The Following Wednesday

The final bell of the school day rang out prompting Hyde to slam shut his folder, gather his belongings, and attempt to push past the twenty or so other kids all scampering to the door.

"Mr. Hyde," a voice called out, barely audible above the noise of teenagers eager for their freedom.

Hyde had heard Mr. Morrison, but chose to ignore him. The final bell signalled the end of the teacher's reign therefore if the guy had anything he needed to discuss he'd have to try and track Hyde down tomorrow when he had the authority to do so.

Before Hyde could reach the door, his history teacher tried again to stop him. "Hyde," he said, this time moving to stop him with a firm hand on Hyde's shoulder. "Can I please see you for five minutes?"

Benny, a tall overweight jock whose letterman jacket was the only thing that saved him from getting regular beat downs from the other jocks, swung around so his chest was right in Hyde's face. "Mr. Morrison," he started, slimy grin on his red, chubby face, "Hyde prefers to be called daddy now, isn't that right, daddy?" When Benny's tiny little eyes peered down at Hyde, Hyde's fist clenched. He'd been getting called daddy a lot recently - at school, at the Hub, at the Piggly Wiggly - and it was doing his freaking head in.

"Shut ya mouth n go catch a ball ya dickhead," Hyde snarled. "Heard your game is slipping, probably all those extra pounds you're carrying under your chin, huh?"

Benny's eyes narrowed as his friends standing by the door laughed. "Not as many pounds as your little girlfriend's carrying under her sweater. Gotta say though, we've all noticed how much her jugs have-"

Before Hyde could react Mr. Morrison moved forward, ushering Benny and his mates out of the classroom. "That's enough, Benny. I'm sure you have other places to be than here," he said, closing the door after them.

Hyde gritted his teeth and sat down on a desk in the front row, unsure how much longer he could go without pounding his fist into someone's face. The pregnancy was recent news for everyone at the school and they were clearly relishing it, but for Hyde the jokes were growing tiresome and increasingly irksome. If the kids were that much in his face he wondered how Jackie was holding up. She'd only been back at school three days and after their disagreement on Saturday she was going out of her way to avoid him. But he hoped that no news was good news; if he hadn't heard about Jackie getting a hard time then hopefully she wasn't.

"So, Hyde," Mr. Morrison said, sitting down on his desk just across from Hyde. "How's it all going? Have you thought any more about what we talked about last week?"

Hyde looked over at his teacher, particularly at the casual way the man chose to dress. Mr. Morrison wasn't a typical, stuffy teacher, turning up everyday in a tie, dress shirt and dress pants. This guy wore jeans and casual shirts, always finished off with the same pair of black boots. His hair was longer than most other teachers too and was always tied back in a small ponytail. His casual demeanour helped Hyde relax around him, even though he represented everything Hyde hated - the education system was a system of control and Mr. Morrison was right there delivering it.

"Yeah I did," Hyde nodded his head.

"And?"

"And yeah, if it's cool with you I'll do it."

Mr. Morrison smiled. "Hyde, I'm really happy to hear that," he said, the deep lines around his eyes making him look older than the 41 years he claimed to the class to be. Probably a smoker, Hyde thought to himself as his eyes zeroed in on the lines around his lips.

"Yeah well, you were right, if I don't pass high school I'm screwed. Don't fancy flippin' burgers at the Hub when I'm 50."

Chuckling, Mr. Morrison agreed. "No, I can't see you doing something like that in 30 years either." Standing up, he handed Hyde two sheets of paper. "You're a clever guy, Hyde, you just need to back up what you know with facts and then you have a shot of going to college and really making something of yourself. You have a real knack for critical thinking and I really want you to start working on these papers as soon as you can. Did you manage to track down a copy of that Spanish textbook we talked about?"

Hyde signed and nodded his head, briefly skimming over the essay questions and instructions Mr. Morrison had handed him. "Yeah I did. A chick that used to go here, Raquel, was selling a copy. Managed to get it for the small price of a movie ticket n a large popcorn."

