Jackie returned to work the next day. The pleasantness of the morning news felt like artificial sweetener, but she would never want to anchor the nightly news. The truth was the first couple of minutes every morning she donned a false smile, but soon it became her own. Today, was a day she needed to smile. But every time they went to commercial, she said a silent prayer that Markus hadn't died, and Michael had been there to help him. And of course Steven had been to help her. Just like he always was except that one time when she had needed him most, he hadn't been. She hadn't been good enough for him since that day. She pushed the thoughts aside, she focused on smiling, she had to find her strength, Markus would need her help, she couldn't abandon him now.

Jackie walked outside the studio doors, normally she had lunch with Donna on Mondays, but she had already called to cancel, deaf to Donna's protest. She turned to get a cab and locked eyes with a beaming Kelso.

Kelso "It was so cool, I was in Time Square, and you were on the screen and you were like this big." (Extending his arms as far as they go.)

Jackie "What are you doing here, I thought you had a flight back to Chicago this morning?"

Kelso "I missed it, Brooke's mom is picking up Betsy after school, and I told my lieutenant I missed my flight, and he totally can't fire me cause I'm so good looking and the captain is lady cop." Kelso beamed "So I'm all yours and we're getting lunch, cause I'm starved."

Jackie "Actually I was thinking about going to the hospital to visit Markus. I called ahead, they told me he just woke up."

Kelso "I don't know Jackie, Donna and Hyde told me to take your mind off him, and seeing as how they can both kick my ass…"

Jackie "You don't have to come." She made her way to the curve and started trying to wave a cab.

Kelso "No, I'll come." He whistled and a couple cabs suddenly stopped.

Jackie approaching the front desk. "May I have Mr. Markus' room number?"

Nurse "311, but you can only go in there one at a time."

Jackie thanked her, and told Kelso she wouldn't be too long.

Nurse over the phone "Lizzy, someone finally asked about 311."

Lizzy "What did the person look like? Thank you Martha, if I get a bonus for this we'll go out and celebrate." She hung up and dialed another number. "Damn. Answering machine. I hope he isn't far. Mr. Hyde the little brunette just asked for Markus' room." She kept it short, he never listened to nicety anyhow, he would probably walk out the door before the message even finished.

Hyde got the message an hour later, when he called to check in with Lizzy. He was near the hospital, having just had his weekly lunch with Eric.

Markus' room, Jackie walked in, Markus laughed. "Hey cheerleader, I told him you would come, I told him I knew you better than he did, and that you were just as addicted to me as I am to you. Come over here and say hello."

Jackie looked confused "Who were you talking to?"

Markus laughed "You didn't figure it out huh? Hyde, he was acting all possessive, like he owned you or something. But come to me, feeling your skinny little ass would do me good around now."

Jackie paused. Somehow she knew she was in the wrong room. This wasn't who she was here to see. He wasn't apologizing, he didn't seem to be remorseful at all. "I can't stay. I should go."

Markus "Wait Jackie. Don't leave."

Jackie closed her eyes "My friend Michael is outside, I should spend some more time with him before he leaves." She turned around and blocked out his voice and forced herself into the hall.

Kelso "That was quick, I was waiting till that beauty queen over there was on her own, so I could ask her for a sponge bath."

Jackie "Come on Michael let's go. I don't really feel like staying here anymore."

Kelso "Ok. Let's go have lunch next door, I still want to talk to you."