Resolution

I like the universe but she messes with my words

I'm not talking planets or galaxies and the distance just makes it worse

"Red, I want you to talk to Steven."

"No."

"Red, that boy is depressed. We have got to step in."

"Kitty, if I had to stick my foot up the ass of every kid we've got in that basement who's screwed up, you'd be married to a man with no legs." Point made, Red disappeared behind his newspaper again. "And what's taking dinner so long?"

Kitty slammed the over shut, served herself a slice of meatloaf, and began forking it into her mouth. "Mmm, this is so good. Probably my best ever. Mm-mm-mm."

"Alright." Red slapped the paper down on the table and glared. "What do I have to do to get fed?"

Kitty arched an eyebrow at him while taking another bite. "It's really delicious."

"I want a divorce," Red declared flatly as he stood up. "And the end piece of the meatloaf better still be here when I get back."

Kitty listened to him stomp all the way down the stairs and smiled to herself. The meatloaf wasn't even that good tonight. She might have let it go in the oven a few minute more than necessary. Still … added to the sweet victory she'd just gained over Red, it tasted just right.

XXX

"Steven," Red barked when he'd reached the house's lower level. "Shut that television off and come upstairs for dinner with Kitty and I. And if you keep a smile on your face the entire time, I won't make you do any yard work for a week."

"Tempting, but I'll pass," Hyde smirked, keeping his eyes glued to the screen.

"Two weeks. Three?"

"What's the big deal about me having dinner with you guys?"

Red released a long-suffering sigh. "Kitty's got it in her head that you're depressed and she wants me to talk to you. And you know how she is, until she'd satisfied that you're cured, I won't get a moment's peace."

"So?" Hyde reclined in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head. "Talk."

"You're really gonna make me do this?"

Hyde beamed. "Well, I long to benefit from your words of infinite wisdom, Red."

The older man sighed again and sat down on the couch. "Look, kid, here's the thing. You screwed up. You got married to the wrong girl. You're aware of this, right?"

The smile disappeared from Hyde's face. He shifted in his chair, uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. "I made a decision and I stood by it, if that's what you mean."

"You got drunk in Vegas and picked up a stripper!" Red exclaimed. "Don't try to act like it's something you wanted, kid. You're only hurting everyone involved."

"Yeah, and last time I checked, 'everyone involved' didn't include you and Kitty," Hyde shot back combatively. "Look, Red, I appreciate the concern and you guys trying to help but, really, it's going to be fine. It just takes some getting used to, that's all."

"That's not what marriage is supposed to be about, Steven. Listen. Jackie's loud. And irritating as all hell. And she's probably the most self-involved creature I've ever had to deal with."

"And those are her better qualities," Hyde put in.

"Oh, yeah, if that's true, then what were you doing with her for the past couple years? Just passing the time?" Hyde remained silent. "Yeah, I thought so. The thing is, kid, there's still time to make it right. You just gotta think things through and decide on what you really want. No one will look down on you if you choose to end this charade of a marriage to that – that girl."

"Well, thanks for the talk, Red. But I've got some things I have to do, so you can go back upstairs and tell Kitty you talked to me and enjoy your meatloaf."

Red hesitated before going back upstairs. Truthfully, he hadn't just been talking to Steven because his wife had forced the issue. He had eyes, too, and he was just as worried as the next person about the situation at hand. He felt like it could all blow up soon, especially if Steven kept trying to pretend everything was fine. "Okay, that's fine, son. But think about what I said, okay?"

"Yeah. Sure. I will."

XXX

Hyde went to the record store, though it was well past closing time and he had no business to take care off. He had nowhere else to go. The basement had ceased to feel like home to him ever since Eric and Kelso had taken off and Sam had paraded in. And he didn't think he'd be too welcome in the Pinciotti household either, considering girls usually sided with each other and Donna could probably take him in a fight.

He'd just let himself in and flicked on the lights when there was a soft tapping on the door. "We're closed," he was already yelling when he moved closer and saw a small figure he recognized instantly. "Jackie. What're you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" she asked apprehensively.

"Yeah, sure." He hated himself for stepping back so that she didn't brush against him as she entered. He hated that he hadn't seen her since making her cry a week ago. And he really, really hated that all of Red's words about making the wrong choice and fixing his mistakes were echoing in his ears as he watched her wander the store. "It's a little late to be out buying a record, don't you think? Somebody's birthday or something?"

"I work over there now," she explained, gesturing vaguely to one of the office buildings down the street. "I was just on my way home and I saw you coming in. I figured we should talk."

"I think we tried that already," he scoffed. "I recall something about me not being worth your time."

The smile she offered him was wan, a watered-down version of her usual grin. He hadn't seen her truly smile, in the way that made his heart skip a beat, in what felt like forever. "Yeah. That's why I came by – to apologize. I don't want us to be on bad terms, Hyde."

"Since when do you call me Hyde?"

"Since when do you get married in Vegas?" she countered, but there was no sting in the words. "Things change, I guess. I just wanted to see you and, well, say that I'm sorry. For everything I said the other day. I was hurt and I was lashing out and I didn't really mean it."

"Yes, you did. You have every right to feel the way you do, Jackie. I know how badly I must have hurt you. You have to know I didn't mean to. I was drunk when I married Sam, so drunk that I still don't remember it."

"There's a touching story to tell the grandkids."

"Yeah, well. The point is, I messed up and I'm sorry that you had to pay for it, too. I just want you to know, I didn't do it as revenge against you, I never had the intention to hurt you at all. I was just trying to forget … everything that'd happened."

She nodded, battling back tears. "You know … nothing ever happened with Michael. I would never have done that to you – to anyone. So. I guess I'll see you around."

Hyde shook himself out of his daze. He truly was an idiot. He was standing alone in an empty record store, miles away from the house he called home and the woman he called a wife, and he'd never felt more alive than when Jackie touched his shoulder lightly before disappearing down the street.

How could he have lost the one thing that meant the world to him?