Jackie spent the rest of the day cleaning up the house and lulling about from room to room reviewing old pictures of her family. They were picture-perfect and everyone in town knew it, or atleast they used to. After a few hours of wandering, she did a rather poor job of cleaning because well, she never really did any of it before, she fell asleep upstairs. When she emerged later she went downstairs to check on her mom who was absent from the couch. "Well, atleast she moved her ass." Jackie thought. Jackie checked her parent's room for her mom but found that not only was she not there, all her stuff was missing too. Her closet was practically empty and her jewelry box was gone. Jackie wasn't actually that surprised, she figured that this might happen because well…it always did. Outside the car was gone and there wasn't a note or anything. Jackie sighed heavily and went back inside. "Why didn't she take me too?" she wondered. She didn't want to live her life anymore. Just a week ago life had been wonderful but now, it was as if nothing mattered. No one really cared anyway. She figured she could go down to the basement but what was the point. Yes, Steven would be there but…in a different sense he wouldn't be there at all. She loved Steven, yes, but sometimes it seemed like the whole relationship was very one-sided and that he was only with her out of convenience. Not that she wasn't demanding, but she was a good girlfriend in other aspects. Well, tonight she didn't want to think about being a good anything, she didn't want to think at all. Heading into the house she grabbed the half-empty vodka bottle and slammed it down while going to the kitchen for something else to drink.

Hours slipped by in the night and in her drunken haze Jackie was realizing that drinking alone wasn't exactly helping her mood. She didn't remember the fact that she had blacked out once already, the only thing she remembered was waking up and feeling like crap all over again. It was morning and almost time to start getting ready for school so she got up and made her way to her parent's shower (it had three shower heads instead of one). When she got out she felt a little better but worse at the same time, clean with a headache. She went to the medicine cabinet for some aspirin and instead a bottle tumbled out that intrigued her. There was a bottle full of valium and she remembered that her mom said it worked wonders and that it was powerful. Well, she needed all the help she could get and took four without thinking and stuffed the rest in her school bag. She picked out the brightest clothes from her closet (a sparkly orange shirt and some bright green pants with silver shoes) and really went wild on her make-up. By the time she was ready to leave, she could barely stand and wobbled her way to the phone.

Kitty: Steven, phone for you.

Kitty held out the phone to Steven who was at the breakfast table with Eric and Red eating the three course breakfast Kitty had prepared. He had smoked an entire bag himself the day/night before when he got home from Jackie's. He was wearing his glasses that morning and was eating heaping helpings of eggs shoveling the muffins and fruit in. His mouth was slightly full and he felt better about the whole situation. He convinced himself that he had overreacted yesterday and tried not to think about Jackie's cheek.

Steven: Hello.

Jackie: Heeeeyyyy Steven my sweeeeet! (giggle) Can you pick me up for schoooool cause I'm cooooool. (giggle)

Steven: Jackie?

Jackie: Hmmm Pud-dudin pop?

Steven: Yeah, I'll be right there.

Steven went to hang up but heard Jackie shout through the phone loud enough for everyone to hear.

Jackie: Yeah, I loooooooove my Steven Wonder! (giggle)

Red: Make sure she sobers up before you take her to school.

Kitty: Oh Red, she's just excited to get a ride from her favorite boy!

Eric: Hey, can I get a ride too Mr. Wonder?

Steven: Get bent!

The El Camino pulled into the drive and Steven went to knock on the door. He noticed the Lincoln was gone and figured that Pam must have left again, it figured. He waited a minute before entering to see Jackie with her backpack on sitting on the bench in the foyer. Her hair was hanging in her face and she looked dead asleep but when he closed the door she jumped and he saw her face. His first reaction was…laughter. And this made Jackie laugh too a little too goofily and he stopped laughing and realized she was really gone. He bent down to see if he could smell the alcohol but couldn't and looked at her curiously. He was noticing how cold she was and just how pale her face and lips were behind the make-up. She was sweating too.

Steven: Jackie?

Jackie: Just a second.

Jackie attempted to stand but fell and stumbled into Steven. She was like a dead weight and instantly snuggled into him to close her eyes. Steven laid her down on the floor and slapped her cheeks, careful not to hurt her one cheek. Her eyes opened and they were so big, too big and unfocused.

