A/N: Alright, time out on the field. We are going to stop the roller coaster and let some people off. Not in mean way, but because we actually love you. Obviously some of you are not going to be able to handle what's coming up, and we don't want to upset you anymore. We actually feel really bad about it. But here's the thing, like everyone else here, we hated season 8, and we understand how this might begin to feel like it, but it's not. Because, unlike season 8, this will have a great ending. We already know how it ends and so, of course, none of this is bothering us, but we can see how it would bother a lot of you. We tried to tell you that this would be original and different—it totally is—but it's also dark and not for the weak-stomached. And we knew all along that some people would not be able to handle it, and that's ok; some people deal with J and H in different ways, so we honestly think you should probably stop reading—which is a shame because the ending completely fixes everything. This story is about redemption and there will be sweet redemption, for everyone in this story. But we know that a lot of you won't make it to then. For those of you who do, however, there is a great reward waiting. God, we wish so bad we could tell you why they are acting this way, but we can't—that would be ridiculous if we did. We totally know that they seem like "a couple of horny dicks" (to quote one of our reviews), but, we promise, it's nothing like that, this story actually runs very deep. And if you were to search the chapters, we actually dropped clues as to what's really going on—the rabbit hole goes deeper than it appears. There are only seven chapters left, so for those of you staying: please keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times, we are about to jump the track…

Also: There has also been some discussion over the proper spelling of "Kasey/Casey" and we wanted to clarify our stance on that. While the DVDs are labeled "Casey," the official T7S website is labeled "Kasey." The discrepancy then is one of the Fox network and not us, and we feel free to choose the spelling we prefer. We have decided that the visual alliteration of "Kasey Kelso" is simply a lot more like the slimebag we know and love from the show.

For those of you who we sickened and are considering leaving: Seriously, because we don't want to upset you anymore—you obviously don't like this sort of stuff—you probably should stop reading. It really bums us out to lose you but we don't think you will be able to take what's coming. So, here is where we part…thank you so much for reading up until this point. We hope you continue to read our other, individual and much more pleasant, stories. Thanks.

For the rest: Thank you for sticking with us. There is an actual point and a moral to this story, so hang on, and keep in mind that Hyde's love for Jackie runs deep, deeper than he realizes, as of yet, and it will all end in a way that will blow your mind and make you think. But, in the meantime, it's gonna hurt. Our apologies, please don't hate us, but this HAS to happen...

Previously:

Jackie watched in horror as the visual of Kasey's orgasm seemed to drain Hyde's anger. The hot tempered man she knew and loved changed before her eyes, his passionate blue eyes dimming to a lifeless gray. His expression hardened, burying his hurt, and he walked away from Eric's room, heading for the basement.

Breathe Reprise

Forman Residence

May 19, 1979 – 11:21 p.m.

Kitty was on her way up the stairs to go to bed, muttering quietly to herself about Red's refusal to help her prepare almond bags for the wedding reception. Her internal rant about where she'd like to shove a few colorful almonds was cut off when she saw Hyde's ashen profile backing away from Eric's door.

"Steven, what's wrong!" She was surprised to receive no answer as he walked away, eventually followed by Jackie. Kitty almost reached for the brunette to ask what was wrong, but then she caught sight of Kasey Kelso, dressed in his slick pants and muscle-hugging t-shirt, and her distraction allowed Jackie to slip by. "Kasey!" she exclaimed, pleased to see him until she remembered the look on Hyde's face. "What happened here?" Kitty paused in thought before she continued. "Did that loud mouthed strumpet hurt my poor little Steven?" Her eyes narrowed protectively at the thought, but Kasey's charming smile quickly made her forget about everything else.

"Hey there, Mrs. F. No, I don't really know what's going on… He just came in while Jackie was offering to give me some extra blankets and yeah, helooked kind of upset about it."

Kitty nodded happily as he spoke, but tried to stop him as he left the room.

"Kasey! You were supposed to stay the night! It's getting awfully late," she reasoned, looking down at her bare wrist as though it held a watch.

"Thanks, Mrs. Foreman, but I should probably be going anyways."

"Oh, no, Kasey, I really can't let you…" Her 'generous' offer was quickly cut off by Red coming up the stairs.

"Sure you can, Kitty. Just let the poor boy go," Red rolled his eyes at his drunk wife.

"Oh, well, Kasey, feel free to drop by any time!" Kitty giggled giddily at him, as he prepared to descend the stairs.