Remembering the trouble that had started because of that particular book Hyde wondered whether it had been worth it. Jackie was pissed at him. He was pissed at Kelso. But he needed the book. He had to pass Spanish. When Mr. Morrison had called Hyde into his office last week he'd explained that Hyde was on the verge of failing. Too many absences and too many late assignments was about to equal one deadbeat new dad. Hyde's only saving grace came in the form of Mr. Morrison who had offered to tutor Hyde in both history and Spanish so long as Hyde put in the hard work and met every deadline. Plus, much to Hyde's horror, he had made Hyde promise to wear shorts to gym class because, according to Mr. Morrison, those gym class credits were too valuable to throw away over a fashion statement. So shorts, tutoring, hard work, and a textbook obtained by taking a blonde to the movies, were gonna save Hyde the embarrassment of failing high school. And hopefully one day make his kid proud of him.

"Oh I remember Raquel," Mr. Morrison said, sitting down again at his desk. "She still doing well? Last I remember she was off to college to study Psychology."

Hyde folded the paper and looked over at Mr. Morrison. "She traded me a textbook for a date, Mr. Morrison," he said. "I don't think she's in college at this point in time."

"Aaaahhh," Mr. Morrison nodded before opening a blue leatherbound book on his desk. Scanning the pages he asked, "So when is good for you for us to start? I have faculty meetings on Monday and Tuesdays but other than that I'm free to help."

"Um... well I work at the hotel most nights but I guess if you give me some times I could run them by my boss Roy n see if we can shuffle my shifts around."

Mr. Morrison looked up concerned. "I hope you're not doing too many hours there," he said, flicking his pen up and down on the page. "With school and extra study time you still need time to be a kid."

Hyde laughed unconvincingly. "I'm not a kid n I need the money."

"Fair enough." Mr. Morrison shrugged and looked back at his day planner. "How about a Wednesday. Actually, we could do a couple of hours now if you like."

"No can do." Hyde shook his head, remembering the parenting class he was supposed to be at in a few hours. "I start work in half n hour then I have to be at parenting classes at six. Wednesdays are gonna suck for the next few weeks."

"The joys of having kids, huh?" Mr. Morrison smiled. "Hey, we've all been there and you'll be surprised how much you learn at those classes. Look, you just get back to me with your work schedule and we'll sort out some study time around your hours. But in the meantime make a start on that World War II topic...I expect you to know all the significant dates when I catch up with you next."

Hyde rolled his eyes and shook his teachers hand, thanking the older man for his help. He appreciated the time Mr. Morrison was prepared to put into helping him pass the rest of the year, but was also a little annoyed at the same time. He could write a book about the dangers of fascism in a day but unfortunately teachers in this school didn't want to read his ramblings, no matter how insightful they were. Teachers wanted dates, places and facts, so that's what Hyde had to give them. Even if it meant turning into a girly swat to get the job done.

Four Hours Later...

The brakes screeched as the El Camino skidded to a halt outside the Forman's house. Pulling the keys out of the ignition Hyde took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself down before exiting the car and going inside. The Formans didn't need anymore drama in their lives right now. Between Kitty's menopause, Laurie's antics, and Hyde's baby on the way, the drama quota was just about at it's peak and Hyde walking in like a hothead had the potential to tip it to overflowing.

He had to forget about it. He had to handle the fact he'd just spent two hours at a parenting class on his own. He had to push away the embarrassment he'd felt as other couples stared at him like he was some crazy pervert who got off on hanging 'round parenting classes on Wednesday nights. He had to let it all go and move on.

But letting things go just wasn't his style.

Getting mad was.

He took another deep breath as he slowly walked up the driveway. On what universe did Jackie think it was okay or fair to stand him up like that? Sure she was mad and hurt, but standing him up there of all places wasn't cool. At all. She could've made plans to meet him at the Hub and left him stewing there if she wanted to make a point. Leaving him to put diapers on a plastic doll on his own was next level low and he wasn't gonna let her get away with it.

If she had wanted a war she just got one.

Stepping into the kitchen Hyde was surprised to see the whole gang sitting with Red and Kitty. A quick scan of the room assured him it was the whole gang bar one pregnant brunette which he decided was a good thing - no one needed to witness that particular showdown.

"Hey," he greeted them as he pulled the sliding door closed behind him.

The group mumbled their unenthusiastic 'hello's' and it was then that Hyde noticed the sombre mood hanging heavy in the room.

"Everything cool?" he asked, not sure that he even wanted to know.

