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Independence Day

Steven Hyde's Bedroom

9:00 a.m.

Jackie woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the room. Hyde sat in front of her a mug wrapped in his hands. He smiled down at her sleepy form, proffering her the warm drink. She accepted it gratefully, and sat up to drink it.

"How you feeling this morning?" He asked, the concern she had seen last night still etched on his rugged features. She knew already that she was going to regret what she was going to say, but she couldn't keep the words from coming out of her mouth.

"…my face hurts." He chuckled and came back with the quip she expected.

"Ya, it's killing me too." She smiled at him. Then he saw concern come over her.

"Does it look really bad? Do you think…is it bad?" He put a reassuring hand on her knee, and felt her shiver slightly under the intimate touch.

"Nah, you're just as gorgeous as ever." He took her empty mug and set it on the dresser. "Come on," he offered her his hand to help her up from the cot. "Mrs. Forman is home, and she wants to take a look at you."

11:30 a.m.

After having Mrs. Forman clean the wound on her face, Jackie had taken a nice warm shower. She didn't have any clothes with her, and her clothing from last night was stained in blood. Mrs. Forman told her she could borrow something out of Laurie's closet, as she had left quite a few articles of clothing behind the last time she had left town.

After finding a yellow sundress and some white cork wedge heels, Jackie finished her hair and borrowed Mrs. Forman's makeup. After she had determined that her face looked as natural as it was going to be, she turned to the bruising that had sprung up over night on her wrist. As she was working to cover it she heard some one clear their voice behind her. She turned to see Hyde standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing?" He asked as she attempted to hide the bruised and swollen wrist behind her back. He was too quick for her though, and quickly but gently grabbed her forearm, careful to avoid the bruising on her wrist. He sighed when he saw it, but helped her to put the cover up over the bruising, knowing that an argument wouldn't make it go away.

Once they were done, she gave herself another quick glance in the mirror, and he saw her face fall. Usually when Jackie looked in a mirror she was nothing but thrilled, so this reaction confused and worried him. He tentatively put a hand on her shoulder, and she whirled into his embrace. He held her as she cried against him.

"Jackie, what's wrong?" Finally she calmed her agitated breathing, but still she wouldn't look at him. Eventually she spoke.

"Menago." He had no idea what that meant. He pulled her away from his chest, and tilted her chin so he could look in her eyes.

"What? I couldn't hear you while you were inhaling my shirt and trying to talk at the same time." She gave him a tearful grin.

"I'm an…ugo." She said softly. He was angry at this.

"Jackie, I'm not sure how many times I have heard someone say you are the most beautiful girl in Wisconsin, but it was a lot." He paused, "Of course it was you who said it every time, but that doesn't make it any less true." He softened his tone and looked into her eyes. "You're the most beautiful girl I have ever met. Don't ever forget that." Gently he ran his hand over the now healing cut, and then continued. "This will heal, but even with it, you're the most beautiful girl in any room." He was rewarded for his kind sentiment with a squeeze, and then she flounced down stairs to help with the party preparations.

1:00 p.m.

The Annual Forman Barbecue was in full swing. Jackie had spent most of it in the kitchen, helping Mrs. Forman prepare burgers and potato salad and similar barbecue food. Donna, Eric, and Fez had come from Fez's apartment, where all three had stayed last night. Donna had been living with Fez for the summer, since Bob had sold their house before New Year's.

Jackie decided that it was time to face her friends. Donna had already talked to her about the fight with Kelso, as he had shown up at her and Fez's apartment at around 4:00 a.m. Jackie was nervous. She didn't know what she would say to her so recently ex boyfriend once he arrived. She truly hoped their friendship could survive this.

She stepped out into the summer air, and felt the sweet smelling wind embrace her like a lover. She sighed contentedly. She looked around, and concluded that Hyde had been right. She was most definitely the prettiest girl here, even with her marred face. The thought cheered her up considerably.

Jackie had just taken a seat at the picnic table between Donna and Fez when Kelso arrived, sweeping the gathering, as though searching for something lost. Once his eyes found Jackie, he hurried to her. She felt herself stiffen, but before she could get too nervous, she felt Hyde behind her. He didn't have to say anything; she could just sense it was him there to lend her his courage.

"Jackie" Kelso said breathlessly. She could tell by looking at him that he hadn't slept, and his remorse was written all over his face. This made her feel better about the situation. "Can I talk to you, um in the basement?" His voice was calm, but his eyes pleaded for an answer in the affirmative. She stood up, and felt Hyde place a hand on the small of her back, and he murmured in her ear,

"I'll listen at the top of the stairs…if you need anything…" she nodded, grateful for his protective streak. She followed Kelso down the stairs to the basement and to the couch. After a palpable silence, she decide she would have to be the one to break the ice.

"Michael…I love you. But I think after last night, it would be better if you and I just called it quits. This isn't working, and you…you need to take some time to move on, or go after Brooke and Betsy…you need closure." Kelso reached out to touch her, and she allowed him to take her hand.

"Jackie, I'm so sorry for last night. I don't know…" he sobbed brokenly, and she took his head against her chest, forcibly reminded of the day she had moved in with him. "I just don't know what's wrong with me." He continued. Jackie tried her best to soothe him. Once he was calm, he stood and looked down at her. "Are you sure…Jackie you make me…want to try to be better…It just gets hard…but I love you." She smiled up at him, tears stinging in her eyes. She stood too and took his hands in hers.

"I'm sorry, Michael. I love you, but after last night, I just can't be with you any more." He nodded dejectedly and left.

Jackie wilted and fell softly onto the couch. Hyde came down to see that she was still there, but decided that if she needed him she would come fine him. For now, she would probably want to be alone. So he headed out to rejoin the barbecue.

March 15, 1980

10:00 p.m.

Eric Forman's Basement

In the aftermath of their lovemaking, Jackie felt tingly all over. She watched Hyde asleep on the cot beside her that they had just rechristened. She felt so happy to be back beside him. Yet something was wrong, she felt a nagging sensation in her stomach.

As much as she loved Steven Hyde, their last break up had devastated her. In the beginning, she had felt so lost with him. But it wasn't until she realized why it was so hard that she had decided to make some changes in her life. Losing Hyde had been so hard; because he was the only thing she had in her life. She had no job, she wasn't going to school, she had no real family. Hyde had been the only dependable thing in her life, and as much as she loved him, she couldn't go back to that.

She needed to find something in her life that was for her. Not something that she had to depend on other people to have, but something she could create and be proud of because it was hers. Gently, she detangled herself from his grasp. Leaning over the bed she kissed him softly on the forehead. She got dressed quietly, and then found some paper to write him a note.

Steven,

I know this won't make much sense to you, but I need to leave. I couldn't wait for you to wake up, because I knew I wouldn't be able to leave if I faced you while you were awake. I need you to know that I love you, but this is something I need to do for myself. I hope that you can forgive me at some point for this. Please try to understand, baby. I'll call you when I'm settled.

I love you always,

Jackie

She had taken her perfume bottle and lightly sprayed the paper, and tucked it under his pillow.

Then she walked to her apartment to pack.

July 4, 1980

5:00 p.m.

The Forman Basement

Hyde walked down stairs to find Jackie fast asleep on the couch. Gently he lifted her head, sat on the couch resting her head in his lap. She looked like an angel when she was sleeping. He was fairly certain that she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Gently he combed his fingers through her hair. As much as it hurt him by leaving that night five months ago, he had come to understand her reasoning. He couldn't help but be proud of her. For now he was content to wait for her. To wake up. To come home.