"You know me, Mrs. Foreman. I like to be here when I can." He gave her a wink before he left that sent Kitty swooning back into Red's arms. Rolling his eyes, Red prepared to speak, but Kitty cut him off before he had the chance.

"Don't you dare say anything, Red Foreman, you, you, Jordan almond hater!" With that, Kitty clomped back down stairs to find more wine, leaving him to go to bed alone.

His lucid mind left behind in Eric Forman's bedroom, Hyde's empty shell of a body carried him past Mrs. Forman, down the stairs into the living room, through the kitchen and down into his own personal hell. His dank bedroom only reminded him that this life offered him nothing but shit, nothing but pain and isolation—and he decided it was finally time to embrace his own fate. Gathering everything he could get his hands on, he began shoving his life's few possessions into a large green duffel bag, leaving behind only those things that reminded him of her. Everywhere he turned, though, there was something—her clothes, her hairbrush, her perfume, her picture…her.

"Steven," The tiny voice was barely audible as it crept into his embittered brain, "Baby." His throat constricting with every conceivable emotion, Hyde forced a glance in her general direction to reveal her small form leaned face-first against the "High St." wall, looking like a child sent to the corner. "Baby, I don't feel good."

Feeling no mercy, Hyde ignored her; she was drunk and Kasey fucking Kelso's problem now. As he continued to pack, he couldn't help but hear her whimpers and calls for him. His pace quickened; another minute in this place, with her, would literally kill him—if he didn't kill her first.

"Steven, please." He heard her voice drawing nearer to him, her bare feet shuffling slowly along the floor as she spoke in broken whimpers. "Please talk to me. I don't…I don't understand what just happened, baby." At his back, Jackie slipped her hands around his waist, and rested her nearly limp body against him. Disgusted by her touch, Hyde shoved her away and watched her fall back onto his bed. Immediately, his body tensed at the sight of her there. All those warm nights together—over. Fucking bitch. He had actually fallen in love with her and she ruined it, ruined him, and he hated her for it. Then, Jackie grabbed Fluffy Cakes and began to cry, only making him angrier.

"Steven, please. I'm sorry."

Was she fucking kidding? Sorry? Hyde could feel the rage begin to gather momentum in his chest and it took everything tangible within him not to shove Fluffy Cakes down her throat and shut her up for good. There was a limit to how much he could take, and she had already hurled him over that edge with the visual of Kasey driving his dick into her as she came. FUCK!

Hyde gave up packing, abandoning his bag, and stormed out, never looking back. As he crossed the basement, a blood-curdling "STEVEN!" came screaming from his room. He instinctively turned around at the urgency in her voice and stood stunned as she came stumbling out and threw herself against him, hugging onto him for dear life. "Please don't leave! I love you. I love you so much. Please!"

Her scared eyes watched his confused expression harden into anger. "Get the fuck off me," he growled as he pushed her away, the hurt seeping through, laced within the resonance of his voice, "fucking b..." He shut his eyes, unable to finish his slur against her. Instead, he completed the last three strides to the back door, only to be quickly cut off by Jackie.

"I need you," she cried out, her body shaking uncontrollably as she choked on the air that entered her lungs, "I need you so much, Steven. Please don't leave me." Hyde stepped around her, unaffected by her pleas, and headed for the basement stairs. "Steven, please!"

She followed him up the stairs, Fluffycakes dangling by her side, never once letting the dizzy spells that wracked her body slow her down. "Baby, I love you," she continued as they crossed through the kitchen and out the slider door, "I don't think I can live without you. God Steven, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I've been being such a bitch to you. I was… God, Steven. I was just scared that you didn't really want me…"

Never once responding, or turning around to acknowledge the blubbering mess of a girl trailing behind him, following him like a puppy, Hyde reached his car. As he pulled his keys out, they caught on the material of his pocket and fell to the ground. Bending down to get them, he was startled by Jackie's hand as it swooped in and captured them. With terrified eyes, she held them behind her back.

"Just listen to me, please," she begged, owning the most pathetic look Hyde had ever seen, "I can't be without y..," a gasp choked her words, sending her into heart-wrenching sobs, "…you. I need you so much, Steven. Please. I'm sorry. I'll do anything." She moved in close to him and hugged his body, bracing herself for the rejection, "You're my life."

Hyde narrowed his eyes, disgusted at the feeling of her. She was a fucking liar. "Give me my keys."

Looking up at him, Jackie shook her head; the two rivers flowing down her cheeks glistened in the glow of the faint streetlamp above their heads, almost making him feel sorry for her. Almost. "Where are you going," she whimpered, "take me with you."

