Author Notes: ….I know that the angst was bad in chapter 5 but it continues…..

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Chapter 06 – The Whole World Was Listening

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Bob was barely coherent. Kelso helped Kitty get Bob out of the patrol car and also as they walked through the basement hallway of the Point Place Coroners Office. The morgue was adjacent to the hospital and rarely used. It was cold yet Bob felt nothing.

The Coroner was a jolly old fellow who asked Bob if he'd prefer identifying the deceased via a window or see the body on the table. Kitty was at ease with being with a deceased person due to her training at the hospital, but this was a close family friend and she needed to be strong for Bob. But, right now she needed Red more than ever. She needed to go home and bake a pie!

"Um….I think Mr. Pinciotti would like to say his goodbyes in person…if that is okay?" Kitty suggested. Bob was like a docile little boy and held Kitty's hand as the medical examiner led them through a door and into the morgue. There were a couple of sheet covered bodies but only one tray held a form which was spilled over with soft red hair.

Bob swallowed a sob and on wooden legs walked to the foot of the metal gurney. Kitty was bravely trying not to cry but she knew in her heart that this wasn't some janitor or stranger…this was Donna….the sweet little girl that lived next door…the little cheerful redhead that loved cookies and chocolate milk – this was her son's girlfriend. Oh Red, I need you!

The medical examiner pulled the sheet back so Bob could see the face of the deceased and then the father cried. Donna looked like she was sleeping. A beautiful sleeping little angel. The examiner looked at Kitty and said, "We need to perform an autopsy. The fatal shot was to her heart and the police need the bullet for evidence. Can you talk to Mr. Pinciotti about filling out the required forms?

Bob brushed his hand across Donna's cheek feeling her soft cool flesh beneath his trembling fingers. Hot fat tears ran down his cheeks and landed with soft splats on the morgue sheet. He heard a keening sound fill the room and didn't realize it was his own pain shouting in despair. A father should never lose a child like this! Bob threw his body over his daughter's and hugged her and just cried.

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Eric had driven to the apartment but Donna wasn't there so he figured she must still be at the station. This was not unusual for her schedule. Eric looked around the room and noticed an ankle sock with a red band. I wear tube socks…..oh crap, it's him again! Eric snapped his fingers as he remembered he was meeting Jackie at his folk's house to tell them about the baby.

His mom would make such a fuss….she was such a baby lover and plus, he was going to beat Laurie in the grandchild department and would finally be number one! Eric laughed out loud at the expression he envisioned on his sisters face when she discovered she was going to be an aunt.

Red was going to be severely unhappy and probably throw out the standard Red Forman's, are you wearing your ass for a hat comment. Eric could only smile. His dad would love the baby. For all his gruff exterior, there was many times that his dad did show some physical affection. Sometimes Red was all bark and no bite.

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Jackie parked her brand new Impala in the Forman driveway. Red pulled up right behind her and honked his hello. She smiled in the mirror and got out of the car. She was waiting for Eric to get here so they could share the good news. Jackie noticed a lot of activity going on at the Pinciotti house. Was Bob having another singles party?

The Vista Cruiser pulled up and as Eric parked, he sent a furtive smile Jackie's way. She grinned and put a hand over her heart, kissed her palm and blew the kiss in his direction. Red either didn't notice the tiny gesture or didn't see it. "What are you doing here son? It's not pot roast night and where's Donna?"

Eric felt slightly guilty. "Uh….dad…I think Donna's working late, but I needed to talk to you and mom about something. Jackie is here to help me out." Red raised one of his eyebrows. "Really. Must be something. Say, what's going on at Bob's? There's a bunch of people over there."

Red started walking towards the back door and Jackie ran to Eric's side. "Do we just blurt it out?"

Eric replied, "Let's wait until after dinner. Red's less likely to get pissed on a full stomach."

"Okay. That works for me." Jackie smiled. Both of them were both blinded by a pair of headlights pulling in the Forman driveway. Jackie recognized the car, "Steven! What are you doing here?"

Eric blanched. He was in some serious trouble now. Please don't say anything Jackie. "Hyde. Hey….haven't seen you in a while."

