Chapter 2.1 : You're Only Human
Though you feel your heart break
You're only human, your gonna have to deal with heartache. - "You're Only Human"-Billy Joel
Summary: It's been twenty-two days since we last saw the gang. Twenty-two long days. Parker, feeling the need to protect Chase, spends all his time trying to help her heal after her mother's death. Something, which may be putting a strain on their relationship. Meanwhile, Jon, Pez, Holder, and (surprisingly) Emma come up with a plan to get Vista back-so she can solve all their problems.
Disclaimer: I own nothing from That 70s Show nor am I making any money off this story.
A/N: All reviews welcomed. This story begins the 'second season' of Teenage Wasteland. As you can tell, all titles will be taken from Billy Joel songs this "season".
In addition, lyrics that best fit the 'mood' of the chapter will be placed at the top. I'm also adding 'chapter soundtracks' to each chapter. (some songs may not be from 2004, but might be from 2005-it's my story. If you guys don't like it-I'll stop.) On another note, I've made dolls of each character using a doll maker on the 'net. If you'd like to see them, email me. Finally, I want to make a site for this story. If anyone knows about sites and would be interested in 'producing' the site, please let me know.
P. S. Thanks for all the reviews.
January 25th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
2:15 p.m.
The Forman Basement
Twenty-two long days. It had been twenty-two days since Abby Doyle had died and Vista Forman had left Point Place for California. These left behind where trying to deal, but it wasn't always easy. Chase, who was staying with Red and Kitty Forman, seemed to becoming more and more withdrawn. Parker was trying his best to be there for her, but it wasn't always easy for him-Chase either pushed him away or clung to him. Meanwhile, the rest of the basement crew had to deal with the fact that their smartest member was no longer around to solve their problems. Adding on to that was that fact that Jon was sure he had feelings for the basement crew's youngest member.
That Sunday afternoon, four people sat around the Forman basement: Jon Hyde, Wesley Holder-Kelso, Emma Palmer, and Pez. Jon and Pez had the chairs. While Holder and Emma (who was uneasily settling into the basement life) took the couch. They all sat around, watching an informational for a skin care product that was supposed to clear up your face in under a week.
"I'm bored." Emma commented in a slightly whinny voice. Behind his sunglasses, Jon rolled his eyes. "I have good skin. So, why are we watching this?"
"Despite your popular belief, the world does not revolve around you." Jon bit. He really had been on edge lately.
"Oh, shut up." Emma said. She grabbed one of her fashion magazines from the table besides the couch. "You're just pissed because you've finally noticed your hair sucks."
Not wanting another fight, Holder loudly cleared his throat. "I'm failing history!" He threw it out there, hoping that someone would say something about it. Instead, the basement was quite and altogether awkward.
Finally, after nearly a minute, Pez spoke "Yes. That is nice. I…" Pez looked to Jon, hoping for a little help.
Jon smirked to himself. "Pez told me that Charlie has a huge penis. I'm talking huge."
"Jon!" Pez quickly protested. She blushed a deep red and glanced over at Holder and Emma. Holder looked like he was going to have a heart attack and Emma was quietly giggling. That is, until she noticed Holder, then she hit him in the arm. Pez moved down in the chair. "Oh, this is just awful."
"I miss Vista." Holder announced. "If little Vista was here, she'd solve all our problems.
Or she'd at least tell me what a WW is." Everyone just looked at him.
January 25th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
2:23 p.m.
Chase's trailer
For twenty-two days, Chase had stayed in one of Red and Kitty Forman's guest rooms. However, most of her things had been left in her trailer. Why clean it out when you don't intend to stay away from it for long? Chase had thought that maybe, just maybe, they'd let her go back to her home after a couple of days. To bad the idea of a seventeen-year-old girl, who happens to be dating your only son or grandson, having her own place wasn't appealing to anyone involved. Expect for Parker, but then again he was the son or grandson in question.
All this boiled down to the fact that now Chase had to clean it all up and get her things. She, Parker, and Eric had been given that task. Kitty and Donna had been given the (perhaps harder task) of making the guest room into a real bedroom for Chase. At least until they could find her real father, a task which was proving very hard, as Chase only knew his last name was Chase and that he was an American.
