(Disclaimer: I own nothing, they are the property of their respective owners, except for the original characters, those are mine).
(Author's Note: In keeping with the style of the show, some of the chapters will be named after a song, this chapter title comes from a song by 80's rock band, Cinderella, it's a short chapter, but it'll do for the time being).
Chapter One: Coming Home
It's the year 1995, Bill Clinton is president of the United States, Saturday Night Live is yet again on the verge of cancellation, the new Mel Gibson movie, Braveheart is in theaters, the music scene is going through a transition, some of these things don't really matter much to Donna Pinciotti, she'd rather pay attention to more important stuff, like paying attention to the road while driving through her hometown of Point Place, Wisconsin, which hasn't really changed much in almost twenty years.
She'd left point place behind when she went off to college, from there she'd travel the world, going to places like Europe, Russia, and many other continents, she had also visited the Great Wall Of China, and many more well known tourist attractions, after that she decided to become a teacher, she was really dedicated to her job, hoping to teach young girls to be more like her, unfortunately they're not interested, indeed times are a changing.
About a month and a half ago, she'd return to point place, and began teaching at one of the schools, just to finish out the semester, she hadn't been back home for a long time, aside from occasionally visiting her mother's grave, and she hasn't checked to see if any of her friends were still around, particularly the kids she had hung out with in her next door neighbor's basement for many years, Eric Forman, Michael Kelso, Jackie Burkhart, Steven Hyde, and Fez whatever the hell his last name was, while they were a close knit group, over the years, they'd broken apart slowly, Donna often wondered how everyone was doing.
Meanwhile, her father, Bob had actually moved to Florida, he had left the family home to Donna's older sister, Valerie, and her husband, Casey Kelso, Michael's older brother, but they had moved out of the home, and it's been vacant ever since, Donna decided to move back in the home, that way she can move out of her sister's home, and she won't have to pay rent on a crappy apartment, like the one she lived in while attending college, and also so her cats will have a bigger house to roam around in, one question did cross her mind...were the formans still living in the house next door? She knew she was gonna have to face them eventually, as she remembered Mrs. Forman was disappointed, more like really upset when Donna and Eric had stayed broken up after he came back from Africa, while all Mr. Forman has to say was, "Dumbasses", that was his favorite word for their group of friends, she pulls up to a nice looking house, gets out of her car, and goes inside.
Inside the den of the home, Donna is asleep on a hide-a-bed, a cat jumps on the bed, and walks over her, it's tail brushes up against her face, waking her up.
Donna - Ugh, Topher, bad cat.
She shoos him off, another one jumps up on the bed, this one she likes.
Donna - Good morning, Mila, how's my favorite cat.
She hisses at her.
Donna - Be grateful I got you fixed.
The cat runs off, someone enters the room, it's a young woman, with brown hair, probably early 20's, it's her niece, Laura Kelso.
Laura - Good morning, aunt Donna.
Donna - Good morning.
She gets off the bed.
Laura - My mom already went to work.
Donna - And your Dad?
Laura - He's in the kitchen, having his morning coffee.
Donna - Your little brother and sister?
Laura - They're at school.
Donna - Good.
Laura - I gotta get to work.
Donna - Ok, see ya.
She leaves the room, Donna goes to the mirror, and fixes her hair, getting ready for the last day of school.
She enters the kitchen, Casey Kelso, her brother-in-law of almost fifteen years, is there drinking his coffee, he's dressed up like a construction worker.
Casey - Morning, sleeping beauty.
Donna - Hey, Casey.
Casey - Coffee's almost ready.
Donna - Thanks.
Casey - Hey, thanks for helping Laura decide on which college to go to.
Donna - Hopefully she'll get in.
Casey - She will, she has you and your sister's brains.
Donna - Thanks for the compliment.
Casey - And if that fails her, she can use her looks to get what she wants.
Donna - Let's hope she never has to resort to that.
Casey - Oh, that reminds me.
He turns to retrieve an envelope, he opens it.
Casey - You got a package from your father.
Donna - What is it?
He pulls out a set of keys.
Casey - Keys to the old house.
He tosses the keys at her, she catches them.
Donna - Sweet.
Casey - Well, I gotta get going, see ya.
Donna - Bye.
Casey exits the kitchen, Donna continues drinking her coffee, it was random being around Casey, especially since him and her had dated briefly, but he had surprisingly matured into a responsible adult, and he treats her sister right, which was important.
Donna - One last day, and you'll never see those dumb kids for at least two months.
She exits the house.
The school bell rings, all the classroom doors open, the hallway clutters with students, school is out for the summer.
In a classroom, students are gathering their stuff.
Donna - Make sure you guys keep yourselves busy all summer.
Student #1 - Ugh, as if.
Donna - I mean it, don't do anything stupid.
Student #2 - What ever.
The students are gone from the classroom.
Donna - If they're our future, then we're screwed.
She returns to her desk, someone is heard coming in the classroom.
Female Voice - At least they'll look good.
Donna recognizes the voice, and turns around, it's a woman, close to her age, but probably one or two years younger, she is attractive.
Donna - Jackie?
Jackie - Hi, Donna.
Donna - Jackie Burkhart?
Jackie - It's Burkhart-Kelso now.
They hug each other, like friends who haven't seen each other in a long time.
Donna - It's good to see you.
Jackie - It's good to see you too.
Donna - You look great!
Jackie - And you look...well it's good to see you.
Donna - I can't believe you're in town.
Jackie - Oh, I never left.
Donna - You didn't?
Jackie - It's a long story.
Donna - I got time.
Jackie - I know you do. Let's go.
They leave the classroom.