"That's none of your fuckin' business and hell no. Give me…my keys." A chill rolled up Jackie's spine at the fury in his voice and the listlessness of his eyes. His love for her was gone and she could practically feel the hate taking its place in his heart.

She shut her eyes, barely able to hold them open anymore. They hurt terribly. And it was at that instant, she felt his hands grip her arms roughly, ripping them from his torso and pushing her back. "Give me my fucking keys, Jackie!"

"No," Jackie said, flinching as Hyde moved toward her quickly.

He grimaced. "God, Jackie. I'm not gonna fucking hit you. Just give me my keys or I'm gonna have to take them from you."

"Just tell me where you're going and I'll give them to you."

Temporarily stunned by her question, Hyde stared past her, thinking. Where was he going? His destination had never occurred to him; he had just wanted the hell away from her, but if he had to make a choice, "Vegas."

He looked down to watch pure fear and confusion sweep over her face. "What? Steven. Why?" Breaking down into more tears, she hugged onto him and tightened her grip, desperate to keep him. "Oh my god, Steven, no. Please don't go."

"I'm going, now give me my keys or I swear to god, Jackie…"

"Why? Steven, why do you want to leave me? I didn't leave you!"

Hyde jaw tightened. "Why? Are you fucking kidding me?" The cruelty that lived inside him made him grip her hair and pull her head towards his mouth as he whispered gruffly in her ear. "Because I am going to make it my personal mission to fuck every whore I see that is nothing like you. And it's gonna be so good, Jackie." He let go of his grip on her head and felt her body go limp, allowing him to grab his keys out of her wilted hand. When he stepped away from her, the vacancy in her stare told him that she was starting to feel the same pain he was, and that left him more than satisfied.

Although weakened by heartbreak, Jackie still didn't give up, whimpering out her words one at a time and struggling for each breath. "I'll do anything, baby. You can sleep with who...whoever you wa…want, just," she shut her eyes and swallowed hard, trying to control her sobs, "don't leave me." She noticed that he hadn't yet moved and her eyes found his as she tried to focus on him through her tears. "I made a mistake, Steven. I'm not even sure what happened. But I was so scared that you didn't love me." Her eyes fell to the floor, releasing the several teardrops that had been pooling above her lower lids. "I love you so much."

Everything was quiet, with only her words echoing through the darkened street, until Hyde leaned forward and quietly choked out his response. "Yeah, well I don't love you."

Jackie clenched her eyes shut, temporarily stunned by the pain, his spiteful words tearing her heart in half. She had suspected as much. The only time he had ever said it was when he cheated on her, and it was only out of desperation to keep her around. Suddenly, Jackie had a desperate idea of her own. Taking advantage of the fact that he still hadn't gotten into his car, she found his eyes again. They were blankly staring at something beyond her, making him look as dead as she felt. "You can get even with me."

"What?"

"Make it even. Go sleep with whoever you want…just promise me that you'll come…back to me," she bawled, "Then we'll be…even."

"No, we won't," Hyde looked intently into her eyes as he spewed out all his pain. "To be even, you would have to watch me fuck her, watch me cum inside her while I screamed out her fucking name. How would you like that, Jackie. Huh?" His voice was wavering and Jackie cried for him—for what he had to witness—as he took in a deep, shaky breath. "We'll never be even." Anger rose up inside him as flashes of disturbing images tortured his failing mind. Her and Kasey—fucking. Her orgasm as she screamed out his name. Him cumming inside of her. The pain was almost unbearable as each image brought him closer to spiritual death. Hyde stared at her for a moment, and was surprised at how much the sight of her now made his skin crawl; he wanted to do nothing but break her, like she had broken him. Grabbing her hand forcefully, Hyde walked her around the car and sat her in the passenger seat, kneeling down before he shut the door.

"You're gonna see what I see, Jackie."

"What?"

Hyde gave her a menacing smile and slammed the door shut before getting in himself and heading back to Chubby's.

Chubby's Strip Club – 11:46 p.m.

Hyde pulled up in front of Chubby's, got out, and rounded the car to pull Jackie along behind him as he headed inside. He didn't look at her or touch her except to make sure she was there and to catch her as she stumbled over the doorstep of the strip club.

Walking out of the front door of Chubby's at that moment was Candie, the blonde stripper who had come on to him two hours ago.