"I'm not sure if-wait; move a little to the left." Eric advised the teens. Apparently, three people couldn't comfortably stand around the tiny trailer. In fact, the trailer was slowly tipping to one side. Parker and Chase moved to the other side of the trailer.
"Wait…whoa…" the trailer began moving. "This isn't working. Okay, Park, you stay in the doorway to the bedroom. Chase, you take your bedroom slash living room. I'll stay here." He looked around him. "In the tiny, tiny kitchen."
They all stood perfectly still for a few moments. The trailer wasn't moving.
Parker said: "Okay, Chase…move forward." Chase did as she was told and the trailer moved. "Damn, stop, stop."
They all stood perfectly still.
"You know, you know, we shouldn't move anymore." Eric thought aloud. "Nobody move. Something is very wrong. Chase, how did you live here?"
Chase shrugged. "Mum and I had this system. And we weighted the same that helped." She suddenly felt sad at the memories of her and her mother in their home. "Look, couldn't I just stay here. I know how this place works. Everything I own is here. There are rules here. Like, like every day at four a.m., Ryan Thompson, he shots his gun at the birds. Or, the Washington family have these loud fights once every couple of months." Chase looked at Eric, hoping to win him over. "I don't think I can take the quiet of a retirement village."
"It's not a retirement village. It's just an apartment complex filled with the elderly. And Bingo nights and talks on hip replacement." Eric told Chase. He paused in thought. "My God, it is a retirement village. Oh, Chase I feel so sorry for you. You have to live with the elderly."
"So, she can stay!" Parker called from his end of the trailer. " 'Cause I smell sleepover."
Chase glared his way. "Sorry, Muffin."
"Enough, enough." Eric waved his hands. "What if we all try moving at the same time but in different directions? Mess the trailer up. Confuse it, if you will." Chase and Parker exchanged a look, but went with it anyway. They all moved and the trailer moved with them, causing them to all fall. "Damn it!"
January 25th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
3:29 p.m.
The Hub
(song: Teenage FBI-Guided by Voices)
Pez walked out of the unisex restroom and rejoined the guys at a table, where they were discussing a plan to get Vista back. Emma was there to, for 'moral support' and for a ride home.
Pez sat down and stole some of Jon's fries as he talked. "We should manipulate her. Guilt her into coming home."
"Oo!" Holder shot his arms up in the air. "I'll tell her my head's gotten stuck in the basement stairs."
Emma gave her boyfriend a side ways glance. "How would that help?"
Holder shook his head. "Because," he began in a condescending tone. "she'd totally want to see that." He laughed loudly. "I know I would." An idea formed in his pretty-boy head. "Hey, Pez, would you stick you head in the railing so I could see what it looks like."
Pez gave him a dirty look before ignoring him all together. "She'll just ask for a picture and we shouldn't manipulate her. Haven't either of you spoken to her? She is having a very nice time at her school. However, she misses all of us a great deal. Guilt, maybe playing Time of your Life may be the best way to go."
"I'm sorry, you think playing a little Green Day is going to make her wait to come home?" Emma interrupted. "She got out of Point Place. She's going to school with nerds and geeks that know what she knows." Emma rolled her violet eyes. "You people are going to have to give her a reason."
"A reason like seeing my head stuck in a railing?" Holder asked hopefully.
"No." Pez and Emma told him at the same time. They both were still for a moment, clearly amazed that they had agreed on something.
Jon decided to use that break to voice some thoughts of his own. "You mean…give her a reason to want to come back here. No guilt, no prom songs, so manipulating her?" Emma nodded. "Damn, that'll be tough."
Holder jumped out of his chair. "Oo, I got it!" The others looked doubtful. "And it's got nothing to do with sticking anyone's head in anything. Somebody should go see her and bring her back."
"Holder, man, that's a surprisingly good idea." Jon commented.
Holder shrugged. "Yeah, I get those sometimes." He smiled brightly. "Okay, so let's get a kick ass plan together: 'Operation Bring Vista Back' is a go."
January 25th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
7:34 p.m.
