A/N: Well, I was planning on ending this story at 5 chapters, but I felt kinda bad for teasing you guys and not giving you much J/H goodness, so I've decided there will be 6 chapters now. This chapter will be chock full of J/H fluff, and for those of you who have been feeling the pain of Fez, don't worry because he'll be back in the last chapter. Lyrics to "When I Need You" belong to Leo Sayer; I just borrowed them. So thank you everyone for your wonderful reviews, and now, let the J/H goodness begin!
Hyde's back was pressed against the wall opposite of Fez and Jackie's apartment, his hands shoved down deep into the pockets of his jeans. He couldn't hear what was being said behind the door, and not knowing was driving him slowly insane. What if she decided not to take him back? What if Fez's decision to return to his homeland had made her realize that she loved Fez instead?
The door opened, and all thoughts ceased inside his head. He pushed off the wall, and Jackie smiled as she saw him there. She had managed to stem the flow of tears, but he could distinctly see the fresh tear-tracks on her face. She closed the door behind her and came towards him, her eyes still a bit watery, but her smile never faltering, and he opened his arms to her and pulled her in closely. She buried her face into his chest, but she didn't cry. He rested his chin on the top of her head and rubbed her back soothingly until she finally withdrew herself from his embrace. With a small smile, she laced her fingers through his and together they headed down the hall and out of the apartment complex.
They reached his El Camino, and he opened the driver's side door for her, then slid in beside her and turned the ignition. As the Camino roared to life, he draped his right arm around her, and she snuggled against his side, leaning her head against his shoulder. They drove in companionable silence, watching the scenery drift lazily by.
A little while later, Hyde pulled the Camino into the Forman's driveway, removed his arm from around Jackie's shoulders, and shut off the engine. He turned to face her, concern evident on his face despite his ever-present shades.
"Jackie, you okay?"
Jackie smiled and nodded, but her gaze was riveted on the dashboard in front of her. "I just feel a little bad, like he's leaving because of me…because of us."
"So, are you having second thoughts…about us?" he asked and held his breath.
"Oh, Steven, no!" Jackie exclaimed, swiveling on her seat to face him. She took his hands in hers and smiled up into his eyes. "I want to be with you, Steven. It's just…well, you have to admit we didn't exactly get back together in the best way."
Hyde smiled, blue eyes twinkling. "Yeah…but it was fun."
Jackie hit him playfully in the arm.
"Fez is gonna be fine, Jacks," Hyde reassured, turning serious again. "And he'll be back before you know it. In fact, I bet going home will do him some good."
"I know." She reached over and grabbed his hand. "Come on, Steven, let's go inside."
Hyde slid across the bench seat and followed her into the Forman's house. The cozy little house he'd come to call home was thankfully empty, and he and Jackie made their way without pause into the basement. Jackie dropped his hand as she reached the bottom step and headed to the TV. She smiled as she saw The Price is Right was on, and plopped down onto the couch.
"Look, Steven," she said and pointed to the screen. "Our favorite show."
Grinning, Hyde took a seat beside her and pulled her against him, tilting her face up to his. He kissed her softly, relishing in the feel of her supple lips and breathing her in deeply. She smelled like cherries and vanilla, and he'd forgotten how heady the mixture was. His mind started to reel as she flung her leg over his and, without breaking the kiss, straddled his lap. His hands ran up her thighs and rested at her waist as he felt her fingertips dancing up and down his arms. He deepened the kiss, nibbling on her bottom lip, begging entrance, which she willingly gave. His tongue slipped in and began a leisurely exploration of the velvety contours of her mouth, delighting in the taste of her.
The Price is Right had ended by the time they came up for air. Jackie's heartbeat was pounding in her ears; her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Her lips were swollen, her dark eyes glazed with passion as she gazed at him.
"Show's over," Hyde remarked after both their heart rates had returned to normal.