"It's the hottie!" Candie exclaimed, smiling flirtatiously at Hyde. "Did you change your mind about that fiancé?" she asked the question with a wink, and was surprised when Hyde pointed behind him to Jackie's shaking form. Hyde glared at her briefly, hoping that she felt like the bitch she was, before speaking.

"She's gonna watch." Hyde's angry, humorless tone clued Candie in to the fact that there was something more here than a kinky girl letting her man have a good time. Eyeing Jackie's tear-stained face, she wondered what the smaller girl had done, but she found it didn't really matter to her. She'd wanted Hyde the moment she'd seen his scruffy sideburns, and she sure as hell wasn't going to pass up the chance to have him.

"I know a good place," Candie winked at him, heading towards her car and indicating that he should follow.

Forman residence

May 20, 1979 - Midnight

"Have you seen Eric, Mrs. Foreman?" Donna asked as she stepped inside the Foreman's kitchen door.

Kitty was sitting at the table working through another bottle of wine as she fantasized about being on a deserted island with Kasey; the question caught her off guard.

"Kasey wasn't here!" Shaking her head to clear it of some of the daydreams and alcohol, Kitty looked up at Donna. "I mean, ummm, I'm not sure, honey." Taking a large sip of wine, she continued. "With all the excitement around here tonight, it's been a little hard to keep track of everything."

"I'm sure it has," Donna nodded her head courteously while trying to process the knowledge that Kasey may have been there. "So then, who else wasn't here, Mrs. Forman?"

"Jackie? Oh, no…haven't seen Jackie, or Steven." She shook her head bursting into giggles. Her expression turned serious as she looked at Donna. "You're getting married soon, Donna, so I can give you some advice." Nodding her head mater-of-factly, she continued. "Marriage isn't always pretty, you see. There are ups and downs and fights and make-ups and younger men who sleep in your children's bedrooms." She paused for another long sip of wine. "But what you have to remember, even when your husband won't bag Jordan almonds for your only son's wedding, is that he is the most important person in your life. So what if you'll never be with Kasey Kelso?" She said Kasey's name bitterly, but bubbled over with nervous laughter before continuing. "What was I saying?"

Shaking her head at the wackiness of her soon-to-be mother-in-law, Donna left her to search around the Foreman house—namely in Eric's room and the basement—for her fiancé, but she didn't find him anywhere. Strangely, she couldn't find anybody in the normally lively home. Slightly confused and a little worried, Donna walked back to her house to look for Jackie. The moment she walked into her bedroom, she groaned at the sight of tiny bunny turds on her desk. It would be just like Jackie to leave a freakin' loose rabbit in her bedroom. Irritated with her friend, Donna flipped on the radio, pleased with the Pink Floyd block she heard.

All in all it was all just bricks in the wall.
All in all you were all just bricks in the wall.

Looking around, Donna finally noticed Jackie's perfectly made cot. No way had the midget been in her bed tonight, Donna thought to herself as she plopped down onto her own cushiony bed.

"Where the hell is everybody?"

Donna grabbed her phone and dialed Chubby's only to have the bartender tell her that the twitchy, skinny boy and his angry, curly-haired friend had left over an hour before. So where in the hell were they? And now, Jackie was missing, presumably still with Laurie. Donna let out a sigh of frustration as her wandering eye found the ball of white fluff responsible for the crap pebbles on her desk. "You," she said as she lifted the furball onto her lap, careful not to push too hard against her swollen, pregnant belly, "You crapped on my desk! But I'll forgive you cause you're pregnant, as long as you wait until you get back to Hyde's room to have your babies, cause…ew." Laying back and placing Miss Z on her chest, Donna rubbed at the soft fur while she sifted through her wedding jitters, unaware of the sordid predicaments that the people she loved most had gotten themselves into on the eve of her wedding rehearsal.

Chubby's Strip Club - Midnight

Kelso and Fez stumbled out of Chubby's into the dimly lit parking lot. Glancing around at the parked cars in horror, Kelso turned to Fez.

"Dude! Where's my car?"

The foreign boy was about to speak when a thirty year old man dressed in tight leather pants and an open leather vest strutted over to them.

"You boys in need of a good ride?" He asked, winking at them flirtatiously and gesturing towards a car where another man sat in the passenger seat. Fez felt slightly nervous at the offer, but Kelso was nothing but enthusiastic.

"Hell yeah, we are!" he jumped over to high five Fez, but was instead pulled behind a corner for private consultation. "Man, did we luck out or what! Now, we don't have to walk home!"

