Disclaimer: Don't own!

Warning: Mild language

AN: Happy Valentine's Day! I personally hate it, but that's another story. :) Thanks so much for the reviews...you guys are so great and I'm hoping that I never disappoint! Enjoy the chapter!

Convincing

Chapter 12 - A Balloon in Her Head?

Later that evening, the Forman basement

Donna sat on the couch cuddled in her boyfriend's warm arm, watching Jackie fuss over Fez's appearance. He was taking his new girlfriend out on a romantic date and wanted to look perfect, because he was hoping to, as he'd mentioned repeatedly, do it with her tonight. Naturally, he'd turned to Jackie for her advice, which she was cheerfully, overly so, Donna thought, giving. Now she was grooming him, smoothing down his jacket, and chirping on and on about what he needed to do to make the evening amazing for his woman.

Like nothing was wrong. Like she felt fine, even though Donna knew for a fact that her head was killing her. At the Hub, just before they'd returned to the basement, Jackie had gone into the bathroom without even pestering Donna to accompany her. And when Donna had followed a few minutes later, mostly because she knew if she didn't she'd catch hell for it later, she'd found Jackie standing at the sink, her right temple cupped in her hand, and a twisted wince on her face. Donna glanced at Hyde's chair, and noticed that he kept glancing away from the television and at Jackie. She sighed. Jackie was keeping to her plan so far, just as peppy and perky as ever, but Donna feared there would be not so great consequences. For everyone. And she could tell that Hyde wasn't exactly enjoying Jackie's performance, even though he, too, seemed to be putting up a front.

"Okay, Fez, you're all set. Just remember, don't mention candy or your V-8 Hot Oil habit." Jackie patted his chest and then walked back to Steven. He didn't look at her, but let her sit down in his lap, and his arms immediately encircled her. She smiled faintly. Her head was aching to the point of bringing tears to her eyes, but she was determined. And it was easier now with his arms around her.

Kelso sat nearby on the lawn chair, and he looked up from the toy he was playing with. "And make sure you don't hum this time, Fez."

Fez glared at Kelso. "Shut up, you son of a bitch. I've learned my lesson. I've done it TONS of times since then and I know exactly what I'm doing." His expression faded, and he looked nervous. "I just have one question. What happens if she wants me to put my…"

Hyde shook his head irritably. "Fez, you finish that question, I'm going to kick your ass from here to Canada." He heard a small, obviously stifled whimper from his girlfriend, and he looked up at her. Her eyes were closed and her fingers rubbed her temple. It only made his mood worse. "Damn it, Jackie, go take your medicine already."

Jackie's back stiffened, and she pulled away from him. She glared and swatted forcefully at his shoulder. "Steven!"

Hyde returned the glare. Too bad for her. He was sick of this stupid act and wasn't going to keep on playing her game. "Come on, Jackie, you can't tell me that your head isn't killing you right now. You're not that good an actress." He shook his head. "In fact, you suck."

Jackie scrambled off his lap and stood next to his chair. "Steven!" she yelped. What in the HELL was he trying to do? She felt her face flushing. Was he trying to embarrass her? And if so, why?

Kelso stood up and looked suspiciously between Hyde and Jackie. "Okay, what in the hell is going on? You're grumpy as all hell, even for you." He pointed at Hyde. "And you're always rubbing your forehead." His eyes focused on Jackie. "And the two of you keep staring at those two like they're about to die or something!" His final accusation was directed towards Eric and Donna.

Fez crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. "Yes. It is like the four of you have some sort of secret." He huffed. "I thought we were friends. Friends share! I share everything with you people! My candy, my sexual conquests…"

Hyde rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, we could use a lot less sharing from you, Fez," he spat.

Kelso crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Hyde. "See, that's exactly what I'm talking about! You're just MEAN! Now what is going on?"

Jackie sighed. Might as well say something. Maybe not the entire truth. Just something to get Michael to shut up. "Okay, fine," she said impatiently. She moved to stand behind Steven and put her hands on his shoulders. "Steven is just worried about me because I have to go into the hospital on Friday for some MINOR surgery."

Donna frowned. Hell, she was sick of this too. "Minor? Jackie, brain surgery isn't exactly minor!"

