Sorry it's been a while. I had exams last week at school, and have been busy with various things for the last couple of weeks. I'm going to try to be fairly regular with my updates though. As always, I own nothing but my silly thoughts. Please review, it means so much to me.

The Favor

The Forman Kitchen

July 5, 1980

"Thank you so much, Kathy, I really appreciate this, I'll see you next Monday." Jackie hung up the phone, relieved that she had such an understanding boss. She joined Eric at the kitchen table, grabbing a piece of toast off the plate in the middle of it as she sat down.

"So, dear, your boss gave you more time?" Mrs. Forman directed the question at Jackie as she set a plate of scrambled eggs on the table alongside the toast and bacon she had already prepared for the four teenagers she was expecting for breakfast.

"Ya, she was really great. Kathy has helped me so much since I started working at Nordstrom's. She helped me get my promotion. She gave me a whole week's vacation to figure everything out, which should be more than enough time, I hope." Turning to Eric she asked, "What time is Donna getting here?" Eric was clearly unconcerned with whether or not his girlfriend made it for breakfast, as he was busily piling as much food on his plate as possible. He looked up at Jackie, and answered her after gulping down a huge mouthful of food.

"I'm not sure, but I'm eating as much as possible while we're home for break. I love Donna…but she can't cook." And with that, he continued to shove food down his throat.

Jackie finished her small portion of eggs and then stood from the table. "Thanks so much Mrs. Forman, breakfast was great, I'm going to go see if I can find Steven."

April 21, 1980

Jackie and Kelso's Apartment

Jackie stared at the phone on the table in front of her. It was so easy. Ten numbers. It would be so easy to lift the phone and dial them. Ten little numbers. She reached for the phone when

Ring. Ring. Ring.

After Jackie calmed her now racing heart, she managed to pick up the phone and hold it to her ear, in her startled state, she completely forgot to say 'hello'.

There was silence. Then a voice she knew so well said, "Hello?" Unconsciously Jackie let out a sigh. The voice spoke again, "Jackie?" She started and finally was able to break her silence.

"Steven."

July 5, 1980

Eric Forman's Basement

Hesitantly, Jackie knocked on Hyde's door. She was unsure of how she should act around him. After everything that had happened over the last six months, it seemed that now they were in a kind of relationship limbo. They weren't together, but they loved each other. Well she loved him, and the last few days seemed to indicate that at the very least he cared for her. Everything had been left unspoken, and Jackie hated that. Talking about it, however, would have been too difficult. And now she needed a favor.

"Steven?" She said softly, hoping that he was already awake.

"Mmhmm." She took that as an invitation to enter his little room, and so she gently pushed the door open. He lay on his cot; curly head buried face down in his pillow. On the dresser next to the bed sat his signature glasses. Looking around the little room, a flood of feelings surged within her. Looking back, she couldn't believe how much they had loved each other when they were so young. And yet she still loved him, even after all that had happened. She thought that might mean something.

She reached out, lightly placing a hand on his shoulder, "Steven?" she asked again. He turned his face and shot her a sleepy grin.

"Good morning." He mumbled. She couldn't help but smile.

April 21, 1980

Jackie and Kelso's Apartment

She heard his breath catch on the other end. Her mind raced. He hadn't expected her. He was calling for Kelso. Who must have told him that she worked on Mondays. But today had been a special day. That's why she had wanted to call him. Today.

"Steven?" She tried again, this time her voice was stronger. Now that she knew he hadn't really called for her, it was easier to remove the feeling from her voice.

"Um ya, hey…Jackie. I was just calling…I'm trying to get a hold of…um is Kelso there?" And there it was. He hadn't really wanted her at all. She nodded before remembering that he couldn't see her.

"Ya, he's in the shower, actually, do you want me to um…should I have him call you back…Steven?" He was silent for a minute, and she mentally kicked her self for the repeated use of his first name, instead of the less intimate 'Hyde'.

"Jackie…how are things with you?" She couldn't help but smile to herself. He cared. He still cared about her.

"Well, I was actually going to call you today. I got promoted, I'm going to be a buyer for Nordstrom's Chicago." She couldn't help the pride that she knew pervaded her voice. Her boss had told her she had been the first personal shopper since she had been there to be hired and promoted all in one month. It was the first time that Jackie had had something to be proud of other than her looks. She had worked hard, and she was good at her job, and the best part was that her bosses had noticed.

"Wow, Jacks, that's great." And his tone had a definite softness to it now. She felt even more confidant now.

"Ya it is…I think…this was good for me, I'm really happy here and with my job…" but he cut her off before she could finish.

"Well that's great, it's good that you left then. Look I've been thinking, you're right. This was a good thing. I mean what happened…it was a mistake, you know. It's good that you left." He said again, finishing his thought lamely. But it was enough. The night they had shared was the only thing that got her through the separation from the ones she loved and from her home. She had thought, some where in her mind, that she was working for them, that her time in here in Chicago was her way of contributing to their future. Now she understood that the birth of the future she was holding on to so desperately had been nothing more than a one night stand for him.

"Oh." She said softly, and feeling there was really nothing more to say she hung up the phone, and broke down in tears.

July 5, 1980

Steven Hyde's Bedroom

"What's up, Jackie?" Unabashed, he stood from the cot in nothing but his boxers. He grabbed a dirty t-shirt from the floor, and pulled a pair of jeans from a dresser drawer. Hyde pulled them on and turned to hear her answer. She realized she was staring at him with her mouth open, but she recovered herself, she hoped before he had noticed.

"Um, I was wondering if I could have…a kind of big favor?" He looked her over lecherously, and stepped toward her.

"What kind of favor Jackie?" She grinned despite herself.

"Not that kind." She replied firmly. "I was wondering if you could…take me back to Chicago? I have until next Monday off of work, and I really need to find my own place. I have some cash saved so I can get a hotel room for a couple of days…I just have no way to get down there…so…I thought maybe…?" She let her question linger in the air, staring at her toes. She hated asking for favors, but he was the only one she could think of who could help her with this.

He watched her fidgeting. "No problem, when do we leave?"