Disclaimer: I own neither 70S SHOW nor SUPER FREAK.
"This is my office!" Jackie exclaimed, arms outstretched to Donna and Eric and Tommy. "This is where all my ideas are gathered!"
"It's very chic," Donna said. "I can see why you're so successful. If you decorate all houses like this, I bet the trendy people are into it."
"Any big deals right now?" Eric asked.
"Well, this afternoon some people from Montauk are coming in," Jackie said, clearly excited. "They may want us to design a whole new first floor for their beach house!"
"I hate Montauk," Barry said, walking into the room with a coffee.
"No, you hated that haunted house we stayed in with Beth and Mandy," Jackie said.
"No way, you lie," Donna said.
"I'm serious!" Jackie exclaimed. "But the clients we are wooing do NOT have a haunted house."
"I'm never stepping foot in that house again," Barry muttered.
"Anyway," Jackie continued, "if you want some good family friendly stuff within the city… Well, you can always go up to the Bronx Zoo."
"That's not within the city!" Eric said.
"It's an hour on the subway," Jackie said. "And it's huge and beautiful. And I know that Steven and I took tomorrow off for your last day, so we can do more stuff within the city tomorrow."
"I want to go to the zoo!" Donna exclaimed. "I love the zoo!"
"The zoo! The zoo!" Tommy exclaimed.
"Okay, fine, we'll go to the zoo," Eric said. "We should go now, then."
"Have a good time!" Jackie exclaimed, waving at all of them as they left.
"Tell me about lunch," Donna said. "And we'll tell you about the zoo." Jackie smiled, and they left. As soon as they were out the door Jackie ran to the bathroom in the office and threw up.
"I thought you were past the morning sickness," Barry said, wrinkling his nose and closing the door so he wouldn't have to watch or hear it.
"I thought I was too, but I guess not," Jackie said, whining.
"I bet you're nervous," Barry said.
"Why would I be nervous?"
"Lunch with the ex you perhaps?" Barry asked. Jackie flushed, and gargled with water.
"Oh please," she said.
"Come on, Jackie," Barry said. "Now it's time to be very honest with me, your best friend."
"Oh what is THIS about I wonder?" she asked, leaving the bathroom.
"Do you still have feelings for Drew?" he asked.
"Nope," she said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yep."
"...Well, that wasn't as soap opera-ish as it could have been," he said.
"Sorry to disappoint."
"So what's with the nervous vibes then?" Barry asked. She sighed.
"I actually don't know," she said. "I need to just calm down."
"I concur," Barry said. "Come on. Let's work on some floor plans." She nodded, and they went to his flat board to look things over.
-----------------------------
Hyde wasn't really thinking about his lunch date. Instead he was debating with Jake about 'Stairway to Heaven' versus 'Freebird' for the title of rock and roll anthem.
"Jake, 'Freebird' is long and drawn out, with a tacked on guitar solo at the end," he said. "Not that I dislike the Bird, but 'Stairway' is much much better. It's deep, man."
"Come on, Hyde, 'A lady who's sure all that glitters is gold'?"
"Yeah, and she's buying a stairway to heaven, dammit!" Hyde said. "Deep!"
"Nonsensical," Jake threw back. "Okay, bands today that are going to live on through the tests of time."
"Nirvana," Hyde said.
"Oh really?" Jake asked.
"Yes, really."
"Bleach wasn't THAT great."
"But I hear their next album is gonna rock, man," Hyde said.
"Kurt Cobain is nothing but a slacker trying to be a poet."
"Just like Jim Morrison, and he succeeded," Hyde stated. "And that's what rock is all about man. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll."
"Do you miss those days?" Jake asked. "I mean, now that you're married and all."
"I wasn't a rock star."
"But come on, man, you had that time in your life, living free, 'Easy Rider' style," Jake said. "Now you're married and own record stores. Doesn't it suck?" Hyde smiled a little bit, and shrugged.
"When I was your age I thought it would suck, man, and that mentality nearly wrecked my life," Hyde said. "Trust me. I like this life I have right now."
"So why are you going out with the former stripper for lunch without Jackie's knowledge?" Jake asked.
"… Did I tell you about that?"
"Yes, you did."
"…. Remind me not to tell you about my lunch plans ever again."
"Come on, we can be honest," Jake said. "Why are you doing it?"
"Because I owe it to her," Hyde said. "As much as she's a shady person, I think I owe it to her to explain myself."
"And this isn't about your wife hooking up with HER ex?"
"What, do I tell you everything?"
"When you're high, yes," Jake said. Hyde gave him a look. "This morning, man? Remember?"
"…. Oh yeah. Well, I have to get it in before the baby is born, because Jacks would kill me if I kept up with it."
"Whipped."
"Single."
"Touché…" Hyde smiled, and looked at the photo of Jackie on the counter. "So if you don't want the stripper, can I have her?"
"She's involved with someone."
"Who?"
"My wife's ex."
"What is this, Dynasty?"
"Please, if this were Dynasty do you think I'd be smoking pot in the back room with a college student for kicks?" Hyde asked. Jake shrugged, and some customers walked up to the counter. "Attend to the customers, they pay your salary." He looked up at the clock. Sam was coming soon. And Jake was actually making some sense. He went into his office, and began to dial.
"Hyde and Grant Designs!" her perky voice said.
"I'm going to lunch with Sam," Hyde stated. She was silent for a little bit. "And I know you don't like her and I know you are jealous, but she's only reaching out as a friend and I think that we should give her the benefit of the doubt. Besides, she leaves in two days and we'll never see each other again. I have to wrap some things up because I think that it's the right thing to do. So I'm sorry if you're pissed off, but I need to do this."
"….. Okay."
"…. Excuse me?"
"I said okay."
"…. Is this JACKIE Hyde designs?"
"Hyde and Grant Designs, actually, it's a two person show," she said.
"So why aren't you flipping out?"
"Because you love me and would be a wreck without me, so I trust you not to cheat on me," she said, calmly. "Can I go now? I have my lunch appointment very very soon."
"… Yeah, sure," he said, dumbfounded.
"Okay! I love you! See you tonight! And remember you're taking tomorrow off," she said.
"Yeah, I remember. Love you too. Later."
"Bye!" He hung up, and couldn't help but laugh to himself. He sat back, and laughed and shook his head. Just when you think you know your wife she can still turn around and surprise you.
TBC
A/N: Yeah, that was shorter, but I think the next chapter is pretty long….