Steven took off his glasses and looked over at the Pinciotti house. "You guys don't know?"

Jackie shrugged and Eric replied, "What don't we know?"

Hyde scratched his head. "I think Donna's dead."

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Bob was clenching the telephone receiver so tightly his knuckles were turning white. "I'm sorry Midgie….you need to be here to help make….help make funeral arrangements…." Bob looked at Kitty with a panicked expression.

Kitty took the phone, "Midge? It's Kitty! Ahahahaha…long time…yes dear. Honey? Bob needs you. People have to be called and…and you need to choose the dress Donna….oh god, Red!"

Red was still reeling from the news. Kelso had given him a brief synopsis of what happened and he could see Kitty was running on nervous energy and Bob was a crying mess. Red took the telephone from his wife's hand. "Midge? Get back to Point Place. You have to bury your daughter."

Red turned to see Jackie, Eric and Hyde standing in the doorway. Eric was pale and Jackie was crying. Steven was still shocked that his artist murdered one of his best friends. It was too surreal to comprehend.

Kitty ran into Red's arms and started crying. Jackie held Eric's hand behind her back but knew that the circumstances dictated she stand with her boyfriend. Steven was looking at her expecting some kind of emotion she wasn't feeling. Kelso got up from the couch and walked over towards his friends.

"Hey man." He said hugging Eric. "I'm really sorry. I was on a ride-a-long when we got the call. They arrested the dick but he said it was an accident." Kelso was more emotional than any of the remaining group could remember.

"It was murder!"

The entire room turned to look at the feathered blonde head of Randy Pearson standing in the doorway. "I was there! He held a gun to her head. I saw Donna killed in cold blood."

Eric whispered, "Randy?"

Hyde looked over at his old employee. "Randy? What the hell were you doing at the radio station?"

Randy wiped his face, "I brought Donna lunch. Just like I do everyday." Suddenly, Randy couldn't look at Eric's face. "She and I were….we were seeing each other."

Eric almost felt relieved. Donna and Randy were sleeping together. Wait a minute; this was Mr. Red Ankle Sock? He had seen him on the television and one plus one equals Randy was the other man! Eric didn't know where it came from but his right fist connected with Randy's left eye.

Randy couldn't even fight back. "I'm sorry man. I know she was living with you but she was in love with me."

Eric closed his eyes, his hand throbbing like crazy. Hyde stepped in between the two men. "Okay, no violence. Be cool. Bob just lost his daughter. You guys….lost Donna okay? Be cool." Hyde reached out to hug Jackie close to him.

Normally, the gesture would have delighted her but Steven's lack of attention lately made her suspect this was all for show. She sniffed his shirt and there was her smell again. How often was Steven cheating on her and was it with one or three other women?

If only she could talk to Donna - Donna, her best friend from high school. Her lumberjack who was never going to be able to talk to her again! Jackie reached out a hand to Eric. "I'm so sorry Eric. I didn't know."

Kelso had his arms crossed over his chest, "Well I did and no one wants to hear my story." He said indignantly. Kelso looked at the sad shocked faces of his three best friends and just blubbered like a baby. "That freaking punk ass band guy shot her. Shot her in the chest and she died with the whole world listening."

Hyde put a hand over his mouth. What had WB told him? "…Malcolm shot the DJ while the station was broadcasting live…On Air! On our label…"

Randy moved over to stand by Kelso. "She was so brave. " He wiped his eyes. "Eric, I'm sorry you had to find out this way….I totally deserved that punch."

Jackie slipped out of Steve's grasp and went to Bob. The short wigged man was like a dad to her those years ago. He took her in when Pam Burkhart starting checking out cabana boys in Cabo. She touched his hand until his eyes focused on her. "Bob. We're going to miss her."

Bob hugged Jackie as he would have hugged his own daughter. His hot salty tears burned through her blouse, but this lonely man had no one to grieve with. Jackie could give him that. He was a good and loving father. "I love you too Bob."

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A/N: Sorry this is so sad especially during the holiday season. When I formed the idea, the keyboard took over and this is where it went.