Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, try to sue you won't get anything though. I have nothing.
Author's note: this is my own original story of how Jackie and Hyde got together; there are two characters I created. The rest are solely from the show. As always please r&r my story if you like it.
Chapter #3
(Continued from last chapter)
…"Jackie?" calls Hyde as he slowly makes his way over the where she is seated.
"Hyde." Says Jackie in return, her voice nonchalant yet cold at the same time.
Frowning only briefly at Jackie's purposeful use of his last name, Hyde decides to ignore and just get down to business," do you care explaining why you broke into the basement last night?"
Raising a defiant eyebrow in Hyde's direction, Jackie first takes a long slow gulp from her soda before even dignifying him an answer," ok, firs of all; I did not break into the basement. The door wasn't even locked, so how could I? And second, I told you that I just needed a place to stay for the night. So there's not really much else to explain."
"You could start with why you never told anyone that you were living alone." Acknowledges Hyde not wanting to let the topic go so easily.
"I'm not living alone! My parents just went on vacation, and I've been staying with a friend." Snaps Jackie in a more then a little bit of a frustrated tone.
"Really? So, which friend would that be? Because I haven't seen you around with your cheerleader friends much, just Donna and fez. And I know your not staying with either of them." Presses Hyde as he now ignores the icy glare that Jackie is sending his way.
"You know what Steven…no! I do NOT have to explain myself to you of all people. And trust me, if I had known that you were still awake I wouldn't have gone to the basement in the first place. And right now I don't have time for this, or you." Explodes Jackie in a small fit of anger before getting up and stalking off outside the Hub.
Watching half confused as well as shocked by Jackie's dismissive out burst and departure, after having took a minute or so to let her word fully hit home. Hyde leaves the Hub I search of Jackie, and as he walks outside it doesn't take him long to find her. With a reluctant huff, Hyde eventually makes his way over to a near by bench where she is now sitting once again by herself…," did you want to tell me what's really going on now?"
Taking but one look in Hyde's direction, Jackie then shifts so that she is facing away from him," no, because there is nothing going on to tell you about. And even if there was, why would you of all people even care? Its not like it's your responsibility to look after me, and it never was. I'm not Michael's girlfriend anymore; I haven't been in nearly a month. And I don't plan on taking him back anytime soon, so you can just stop worrying about me. Because as you can plainly see, I'm doing just fine."
"Whatever…look, Jackie if you want I could stay with you for a couple of days. You know, just until your parents come home." Offers Hyde as an after thought, looking for any chances he can get to spend time with Jackie alone.
" Thanks for the offer Steven, but I already told you that I'm fine. It was very…uncharacteristic of you to say the least." Declines Jackie with a wary smile and tired sigh.
After five minutes of awkward silence
clearing his throat purposefully after standing from his seat on the bench beside Jackie, Hyde shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans before turning his attention back toward her once more," so, what? Did you want a ride home or whatever?"
glancing down at her watch with a sigh, Jackie takes a quick look around before giving a mere shake of her head," no, I'm fine Steven. But thanks."
" Jackie, I don't mind." Offers Hyde once more as he raises an eyebrow at her.
" I'm ok, really. …my friend is here anyway." Confides Jackie as she nods in the direction behind Hyde.
" Hey, there you are. I thought that we agreed to meet inside the Hub? You ready to go Jackie?" greet tom as he walks up beside her and grabs her hand.
" Yeah, I'm ready. I just needed some fresh air though, that why I decided to wait outside. …I'll see you around Hyde." Says Jackie with one last glance back at Hyde as her head out with her 'friend'.
"…whatever." Mutter Hyde as he watches Jackie walk off down the darkened street with a guy that is most certainly not him. …
(Later that evening; outside the movie theater-J/T)
" So, did you have fun tonight?" question tom casually before stopping to wait for Jackie's answer.
" Considering that for once I actually got to watch the entire movie? …yeah, I had a lot of fun tom. This was really nice." comments Jackie as they walk out of the Movie Theater and head down the street.
Letting out a silent sigh of relief, tom reaches for Jackie's hand as a shy smile appears on his face," you've never sat through an entire movie?"
With a slight shake of her head, Jackie covers her mouth before letting out a chuckle," with Michael? I would be lucky if I caught the first half hour, especially if we went to the drive in. we usually would just wind up…"
" Ok, way too much information." Cuts in tom before Jackie can finish her sentence.
" Right, sorry." Mumbles Jackie before kicking at a stray can with a long huff.
" Did you love this guy?" asks tom after a few minutes of silence.
" I use to think that I did at one time." Admits Jackie as she bites down on her bottom lip, temporarily lost in thought.
Lightly brushing a strand of hair form Jackie's face, tom wraps a lazy arm around her waist," so what changed your mind?"
Burying her face into tom's shoulder, Jackie closes her eyes as they sway back and forth," I was tired of getting hurt…Michael had this thing where he liked to cheat on me…a lot."
" This guy sounds like a jerk." Points out tom dancing to the silent music of the night with Jackie in his arms.
" He wasn't though, Michael was an idiot. …but he could be very sweet too." Confides Jackie as she rests her head on tom's shoulder.