Kitty was standing at the kitchen counter pouring herself a large glass of wine. Fanning her face with her other hand, she looked over at Hyde. "Have you talked to Jackie, honey?"

Hyde tossed his keys on the counter, doing his best to keep his anger in check. "Don't even mention Jackie to me tonight," he grumbled.

"So you haven't seen her then?" Donna asked, her tone barely above a whisper, her face a picture of concern.

Hyde looked around the room again. Red, seated in his usual chair at the table, was staring straight at him waiting for a response. Fez, Kelso and Eric also had their eyes locked on Hyde in weird anticipation. Their eyes, their strange moods, the fact they were all crammed into the Forman's kitchen at 8 o'clock at night, made Hyde nervous.

"No," he shrugged. "She freaking stood me up at parenting class. Haven't heard from her or seen her."

Red cleared his throat. "Well maybe now's a good time to give her a call."

"Yes, Steven," Kitty agreed, pulling the phone off the receiver and holding it out to Hyde. "You should call her."

Hyde stood in the middle of the kitchen feeling like a sideshow freak, wishing someone would just tell him why the hell he had to call the person that had just pissed him off. "Why?"

Kitty's eyes grew wide as she tried pushing the phone into his hand. "Just call h-"

"Coz her dad's gone to the slammer for ripping everyone off," Kelso announced loudly.

Hyde swung around to look at his taller friend. "What?"

Kelso was nodding authoritatively. "Jack's been arrested, happened today, it's all over the news."

At first Hyde felt relief; relief that nothing had happened to his baby, or Jackie for that matter. But once the news that Jack Burkhart had been arrested began to sink in an odd mixture of concern and protectiveness washed over him. He thought of Jackie, pregnant and alone in her huge house, abandoned by her mother, let down by her father. Glancing at Eric he raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"It's true," Eric said. "From what she told Donna the cops were all over her house when she got home from school."

Picking up his keys he didn't bother saying goodbye to his friends and family. He didn't know what he was gonna say to her, but he had to see that Jackie was okay.

Jackie pulled open another drawer, frantically tossing more baby clothes into the half-filled garbage bag she held in her trembling hand. There was no time to fold the beautiful items in the manner in which they deserved. Instead they were shoved into the bag like cheap rags no one wanted anymore.

But Jackie wanted them, which was why she moving around the room like a tornado, desperately picking up everything in her path. She promised herself though, that in a few days, when the dust had settled, she would empty the bags and neatly fold everything. In a few days everything would be perfect again.

Or so she told herself.

Bad things didn't happen to Burkharts. Bad things happened to people who deserved it; like poor people or criminals, and her dad didn't fit into either category. Embezzlement...as if! Like her father needed to steal money. Like he would ever knowingly misappropriate funds. It was all just a horrible misunderstanding that his lawyers were going to sort out in a few days. In a few days...I'll be home in a few days...That's what her daddy had said before he was led to the waiting police car.

And her daddy didn't break promises.

Emptying the last drawer, Jackie was startled by a soft tap a the door. Looking up she was surprised to see Hyde standing there.

Sighing, she pushed more clothes down hard into the garbage bag and tried to tie the bag up, her shaking hands making the task difficult. "If you've come to argue about blonde skanks, Michael, parenting classes, or the Formans, I'm really not in the mood. Maybe try again tomorrow."

"Here," Hyde said, ignoring her statement and instead taking the bag from her, "let me do it."

Surprised, Jackie stepped back, letting Hyde tie the two ends of the bag together. "Thanks."

"So, ah, what's goin' on in here?" Hyde asked, placing the bag with the numerous other ones by the door.

"It's all gotta go to Donna's," Jackie said, putting her hands on her hips, pleased that Hyde was staying true to form and not pressing her to talk or get emotional. "I just hope she's moved her giant shoes so I can fit it all in her wardrobe."

"Donna's?" Hyde looked puzzled. "Why's it all going there?"

"Because I need to hide it."

"From who? Baby burglars?"

Jackie narrowed her eyes at Hyde. Now was no time for jokes. "No. Those stupid men who call themselves detectives were saying something about taking everything daddy purchased in the last six months and these things were purchased last week using daddy's credit cards...I'm not losing my baby's things, Steven. I've gotta hide them."

