January 5th 1980
Hyde got up and went upstairs to breakfast. He saw Kitty and Red in the kitchen and took a deep breath. It was now or never to tell them he was moving out.
He walked over and grabbed a seat.
"So… Steven! What's new with the record store?" Kitty asked all bubbly. Too bubbly for the morning.
"Kitty do we really need to engage in small talk. Especially at breakfast?" Red retorted.
"Well you aren't the greatest person to talk to and Eric is probably off with Donna or sleeping still so that leaves me with Steven here!" Kitty replied.
"Actually, I need to talk to you guys about something." Hyde said looking down at his plate.
"You got a girl pregnant!" Red said somewhat sarcastically with an undertone of you better not have.
"Oh how wonderful! Don't worry Steven we will help you take care of the baby!" Kitty said clapping to herself.
"No we won't this is his problem- "Red said being cut off by Kitty.
"Problem? Red! Babies are not a problem!" Kitty yelled out to Red.
"Whoa! Whoa! Cool it! I didn't get anyone pregnant. I'm moving out." Hyde blurted out.
There was silence for a moment but only a moment.
"Moving out? Moving out!" Kitty yelled out to Hyde.
"Great moron! You got Kitty all upset! You couldn't have just knocked someone up?" Red told Hyde sarcastically.
"And just where do you think you are going to live?" Kitty asked.
"There's a space above the record store that just opened up." Hyde said a-matter-of-fact.
Just then Eric walked through the living room door into the kitchen saw them talking about Hyde moving out and turned around to go back the way he came.
"Well… I... I just cannot handle this." Kitty said slamming her hands down on the table and standing up to leave.
Kitty leaves the kitchen.
"Way to go dumbass!" Red said to Hyde.
"I'm gonna go." Hyde said standing up to leave.
"I think that's best." Red replied going back to his eating. At least now he could eat breakfast in silence.
Donna was hanging out at Jackie and Fez's apartment.
"So, now I just have to wait for the agency to call me." Jackie said talking to Donna about her new job.
"You think you'll get it?" Donna asked.
"I hope so. I mean I found Stacy the dress she was looking for. So I guess now it's just a waiting game. They said they would call around noon." Jackie replied looking confident but a bit worried.
They sat there looking at the clock. It was too quiet for the two girls.
"So you and Fez broke up on New Year's?" Donna asked quizzically.
"Yea, I mean I don't really know what I was thinking being with him. I think I just wanted someone to fill the boyfriend void." Jackie said looking downtrodden.
"Well I'm glad you did. You guys just didn't seem to fit to me. Plus, I'm pretty sure he has a crush on Kelso." Donna said smirking.
"So, you and Eric? What's the plan now that he's back on this continent?" Jackie asked trying to get her mind off the phone.
"I don't know. I'm still so mad at him for going to Africa and then breaking up with me. It's like he expects us to just pick up where we left off and we can't. Things have changed you know." Donna said looking up at Jackie.
"Yea, uh huh." Jackie said. "So I think Steven and I had a moment on New Year's and the other day in the basement."
Whoa! Where did that come from? Why was she telling Donna all this? She didn't have feelings for Steven. Did she? No! No way!
"Whoa Jackie! You actually were in the same room as Hyde and no one was killed?" Donna asked now more interested in Jackie's love life than her own.
"I know. And it was… pleasant." Jackie said looking more confused.
"Really?" Donna asked pushing but being sure not to push too much in case she stopped talking.
"Yea. We kind of had this moment at New Years. It was like he was happy Fez and I weren't together and then in the basement, I dunno I like complimented him on him moving out and growing up." Jackie said looking at Donna.
"Do you have feelings for Hyde?" Donna asked looking nonchalant so Jackie wouldn't catch on that she was getting excited over the idea of her and Hyde getting back together.
"No! I couldn't possibly. He married the first whore he saw after he saw me and Michael did NOT have sex! He totally ran away! I can't like someone like that! I need someone that's gonna stick around." Jackie replied putting her foot down.
"It's just you and Hyde were so good together!" Donna said no longer containing her excitement.
"If fighting and arguing all the time is good together then yea we were great!" Jackie said sarcastically rolling her eyes and turning away.
"You guys cared about each other. You just showed it in a very loud and sometimes obnoxious ways." Donna said grinning to herself.
"Maybe," Jackie said dropping her stance and turning back to face Donna. "I dunno Donna! Could I really date him again after everything we have been through?" Jackie asked thoughtfully.
"Yea! I mean you guys have a lot, like a lot, I mean a lot- "Donna began getting cut off by Jackie.
