Author's Note: Wow look how fast i got that one out. LOL Must be a record for me. Ne ways I'm really loving this story. I love writing it. Ne ways only one song in this chapter. It's called, "When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne and i can bet you know how is singing it. Ne ways so the next chapter will have a lot more of the past and then you'll be fully caught up. This chapter really just keeps going back and forth like the one before it. Big event happening in this chapter and i know it's almost 4,000 words long. I'm sorry about that. Ne ways enjoy (oh side note you know I'm having fun and I'm really proud of a story if i write more than 2,000 words. LOL) please review and let me know what you think. The reviews lately have been awesome!
Chapter Four: When You're Gone
"We're going to go out, but I'll watch him. If he gets to far gone I'll bring him back okay?" Travis said as he looked at Jackie.
"Yeah okay just don't let him get too hammered."
"Sure thing boss," Travis said as he walked out the door.
"Jackie," Eric said as he walked over to her, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Jackie said as she smiled at the person she considered her brother.
"Why'd you do that to Hyde in the first place? I mean I thought you two were happy."
"Eric…at the time I didn't know that Steven wanted to get married…and I just reacted. I was upset and Michael was there."
"He hasn't been the same in a long time."
"I know and that breaks my heart."
"I feel like he's just gone. The only time I ever see any of the old him is when he's up there singing." Eric said as he stared out at the stage.
"Music has always been his way of escaping…his way of pouring all his feelings into one simple thing. I always knew how he was feeling when he had music on or was playing something."
"He misses you." Eric blurted out.
"I know…and I miss him too."
"So have you decided?"
"Oh…yeah I did. I'm leaving…in an hour actually."
"Does he know?"
"No he doesn't know."
"Want me to tell him?"
"I left a note." Jackie said as she looked down.
"I'm going to miss you devil."
"I'm going to miss you too geek." Jackie said as Eric pulled her into a hug.
"So your own musical career…are you excited?"
"Actually I really am." Jackie said as she smiled at Eric and they walked out of the building together.
2005-
"To Forman and Donna," Hyde said as he raised his glass in the air and everyone cheered.
Jackie watched as Hyde took a big drink of beer then proceeds to wrestle around with Fez. She sighed then walked out the front door quietly so no one would see her leave.
"Jackie, wait up." Jackie turned around as Kelso ran over to catch up with her.
"What's up Michael?" Jackie asked as the boy smiled at her.
"Something bothering you?"
"A little bit."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not really…sorry."
"Oh no it's fine. Where you headed?"
"I don't know…just figured I'd walk around for a while."
"Well I was thinking about going up to the water tower. Want to come with me?"
"Actually that would be great. Thanks Michael."
"No problem Jackie." Kelso said as they started walking to the water tower together.
"So what's bothering you?" Kelso asked as he sat next to Jackie.
"Steven," Jackie said as she stared at the scenery below her.
"What'd he do?"
"He doesn't want to marry me."
"Oh, yeah Hyde isn't really the marriage type."
"I know…I just thought that he might have changed."
"Guess not huh?"
"Yeah…now I'm wondering if it's pointless to stay with him."
"Are you thinking of breaking up with him?"
"I don't know…maybe."
"Jackie,"
"You know what Michael I don't want to talk about it anymore. Where's the beer?" Jackie said as she looked at him.
"What beer?"
"Can it Michael I know you brought some."
"Fine," Kelso said as he handed her a beer.
"You know what Michael," Jackie said as she threw her 6th can off the water tower, "I don't need Steven. He doesn't want to marry me that's fine. There are plenty of other men in this world that you love to be with me."
"I would," Kelso said as he threw his last beer can over the edge.
"Exactly like you."
"Jackie," Kelso said as he scooted closer to her.
"What?" Jackie said as she looked at Kelso.
"Would it be really bad if I kissed you? Because I've always wanted to kiss you."
Jackie stared at him as he began to move his face closer to his until his lips connected with hers. At first it didn't feel right at all, but then she thought about Hyde and how he didn't want to marry her and she soon gave into Michael. Kelso pulled her even closer to him as he tried to unhook her bra.
"Michael what are we doing?" Jackie said as she pulled away from him.
"Getting over it," Kelso said as he went back to kissing Jackie.
Present Day-
"I wish I was over her." Hyde said as he set down his beer.
Travis was sitting beside him, monitoring how much he drank and listening. "Yeah man I know."
"I mean what she did was really shitty. With one of my best friends none the less, and I understand that things were complicated for her at the time. I get that, but couldn't she have talked to me instead of going off and sleeping with my best friend. Fuck that's just fucked up." Hyde said as he stood up.
