Eric and Hyde stood staring at each other. Both unwilling to cave in. Red was sick of the staring contest.

"Alright Dumbasses! Stop staring or I will use my foot in each of your asses."

"Whatever!" Hyde blinked first. Eric stayed between Jackie and Hyde.

"Jackie you ok?" Eric asked

"Yes Eric thanks to you!"

Hyde couldn't help but stare at Eric. Admittedly Hyde had moved on with Laurie but he still wanted why Jackie had left to begin with?

Eric turned and faced Hyde, his best friend and brother. "Well, Hyde why the hell were you grabbing and hurting Jackie?"

"I wanted to know where the hell she had been."

"Why didn't you just ask instead of trying to hurt her, dumbass?"

Red felt a little prouder of Eric. He had grown up more than he could have imagined in Africa. Hyde just starred at Eric. He didn't have a good reason.

Jackie had enough of this crap and of Hyde. She said "You want to know where I was Hyde?" That hit Steven Hyde hard, Jackie had always called him Steven. Jackie continued "Every one of you from the basement other than Michael, who was with Brooke treated me like shit. I needed to talk to someone and I couldn't do that to Brooke because she had Betsy. So I called Eric. He invited me to Africa to find myself. I went and I realized out of all of us, he was the best one. He actually cares about each of us more than we ever cared for him in high school. Why else would he invite me of all people over there? I also discovered that unlike you and Michael, sorry Brooke, that his love is unconditional. I fell for Eric the man, not the high school kid. I have to say it was the best thing that ever could have happen to me."

Hyde stood stunned. Jackie had fallen for Eric? Eric? Of all people, those two hated each other, didn't they?

Eric spoke "I never really got know Jackie outside of that summer Kelso and Donna disappeared to California. She is really great and always know how to make me smile. I can't believe I didn't see her earlier."

Hyde knew it was over. He admitted it to himself. "Jackie, I am sorry if I hurt you. I didn't mean to, I was just so worried about you. Why didn't you tell anyone where you were?"

"Hyde, I didn't tell you where I was. Outside of Eric, only three people knew where I was. Mr. & Mrs. Forman because, let's face it they are all of our parents. They did more than my parents did raising me. The other person was Brooke, only because she is my best friend and Betsy is my god daughter. Sorry Michael I swore her to secrecy."

"No worries Jackie!" Kelso stated

"I didn't want you or Donna coming after me. I needed to get away from Vileness you were throwing at me. I couldn't take it anymore. You even turned Fez against me, well because Sam was a stripper."

Hyde hung his head, his Zen was crushed. He had to make amends for his actions he wasn't certain how yet but he would.

Jackie was done talking to Hyde now and said "Brooke lets go finish the wedding plans. Mrs. Forman come join us." With that the three ladies left the room.

Red spoke next "Kettlehead get me a beer and you three go somewhere else if you want to talk. Oh and use the front door. Don't upset the girls again or it's a foot in ass for all three of you. Now move!"

Hyde walked out the front door followed by Eric and Kelso once he gave Red his beer. They knew better than push Red too far.