Breaking Free

By: Ereye

Summary: Along the same lines as the current popular trend of "Jackie leaves and comes back years later," only I don't want them to have to wait so long. And she won't be pregnant. But there's heartache, growing up, angst and, eventually, mushiness. What more can people want?

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Chapter 7: Questions

The boys were still watching TV and not talking an hour later, when the outside door slammed open. Jackie and Donna walked in, still laughing over some private conversation.

They brought an energy into the room that all the boys could feel. The girls walked over to their respective fiancés, kissing them quickly. It was the first time Hyde saw Jackie kiss Mark, and it was all he could do not to stand up and punch him.

"Did you have fun?"

"Yep. Donna picked out a wonderful maid of honor dress. It's light blue, with an empire waist …"

Hyde half-smiled, loving to hear Jackie talk about fashion.

"and this really …"

"Hon? Why don't you just surprise me with it?"

Jackie stopped talking immediately. Hyde glanced over just in time to see a flash of hurt cross her face before she smiled and sat down.

"OK." She said cheerily.

Hyde frowned, clenching his crossed arms closer to his chest.

Yes, Jackie could ramble on about stupid stuff, but listening to her do so provided some of his best memories. Sure, he mocked her; sure, he pretended not to listen. But there was never a time he didn't hear what she was saying.

Jackie liked to talk, about stupid stuff and about important stuff. It was just as necessary to listen to the stupid stuff because Jackie, even when she was the conceited little princess, was insecure. Listening to everything she said was the way to show her you loved her.

Not to mention that not letting Jackie talk was not letting her be her.

Jackie cleared her throat.

"Come on, Mark. I'll show all my old hangouts." She stood, tugged her shirt into place and pulled Mark up to join her. "See you guys later."

Hyde was glad his chair faced the door so he could watch her leave with no one noticing.

He did, however, notice Donna looking at him after they left, obviously wanting to say something to him. After a few minutes, he finally met her eyes and cleared his throat.

"I'm fine, Donna."

"Sure you are."

He sighed and turned his attention back to the TV.

"Alright. I'll see you later."

"Uh huh."

"And this is the water tower. Note the artwork. Bet you never would have guessed that I used to hang out with vandals."

Jackie had been almost nervous giving Mark a tour of Point Place. He hadn't said anything and seemed upset about something. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"What? What is wrong?"

Mark didn't even try to act like everything was fine, which she appreciated.

"Why didn't you tell me about Hyde? You had no problem telling me about Michael?"

Jackie's mouth went dry as her heart started beating painfully in her chest. She avoided his eyes and tried to answer without betraying her feelings.

"Steven and I were a summer fling that just lasted too long. I told you about Michael because he was my first boyfriend."

"I told you about all the girls I dated."

"I told you Steven and I dated, just not all the details. I'm dating you – I didn't think the guys I used to date were that important."

"So you didn't love him?"

"I'm not going to lie. I did love him. But it ended a long time ago."

Mark sighed. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"No." She stepped close to him, wrapping her arms around him. "How did you find out anyway?"

"Oh, Eric told me."

"Oh." Jackie hoped she didn't sound as sad as she thought she did. When he had first mentioned Hyde, a part of her had hoped that he had told Mark.

Hyde sprawled out on his cot, arms behind his head. He couldn't sleep and was remembering those nights after Jackie's dad went to jail when she would sneak in to sleep with him.

They never did more than kissing, sleeping and a little heavy petting. But just being with her, holding her, wrapping his body around her as they drifted into sleep, waking up in the early morning hours to watch her peaceful and happy, the tousled mess of her hair, the lack of makeup on her face that had once made Kelso scream but that made him think she never looked more beautiful ….

The memories were starting to affect his body, and he shifted uncomfortably. And that's when he heard the basement door opening. His heart sped up, sure he was imagining things.

Or fantasizing about them.

Then his door opened slowly and he sat up, propping himself up on his elbows. It was dark in the room, but he'd know that perfume anywhere.

"Jackie?"

"Not a word, Steven." She whispered before crawling across the cot, grabbing his face and pulling him in for a searing, mind-blowing kiss.