Red and Kitty Forman's Apartment
(Change Your Mind-The Killers)
Chase placed some of her books on a shelf above the dresser in her new bedroom. The room actually looked nice. It wasn't completely her style, but it appeared comfortable and relaxing. She moved over to the bed and picked up some nightclothes. "Parker," she looked over at her boyfriend, who was currently standing by the door. "you know you don't have to be here, right? I can fix up a room by myself."
"I know, I just-you might need my help lifting something." He smiled.
Chase sighed. "No offense, but I'm stronger then you. So, if I need help moving something I'll call Red or if he's busy Mrs. Forman."
Parker let out a mock gasp. "You think my Mom is stronger then me?"
"I meant your grandmother, actually." Chase smiled softly. It was good to see her smiling again. "Besides, I'm fairly sure Red is standing right outside the door, praying you leave."
"I'm his grandson, his only grandson. Why would he want me to leave?"
"Okay, look…" Chase sat down on the bed and Parker moved to sit on a chair in front of her. He took her hands in his. "I want you to leave. For the last three weeks, you've been attached at my hip. You won't leave me alone and, and it's getting annoying." Parker blinked. "It-it's not that I don't appreciate what you're doin', it's just I'm really okay. I don't need you hanging around me 24/7."
"So," Parker let go of Chase's hands. "you want me to not be around you? You want me to leave you alone, is that it? Your mother just died. You have no idea where your real father is or even who he is. And you're living in your boyfriend's grandparent's apartment in a retirement complex."
"It's not a retirement retirement complex." Chase protested. "And you don't have to bring up my problems just because your hurting. I'm not breaking up with you, so-"
"So now you're breaking up with me?"
"I said not." Chase rolled her gray eyes. "I think we're getting lost here. I'm not dumping you. I just-I just need some time alone, okay? My Mum died and suddenly everyone is just trying to comfort and protect me and I need some time to be by myself and mourn my mother."
Parker slowly nodded and stood up. "You want to be alone for a bit. I'm-I'm being an obsessed boyfriend whose main goal, whose only goal, is to protect his girlfriend. But, who ends up driving her away instead? It's like a 1940s B-movie, isn't it? Okay, I'm going to let you finish unpacking your stuff." He took of her hands in his and gently kissed it. "See you later, Muffin."
He walked to the door and when he was half way, Chase called after him: "I love you, Parker."
Parker turned around and nodded. "Love you, to."
January 25th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
7:45 p.m.
Hyde Backyard
Jon and Pez sat on the swing set, each swinging gently back and forth. 'Operation Bring Vista Back' was fully underway. They had excuses, tickets, even pre-planned speeches for when they got caught-if they got caught. Which Emma assured them they would.
"Having Vista back will clear up everything. Once she is back, things will get back to normal, I am sure of it. Everything has been strange since Vista left. Parker is stalking Chase, My parents won't let me see my boo-bear, and what's worse of all is that my parents are having sex like scary ducks-they never stop. Five kids is enough."
"Rabbits." Jon corrected.
Pez rolled her eyes. "Why would anyone want five bunnies? You can't breed five bunnies, one would be left out and have to watch. Bunnies don't have threesomes, Jon."
"No, Pez, never mind." Jon held back a chuckle. Sometimes Pez just didn't get stuff. It made Jon happy to know that some things would never change. "You don't thing we're putting too much pressure on this? Vista's smart, but she can't solve our problems. She's only human."
Pez silently swung herself on the swing for a moment before answering her friend. "We are being very selfish. It's just that we need all six of us. We're like pieces of a puzzle. And Emma is a crappy Vista replacement. Besides," She cleared her throat. "you want her back more then anyone. 'Cause you loovvee her." She grinned widely and giggled. "Oh, good one, Pez."
"What!" Jon swung his swing around to look at Pez. "I don't love her."
"Like her, then."
"Pez, I can't like Vista. She's my best friend's sister. She's like my cousin. I don't like her. I can't like her. Pez, if I like her-shot me."
Pez giggled again and made a gun with her fingers. "Bang, bang, lover boy." Jon groaned loudly. "Don't worry. No one else has noticed. Chase and Parker have been too busy. And Holder's more of a light yellow then a dark red. Though, some of the adults might have noticed that you like Vista. Oddly, Vista hasn't noticed. She's strangely absent minded when it comes to affairs of the heart." Pez shrugged lightly.