"Okay I get it Donna!" Jackie said getting annoyed.
"- To talk about. But I think you guys could work it out, but I think you need to decide if you like him…again and if you can get past everything you two have done to each other." Donna said lowering her voice. She was bracing herself for the inevitable backlash.
"Donna! The only thing I did to Steven was give him my heart! And he threw that out the window when he took off after Chicago!" Jackie practically yelled.
"That was a complete misunderstanding." Donna retorted as a-matter-of-factly.
"I know!" Jackie yelled. She took a deep breath and ran her hand through her hair. "I know." She said more calmly. "But that still didn't give him the right to go marry a stripper." Jackie said plopping down on the couch next to Donna.
"You're right, you're right. But I do think you two should talk whether you get back together or not you need to talk so at least you can get some closure." Donna said looking thoughtfully at Jackie.
"You're right. I just don't know if he ever will talk to me." Jackie said leaning her head onto her arm.
"Well you two were in the basement alone and no one died! That's real progress. You'll get there just need to be patient. Don't push him or it will just become a yelling match." Donna said.
"I guess you are right. But I think maybe the best thing for me right now anyway is to focus on my job. That is if I have one." Jackie said.
"I'm sure you got the job." Donna said.
Just then Hyde walked in.
"Oh! I thought Fez would be here?" Hyde asked.
"He will be in about a half hour." Jackie replied.
"Oh, maybe I should go then." Hyde said starting to head back out the door.
"No. No. It's okay you can stay and wait." Jackie replied.
Hyde turned and looked at her quizzically.
"I mean if you want." Jackie said with wide eyes.
"Okay. Yea sure." Hyde said walking over to the chair and sitting down.
It was a bit uncomfortably quiet.
"So Hyde, did you tell Mr. and Mrs. Foreman you were moving out?" Donna asked trying to break the silence.
"Yea I did it this morning." Hyde said.
"How did it go?" Donna asked.
"Not too well." Hyde said shaking his head.
"Kitty yelled and Red called you a dumbass." Donna replied a-matter-of-factly.
"Yea pretty much." Hyde replied.
It went back to being quiet. Donna couldn't stand it anymore. She stood up.
"Well I need to get going. I've gotta get to the station." Donna said starting to leave. Hyde and Jackie waved goodbye as she left.
The two sat there not saying a word.
When is Fez going to get here? I shouldn't have stayed. This is just awkward.
Jackie fidgeted on the couch she looked nervous.
Why did she have to look so good? I remember her skin. It really was like porcelain. Smooth and soft. Her hands on me were so amazing roaming my body. I need to stop.
Jackie bit her bottom lip and looked at the clock. Hyde's eyes darted over her lips.
Those lips. I remember those lips. Sweet, sensual. My god her kisses were amazing way better than Sam's ever were. Sam's were always so rough. There never really was a connection to it. When Jackie used to kiss me it was like she was putting her whole self into it. Like she was trying to connect to every part of me through her lips. It made me tingle.
Hyde shook himself back to reality.
"So… how's the new job?" Hyde asked.
"It went okay yesterday. I'm just waiting for the agency to call me." Jackie said.
"Why would they be calling you?" Hyde asked.
"Well yesterday was like a tryout and depending on how it went; will determine if they hire me full time." Jackie said looking more nervous than before.
"Oh." Hyde said.
"Yea." Jackie replied.
"Well I'm sure you'll get the job." Hyde said trying not to look at her.
"Oh yea and why is that?" Jackie asked. She was waiting for him to burn her.
"As long as I can remember you shopped. Soo… I just mean I think the job is kind of perfect for you is all." Hyde said looking at her from the corner of his eyes.
Jackie looked at her confused. Still waiting on the burn to come. She looked down at her lap.
"Well thank you… I guess." She said.
It got quiet and then the phone rang. Jackie jumped up and headed to the phone. She grabbed it and before she picked it up. She took a deep breath and put the phone up to her ear, turning her back on Hyde. Hyde sat up a bit and leaned forward.
"Hello?" Jackie said to the person on the phone.
"Yes, this is she." She replied.
"Really?!" Jackie sounded happy.
"Well I will see you on Monday then! Thank you so much!" she said into the phone.
Hyde couldn't help but smile a bit. He loved seeing her happy. When she was happy the room would light up. Jackie hung up the phone turned around and walked over towards Hyde. Hyde stood up.
"I got the job!" Jackie said throwing her hands in the air and then around Hyde.
They stood there hugging when Fez walked into the apartment. Hyde coughed and they backed away. Jackie looked down surprised at herself.