Tensing up at this, with a heavy sigh tom wisely decides to change the subject," did you want me to drive you home so that you can grab some clothes? My parent would feel better if you stayed with us."
Standing in her tip toes, Jackie places a light kiss on tom's cheek," I'm cool, I already promised my friend Donna that I would stay with her."
" Jackie…" presses tom with an exhausted sigh," I thought you were supposed to stay with my parents and I?"
" I'll stay at your parent's house tomorrow night, I promise. Look, I'm just going to walk. It's not that far from here." Assures Jackie as she gives tom one last hug good bye.
" You sure?" question tom not wanting to let go of Jackie's hand just yet.
" Yeah, I'll be fine. Night tom." Calls Jackie as she head off down the street toward Donna's and the Foreman's house. …
(Basement half hour later; 11pm)
" Sneaking into the basement again Burkhart?" asks Hyde from his chair, smirking as a frightened Jackie jumps back.
" Steven! Weren't we just over this last night? Quit scaring me!" yells Jackie in a huff as she tosses a pillow at him.
With an eyebrow raised in amusement, Hyde swiftly dodges the pillow," do you mind telling me what you're doing here?"
Untying her shoes quietly, Jackie grabs a blanket before kicking them off," I was going to stay at Donna's but no one is home."
" That would be because she went camping with bob and the foreman's." informs Hyde as he grabs himself a beer and tosses another to Jackie.
" Why didn't you go?" questions Jackie as she catches her beer and opens it with a chug.
Glancing over at Jackie's small shivering form, Hyde reluctantly pulls her up with him," I didn't want to…come on Jacks."
After more then one failed attempts to tug free from Hyde's grip, with a pout Jackie rubs at her tired eyes," Steven, why can't I just sleep here for tonight?"
" Because you'll freeze, now come on. Your going to sleep in my room." Responds Hyde in a gruff tone as he nudges Jackie to his small back room.
" Whoa, you mean with you?" ponders Jackie more then slightly taken aback by Hyde's offer.
" Yeah…look, I'm not kilos. I won't try anything." Reassures Hyde when he notices the look of hesitance written on Jackie's face.
"…ok Steven, good night." Mumbles Jackie as she climbs in bed besides him and closes her eyes before settling down against Hyde.
" Yeah, whatev…I mean night Jacks." Mumbles Hyde as he pulls her as close to him as he can and quietly waits for her to drift off to sleep so he can do the same. …
(Following morning)
" You sleep alright?" asks Hyde when he feels Jackie stir against him.
" For once in a bout a month, yes." Confides Jackie with a yawn as she stretches out in Hyde's arms.
With his arms wrapped tightly around Jackie's waist, Hyde rests his chin on her shoulder so that he can whisper into her ear," your boyfriend doesn't mind that you've been staying here, I guess?"
Hugging onto Hyde's bicep, Jackie can't help but chuckle as a tear rolls down her cheek," tom's not my boyfriend, he hasn't even asked me out yet. And I don't think that he will anytime soon."
" Why wouldn't he?" asks Hyde with a curiously raised eyebrow.
" Would you want to date someone that you thought wasn't over their ex?" inquires Jackie in a sad tone, quickly swiping at her cheeks.
Trying his best to remain Zen, the muscles in Hyde's chest slowly start to tighten," you're not over kelsos yet?"
Glancing up at Hyde, Jackie swipes at her cheeks as the tears begin to flow," no, I am. But I have a feeling that tom thinks otherwise. What if I scared him off Steven?"
" There's always other guys you know." Points out Hyde in attempt to ease Jackie's tears but to no avail.
" I really like tom though." Admits Jackie in a small voice and she sniffles to herself.
Wrapping Jackie in his arms once more as she shivers, Hyde buries his face in her neck," what's so great about this guy?"
Shifting with a sudden discomfort, Jackie soon cuddles into Hyde," he's just really nice to me, and he's sweet, he listens and not once has he kissed me or tried to make a move. He makes me feel safe."
" I've never tried anything either Jackie…or I listen…sometimes." Acknowledges Hyde as he tries to ignore the sudden jealousy that's rising in the pit of his stomach.
" That's because you would never date a girl like me Steven." Reminds Jackie in a matter-of-factly tone as she glance up at Hyde.
Raising an eyebrow in interest, Hyde looks down at Jackie in amusement," what makes you think that?"
Letting a sleep sigh escape, Jackie itches at the back of her neck," you mean aside from the fact that you once compared me to a tick?"
" That was when you were annoying, I don't think that now." Confesses Hyde as he sits up with Jackie propped against him.
" Ok, so then what do you think of me now?" ponders Jackie quietly after a moments thought.
Caught off guard by Jackie's question, Hyde merely shrugs his shoulders," I think that your better off without kilos, more tolerable even."
Sitting up against Hyde now, Jackie looks up at him with a smirk," you think so?"
" Jackie, if I didn't would I let you stay over here?" inquires Hyde in a serious yet joking tone given way by his smile.
" Good point." Replies Jackie with a laugh as she lays back against Hyde for a short nap, not wanting to get up and leave the warmth of his arms quiet yet. …--