Jon pushed his sunglasses farther up his nose. "Fine. Where does that leave me?"
"Well, you've had a crush for roughly three months. You've built her up. So, when you get to California, you'll just have to see. Won't you?" She seemed satisfied with her advise and went back to swinging.
"Pez, when did you get so smart?" Jon asked. He was amazed that Pez could actually be so, so deep.
Pez shrugged. "You'd be surprised what you learn from an ex-pervert and ex-town whore. God, I love my parents."
January 26th, 2004
Green Bay, Wisconsin
7: 18 a.m.
It was commonly know that Chase had had four stepfathers in her young life. There had been Liam, Carlos, Harry, and Marcus. There had also been a guy, a good guy, that her mother would have married. Well, if he hadn't had a drinking problem. Abby had met Ray at an HIV support group years ago and they had become close; dating on and off over the last three years or so.
They were close to marriage before Ray had went to jail. Abby had dated others, but her heart had belonged to Ray. Ray, Chase knew, would have been the finish marriage. He was the real deal. And that was why she had woken up early and skipped school, Chase needed to see the one guy Chase's mother had loved.
Ray Abbot sat across from his would be stepdaughter. Ray was a man of thirty-six, who had already seen most of the awful things the world had to offer. He looked older then thirty-six and his hair was already starting to gray. But, Abby had always said he was handsome, so Chase did to. "Got to say, you comin' here was a bit of a surprise, Chase."
Chase played nervously with the hem of her jacket. "I know. It's not my usual day and all. But, I need some advise."
"Okay. Don't drink and drive. And really don't make doughnuts on the front lawn of a church on a Sunday afternoon." Ray advised.
"No, yes, that's good. This is different advise. It's about my living situation, actually my whole situation." She looked at him, hoping he was getting it. He wasn't. "They're handling me like I'm a baby. My Mum's died, but I've been preparing for it since I was a kid. I'm dealing. And Parker won't leave me alone. And I'm staying with his grandparents in a retirement village!"
"Right, kid. Look, I know your having a hard go at it. Soon as I get out, me and you will move back into the trailer together."
"Ray, that's really sweet of you. And it's pretty much my plan. But, it's not theirs." Chase shook her head sadly. "They want to find my birth dad. His name is Christopher James Chase." Ray raised an eyebrow. "I found the name among my Mum's things. He was a college student, from Vermont." She made a face. "Vermont, Ray."
"Doesn't scream 'poor white trash', does it?" Ray smiled at Chase. "You could be rich, Chase."
"I don't want to be rich. I don't want to know this Christopher James Chase guy either. I just want Parker to stop trying to protect me. I want them to stop making it all into some big drama."
"Sounds like you want things to be like the way they were before Abby died. They can't. What you need to do is this-tell them, Tell that skinny boy you call a boyfriend that you need space."
"I did and he thought I wanted to break up."
"Is he stupid?" Ray waved a hand. "Don't answer that. Look, all I can tell you is that I am the worse person to ask advise from. Also, sounds to me like you just need to get lost for a few hours. Get your head together." Chase nodded in agreement. "Now that we're done with this WB crap, could we discuss some real stuff. What've I missed on my soaps?"
January 26th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
7:38 a.m.
Forman Basement
"Shush." Pez put a finger over her lips. "We have to be very quiet." She looked behind her to Holder and Jon. "We can't let anyone hear us."
"Pez, explain to me why you keep your secret stash of money in your uncle and aunt's basement." Jon whispered.
"Because I do." Pez hissed. She paused in thought. "And this is my money, you're lucky I am letting you borrow it." She sniffed. "I was going to get enough of it and roll around naked in it. Now that dream is dead." Pez moved to the back room.
"I said I'd pay you back." Jon hissed back.
Holder went to the freezer and grabbed a grape Popsicle. "I was going to film that." He looked over at Jon. "You better pay her back, man."
Pez made a face as she went over to the couch, a Bear in the Big Blue House lunch box at her side. "I took this for when I needed lunch on the go, but it has served as the perfect place for my secret money, which apparently is not too secret as you knew about it." Pez opened the box and took the thermos out. "This was for my coco on the go." She announced as she opened it. She pulled out a large wad of cash. "There it is, five hundred and thirty-seven dollars."