"I dunno, Jackie..." Hyde ran a hand over his beard, looking between Jackie and her baby gear. "There'll be a paper trail, you don't wanna get in shit over a few babygrows n bibs."

"Exactly, 'a few babygrows n bibs', they're hardly gonna be bothered with this stuff." Jackie shrugged. "But just in case, can we put them into the Camino n take them to Donna's?"

Hyde appeared uneasy which annoyed the hell out of Jackie. Now of all times he decides to go all 'upstanding citizen' on her.

"Fine, I'll take them in the Lincoln," she snapped, picking up a bag which was then quickly ripped out of her hand.

"No, I'll do it," Hyde relented, picking up as many bags as he could hold. "Don't you grab anything," he warned before Jackie could pick up the bouncinette. "You'll fall n hurt yourself n the kid. Leave it to me."

With Hyde busy loading up the El Camino, Jackie took the opportunity to wander around the rest of the house searching for any other items that needed to be stored at the Pinciotti's. It was unnerving how strange the house, her home, now felt. It had always been a big house, too big for only three people, but now it felt even bigger. Now, without her parents and their parties, the house seemed uninviting...unloved...

Opening the door to her parents grand bedroom Jackie was immediately met with the familiar scent of Chanel No. 5. The jasmine hues took her back to her childhood days, the ones spent clinging to her mother's leg as the older woman laughed and danced with friends and guests. Pamela was always laughing and smiling. Always the belle of the ball. Always the rock Jackie could cling to.

Until a year or so ago when she'd decided her daughter didn't need her like she used to so vacationing was a better use of her time.

But it didn't matter how long Pam spent at her various holiday destinations because she never fully left home. Her signature scent, Chanel No. 5, was embedded deep within every soft furnishing. The house, the bedroom, the linen, always smelled like Pam. A constant reminder for Jackie that her mother was somewhere out there, just not here.

Walking to the closet Jackie ignored the silver framed photos of her parents that adorned their tall dresser. Staring at photographs of smiling parents wasn't going to bring her parents back to her. She had to be proactive; not a snivelling little girl crying about being abandoned. She had tasks to accomplish. There was no time for tears.

Pushing Pamela's evening dresses to the side, Jackie found what she'd come for. Fur coats. And lots of them. Ripping them off the hangers she threw them onto the bed one by one.

"Car's all loaded," Hyde announced, walking over to the bed. "What're you doing now?" He picked up a white fur, screwing his face up at such obvious ostentatiousness before throwing it back down.

"We're taking these," Jackie said, pulling a long, fawn coat out from the back of the closet. "Well actually, you're taking them for me."

Hyde laughed a short laugh. "And where exactly am I taking a pile of fur coats?"

"You know people, right?" Jackie asked. Certain that the closet was now clear of furs she began counting the ones on the bed. Seven. There were seven furs which had to mean some serious cash. Looking at Hyde, she said, "People who'll pay cash for this sort'a stuff?"

Hyde furrowed his brow and folded his arms across his chest. "You're sellin' Pam's furs? Seriously?"

Jackie silently nodded.

"Why?"

She couldn't deal with questions right now. Questions meant she was expected to deliver an answer and to do that meant saying out loud what she believed deep down in her heart. For the last few hours, alone in the empty house, Jackie had told herself this was all a mistake. Her dad was innocent, he'd be home in a few days. But deep, deep down in her heart she knew that was a lie. Jack had been acting strangely for months now, locking himself in his office, skipping Christmas, trying to tell Jackie to stand on her own two feet. He knew this was coming and Jackie had a horrible feeling Pam did as well. But admitting all that out loud made it real.

And Jackie couldn't deal with reality just yet.

"Coz now's a good time to get a little extra cash," Jackie shrugged.

"Look, I'll help you hide the baby things but I'm not selling your ma's fur coats," Hyde asserted. "If the cops get me I'll be done for burglary and selling stolen goods...I'm still on freakin' probation. Don't need any more charges, man."

Jackie rolled her eyes. "They're not stolen goods if I gave them to you, Steven."

"And what about when your ma reports them stolen? I'm pretty sure they'll be stolen goods then."

"My mom isn't even here to notice them gone." Jackie felt her voice hitch and she cleared her throat, hoping to get rid of the lump that was forming. "She can't report what she doesn't know."