Fez and Kelso stared at Jackie, both pairs of eyes wide with shock, and Jackie gave Donna an evil look. Damn! What was going on? Both Steven and Donna were stabbing her in the back! She looked at Steven, who was looking over his shoulder with a smug smirk, like he knew she was trapped, and her chest deflated. Now she really had no choice. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her throat was so tight.

"She's got an aneurysm on her brain. Like a thin, bulging balloon type thing. They have to repair it, so she has to have surgery." Hyde stared at the table as he spoke dully and resignedly. Jackie didn't want to admit what was going on, but hell. Kelso and Fez were their friends. And they'd figure out that something was up when Jackie disappeared for at a minimum two weeks. Might as well get it out there.

Kelso started chuckling. "Jackie's got a balloon in her head? God, no wonder she's with you and not me, Hyde! All that hot air in there is clouding her judgment!"

Hyde stood up, his face twisting furiously. "Would you shut the hell up, Kelso? This isn't a joke!" He had half a mind to smash his fist in Kelso's face. Just a few more words from the moron and he would. Gladly.

Jackie sighed and moved from behind Steven to the arm of the couch. She sat down. "But it's not that serious, either," she lied. Her stomach tightened. "I mean, yeah, it's major enough to require you all to buy me tons of presents, but not MAJOR major." She was startled by the nasty look Steven gave her, and jumped slightly when he kicked over his chair and stormed out of the basement, stomping up the stairs in a way that left no doubt that he was mad.

At her.

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. The pain was getting worse, a gross combination of a knife stabbing at her and a bullet ripping through her.

"Wait, so Jackie, are you…are you going to be okay?"

She opened her eyes and looked up. Michael was standing in front of her now, looking down at her and obviously worried. She smiled wearily and stood up. "I'm going to be fine, Michael. Steven is just…he's overreacting. So let's not talk about it anymore, okay?"

Kelso sighed and pulled Jackie into a hug. "Okay, sweet pea. But if you need anything, you know where to come. Old faithful. I'll always be here for you, okay? Cause you know I'm good at that stuff. And Hyde isn't."

Jackie hugged him back, and it felt so good, but not as good as she'd expected it too. Because it wasn't Steven's arms around her. And it wasn't Steven's voice or words trying to soothe her. It just wasn't right.

But it was better than nothing. And it was better than making demands on Steven that would only make him want to leave her for good.

Donna and Eric exchanged glances. And both of them thought the same thing; that considering Hyde's mood, it was a good thing he missed what just happened.

Half an hour later

Jackie stood by the record player, idly looking through the records. Attention had turned off of her and onto the television, although she wasn't quite sure what the others were watching. Must be a comedy, because they were laughing. But she didn't care. And for probably the first time in her entire life, she was glad that she wasn't the center of attention. Steven hadn't come back down, and she was too frightened to go upstairs and find him. And so she stared at the back of Eric's Styx album, her eyes blindly skimming over the words.

"Hey."

Steven's voice startled her, and she jumped.

Hyde smiled slightly. "Sorry. I shouldn't sneak up on you. I know how engrossing a Styx album can be."

She giggled and pushed the album cover away. She turned towards him and stared hopefully up at him. He seemed calmer, his glasses were off, and his face was relaxed. That had to be good. "So…"

"Your head feeling better?" Hyde interrupted. He glanced to his right and found Kelso sitting on the couch and looking over his shoulder at them. He narrowed his eyes threateningly, and Kelso quickly turned around.

"Yeah, I took a pill," Jackie answered. She took a step closer to him, slightly hesitantly, but when he put his hands on her shoulders she smiled.

Hyde sighed. Those two beers he'd had upstairs had calmed him down. He was still pissed as hell at how Jackie was acting, but decided he better go back downstairs before Don Juan El Tardo decided to take comforting to an unacceptable level. "Look, I'm sorry I just blurted it out."

"No, its okay," she said. She shrugged. "They were bound to find out anyway."

She took another step closer and gingerly put her hands on his waist. Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips softly touched hers. She sighed as the kiss deepened. God, she loved how he kissed her. Strong, so masculine, but tenderly and lovingly. He almost painted her lips with his, and it felt so good.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?"