At the hub, which also surprisingly looks the same as it did, except with more graffiti on the walls, Donna and Jackie are at a table, someone serves them nachos.
Donna - Thanks.
Jackie - So, how long have you been back?
Donna - About a month or two.
Jackie - And you didn't call me?
Donna - I thought you had moved?
Jackie - I was going to, but things didn't work out, so I decided to stay here.
Donna - I'm sorry to hear that.
Jackie - Not really, it all worked out well for me, I finally found my calling in life.
Donna - What is it?
Jackie opens her purse, and pulls out a business card.
Jackie - Wedding planner!
Donna - You plan weddings?
Jackie - And I'm so good at it, it was easy.
She smiles.
Donna - So, why is your last name Burkhart-Kelso?
Jackie - Oh, that's an interesting story.
Donna - Is it now?
Jackie - Yes, It was a beautiful spring day, the sun was shinning, I was out shopping...
Flashback POV:
Jackie is walking from a department store, someone approaches her.
Crook - Gimme your stuff, lady!
Jackie screams. The crook grabs her purse, and begins running.
Jackie - Help! That dirty crook stole my purse!
A police officer wearing sunglasses and who has a mustache, goes running after the crook, a variation of the Magnum, P.I theme plays over, the cop catches up with the crook, and tackles him, Jackie looks on as they fight, the crook looks like he's about to win, but the cop gets the upper hand, and knocks him down, the cop approaches Jackie.
Officer - Here's your purse, ma'am.
Jackie - Thank you, officer.
He nods and salutes her.
Jackie - Can I see your face?
The officer removes his sunglasses, she recognizes him.
Jackie - Michael?!
He recognizes her.
Kelso - Jackie?!
Jackie - Your my hero.
She hugs and kisses him.
End of Flashback POV.
She smiles at the memory.
Donna - Kelso saved your purse from a bad guy?
Jackie - I know, it was so romantic.
Flashback POV:
Jackie - Oh, my god, Michael.
Kelso - Jackie, you look stunning.
Jackie - And you look so handsome.
Kelso - I know, I'm trying for that Thomas Magnum look, I think it suits me.
Jackie - You're a cop again?
Kelso - Oh, yeah, the department took me back, but I'm on a tighter leash, and three months probation, because of "reasons".
Jackie - Well, I'm glad you're doing good.
Kelso - Yeah.
Jackie - I got to go.
Kelso - Me too, I gotta get back on patrol.
They turn away from each other, Kelso turns back, and calls out to her.
Kelso - Jackie!
She turns around.
Kelso - Would you like to go out on a date with me?
She smiles.
Jackie - Sure, I'd like that.
End of Flashback.
Jackie - And the rest was history.
Donna - Just like that?
Jackie - No, Donna, for a few months, we went out on a couple of dates, and on one of them, he asked me to marry him.
Donna - And you accepted it?
Jackie - Yes, it was so romantic, you should've been there, it was like I always imagined it would be.
Donna - I can imagine.
Jackie - So, what about you?
Donna - What about me?
Jackie - Is there anyone special in your life at this moment?
She remains quiet for about a second or two.
Donna - No.
Jackie - Ok. be honest with me. Are you into girls?
Donna - No, why does everyone think that?
Jackie - Choice of clothes, music, not married with Children.
Donna - I'm an independent woman, I have no need for a man.
Jackie - Oh, I see.
Donna - Do you?
Jackie - Yeah, your still not over Eric.
Donna - Ok, can we change the subject please?
Jackie - Sure.
She eats a nacho.
Jackie - So, where you living at these days?
Donna - With my sister and Casey.
Jackie - Really? I'm surprised they haven't told me.
Donna - I didn't want anyone to know I was back in town.
Jackie - So, your living with them?
Donna - I'm actually about to move into my old home.
Jackie - That's great! I'm always in the area.
Donna - Are you?
Jackie - I have tea with Mrs. Forman every Saturday.
Donna - Oh, they still live there?
Jackie - Yeah, them and their grandchildren.
Donna - Grandchildren?
Jackie - Yeah, three of Laurie's girls live with them.
Donna - Three of them?
Jackie - I was gonna cancel because I have a wedding booked on Saturday, but you can go have tea with her instead.
Donna - Jackie, I don't know if I can...
Jackie - Perfect. I'll let her know, but don't worry I'm not gonna tell her it's you.
She gets up.
Jackie - I'm gonna call her right now.
She runs off to a phone.
It's nighttime, Donna is in the kitchen, sitting at the table, thinking, someone enters the kitchen, it's her older sister, Valerie.
Valerie - Hey, sis.
Donna - Hey.
She joins her at the table.
Valerie - Can't sleep?
Donna - I got too much on my mind.
Valerie - Scared about moving back in the old house?
Donna - No, scared of facing the Formans.
Valerie - Oh.
Donna - You know, they weren't too happy when I didn't get back with Eric, well, Mrs. Forman wasn't too happy.
Valerie - Not surprised.
Donna - I'm just worried.
She sighs.
Donna - I wish Mom was still alive. She'd know what to say.
Valerie - I know, I miss her too.
Donna - Maybe I'm just overreacting.
Valerie - You can do this.
Donna - Thanks for reassuring me.
Valerie - That's what sisters do.
Donna - If only you'd told that to Tina.
Valerie - I know, I can't believe she fell for that idiot.
Donna - Fez isn't that much of an idiot.
Valerie - But he did leave our sister for random beach trash, who does that?
Donna - Good point.
End of Chapter One.
(Author's Note: What do you think? Let me know).
(Also: Ok, so far I have a couple of ideas that I'm tinkering around with, so expect a new chapter or two sometime next month, merry christmas).