Jackie: Hello Ste—

Steven: Jackie what did you take?

Jackie yawned and tried to close her eyes again but Steven slapped her cheek a little harder this time and she bolted upright (with his help) to a sitting position.

Jackie: It's in my backpack, you want some?

Steven didn't answer and unzipped her backpack dumping out the contents. A pill bottle rolled towards him.

Steven: Jackie, this is important, how many did you take?

Jackie held up the number four and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Jackie: I'm tired. Take me to bed.

Steven picked her up and brought her to the bathroom. He took a glass from the counter and ordered Jackie to swallow as he tipped it back to her mouth. He refilled it four or five times.

Jackie: I'm gonna hurl.

Steven: Good. Now stick your fingers down your throat and it'll make you feel better.

Jackie looked at Steven bewildered and he sighed and placed her head over the toilet as he held her with one hand he tried to grab her hand and force it down her throat but it was limp. He panicked and placed his down her until she took a deep breath and gagged. Water and the mushy, chalky white pills came up. He counted four clumps and set back holding a shaking Jackie. He cradled her in his lap holding her tight and kissing her forehead. She sighed and he noticed that he tried to fall asleep. Steven reached over and turned on the shower.

Steven: Come on Jackie, you stink.

Jackie: What?

Steven knew that would get her moving and she stood up a little more steadily. Steven stripped off her shirt and unbuttoned her pants. He bent down and took off the heels then pulled down her pants and underwear. He dutifully unsnapped her bra with one quick movement. He stripped off his sweatshirt too.

Steven: Jackie, you know we could use those heels sometime.

She cracked a smile and swatted at him. He caught the hand and kissed her palm then gently led her into the shower. He got sopped but he lathered her washcloth for her and helped her wash her face and body. It was so not sensual that Jackie's heart almost broke. How could she think that he didn't care? He loved her more than anyone ever had and she knew it as she looked down to see him turn the water off. He stepped out a little while keeping a hand at her back and got her a towel. He wrapped it around her and smiled when he saw her staring at him.

Steven: Feeling better?

Jackie blushed deeply and looked down while nodding. She almost didn't know how to act around him anymore. She was embarrassed and felt so stupid for not going to him because she thought he didn't care.

Steven: Good. Dry off and I'll be right back.

He grabbed his sweatshirt and walked away while stripping off his wet t-shirt and put the sweatshirt on. She rubbed her skin hard trying to rub warmth into her. She was so cold suddenly. At least her hair wasn't too wet. She sat down tiredly on the counter and wrapped her arms around her. By the time Steven came back she was shivering and her teeth were chattering.

Steven: Here.

He opened up the sweatshirt he had grabbed and pulled it over her head like she was a child and she stuck her arms out as he pulled off her towel and she laughed as she saw what he was attempting to put on her.

Jackie: I got it Steven.

She slid off the counter and took her long underwear out of his hands. She balanced by placing a hand on his chest. She felt like she must look ridiculous but she did feel better. Steven handed her baggy sweatpants too and she put them on followed by a thick pair of socks. She was so tired by now and leaned into hug him and sleepily closed her eyes.

Jackie: Thank you.

Steven: Not yet Jackie, let's go watch some tv and get some food in you.

He didn't pick her up but instead led her to the living room. He stood her in front of the tv.

Steven: Pick something interesting and I'll be right back.

He turned before leaving the room and added.

Steven: Don't get too comfortable yet.

Jackie lifted her brows and smiled at him as he left.

Steven came back in with a big bowl of cereal and a banana. He peeled it for her as she slowly ate the cereal. He cut the banana and put the slices in her bowl. She smiled appreciatively and he leaned back rubbing her back as she ate.

Jackie: Mmm Steven this is the best!

Steven: Good.

She looked back when she was done and saw him sitting there with his head tilted back and his eyes closed. She slid back to rest on his chest and dragged his arm around her. He squeezed her tightly with both arms and kissed her forehead. Tears rolled down her cheek as he did. He noticed and wiped them away slowly.

Jackie: (whisper) I'm so sorry.

Steven: It's ok babe.

Jackie sighed and returned the hug. She placed light kisses along his neck and leaned up to his ear to whisper as she saw he was about to fall asleep.

Jackie: I love you Steven Hyde.

Jackie watched a little Price Is Right and fell asleep on his chest.