Jackie glanced over her shoulder. "Yep, so it is." She turned back and smiled at him enticingly, her hands gliding up his chest. "What should we do now?" she asked, her eyes dancing with mischief.
Hyde raised a brow and slid one arm underneath her legs, the other wrapping around her waist. In one fluid movement, he planted his feet on the ground and pushed himself off the couch, taking Jackie with him. She giggled in surprise and clasped her hands behind his neck, nuzzling into the hollow of his throat as he carried her into his room. He set her down gently on his cot, but didn't immediately join her, instead walking across the room to his record player. Leo Sayer's "When I Need You" filled the room, and Hyde turned back to Jackie with a soft smile, extending his hand out to her.
"Steven, this was the song playing on the radio on our first date!" she cried as she took his hand.
Hyde nodded, his arms encircling her waist and pulling her close against his body. "I know."
Jackie glanced up at him. "You know, Fez and I tried to kiss to this song. It didn't work, it felt too awkward." She giggled a little at the memory, but then became serious again as she stared into his eyes. "I think that's when I realized he and I could never have what you and I do." She laid her head on his shoulder, smiling to herself as they twirled slowly around his tiny room. She breathed him in, smoke and Old Spice mingling into a scent that was purely Steven Hyde, a scent that, every time she breathed in, made her feel comforted and safe. She could see his pulse beating steadily in his neck, and on impulse, she pressed her lips to the spot and felt it speed up slightly.
He pulled away a bit and looked into her eyes. "I missed you," he said, his voice low and soft, betraying emotion he rarely showed.
Jackie's eyes sparkled with tears. "I missed you, too," she whispered and bent to close the distance between them, capturing his lips in a sweet kiss.
The evening had slipped into darkness while they danced, and Hyde's room was illuminated only by a sliver of moonlight shining through his small window. It had been so long since they had been in each other's arms, and neither one wanted the moment to end.
Bending his head close to her ear, Hyde whispered, "Stay the night with me?"
Jackie shivered slightly but nodded.
He took her small hands in his and led her to his cot, turning down the blankets and letting her slip under. He joined her and wrapped his arms securely around her petite frame, snuggling her against him and resting her head in the crook of his neck. She nuzzled into him, sighing in contentment; her eyes closed as sleep began to take hold of her.
"Jacks?"
Her eyes opened, but she didn't lift her head. "Hmm?"
Hyde hesitated, knowing he'd never really been comfortable telling her how he felt. But he wanted her to know, even though he knew she already did, he knew it was important that she hear the words, and important that he say them. "I love you."
Jackie smiled against his warm flesh, loving the tiny little thrill of excitement those three words caused. Her arm tightened around him and she leaned up, tenderly kissing him. "I love you, too, Steven." Then they drifted to sleep, the song they had fallen in love to still playing in the background.
When I need you
I just close my eyes and I'm with you
And all that I so wanna give you
It's only a heartbeat away
When I need love
I hold out my hands and I touch love
I never knew there was so much love
Keeping me warm night and day
Miles and miles of empty space in between us
The telephone can't take the place of your smile
But you know I won't be travelin' forever
It's cold out but hold out and do like I do
When I need you
I just close my eyes and I'm with you
And all that I so wanna give you babe
It's only a heartbeat away
It's not easy when the road is your driver
Honey that's a heavy load that we bear
But you know I won't be travelin' a lifetime
It's cold out but hold out and do like I do
Oh, I need you
When I need love
I hold out my hands and I touch love
I never knew there was so much love
Keeping me warm night and day
When I need you
I just close my eyes
And you're right here by my side
Keeping me warm night and day
I just hold out my hands
I just hold out my hand
And I'm with you darlin'
Yes, I'm with you darlin'
All I wanna give you
It's only a heartbeat away
Oh, I need you darling
A/N: Yes, it's mushy, I know :) Just wanted to give you guys some fluff since there hasn't been much J/H interaction during this story. Hope it wasn't too sappy, but let me know what you think! Thanks!
