Chapter 2

They drove in silence. She'd been gone for weeks, and although she smiled and hugged him when he greeted her at the airpor,t something was off. He'd pretended to never care about the kids in his basement. But ever since she held the light for him and helped him work on the car, he'd seen her in another light. She wasn't just some girl. She wasn't just another dumbass friend of Eric's. The girl was beautiful, that much was obvious. But she was smart and she was loyal, and he had to admire the way she never did anything by halves. It was always all or nothing. That was the way she'd loved Steven and that was the way she'd mourned him.

When they pulled up in front of the foreign kid's apartment, Red turned the engine off and turned towards Jackie.

"How are you doing kid?" He asked and saw the corners of her mouth rise in the slightest of smiles. He was using his father voice. It always made her smile and it always put her at ease.

"I'm ok. I mean, he's still in here." She said as she raised her hand to cover her heart. "But the ache is passing. California really helped. Thank you." She smiled, but it still didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I'm glad. Although, I hate to tell you this. But he probably will always be there. I don't think you'll get rid of that part of him. No matter what you do." He sounded like he was delivering a death notice and she had to smile.

"I know that. And I'm actually glad. I had a lot of time to think, really think, in California and I realised that that wasn't a part of him I ever wanted to part with. I mean, I loved him with everything I had. You don't just throw something like that out of the window. That kind of love, never goes away. It just fades. I just have to wait til it fades enough that it doesn't hurt anymore. But now, at least, I have hope that it will stop." She smiled and her words proved to him that she was everything he thought she was. Smart, talented, beautiful and wise beyond her years. Someone that Steven never should have let go.

"I'm glad sweetheart." He smiled and took her hand with a gentle squeeze.

"I have something to tell you. I mean, it's good news and it never would have happened without you. So I really want you to be the first to know." He was silent, so she continued. "I got a job in California. I'm moving there in 2 weeks."

The shock that etched its way onto his face as she spoke was quickly replaced by anger as her words sunk in. She couldn't believe that he wasn't happy for her.

"What do you mean you're moving? What the hell?" He liked this one. Hell loved her like the daughter he'd always hoped Laurie could have been. He was suddenly understanding of Kitty's feelings when Eric was leaving. He loved her. It would hurt him physically if she were to leave his life entirely. And that's what would happen. She had no legitimate ties to him. No obligations. She would leave and never look back.

"I met a television executive and he offered me an audition. I went in and got it. I'm going to be an anchor for the local news. I found a nice apartment in a good neighbourhood, and I am going." She smiled excited, hoping he would see how good this was for her and be happy for her. When he continued to look at her with that mixture of shock, anger and sadness, she continued. "Mr. Forman. I can't stay here. I think you know that. I will never get to the point in my life where I can be truly happy if I stay here. This is really for the best. And I think if you take the time to really think this through, you'll agree with me. It really is a great oppurtunity. Please be happy for me." Her voice was pleading. Pleading with the only man in her life that had never betrayed her. Pleading that he'd accept her news and be happy for her. That he'd still love her.

His face softened and he picked up her hand once again. With a gentle squeeze, a smile started to etch its way onto his face.

"I am happy for you sweet heart. I'm just a little sad that you're leaving. It's a bit of a shock. Who am I going to talk to now?" He smiled and she knew it was all for her benefit, but she couldn't help but smile back at him. He always knew when she needed him and he never failed her.

After helping Jackie with her bags, Red headed back to the house. He was still angry that she was leaving. He'd thought of nothing else as he'd brought her bags up to the apartment and sat down to have a beer with her. But he'd taken the time, just as she'd asked, and saw that it really was for the best. Jackie Burkhart had nothing in Point Place but a lifetime of betrayal. If she were to ever find peace, she would have to leave. But his anger did not fade with understanding. He still knew that Steven was mostly to blame for this turn of events. Jackie was a strong girl, but no one is strong enough to stand by and take abuse from someone who once promised their heart and their loyalty. From someone who still had yours.

So as he pulled into the drive way of his house his anger flared more strongly than ever. But as he entered the house and saw Steven sitting in the living room watching tv, it came to a boiling point. He stood in front of the television, sufficiently blocking the view, and glaring down at the boy who destroyed the heart of a good girl whose only fault was loving him.

"This is all your fault. You've ruined everything." Red yelled as he looked at the confused face of Steven Hyde. "She's leaving here forver and it's all your fault."

TBC...