Hyde broke the kiss and looked angrily at Kelso, who was standing next to him and Jackie with that damn, goofy, I-just-love-interfering smile on his face. "We weren't talking, you moron," he snapped.

Kelso nodded. "I know. That's why I came over here."

Hyde tightened his jaw and pushed Kelso away, causing the clumsy fool to stumble backwards to the couch. He shook his head and looked back at Jackie. "Anyway, Jackie, WB called and he wants me to come to Milwaukee tomorrow. Some meeting about the store." He reached up and brushed a piece of her hair off her face. "I'll probably be gone most of the day. You gonna be okay?"

Jackie was about to speak when she felt herself being pulled away from Steven. She rolled her eyes as Michael's arm circled her shoulders.

"Don't you worry, Hyde," he said. "I'll keep an eye out on her." He looked down at Jackie and winked. But his pleased expression quickly turned to one of pain when Hyde punched his shoulder. "Damn, Hyde! That's too hard!" He let go of Jackie and glared at Hyde, rubbing his arm.

Jackie shook her head. "I'll be fine, Steven. I'll just go shopping."

"I'll go shopping with you," Kelso said eagerly.

Hyde shook his head and leveled a stare at Kelso. Damn, he'd thought this was all over. But apparently not. Kelso STILL wasn't about to give up. And it STILL pissed Hyde off. "No, no you won't."

Jackie shrugged. "But Donna can't go with me tomorrow, Steven, and I probably shouldn't go alone." She looked at Michael and smiled. Shopping with Michael was always fun. And she didn't see what it would hurt. Michael was long over her, and Steven knew how much she loved him and only him. "You can help me pick out a robe for the hospital. Those…things they give you there just won't cut it."

Kelso smiled triumphantly. "I would LOVE to help you pick out a robe, Jackie."

Hyde crossed his arms over his chest. There was no way in hell that Kelso was going to go robe shopping with Jackie alone. Unless…. "Bring Fez with you."

Jackie stared at Steven, and she could see that look in his eyes. That same look he'd gotten when he told her she couldn't keep the sweater Michael had given her. The same look he'd gotten when he told her he didn't want her to be alone with Michael. And so she knew she'd better indulge him. "Well, that's a good idea. Fez has great taste in clothes." She stepped to Steven and put her hand on his chest, turning a sweet smile up to him. "It'll be a girls' day out."

Kelso frowned. "Hey! I'm not a girl!"

"Yeah you are. You volunteered to go shopping," Hyde retorted. He grinned at Jackie. He felt a little better now. Besides, Fez had a big mouth. He'd blab if Kelso tried anything with Jackie. And then he'd have an excuse to beat the crap out of Kelso.

Kelso glared. "Whatever!" He turned and stomped off.

Twenty minutes later, Donna, Forman and Jackie had gone upstairs to bake cookies or something, and Hyde was left alone in the basement with Kelso. Kelso was surprisingly quiet, and that bugged Hyde. He sat on his chair and repeatedly glanced at the guy, wondering if he was plotting some way to seduce Jackie. Nah, he's not that smart. Besides, look at him. He's staring at the tv and sucking on a lollipop. He's like a damn kid.

Still. This situation warranted a warning.

"Kelso, you try anything with Jackie tomorrow, I'll kill you."

Kelso looked over at Hyde innocently. "God, Hyde, you're so paranoid! We're just gonna go shopping!"

Hyde rolled his eyes. "Right." He paused. What would happen if Jackie got one of her headaches? She was always so damn reluctant to take one of her pills in spite of the fact that they helped her. "Look, man, if Jackie gets a headache tomorrow, make sure she takes one of her pills. And don't let her say she doesn't need to."

Kelso looked confused. "Why would she get a headache?"

"Because of her aneurysm, idiot!"

Kelso scoffed. "Come on. It's a balloon, right? A balloon can't hurt!"

Hyde couldn't believe how dumb this guy was. And he couldn't believe that he counted this idiot as one of his best friends. "Just do it, okay?" He shook his head in disgust and stared at the television again.

Kelso, in turn, stared at Hyde. And he realized something, possibly for the first time ever. "You…you really care about her, don't you?"

Hyde looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "You try anything with her and I'll kick your ass."

He hoped that Kelso would finally get the picture, because he meant that threat. And this time, he wouldn't stop at just one punch.