A/N: hi guys! I know it's been forever and I've realized I've gotten so bad at updating this story, but it's only because I still haven't figured out where I want it to go. I have more of an idea now so it shouldn't take as long as it's been taking to put up new chapters. I already started the next chapter (which will definitely be longer than this one) so that should be up sometime by the middle of next week. Also, thanks for the reviews so far, I'm definitely reading them but for whatever reason ff won't allow me to reply to them (I always get an error page when I click reply) but just know that I truly appreciate them and hope you guys are enjoying the story.

California-

"Annnd cut. That's a wrap for today, great job everyone."

Jackie Burkhart sits in the back of the studio watching the actors finish up the last scene of the day. It had been a long day of work; she had to edit and re-edit the script for the episode multiple times, had a few meetings with the writers and director, all on just a couple of hours of sleep. To say she was exhausted was an understatement. Though frankly she would much rather keep busy than sit in an empty apartment all day.

Even after all these months living on her own, Jackie hadn't become accustomed to the solitude she faced when arriving home. Being alone was not something she knew growing up. There was always someone around, whether it was her parents, the maids, her cheerleader friends, or the basement gang, she was never truly alone.

She had tried dating when she first moved to California. It had been hard but she managed to meet a few nice guys. One in particular, Jason, made her forget about the heartbreak and loneliness she felt. He wasn't the kind of guy she would usually go for. He was a student at the University of Southern California studying history. He came from a fairly wealthy family and his hobbies included reading, visiting museums and swimming. Pretty much the complete opposite of Steven. Yet she found herself falling quickly for his witty charm and numerous compliments.

For a few months they were nearly inseparable, going out to dinner and events at his school or just staying in her apartment enjoying each others company. Jason even introduced her to a few of his friends and ultimately helped her land her current job. However, after a while, Jackie realized that they had very little in common and both decided to continue on as friends, something she had very little of nowadays.

She found it amusing that in a matter of three years she went from most popular girl in school, to having a select few friends to being all alone in California having to start her life over, and all because of two guys, one who constantly cheated and one who refused to return her love and settle down with her.

Before her relationships with Kelso and Hyde, Jackie had prided herself on being a strong young woman who did not let guys run all over her and take her for granted. She wanted to be appreciated and treated as an equal in her relationships. After seeing the destructive marriage her parents had throughout the years (with the alcoholism, constant cheating and abandonment) she promised herself that she would not have that same life, that she would find someone who would consider themselves lucky to be with her.

She thought she had that with Michael, but of course at the age of fourteen she was too naive to realize that what she wanted was not what he wanted at the time. She wanted the "high school sweetheart" story complete with the white picket fence, children and a dog. Apparently he wanted to get through as many girls as possible to prove his "manhood" to his idiotic friends.

Then, of course, there was Hyde. As far as complex goes, they were the quantum physics of couples. It was always something with them, whether it was Kelso, fear of commitment, cheating or a brain dead stripper, it never seemed to work out for them. What made it worst is that deep down, she knew he wanted the exact same things she wanted. He wanted a family and someone who loved him, something he never had before. She was sure they would have worked out and that their lives would have been perfect, but between her constant need to push and his pride, they sabotaged their opportunity to finally be happy. And not that she didn't think he was happy (frankly she had no idea since she hadn't spoken to him in months) but she sure as hell wasn't. She wasn't miserable, but she definitely was not happy.

She thought back at the last time she was truly happy and it seemed like it was too long ago, and coincidentally, it was a quick moment she had with Hyde, right before she left for Chicago.

Flashback-

"Steven, why are we in the water tower right now? I thought we were going to the Forman's."

"Jackie, stop asking questions and just climb up."

"Ugh, fine!" She began to climb the ladder all the while thinking that her boyfriend was being extremely rude. She was about to tell him off when, after making it up the ladder, she saw a picnic blanket and basket. She turned to look at him and he had his hands crossed and his famous grin on his face. She felt a little embarrassed for almost chewing his head off but couldn't help but smile. Hyde wasn't a romantic guy. Hell, she didn't even think he knew what the word romance meant half the time, but the rare moments when he did things like this were enough to melt her heart and make her fall in love with him all over again.

"Steven, what's all this for?"

He walked closer to her and just stared at her. After a minute or so of him just staring, she began to get uncomfortable and started to turn away from him, but he grabbed her hand to stop her and pulled her into a kiss. They broke apart a few seconds later and he said, "I'm not ready to settle down, and I don't know that I will be anytime soon. I know that isn't what you want to hear but if and when the time comes where I do want to get married and all that other stuff, I wouldn't want anyone but you."

She smiled. Yes it wasn't what she wanted him to say, but this was Steven, her Steven, and that moment, knowing that he would only want a future with her, was more than enough.

-End flashback

Jackie couldn't help to smile at the memory. Through all the ups and downs and heartaches she went through with Steven James Hyde, she still couldn't deny that she truly and unconditionally loved him. Til this day he was the only man who helped her grow and who was there for her no matter what situation she faced. He was the only person she had ever felt complete with.

Setting her bad down on kitchen counter, she walked over to the couch, reached over to her answering machine to listen to her messages. The first one was from one of the show's writers inviting her out for drinks later that night. The second one caught her completely by surprise.

"Hey Jackie, it's Eric. Eric Forman. Um..I guess you're not home so I'll just leave a message. It's..It's Hyde. He was in an accident. Please call me back. Bye."