"Hey man where are you going?"
"For a walk, I'm fine Travis. I've only have 2 and you know it. I'll meet you at the bus later." Hyde said before he walked out.
Jackie handed her bags over as she collected her ticket from the counter. This time tomorrow she would be in a studio working on her first single. She couldn't believe how crazy fast things were moving. She'd only just found out that a record label was interested in her, and seeing the damage she'd done to Hyde, she decided to take it. But she did something for Hyde before she left. She called someone who could help get him back to who he is and she hoped that for his sake, it worked. She walked towards the waiting area as she listened to the sounds around her, until a certain sound caught her ear. She stopped walking and listened as she realized what it was. It was an older song by the high…one that she and Hyde had sung together. It was an older song that had a similar story to Adam and eve. She smiled as she listened to the song and the good memories from their past filled her mind. 'It's for the best,' she thought to herself as she kept on walking.
Hyde kicked a rock as he walked down the street. He hated feeling this way. He wished he could go back…back to the days when everything didn't suck as much. Back when he still had her. Before all the stuff with Kelso and the band, before California and before the tour. He wished for the days when it was just him and the guys playing in the garage while Jackie and Donna looked on and cheered them on. He wished for the days when he and Jackie use to go up to the lake in the summer, laying around with each other or swimming in the lake. He wished for the youthful days of his adolescence back. Mostly he just wanted her back. He still loved her…god help him he still really did. But he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to forgive her. He'd never cheated on her…never even thought of another woman other than her. Sure that had been plenty of girls that wanted him, but he'd always turned them down because he had a girl waiting for him. Now when he thought back on it he realized how much in love he was with her…still was in love with her. He might give her shit everyday but he admired her for sticking around even when she knew he didn't want her there. 'Maybe I can forgive her,' he thought to himself right before the horn went off and the last thing he saw was a bright light.
2005-
Jackie walked into her room and shut the door quietly so she wouldn't wake anyone. She wiped her face as she quietly walked to her bathroom. She turned the lights off and shut the door, then stared at her reflection in the mirror. "Oh god," She said as she quickly ran to the toilet and threw up. Once she had thrown up everything she possibly could she walked back over to the mirror and looked at herself in disgust. She quickly took her clothes off and got into the shower. She turned on the water, and turned the dial to the warmest setting possible. She stood there and let the water fall on her as tears came to her eyes. She leaned forward and placed her hands against the wall as she stared down at the drain, crying her eyes out the entire time. "Oh my god," she kept repeating as she continued crying.
"Have you seen Jackie?" Hyde asked Eric as he looked around the party for his girlfriend.
"No man I haven't seen her for a while." Eric said as Kelso walked back in the room.
"Oh hey man have you seen Jackie?" Hyde asked Kelso once he'd seen him.
"Uh yeah she went home I think she wasn't feeling good."
"Oh, where you been man?"
"Outside…it's too hot in here." Kelso said as he walked over to Fez.
"Hey Eric, I'm going to go check on Jackie. I'll be back later." Hyde said as Eric nodded at him.
Hyde quickly got in his car and made the short drive over to Jackie's. He knew her parents were probably asleep so he climbed the tree beside her bedroom window and opened it. He knew she kept it unlocked for these occasions so he figured he was in the clear. Once he was in the room, he shut the window and looked around for her. He heard the shower running so he lay down on the bed and waited for her.
Jackie turned the shower off and wrapped a towel around her body. She walked over to the mirror and looked at it one more time. She scowled at herself, then turned around and walked into her room. She stopped dead in her tracks when she found Hyde fast asleep on her bed. A tear came to her eye as she quickly got dressed then sat next to him.
"Steven," She said as she gently tried to wake him up.
"Hmm, oh hey baby. Did I fall asleep?" Hyde asked as he sat up.
"Yeah, how long have you been here?"
"I don't know ten minutes. I'm sorry I fell asleep. I guess I'm just really tired."
"All the exhaustion is finally catching up to you huh?" She said as she smiled at him.
"Something like that. Hey do you think I could crash here with you tonight?"
"Uh yeah sure, I was going to bed anyway."
"Okay good, oh yeah do you feel any better?"
"What?"
"Kelso said you went home because you didn't feel good."
Jackie felt her stomach clench when she heard Hyde say Kelso, but she kept it together and nodded. "Yeah I feel much better. Guess I just needed a nice shower."
"Good," Hyde said as he leaned down and kissed her forehead, "Good night Jacks."
