was Kitty scrubbing vigorously on her countertop.
"Hello, Steven, happy to see you home," Kitty said without looking up. She had heard his car pull in the driveway. Kitty knew it was Hyde's because Red was in the living room watching a television show and Eric wouldn't be home for at least another hour.
"Hey Mrs. Forman," Hyde returned the greeting while the smell of T-bone steak and mashed potatoes reached his nostrils. Mrs. Forman must be on an especially good mood today. She always was when she made steak.
"So…" Hyde said looking around, "Where is everyone else?"
"Oh, well, Red is in the family room," Kitty answered, while adding some butter to the mashed potatoes, "And Eric, Donna, and Jackie are over at the church." Hyde must not be hearing correctly. Forman was willingly at church, especially on a weekday. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Umm, Mrs. Forman," Hyde leaned on the counter," Why are they at the church?" Well, at least her knew where Jackie ran off.
"Eric drove the two girls over to the church," Kitty answered, "I asked Donna and Jackie to help with the Christmas in July program, and Eric is bringing canned goods and old toys to donate for it."
"Wait, isn't it called Christmas in April," Hyde asked, surprised he even knew what that was, "And did Jackie and Donna go with Eric to help him carry the stuff because it might be a little too heavy for him?" Hyde inwardly smirked at his burn and the funny image of Eric trying to lift a teddy bear. Kitty put her hands on her hips.
"No, Steven, silly," Kitty smiled, "Donna and Jackie are going to be the grown-up angels that help bring the children in. They'll stay on the stage with the children to give them comfort. Steven? Hello…" Kitty waved her hands in front of his face. Hyde was just staring at her.
"Sorry Mrs. Forman," Hyde blinked, "I was just a little um…surprised that Jackie and Donna are doing that…especially Jackie." How the hell did Kitty convince Jackie and Donna to be angels in a Christmas play, Hyde wondered, probably guilt, bribery, or blackmail.
"So is that all," Hyde asked wiping some smudge off his glasses.
"Ohh, I almost forgot," Kitty said, remembering something, "I think that Jackie girl was looking for you. When I asked her to do me a favor, she mumbled something about finding you before she agreed. I hope everything's alright." Concern filled Kitty's little beady eyes as she looked at Hyde.
"Oh," Hyde said, taking in the information, "No everything is fine. I'm gonna head over there and see what Jackie wanted. Thanks for telling me where everyone is, Mrs. Forman."
"No problem, Steven, dear," Kitty smiled, "At last you've talked to me for five minutes, unlike someone in the living room who won't even talk to me for one." That was Hyde's cue to leave. He did not want an update on what Red had done wrong this time.
"Well, thanks again, bye," Hyde said turning and walking down the driveway to his car.
"Bye, dear," Kitty watched Hyde retreat back to his car, knowing that when he'd asked where everyone was, he only wanted to know where Jackie was.
----
For the second time today, Hyde was driving in his car. The only difference this was that instead of running away from her, he was chasing her. He didn't know what was going on or why he was feeling like this. But he realized that he could not hide from his feelings forever. Man, I've been watching way too many soaps, Hyde thought. He was about two blocks away from the church. He was still very surprised that Donna and Jackie had agreed with Mrs. Forman. Well not so much Donna because she was dating Mrs. Forman's son. Mostly he was surprised by Jackie's willingness to help. Maybe she's changed…
Hyde pulled into a parking space and jumped out of his car. He began to walk fast, but then realized what he was doing. You are zen, Hyde reminded himself, you to do show eagerness. So Hyde slowed down and placed his hands in his pockets. He walked in a laid back way through the church door. He looked around. Hyde saw numerous children racing around. Some were playing, some were running, a few were doing what they were supposed to, but a lot of them were just standing still. God, these kids don't know what the heck they are doing here, Hyde thought, Their parents probably just dropped them off here like it was a daycare, only they don't have to pay. Hyde shook his head.
"Okay, kids, kids, hello?" Eric was feebly trying to control some boys who were running around him, "No, stop that! Don't grab this bag. This is for kids who don't have any toys," One of the kids took out an action figure, "Hey! Who put my new Star Wars action figure in this bag!" Eric cried, outraged. He took the bag and the action figure back and looked in it, "What the-!" These aren't old toys…these are my GI Joes and Star Wars stuff. Red!" The boys really wanted Eric's toys now, so they began to gang up on him, "No! These are mine! I bought them. Give-"
Hyde kind of felt sorry for Eric; a bunch of ten-year-olds were mugging him in a church. Okay no he didn't feel sorry for him. He was thoroughly enjoying this moment, but he wanted to talk to Eric. So he strode over there and decided to straighten things out.
"Yo, kids," Hyde said in a monotone voice, "Leave this shrimp alone. You don't want those toys. They suck. They're just like dolls. So go back to those adult angels because look they're hot. Don't tell me you're choosing dolls over hot babes." With that the boys ran off to look for Jackie and Donna. Eric was collecting his toys and mumbling to himself.
