A/N: Thank you everyone for the reviews on the first chapter. I've been pretty excited about this story for a while and I'm glad a few of you have liked it so far. Mart guessed in the reviews that the news had to do with Bonham's death (which is also related to the story's title). Anyways, here's the second chapter. Hopefully you enjoy it. I'll put up chapter three next week so look out for it! Don't forget to review!
Suddenly, the door bursts open and in comes stumbling Michael Kelso who is breathlessly trying to speak.
"Kelso, relax. What's going on?" says Donna.
Kelso takes an exaggerated breath before revealing what must have been the worse news yet...
"BONHAM'S DEAD!" he shouts while flinging his arms wrecklessly around.
"WHAT?" say all the inhabitants of the basement in unison.
"BONHAM'S DEAD! I was just at The Hub trying to beat my high score in pinball and they announced it on the radio!"
"Kelso, that can't be right man, Bonham can't be dead" said Hyde who refused to believe the news his friend had just delivered.
"Hyde, man I'm telling you I heard it with these two ears" he said while idiotically pointing at his eyes instead.
"Just put on the news Hyde" said Donna.
Hyde got up from his chair, leaned towards the television and turned on the news, where the announcer confirmed the horrible news.
"Now for today's breaking news. Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham was found dead in the Clewer,Windsor home of fellow band member Jimmy Page. Tour manager Benji LeFevre discovered the body this afternoon. The reason for Bonham's death has not yet been determined. The artist was just 32 years old. Please stay tuned as we follow up on this tragic story."
As another announcer began to report on Carter's campaign, the gang sat stunned and speechless. For a few minutes no one could do anything but stare at the television.
Finally, Donna broke the silence.
"This really can not be happening, we were just listening to Zeppelin this morning and now Bonham's dead."
"Seriously, I couldn't even beat my score after that. It was like my hands didn't work" said Kelso flailing his arms around.
"Kelso, watch your arms, you're going to hurt someone" said Eric just as Hyde got out from his seat and started heading for the door.
"Hyde, where are you going?" asked Donna.
"I just have a few things I have to take care of" and with that he exited the basement.
In the Forman's Driveway
He needed to get away. Everywhere appeared to be closing in on him and he was having trouble breathing. 'He can't be dead man, it's just a bad dream.'
He wasn't sure why he was reacting the way he was. It isn't like he knew John Bonham personally and it isn't like Zeppelin was breaking up (as far as he was concerned anyways) but something inside of him triggered his emotions and he could no longer keep them bottled up. Years of anger, disappointment and hurt came pouring out and had caused him abruptly leave his friends behind.
"Hyde" said Eric from a few feet away.
"Not now Forman"
"What was that about?"
"I said not now."
"What's going on Hyde? I mean-" Eric started but was cut off.
"Look Forman, I really don't want to talk about it."
"Hyde, I'm your best friend and it's obvious that something is bothering you so if you want to talk about it, I'll listen...And I promise I won't burn you with it later."
Hyde smiled at this. He then walked over to the bed of the El Camino and took a seat. Eric followed him and both sat in silence for a few minutes before Hyde started.
"I don't know what it is"
"I know you're not big on sharing your feelings, so if you really don't want to talk about it I understand, I just wanted to help."
"Forman, I'm telling you I don't know what it is. This was like the last straw."
"What do you mean?"
"Look, you probably won't understand, but Zeppelin is the only constant in my life-the only thing that hasn't changed."
"A lot of things haven't changed Hyde."
"Yeah? Like what?"
"Hm..well..well we all still hang out in the basement."
Hyde shook his head no.
"Well, you still wear sunglasses indoors, Fez is still a candy-loving pervert, Kelso's as big an idiot as ever and Donna and I are still together. Things are like they've always been."
"You don't really believe that do you?"
Eric pursed his lips, looked down at the ground and shook his head. "No, I guess I don't."
"Listen Forman, you guys all went out to start your lives and everything changed around here. The only thing that didn't change was that I would come in every day after work and listen to Zeppelin. I stayed the same and they stayed the same, just like it's always been. But now, they changed."
"Hyde, man sometimes things happen so that we realize that we need to change."
Hyde looked at Eric square in the eyes and nodded his head slightly.
"Way to be a girl Forman."
Eric smiled and hopped off the El Camino.
"Yeah well...shut up."
Hyde laughs at Eric's weak comeback and hops off the Camino's bed also.
"Hey, I'm going for a drive. I'll be back in a few hours."
"Hyde, I'm not sure that's a good idea. No offense, but you have a record of doing stupid things when you're upset."
"Forman, I'll be fine okay. I'll be back in no time."
"Fine, but if you're not I'm telling Red to put his foot up your ass. God knows he's been dying to actually do it."
Hyde nods his head and heads over to the driver's seat.
As he pulls out of the driveway, Eric can't help but to think that it wasn't very smart to let him go and hoped that his friend wouldn't do something he'll regret.
Somewhere in California
Jackie Burkhart sat in her chair sipping on a cup of coffee. She hated Thursdays because no filming took place and it meant that she had to sit in a meeting with the other executives of the shows and the writers and try to figure out new plots.
"What if they break something and as punishment have to work to pay off the damages?" suggested one writer.
"That might be good. We can really develop Blair's character. Yes, sounds good, work on developing that" said another one.
As suggestions kept going back and forth and ideas were picked up or dropped, Jackie began thinking about other places she would rather be at.
'Home taking a hot shower, shopping. I definitely could use a new skirt and a few tops. Wisconsin...no not Wisconsin, there's nothing there for me anymore."
"Jackie, what do you think?" asked Ben Starr, one of the show's developers.
Taken out of her trance, Jackie looks around the table trying to figure out what she should answer. Luckily for her, one of the writers was subtly nodding her head yes.
"Uh, I think it's good and we should work it into the show."
"Okay, that settles it. Expand that plot further and have it on my desk in two weeks. Now if no one has anything else to say-"
"I um, have something to say" interrupted a writer.
'Ugh come on,' thought Jackie 'just shut up so we can go home.'
"Um, I know it has nothing to do with the show, but I just wanted to inform you guys that John Bonham was found dead earlier today."
"Bonham from Led Zeppelin?"
At the mention of Zeppelin, Jackie's ears perked up.
"Yes. Their manager found him dead earlier."
Her heart sank and her mind went directly to Hyde. She hadn't spoken to him in months and didn't know if he still liked Zeppelin, though she was sure he did, and assumed that if he knew, he was pretty upset.
"Well, thanks for letting us know Larry, that's very tragic news. I think we should end this meeting here" said Starr and everyone nodded in agreement.
Jackie gathered her belongings and walked out of the building towards her car.
After all these months, she occasionally thought about Hyde and she still wanted him to be happy, even if it wasn't with her.
As she began driving away from the studio, she couldn't help but feel that something was wrong.