"Good night Steven," Jackie said as she curled up next to her boyfriend. She knew she wouldn't be sleeping tonight…or any night after that.
Present Day-
"So you've got a song prepared?" Joanna, the record executive, asked as she stared at Jackie.
"Uh yeah actually, do you want me to sing it…I mean I've got a tape of the background stuff I just don't have the vocals added."
"Oh yeah sure that's great. Pop it in and then go sing for us okay doll?" Joanna said as Jackie nodded and put the tape in. She walked into the booth, put on the headphones and waited for the song to start up.
"Alright here goes." She said once the music started.
I always needed time on my own
I never thought I'd need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I'm alone
And the bed where you lie is made up on your side
When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you
I've never felt this way before
Everything that I do reminds me of you
And the clothes you left, they lie on the floor
And they smell just like you, I love the things that you do
When you walk away I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you
We were made for each other
Out here forever
I know we were, yeah
All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I'd do, I'd give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me, yeah
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you
Oh…
Jackie opened her eyes and took off the head phones. Joanna walked in the door and leaned against the frame. "Doll you've got one hell of a voice. And you're nursing one hell of a broken heart."
"Yeah, I am."
"Welcome to the label." Joanna said as she extended her hand and Jackie took it.
"What do we have?"
"Male, Caucasian, early 20's, victim of a hit and run."
"Internal bleeding?"
"Not sure, he's lost a lot blood."
"Type?"
"Driver's license says A."
"Name?"
"Steven J. Hyde."
"Alright lets get him prepped and into surgery. Nurse Can you contact any family members in the," The doctor paused as he looked at the driver's license again, "Point Place Wisconsin area please."
"Doctor that boy is a rock singer." The nurse said as she walked over to the doctor.
"Call the police…I don't want the media in here." He said before he walked away.
2005-
"No groupies." Donna said as she stood in Eric's arms.
"No groupies, I promise. You're the only girl for me." Eric said as he leaned forward and kissed Donna.
Hyde smiled at them then turned to Jackie. "Same goes for me, doll." He said before he got in the car.
"What?" Jackie said as she got in beside him.
"Alright ROAD TRIP!" Kelso yelled as he ran to the front seat.
"God you're such a moron." Hyde said as he took Jackie's hand and stared at Kelso.
"Yeah but he is a beautiful moron." Fez said as he sat next to Hyde.
"Uh no you up front with your beautiful moron." Hyde said as he motioned for Fez to get up front.
"Ai, but Hyde,"
"Just do it." Hyde said as he looked at Jackie, "I meant what I said."
"What did you mean Steven?" Jackie asked as she stared at him.
"You heard what Eric said to Donna right?"
"Yeah,"
"Well that goes for you too."
"Awe Steven," Jackie said as she wrapped her arms around Hyde.
Kelso watched them with a frown on his face. "You two need to cut it out." Kelso said as Hyde hit him in the back of the head. "Damn Hyde that was my head."
"I know next time it'll be your mouth." Hyde said as Kelso stuck his tongue out at him.
"Alright guys lets go." Eric said as he got in the car and everyone waved good bye to Donna.
"So Forman are you and Donna going to tie the knot when we get back?" Hyde asked.
"Uh yeah and Donna said that you'd better not get Jackie knocked up because she's already got the dresses and stuff picked out."
"Really? God I hope it isn't some lumberjack color." Jackie said as everyone laughed.
"Alright guys were here," Eric said as everyone looked around.
"Wow that was one long ass road trip." Hyde said as he got out then helped Jackie out of the car.
"Yeah I think my butt is permanently asleep." Jackie said as she grabbed her ass.
"I could help you with that." Hyde said as he reached over and grabbed it.
"Steven," Jackie said as she smiled at Hyde.
"Can we please just go inside?" Kelso said as he started walking towards the door.
"What's up with him?" Hyde asked as Eric and Fez shrugged.
"Let's go guys." Kelso said as the other's followed him.
"Hey guys, alright we're just going to give you some days and we want you to look them over and we'll go from there." Chuck, the tour scheduler said as he handed Hyde the paper.
"Alright…well actually whenever you want to do this we're open."
"Oh good, alright so your first show is next week in Chicago…it's the guys hometown so they wanted to start there. We ordered you a bus and it's actually here so you guys are welcome to get on your way whenever you want."
"Alright thanks." Hyde said as he shook Chucks hand then they left.
"So what do you guys want to do?" Eric asked as they walked down the hall.
"Fez and I are going to check out the bus." Kelso said as he and Fez ran outside.
"Well that was…very Kelso and Fez like, how about you two? Anything planned?" Eric asked.
