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 9: The rehearsal

"Alright, so Eric, you'll stand here with Steven, Michael and Fez behind you." Pastor Dave bodily moved them into position – except for Kelso, who hadn't yet arrived.

"Then…" Pastor Dave pointed to the organist, who started playing. "First comes Jackie."

Hyde turned to watch as Jackie slowly walked up the aisle, looking slightly self-conscious. He swallowed around a lump in his throat and tried to catch her eye, but his stomach plummeted as she instead glanced over at where Mark was sitting and watching.

She finally made her way to the front of the church and stood opposite the boys.

"And now everyone will stand and face the aisle to watch Donna."

Donna walked down the aisle, grinning at Eric the whole way.

Pastor Dave quickly explained how the rest of the ceremony would go. After, they went back to the Formans for dinner.

Sitting in the living room, Hyde loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves, still uncomfortable in anything other than T-shirts. He took a swig of beer, trying to pretend it didn't bother him that Jackie was sitting on Mark's lap and that she hadn't said a word to him today.

Was his plan backfiring? Maybe he shouldn't have played games with her. Maybe, for once, he should have just talked to her.

The wedding was tomorrow! And that meant Jackie would be leaving the day after. He was running out of time, and he felt further away from his goal than ever.

The door from the kitchen slammed open, and Kelso rushed in with his trademark boundless energy.

Eric and Donna hugged Kelso first, followed by Fez and Hyde. Jackie had stood up when he first came in, but hadn't yet gone over to him. He looked over at her and grinned.

"Damn, Jackie. It's good to see you!"

Jackie had one of the biggest smiles on her face that Hyde had seen. He watched as the exes met in a hug, and Kelso picked her up and swung her.

A small part of him would always be jealous of Kelso and the relationship and history he shared with Jackie. But what Hyde finally realized is that Kelso wasn't a threat. Sure, he'd always have a special meaning to Jackie, but Hyde had had her heart - and he threw it away out of fear.

To Jackie, Kelso was a comforting, familiar presence, a big puppy dog, a reminder of a happier, simpler youth. He would always know Jackie in a different way than Hyde did, but not necessarily better.

And, in a way, he had to thank Kelso – not only for bringing her into their lives all those years ago, but also for helping make her into who she was.

He smiled as he watched the two gleefully say hello, a weight lifting off his heart as he realized they were actually all together again.

It was almost enough to not care about Mark's presence.

Markhad stood up to be introduced to Kelso and graciously moved to let him and Jackie sit together and catch up. Hyde half-listened as Jackie told Kelso about everything that happened to her in the last two years, struck again by how beautiful she was when excited.

His throat tightened, and he stood to go get another beer.

Jackie walked into the kitchen later in the evening to find Donna and Eric sitting in there.

"Avoiding your guests?"

"Yeah. So… bye." Eric said with a smile. Jackie just patted his shoulder and sat down at the table with them.

"Are you guys excited about tomorrow?" The two didn't have to answer – they just looked at each other and glowed.

"Oooohhh!" Jackie squealed, half-standing to hug them both. "I'm so happy for you two."

"Don't worry, Jackie, you and Mark will be taking that step soon enough." Donna watched, confused, as Jackie's smile … dulled.

"Hey… uh, Eric. Why don't you go and spend time with the guys? You don't get to see Kelso too often."

Eric looked back and forth between the two girls. "Ok. I'll see you later."

He kissed Donna and walked back into the living room. Donna stared at Jackie, who wasn't meeting her eyes.

"Jackie?"

"Donna?"

"What's wrong?"

Jackie finally looked at her, a scared look on her face. "Oh, Donna. I don't think I can marry him."

"Cold feet?"

Jackie shook her head, swiping a hand across her eyes to catch the tears that welled there. "No, not that. I do love him. I do. I just… don't…"

"Love him as much as Hyde?" Donna asked carefully, trying not to let hope enter into her voice. She had to play this exactly right. To her horror, Jackie burst out sobbing.

"I don't know what to do."

Donna reached out to pat Jackie on the back. "You know he still loves you, right?"

"Sometimes it seems that way. Sometimes it seems like he's just messing with my mind."

"Oh, that's just Hyde. He never says the right thing. You know that."

"It's not what he's saying; it's how he's acting. I can't even really describe it – I just know he's doing it. And it's tearing me up inside."

"Oh, Jackie… Why don't you just call him on it?"

"Because it's Steven. You know how he is when you make him actually confront things like feelings."

Donna smiled. "I know, but he might surprise you this time. And if not, you're going home in a few days."

"And I'd be going home with a re-broken heart. Why can he still do this to me, Donna? It's been TWO years. I should be over him by now."

"I don't think you can ever really get over the love of your life."

Jackie started sobbing again, rocking back and forth in her chair and clutching her stomach. The crying finally started to subside a few minutes later, and Jackie let out a shaky breath.

"I'm sorry, Donna. Here it is, the night before your wedding and you're in here, comforting me."

"That's okay. That's what friends are for."

"We're still friends? After I didn't even call you?"

"Of course, Jackie. If I stopped being a friend with you after every time you made me mad – well, we would have stopped being friends a long time ago."

Jackie smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Well, then as a friend, Donna, that shirt…" Donna rolled her eyes as Jackie started giggling. Donna realized again how much Jackie had changed over the last two years.

"Alright, the guys are going to look for us soon. I'll go out there to make sure no one comes in here so you can have a few minutes of privacy."

"Thanks Donna."

As the taller girl went out to the living room, Jackie stepped outside into the entry way, allowing the cool evening air dry her wet cheeks. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her problems, while still there, didn't seem so insurmountable now.

Donna was relieved to see Mark was not in the living room – she wouldn't have to explain her action of hitting Hyde upside the back of his head and glaring at him. He squirmed and looked sheepish, while the other boys quirked their heads at Donna. As Mark came back down the stairs, Hyde stood up and looked questioningly at Donna, who looked conflicted for a second before slightly nodding her head.

Hyde walked through the kitchen doors, as Donna engaged Mark in a conversation.

He saw her tiny frame standing outside in the dark and silently walked up behind her. He could tell she knew someone was there, but didn't know if she knew it was him.

"Jackie?" He whispered, watching her back tense and feeling ashamed that he had that effect on her.

"Yes?" She didn't even turn around, not trusting herself.

"I…" Hyde steeled himself, reached up and physically turned her around to look at him. Her eyes were wide and still red from tears, and she gasped slightly. He stared at her, trying to convey how serious he was. Then he said, as clearly and strongly as he could, "I love you, Jackie."

He crushed her to him, covering her lips with his.