"I do not think we should go with him. He acts…strange. Why does he keep winking at me?" They both glanced over to the leather clad man, watching him flirt from afar.

"Come on, Fez. He's just being friendly!" Kelso turned back around and winked back. "They look like cool guys. I bet they know lots of hot chicks," he said, smiling broadly at the idea of hot girls dressed in leather pants.

"Ohh, do you think one of them would do it with Fez?" All thoughts of why it might be a bad idea to follow the men evaporated at the thought of hot girls.

"Sure, man. Anything's possible." With Fez following behind him, Kelso climbed into the men's car. The first man, who introduced himself as Gary, turned on the radio as he began to drive, filling the car with the sounds of The Wall. "..and this is my friend, Ace."

Ace grinned at Fez. "Hey there, brown sugar."

Fez smiled. "Hey there yourself, amigo!"

All in all it was all just bricks in the wall.
All in all you were all just bricks in the wall.

"All right! Floyd!" Kelso yelled, sticking his head out the window and enjoying the rush of wind past his face.

"Is there anywhere you'd prefer to go?" The second man asked them.

"Just take us wherever the party is!" Kelso and Fez bounced in their seats, excited about the night to come.

Outskirts of Chicago, Illinois – Midnight

Eric slowed his car for the first time since peeling out of Chubby's, determined to put as much space between himself and Point Place as possible by the time the sun came up. Pink Floyd was blaring from his stereo as he drove helping to numb the effects of running away from his fiancé.

I have seen the writing on the wall.
Don't think I need anything at all.
No! Don't think I'll need anything at all.

He had a choice to make: I-80W towards Vegas or I-80E towards a Star Wars convention in Detroit.

It was all because of that stupid trailer, he thought to himself. Some part of him knew that even if Donna hadn't purchased the trailer, they would have found themselves married but living just like high school students…in their parents' houses. Surely that wasn't an acceptable option, either.

They weren't ready to get married. The truth had smacked him in the face tonight, and he had quietly packed a bag before leaving for the strip club.

In the end, he knew he had to leave. In the end, he knew she would never forgive him.

All in all it was all just bricks in the wall.
All in all you were all just bricks in the wall.

He made his choice, racing along I-80 into the night.

The Mirage Motel – Midnight

Hyde opened the door to the cheap motel room, allowing Candie and then Jackie to walk into the room in front of him. Jackie, still holding Fluffycakes and dazed from the events of the night, walked immediately to a small desk chair and sat down as Hyde and Candie watched each other somewhat nervously at the foot of the bed.

"I'm gonna freshen up," Candie offered, stepping into the bathroom and out of the tension filled bedroom. When the door closed, Jackie began to speak.

"Steven, do you honestly think it's alright to have sex with a stripper right in front of me?" She asked quietly, holding back tears and praying that Hyde would change his mind and send the blonde whore out the door.

"Yeah, Jackie. Yes. I think it's fuckin' alright." He stared at her hard, letting her see his righteous anger. "You made it alright when I found you with that Kelso." His defiance in the face of her sadness made her cringe, and she realized with horror that he just wanted to hurt her.

"P-please, Steven, don't do this." She whispered, tears pooling in her eyes as she stared at the changed visage of her fiancé. She had somehow thought that this would play out like it had for her and Michael, but Hyde was clearly serious. "I ch-changed my mind; I don't want you to do this." Her pitiful face, makeup ruined from sobbing all night, failed to move him.

"Maybe you should have thought of that before you fucked that asshole," he growled at her. "You accused me of treating you like a fucking whore, and as it turns out…you are a fucking whore. I bet you've done it before. You've probably been sleeping around on me all through our relationship. I bet you've gone through all the fucking Kelso's, haven't you?" Hyde shook his head in disgust as tears streamed down Jackie's face.

"No. No, Steven, I never…" Pausing to pull in a shuddering breath, Jackie continued. "I never did anything like that." She took in another deep breath as she continued, "You're the one that ch-cheated on me!" The last word was a long wail, and she burst into sobs again as Hyde stared at her, fury rising in his chest.

"Don't even compare what I did to what you did! I freaked out when I saw something suspicious…you just fucked that asshole for no fucking reason and I had to fucking watch! I had to hear you scream his name! I had to watch him come inside of you!" Sinking down on the edge of the bed, Hyde let his head rest in his hands. The image of Jackie and Kasey together pushed his hot fury away, replacing it with a coldly overwhelming need to hurt Jackie every bit as much as she hurt him. He wanted to make her die inside, just like she had made him die. "And now you are going to watch me fuck her."