"Thanks Hyde," Eric said quietly.
"What'd ya say Forman?" Hyde said. Now he really wanted to savor this moment.
"I said thanks," Eric raised his voice, knowing exactly what Hyde was doing.
"No problem, doll-lover," Hyde smirked.
They are not doll, they're action-" Eric began, but was cut off from Hyde.
"Yeah okay, whatever, Forman," Hyde interrupted scanning the room, "Where are Donna and Jackie?"
They're over there," Eric said pointing in a direction, "Why did you send those boys over there? Now Donna is going to mobbed by ten-year-old perverts."
"Not all of them, Forman," Hyde corrected, "You're still here."
"Oh shut up, man," Eric replied rolling his eyes, "Did come here just to bother me?"
"No, that was just part of the reason," Hyde smiled, looking in the direction where Eric had pointed. He couldn't find Jackie. Eric followed his eyes and noticed where he was looking.
"What's the other reason, then" Eric asked, knowing the answer," Does it involve someone in the direction that you're looking. Is she short and loud? Does she have brunette hair and weird-colored eyes?"
"Hey, they're not weird, man," Hyde said not really paying attention to what came out of his mouth.
"What," Eric exclaimed, "Hyde, man, did you just defend Jackie."
"Huh," Hyde realized what he had said, "I didn't defend her…I, uh, defended her eyes."
"What a lame excuse, Hyde," Eric said triumphantly, "Her eyes are part of her."
"Whatever, man," Hyde replied, anger that Eric had outwitted him. The children began to move in straight lines towards the back of the church," Hey, look, they are actually in order."
"Oh, and just at the end of practice," Eric said, "Wait, they're going to change out of those angel outfits. They wouldn't stay in lines during practice, but they would stay in them to change. What a bunch of brats."
"C'mon, Forman," Hyde said, tired of his whining, "We would have done the same if our parents had forced us to go to this sort of thing." Eric nodded his head in agreement. Just then Donna came walking up to them, still in her angel outfit.
"Hey Eric," Donna said, giving Eric a quick kiss.
"Nice outfit, Donna," Hyde smirked. Her outfit was just a bit short at the bottom, and you could see some of her jeans. Donna noticed this.
"Shut up, Hyde," Donna rolled her eyes, "It is not my fault that they didn't have a bigger size."
"So where's Jackie," Hyde asked, instantly regretting it. Both Donna and Eric gave each other knowing looks. Hyde tried to cover up for his question, "I was just surprised that she follow you to complain about how she had to do this."
"Sure, Hyde," Donna replied, "And actually Jackie seemed more enthusiastic about this than I did. I guess she likes kids."
"That's weird I just don't see that," Eric said, "Unless she is trying to build an evil army of little Jackie's" A look of horror crossed his face at the thought. His suggestion was answered with a couple of shut ups. Eric pouted.
"Okay well I am going to change," Donna said, "See you in a bit." Donna whispered something in Eric's ear and left.
"What was that about?" Hyde asked, suspiciously.
"Hey Hyde, Donna and I want to be alone," Eric began, "But Jackie came with us, so she doesn't have a car. Could you give her a ride home so me and Donna can have some alone time?"
"Gross, Forman," Hyde replied, "I get the idea, okay I'll do it. Just get out of my sight."
"Fine," Eric walked away, glad that his plan had worked.
Hyde turned and scanned the church for Jackie. Finally he spotted her. He walked toward her. Jackie's back was slightly turned and she standing by a stain glass window. Hyde could see her, but she couldn't see him because she was looking down at something. Hyde began to slow down and continued to look at her. Hyde realized that someone had left a radio on. It was probably the janitor's radio. It was playing the beginning of "Stairway to Heaven.
The sun was setting so the colors from the glass where shining directly on Jackie. She was still in her angel outfit, but he got a different feeling when he looked at her, than when he had looked at Donna in hers. Instead of laughing at how short it had been on Donna, Hyde stood in awe at how much of an angel Jackie really looked like. The sounds of the flute from the song played softly. The white of the outfit clashed beautifully with Jackie's ebony waves and soft skin.
There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
And when she gets there she knows if the stores are closed
With a word she can get what she came for
Jackie's halo glinted in the dying sun. The colors from the windows seemed to be moving because a tree outside was occasionally blown in front of the window. It looked exactly like a kaleidoscope in her eyes.
Woe oh oh oh oh oh
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
Hyde heard a sniffle. He looked at Jackie's face. She wasn't crying. Suddenly Hyde realized why was looking down. In her arms was a crying child.
Author's Note: Again terribly sorry for the extremely long wait. I had a major writer's block, but now I think I know how I am going to end my story. Next chapter will have way more Jackie/Hyde action. Please read and review because they encourage me to write. I may be a slow updater, but I am going to finish this story. I am open to any suggestions.