"Actually we were going to go check out L.A. want to come?" Jackie asked as Eric nodded.
"Yeah sure let's go." Eric said as Hyde wrapped his arm around Jackie's shoulder.
Present Day-
"Yeah hi, I'm looking for Steven Hyde's room." Travis and Nick said as they stood in front of the counter.
"I'm sorry he's in surgery."
"Well is his brother Eric, around?"
"Yes he's down in the waiting room. It's down the hall on your left." She said before she answered the phone.
"Eric," Travis said as he spotted his friend, "is he alright?"
Eric stood up and shook his head. "I don't know. He's in surgery right now. They said something about internal bleeding and blunt trauma to the head. But I don't know." Eric said as he grabbed his head.
"Hey man sit down." Nick said as they led Eric to a chair.
"Man, did you call your dad?" Nick asked.
"Yeah W.B. is on his way here."
"Has anyone called Jackie?" Travis asked.
"Actually…Jackie's gone." Eric said.
"What?" Nick and Travis said at the same time.
"She told me not to say anything but she got this record deal to do a solo thing and she took it. She thought it would be better for Hyde if she was out of his life for good."
"Damn, did he know?" Nick asked as both Travis and Eric shook their heads.
"Hey weren't you with him?" Eric asked as he looked at Travis.
"Yeah but he went for a walk. I went looking for but and saw all the cops and stuff. I didn't think it was him. But then you called."
"He was drinking and you just let him go."
"No he didn't drink like anything. He had a beer and half I swear. I was watching him the whole time."
Eric looked down. "I'm sorry I just…he's all I have."
"You called Donna yet?"
"Yeah she's flying with W.B."
"She's 6 months…"
"I know but she said she'll be okay." Eric said as he looked up.
"Okay man," Travis said as a doctor came out and looked around.
"Excuse me; are you the doctor who is operating on Steven Hyde?" Eric asked as he walked over to the man.
"Yeah, are you his family?"
"Yeah, I'm his brother and these are his band mates. How is he?"
"He's stable. We were able to stop the bleeding; we lost him a couple of times in the surgery. Right now he has a broken leg and a broken arm. He's lucky to be alive."
"Is he awake?"
"No, there was a lot of trauma to the head. Right now he's unconscious. We've done some tests and his brain looks fine, so we'll just have to wait and see if he wakes up."
"When will he wake up?"
"It's up to him. You may go in and see him, but one a time please." The doctor said before he walked away.
"You go man, we'll watch for them." Travis said.
"Alright and uh can one of you call Jackie? She deserves to know." Eric said before he walked away.
"Boring…boring…crap…boring," Jackie said as she flipped through the channels on the T.V. "Oh E!."
"They say it was a hit and run, but they still haven't caught the person who hit him. He was walking along the road and by the looks of the tire marks the car hit him then kept on going. If you're just tuning in we're bringing you up to date information about the car accident that put the lead singer of the High, Steven Hyde, in the hospital tonight."
"Oh my god!" Jackie said as she shot up and grabbed her phone. She quickly dialed Travis's number and waited for him to answer.
"Jackie," Travis said when picked up.
"Travis what the hell happened? Is he alright? Oh god please tell me he isn't dying."
"Jackie, breathe, he's fine. He's in stable condition; they're just waiting for him to wake up."
"Oh thanks god. What happened?"
"We don't know…the cops said it was a hit and run. Hyde's lucky to still be alive."
"Oh god," Jackie said as she started crying, "I'm coming there."
"Alright, but what about your record deal?"
"I'll tell them what happened. They'll understand. We're all rock stars." She said as she got up and began packing a bag.
"Jackie,"
"Yeah,"
"He'll be alright." Travis said as she sighed.
"I hope so. I'll see you as soon as I can."
"Alright I'll call if anything changes."
"Okay," Jackie said before she hung up.
2005-
"Hey Forman, I've decided what I'm going to do about Jackie." Hyde said as he and Eric waited for Jackie to come out of the bathroom.
"What are you going to do?"
"Last day of the tour, I'm going to serenade her, then I'm going to ask her to marry me."
"Whoa man that's really romantic. Who are you what have you done with my brother?"
"Shut up man, so are you going to help me out?"
"Of course." Eric said as Jackie walked out.
"Of course what?" She asked as she looked at the guys.
"Of course we're going to go find some ice cream." Eric said as Jackie clapped.
"Oh yay I'm getting really hungry. Let's go guys." She said as she walked ahead of them and Hyde high fived Eric behind his back.
A/N: I know eventful and a lot to process. what did you think? let me know: )