When Candie stepped out of the bathroom in a skimpy negligee, she looked back and forth between Hyde and Jackie, afraid to interrupt their intense stare. From the portions of their conversation she had heard through the bathroom door, she understood that Jackie had cheated on Hyde: the hot, scruffy guy who had refused to fuck her on account of his fiancé. Finding herself irrationally angry that his fiancé could treat him so badly, Candie sat next to Hyde, letting her fingers brush down his chest and pulling his attention towards her scantily clad figure. When her eyes met Hyde's, Candie was shocked to see the depth of his anger and betrayal, and she felt more pissed at the little sniveling bitch in the corner. Feeling intensely attracted to Hyde and badly wanting to make him feel better, she captured his lips with her own, never noticing that he kept looking at Jackie, triumphant in the face of her obvious pain.

It wasn't until Jackie turned away that Hyde stopped focusing on her pain and began to pay any real attention to Candie. She wasn't bad looking, he thought, bigger than Jackie, with breasts bigger than Jackie's. He let his hands wander to those larger breasts, appreciating their weight and fullness even as he tried to ignore the taste of stale tobacco in the blonde's mouth. She didn't kiss like Jackie, didn't feel like Jackie, didn't remind him of Jackie… And that relieved him immensely as he lay back on the bed with Candie, beginning to strip off their respective clothes.

Jackie turned her face and her thoughts away from the scene in front of her, curling into her chair and remembering the happy times she had spent with Hyde: the summer before her junior year, alone together in the empty basement; the day he shaved his beard to cheer her up; the night after the Valentines dance; the day they really reconnected after his indiscretion with the nurse. She remembered that one well.

Jackie and Hyde sat on Donna's bed, legs wrapped around each other and mouths fused together. She could feel his arousal pressing against her, and the sensation of his hands in her hair and on her body was heaven. Unable to help herself, Jackie pulled back with her hands linked around his neck, smiling when he gripped her hips, keeping them intimately pressed together.

"Steven, I'm so glad we're back together. I thought I lost my little puddin' pop forever."

"You wanna know something sick? I actually missed you calling me puddin' pop." Jackie melted at the tenderness radiating from his uncovered eyes and pulled his mouth back down to hers as Hyde buried his fingers in her hair, bringing her even closer. They were interrupted too quickly, though, as Donna and Eric stepped into the bedroom.

"How many times have I told you guys not to make out on my bed? You guys are like cats, you don't even listen!" Grabbing a water bottle, Donna sprayed them as they ran for cover.

"Donna!" Jackie screeched, leaping up from the bed. "You know what? You're leaving tonight, so, technically, this isn't your bed anymore. And besides," she glanced up at Hyde, "I just can't keep my hands off my Puddin'Ppop." Turning to her boyfriend, Jackie trailed her fingers down his chest, earning her a small smile before they touched lips again.

"Puddin' pop?" Eric and Donna asked together, their voices radiating disbelief.

"It that s'posed to be me? I've never heard that name before in my life!" Grabbing Jackie's hand, Hyde pulled her quickly out of the Pinciotti's house and down into his room in the basement. Closing the door behind them, Hyde pulled Jackie to him, crushing his lips to hers. Their tongues met passionately as he backed her up against the door, and all she could think was that Steven was trying to pull her into him. Jackie broke the kiss, gasping for air, but Hyde's lips just moved down her jaw to her neck, kissing and biting and making her knees weak.

"Steven," she whispered, her serious tone causing him to stop. "When I told you that I didn't love you, I was lying, you know?" He just smiled at her slightly before capturing her lips again and trailing teasing touches over her body. Soon, she was writhing against the door as Hyde quickly pulled her shirt over her head, allowing him to feast on newly exposed flesh. He made quick work of her bra while his lips were engaged with her collar bone, and when his mouth finally closed over one of her bare nipples, Jackie cried out her pleasure.

"Mmm," he moaned against her naked skin, "you taste so good, Kitten." He smiled as a shudder ran through her body; if Hyde's nickname made him smile, Jackie's nickname drove her crazy with lust. Desperate to feel his bare chest against hers, Jackie began to pull at Hyde's t-shirt, but was quickly stopped. "No," he groaned, his lips unwillingly leaving her skin. "I want…" Hyde trailed off, but pulled her away from the door, taking just enough time to strip off her jeans and panties before he pushed her onto his bed.