Hyde's face softened as he took a seat on the bed by the coats. "Yeah, but she'll be back in the next couple days right? Y'know, with what's happened n all?"

Jackie shook her head. "No, she's not coming back just yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks she said."

To Jackie's surprise Hyde pulled off his sunglasses, revealing piercing blue eyes. She was used to the intense gaze of those eyes but tonight for some reason they made her uncomfortable.

"What?!" Hyde said sternly. "Why isn't she on her way back now? Did you tell her what's going on?"

"Of course I did! I called her the minute the cops started waving search warrants in my face!" Jackie's tone was defensive but she didn't care. "I asked her to come home right away but she said she couldn't. What was I supposed to do...begging wasn't working, her family falling apart wasn't enough..."

"Tell her it's her fuckin' job..." Hyde stood up and began pacing the room, never noticing the tears slowly falling down Jackie's face. The first tears she'd let fall that day.

"I did," she whispered.

"Then why the fuck isn't she on the first flight out? She should be here, man, lookin' after you. Fuck, Jackie -" he turned to look at her, " -what are you gonna do?"

"Sell the coats and hope whatever I get for them is enough to keep Rosa here for a few more weeks," Jackie sniffed and then shrugged, as though it was normal for a pregnant seventeen old to be organising the sale of stolen fur coats for the purpose of paying the hired help's wages.

"Jackie, that's only gonna tide you over for a couple weeks. What happens when the money runs out n Rosa's gotta look for another job? What happens when the baby comes?"

"Daddy will be home by then..."

She heard him sigh so she kept her gaze firmly on the shag carpet beneath her feet, afraid to see the pitiful look he was no doubt throwing her way.

Hyde crouched down next to her, putting his warm hands on her knees, and softly said, "I don't think your dad's gonna be home by then, doll,"

"I know."

"You...we need a plan."

Jackie sniffed again as Hyde wiped a tear from her cheek. "I know," she choked out.

"Okay," Hyde started, his eyes darting around the room as his brain obviously worked overtime to formulate the plan they needed. "So tonight you can stay at Donna's. We'll call Bob, he'll be sweet with it for sure. Actually, you could probably stay there a few nights, while Red n Mrs. Forman sort someth-"

Jackie's heart rate sped up to a dizzying speed as she processed what Hyde was saying. She was not a charity case. She did not need help from the Pinciotti's or the Forman's. The Burkhart name was not completely in tatters.

Well not yet anyway.

"Steven, stop!" she yelled as panic surged through her. "I'm not going to Donna's! I'm staying right here, in my home. God, I'm not a helpless little girl who needs saving. I'm a woman and I'm about to be a mom...I can take care of myself."

"That's just my point, Jackie. You're about to be a mom n you have no one here to look out for you. What if something happened in the middle of the night? There's no one here, man."

"Rosa will be back from seeing her son on Friday so I'll only be alone for two nights. I'm sure nothing drastic will happen between now and then. But if it does I'll be sure to call you."

Hyde shook his head, his hands slowly moving from her knees to her stomach. His mere touch relaxing her, stopping the panic in it's tracks.

"No can do," he said, his tone stern but playful at the same time. "That's my kid in there n I can't let anything happen to it or it's mom. If you won't leave this house then I guess I'm stayin'."

"You're what?"

"I'm stayin' here."

"But...but...but the Formans, and school, and we're not even friends right now," Jackie stuttered, shock and a strange sense of contentment washing over her exhausted body. "The argument...we haven't even talked abou-"

"Shut up, Jackie," Hyde ordered, his hands still moving all around her baby bump. "I'm stayin' n that's final. Now, have you even eaten anything tonight?"

Jackie shook her head. Like she could've made herself something to eat while her father was being pushed into a cop car like a common criminal. She couldn't cook to save her life when things were going good in her life, let alone in a crisis.

"Right, well I'll go make us some dinner. See you downstairs in thirty minutes," Hyde winked before standing up and leaving the room.

And a very relieved Jackie.

A/N: Wow, this is shaping up to be a really long fic...we're already up to chapter 13 and I still have so much more planned for these two! Hope you'll stay with me. Next chapter is nearly done. Thanks so much for reviewing/favouriting/following - I really appreciate it!