"What is going on?" Fez asked quizzically.
"Nothing." Hyde said.
"Fezzie! I got the job!" Jackie said bouncing on her toes.
"That's great! When do you start?" Fez asked completely forgetting Hyde and Jackie's hug.
"Monday!" Jackie smiled.
"Well we should celebrate!" Fez said closing the door behind him and stepping further into the living room.
"Yea totally!" Jackie said.
"Hey man we better get going. I gotta get to work." Hyde said trying to look normal instead of completely happy that a few moments ago Jackie's arms were wrapped around him.
"Sure thing! Just let me go get changed into my afternoon outfit really quick." Fez said walking into his room.
Jackie and Hyde stood there staring at the ground. Jackie peeked up to him.
"I'm sorry about that. I was just excited about the job." Jackie said.
Hyde looked up. "Sure. I get it. Don't worry man."
It went quiet again. Hyde had never seen Jackie so quiet in her entire life than he had the last few times together this past week.
"Steven?" Jackie asked in a low voice.
"Yea?" Hyde asked looking at her.
"Do you think sometime we could talk?" Jackie asked looking hopeful.
Hyde kind of stared at her, not knowing what to say.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked. I didn't mean to push." Jackie said with a half-smile.
Hyde had never seen Jackie like this. He wasn't sure if he should say yes or… he just didn't know.
"Whatever." Hyde replied.
Jackie rolled her eyes and walked away towards the kitchen.
"Okay I am ready!" Fez said strutting out of his room.
"Great!" Jackie said sarcastically. "Go! Both of you!" Jackie turned her back and crossed her arms leaning against the bar.
Fez walked out the door. Hyde following behind. He started to walk out with his hand on the door knob. He turned back to Jackie.
"Jackie. Yea we can talk sometime." Hyde said.
Jackie turned towards him.
"Okay thanks." She replied trying not to push for a day and time.
Hyde stepped out the door and closed it behind him.
Fez and Hyde pulled up to Grooves. Fez liked to hang out there so he can pick up some women. He wanted to "show off" in front of his male friends.
"Hey man!" Leo said to Hyde as Fez made his way to the couch.
"Hey Leo." Hyde said making his way to the register.
"What's wrong man?" Leo asked.
"What man? Nothing." Hyde said looking confused at Leo.
"Nah man! Somethings up you look down man." Leo said.
"Of course I'm down man I just came from Jackie's apartment and had to engage in conversation." Hyde said.
"Loud girl is back?" Leo asked a bit excited. "Where is she?" He asked.
"Jackie is not back. But she wants to talk." Hyde said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Of course loud girl wants to talk man that's what loud girl does!" Leo said 'like duh'.
"I know man but I think she wants to talk about us." Hyde said.
"So? You love loud girl! Even when you were married to that girl… what was her name? Uhhh I know! Stripper!" Leo said proud of himself.
"Sam." Hyde said.
"No I'm Leo." Leo replied.
"And I do not love loud girl! Jackie! I mean Jackie, I do not love Jackie." Hyde said jumping a bit.
"Whatever you say man." Leo shrugged walking off.
He did not still love Jackie. He couldn't possibly. All they ever did was fight. She pushed him constantly and wanted too much from him. Their connection was pretty amazing though he had to admit. Especially in bed. Her moans would drive him wild. The way she moved under him and on top of him. The way she stroked him.
Hyde's eyes were closed as he leaned on the cash register table with his head in his hand. He started to smirk at his thoughts. Right then a bell went off. Eric was standing in front of him.
"Hey man. What were you thinking about? You were looking a bit excited there buddy." Eric said wiggling his eyebrows questioning.
"Nothing man." Hyde said sitting up.
"Uh huh. What's up?" Eric asked not taking no for an answer.
"It's Jackie. She wants to talk." Hyde said standing up from his stool.
"Talk about what?" Eric asked.
"I don't know man. I feel like I'm facing trial." Hyde replied and paused. "It's like I'm dating her all over again. I'm unsure of everything and I'm sweating."
"You still love her man!" Eric said waggling his finger in Hyde's face.
"Why is everyone saying that?" Hyde asked looking frustrated.
"Maybe because it's true and everyone can see it." Eric said raising his eyebrows. "I also think she still has feelings for you too."
"That can't be possible. Could it? No, not after Sam." Hyde said looking concerned then crossing his arms across his chest.
"Look man you should just talk to her. See what she wants. At the very least you'll get some answers." Eric said patting Hyde on the shoulder and walking away.