Jackie crossed her legs and covered herself modestly as Hyde, fully dressed, stared down at her nude body.

"You're so beautiful, Jackie," he whispered before covering her body with his own and trailing kisses down her neck and shoulders again. Jackie sighed in pleasure as he tasted every inch of her skin; he seemed to radiate his feelings to her as he moved. She could feel that he loved her in his touch, and it almost didn't matter that he couldn't say it out loud. As Hyde's wandering mouth finally moved up her inner thigh to lazily lick the area between her legs, Jackie arched her back and forgot about everything other than Hyde's lips moving over her.

His tongue darted out to lick her slit before circling her clit quickly, causing her hips to thrust up towards him. Hyde smiled at her enthusiastic response as he grabbed hold of her thighs, pinning her down and opening her up for further exploration. Tireless in his efforts, Hyde continued working his tongue as one hand left her leg to delve into her tight core. He found her wet and ready as first one and then two questing fingers dipped inside of her, massaging her inner walls and causing her to writhe uncontrollably beneath him. As his fingertips danced over her G-spot, Jackie screamed his name and clamped her thighs around his head as she came. It was several moments before Hyde crawled back up her body to delve his tongue into her eager mouth.

"God, Jackie, I want you so much," Hyde panted against her lips. Jackie just moaned and wrapped her legs around him.

"Please, Steven," she gasped between kisses as her hands worked to pull his black t-shirt over his head. Hyde happily obliged, kicking off the rest of his clothes in record time and bringing all of their exposed flesh into contact. "I missed you," Jackie whispered quietly as Hyde prepared to thrust into her wet heat.

"I missed you, too, Jackie," he replied quietly, "so much." Hyde kissed her gently on the lips as he continued. "I'm so sorry, Kitten," he looked deeply in her eyes. "I never want anyone else like this." With that admission, the closest thing Jackie would ever get to a declaration of love, Hyde drove himself into her core, causing them both to moan out loud.

Their lips met passionately and Jackie wrapped her legs around him as they moved together in what she would always think of as the first time they really "made love." His movements were slow and languid as they readjusted to each other after long months apart, but they quickly gained speed and intensity as Jackie's orgasm grew near.

"Oh God, Steven," Jackie moaned into his mouth, "Harder." He complied, and within seconds, Jackie was thrashing underneath him, calling out his name. Hyde drew out her orgasm to unimaginable lengths, wrapping her in pleasure she had never known until he came inside of her, spent.

She and Steven had lain together afterwards; Jackie hadn't been able to help the tears that streamed from her eyes, content and sure of Steven's love for her in a time when the man she loved and not their impending wedding was the most important thing in her life. What the hell was wrong with her that she had forgotten to love him?

"Get on your knees," Hyde's voice was low and demanding as it cut into Jackie's thoughts. He couldn't help looking up at her as Candie sank down between his legs, taking his dick in her mouth. Jackie was still curled around Fluffycakes in her chair, lost in her thoughts, but he could see the tears coursing down her cheeks even with her head turned away. The desire he had felt to hurt her dissipated, and instead the sight of her sadness tore through him. His head screamed that he had to hurt her like she hurt him, but his heart only wanted to hold her. Allowing one to win out over the other, Hyde shut his eyes and tried to focus on the warm mouth massaging his dick. So, as was the usual for Steven Hyde—his heart lost.

And then…it broke. "I love you, Steven." From the other side of the room, her tiny voice ripped through his body like shrapnel, violently shattering into a million pieces upon impact and settling against every one of his nerve endings. He believed her, but it was only the stripper with her lips wrapped around his shaft that realized it. The pain that was plastered all over his face had easily given him away; the sorrow in the small brunette's tearful voice obviously mattered more than he had originally let on. "I love you so much." Hyde squeezed his eyes shut in a failed attempt to block her out, never noticing that Candie had already abandoned his diminishing erection. His head fell forward as she continued. "I think I would die without you, baby." A moment later, Hyde heard a rustle in front of him and opened his eyes to find Candie pulling a long t-shirt over her head.

"I can't do this with her crying and saying that shit." She leaned down and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You're sweet, and you deserve much better."

Hyde reached down to his ankles and pulled up his jeans, never saying a word as the blond grabbed her bag and moved toward the door. Ultimately intrigued, and a little irritated, with the night's events, she stopped cold in front of Jackie. "You know, if you love him so much, you probably shouldn't have fucked his best friend."

Jackie raised her red, puffy eyes to meet Candie's. "Yeah well, I don't take advice from whores."