"And with the money from me and Jon, that brings our grand total to-" Holder took the money out of his pocket. "Five hundred and sixty dollars. Pezzy, this is really a nice thing you're doing here."
"Yes, I know it is. I am looking forward to a rather large karma reward." Pez pointed a finger at Jon. "And don't forget you promised to drive me to see my boo-bear next weekend."
"I won't." Jon muttered. He was really not looking forward to next weekend. "As long as Holder remembers the plan. I told my parents I'm staying at your place for the next couple of days. And with Brooke gone, Kelso'll be too busy to notice I'm not around. If you listen to me, you'll have no problem foolin' middle-class whitey."
"Jon, you're upper middle-class whitey." Holder stated.
Jon scoffed. "Barely." He offered his palm to Pez and she handed him the money. His plane would leave in a couple of hours and if everything went as planned, he and Vista would be back in Point Place by Wednesday morning.
January 26th, 2004
Point Place, Wisconsin
2:27 p.m.
Forman Basement
(song: Romeo and Juliet-Dire Straits)
Parker entered his basement to find Chase sitting in Jon's usual chair, a car magazine in her hands. To say Parker was surprised to see his girlfriend was an understatement. After all, she had pretty much told him that she wanted space. He nodded to himself and walked over to sit on the table in front of the chair.
There was a long pause and then, "Hey, Chase."
Chase looked up from Jon's magazine. "Hey, Parker." She tossed it to the ground. "We need to talk."
No good conversation in the history of conversations had ever started with those words. Which made Parker nervous.
"Parker, I'm sorry for pushing you away lately. But, you have been coming on pretty strong. You followed me into the girl's bathroom last week."
Parker took his girlfriend's hands in his. "I just wanted to protected. Like Hans protected-"
"Parker, I swear if you start with Star Wars, I'm leaving the basement." Chase warned. "Okay, look, basically, I needed some space. And I might need space every once and awhile. I'm going through a hard time right now and while I'm glad you're here to support me, I always want to be able to be on my own sometimes."
"I get that." Parker told her with a small grin. "I just-I get it." He leaned forward and kissed her lips. "So, how about I treat you to a burger at the Hub?"
"Parker…"
"Then I'll walk you wherever you want and I'll see you tomorrow at school." Parker went on, not missing a beat.
Chase nodded. "Sounds like a plan." She took Parker's hand in hers and together they left the basement.
January 26th, 2004
Outside Eureko, California-Cherrywood Private School
6:23 p.m.
Vista Forman's Dorm Room
Vista Forman sighed heavy as she typed on her lap top. She had an Economic paper due in two days and she wasn't anywhere near finished. She also had a Biology project, two English reports, and an oral report on the Battle of Waterloo-all due within the next week. Cherrywood had promised to challenge her and it was certainly doing so.
The only thing less full then her educational calendar was her social one. Back in Point Place, she had had friends, groups that she could hang out with. At Cherrywood she was a social outcast with a funny sounding name. There were moments when she wished she could take it all back and just head on home.
Tap.
Vista looked up from her lap top and to the door. Had her roommate forgotten her key? No. Vista's roommate's boyfriend had a private dorm room and usually didn't bother coming back till curfew.
Tap.
It was coming from the window and it sounded like rocks. Vista rolled off her bed and went over to the only window in the room. She pulled back the blue and white curtains and looked down. A boy with unruly jet black hair waved up at her. Vista opened the window and called down: "Jon!" For his part, Jon just waved at her again and pointed to the dorm hall door. Vista shouted for him to come on up to her dorm, 3-A.
A minute later, there was a knock at the door. Vista opened it to find a sheepish looking Jon standing there, holding out a yellow pen.
"Hey, you forgot your pen and I thought I should bring it to you."
To Be Continued….
Next: "Say Goodbye to Hollywood"- Jon shows up at Vista's dorm and instead of surprising her, she surprises him. Donna's behavior begins to scare Eric and Parker. Also, Holder accidentally losses Pez's teddy bear, Wesley the second.