"Funny, I only give mine out to them," the blond snidely retorted before walking out, leaving the strained couple alone.

"Why the fuck did you do that, Jackie?" Hyde nearly screamed as he stormed across the room to her chair. "Why?"

"Because," Jackie cautiously started, keeping her head low as she rubbed Fluffycakes' soft fur along her cheek, "I didn't want that whore touching you anymore."

"It was your idea!"

Jackie looked up, her eyes wild with hidden fury as the tears rolled freely down her face. "I know! But I just couldn't watch it anymore, okay! Why did you have to like it so much?"

Stunned, Hyde stepped back. "Me? Why did I have to like it?"

"Yes! Why would you want some dirty stripper when you could have me!"

"Because, Jackie! Being with a dirty stripper is more appealing to me right now than being with you, okay!" He paused as Jackie burst into hysterical sobs and raised his voice, maliciously feeding off her pained cries, "Cause at least I won't care when I find her getting fucked by my friend!"

Hyde stopped yelling and stood by as Jackie wept, his love for her being slowly replaced by rage and hate with every burst of sound that left her mouth. It scared him how little mercy he felt for her; he wanted nothing more than to watch her shatter in front of him.

"I love you, Steven," Jackie whimpered, unaware that her determination was having the opposite of its intended effect—it was pissing him off more.

"No, you don't!"

Her mind clearing temporarily, driven by those good memories of him, Jackie gathered a sliver of strength—just enough to lift her body off her chair and face him. "Yes, I do. I love you so much that I would sit in a motel room and watch a stripper give you head, you fucking asshole."

They stared at each other a moment before Hyde spoke in a low growl. "You love yourself, Jackie. You're a selfish bitch and I'm glad you did what you did. Cause now…I have a reason to get the fuck out of marrying you."

Her burst of energy spent and wasted, Jackie's head fell. The room was spinning, her mind was foggy and this nightmare night had drained her of life. "I love you," she whispered stubbornly, mostly for herself, knowing full well that he didn't care anymore.

"Quit saying that. If you loved me, you wouldn't have fucked somebody else. It's that simple."

Jackie's head snapped up. "You slept with that nurse, and then claimed you loved me the next day. Explain that to me, Steven."

"I don't have to explain anything to you. You're a whore." She watched his expression change as a thought occurred to him. "Did you like it, Jackie? Hm? Was it good? Did you like getting fucked by Kasey?"

"Why don't you tell me, Steven? Was your little skank nurse good? Did you like it? Cause I may not have seen you sleep with her, but I'll bet what lives in my imagination is a lot worse than what you saw."

A wicked smirk stared back at her and Jackie suddenly regretted opening her mouth. She could never match his cruelty and knew that he was about to crush her with it. "You realty wanna know, Jackie?" Already far lost in his hatred, Hyde stepped toward her, wearing his vicious nature plainly on his face as he stopped an inch from her lips. "I came so hard that I fucked her twice." He brushed his lips against hers. "It was so good, baby."

Jackie's tears stopped, knowing that this wasn't her Steven anymore; this was the monster that protected him. She shook her head sadly, deciding that the time had come to admit defeat. Pulling off her engagement ring, Jackie flung it at him, not caring where it landed in the room. Picking up Fluffycakes from her chair, she turned back to Hyde once more before walking out the motel room door. "You sure you wanna know, Steven? Cause I have an answer for you now."

Hyde swallowed hard. "I wanna know," he said though gritted teeth, "tell me."

"He made me come so hard, Steven; he fucked me better than you ever did." Her anger and hurt masked the lie as she hurled it at him, but she instantly regretted it as his anger melted and was replaced with the cold, inhuman stare she had seen earlier that night in Eric's bedroom. In that instant, Jackie was deeply afraid of Steven Hyde, and the fear grew as he grabbed Fluffycakes from her hands, shoving her forcefully against the wall.

"NO STEVEN!" she screamed, the sound muffled as Hyde crushed the stuffed unicorn over her mouth.

To Be Continued.

A/N2: (ducks) We know! Everything has gone to shit, nothing makes sense, and you hate it, and us. We totally know! Go ahead and scream at us. We still want your reviews. So please, please send them. It honestly takes thirty seconds and they mean a lot to us, even the ones that tell us how terrible we are. Reviews, even bad ones, are better than naked Hyde NOT getting head from a dirty stripper. :P (ducks) Hey, believe it or not, this story actually has a very happy ending.