AN: Sorry this update took so long. I got writer's block and started working on a one-shot (which I'll be posting within the next two weeks) to get some inspiration. I finally got back on track, so here's the new chapter.

California-

It had been a little over two hours since Jason left for his class and Jackie was becoming more anxious by the minute. She was still not sure what it was that she wanted from him. When she told him to come over, she had every intention of starting a physical relationship once again, just to rid herself of the loneliness she was feeling.

However, the more she began to think about it, the more she regretted the plan. If she did in fact sleep with him simply to feel better, she would still be that girl from Point Place who could not stand on her own two feet. She would be the girl who needed a man to validate her. Jackie knew she would not be able to take herself seriously if she so easily fell back to her old ways, especially after everything she had been put through.

She decided that she needed to be honest with Jason, as he was the only person in California she could confide in.

Point Place-

Hyde was sitting out in the basement with Donna, Fez and Eric. Forman was flipping through channels as Donna told them of her latest college adventure (this time involving a topless girl, a banjo playing hippie and a dog). Fez was seating opposite Hyde on the lawn chair and appeared to be struggling to open a chocolate bar.

For a few minutes Hyde forgot all about California. He was so comfortable doing just this-sitting with his friends, not needing to say anything at all. It was, however, a very rare occurrence for them for them to be together, so he knew he couldn't just sit and wait for the times where he could be this comfortable. He would have to go out and find the source of constant comfort. He needed to go to California and get back the life he longed to have again. Before he started thinking too much about this, there was one thing he needed to know.

"Fez man, you still haven't told us about this new lady of yours" he began.

Fez, who had finally managed to get his candy bar opened, smiled goofily.

"Ooh, you mean my new lady love. She is hot."

"Do we know who she is?" asked Donna rather excited.

"Maybe you do and maybe you do" replied Fez.

"You mean don't" corrected Eric.

"Nooo, i mean do, as in the opposite of don't."

Hyde smirked and shook his head.

"So we do know her. Who is she?" asked Donna.

"Well, let's just say she is big and she loves her a side of chocolate" he replied while popping a piece of chocolate in his mouth.

"She's big and likes chocolate...hm. Fez you're going to narrow that down, it could be anybody" said Eric.

"No you moron, not actual chocolate, he's talking about himself. She's big and she likes Fez."

"Fez, are you dating Big Rhonda?" asked Donna.

"Why yes, yes I am."

The other three members of the gang turned and stared at each other both shocked and amused. Ever since their junior year, Fez had called Rhonda his "soul goddess." According to him, she possessed the three qualities he was looking for in a woman: She was big, had a big appetite, and most importantly, she put out.

"Didn't she move to like Mississippi or something?"

"She moved back a few weeks ago."

"How did you guys start dating again?" asked Donna who was beginning to get more excited about this and Hyde could tell she would probably start asking a lot of questions.

"I was at the Piggly Wiggly trying to pick up hot older ladies-which didn't work by the way- when all of a sudden there she was, like a beautiful statue. She was eating the weanie samples and the rest is history."

"Have you told your wife yet?"

"Laurie and are are no more my American friend. She, as well as I, have moved on from our disgraceful marriage/"

"So you guys are really getting divorced?"

"Yes. All I have to do is find her. I think she might in Carlos' house."

"Who's Carlos?" asked Eric.

"I have no idea" Fez replied as he popped another piece of chocolate into his mouth.

Once again, there was a comfortable silence. Donna was looking around at the three guys she had become so close to throughout the years and she knew she had to bring up California, much to Hyde's dismay.

"So Hyde, what time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Um..10 I guess."

"So you're really going through with it?"

"Yes Donna."

Donna looked over at Eric and Hyde assumed that Eric told Donna about the conversation they had recently and how much of a bad idea his trip was. As such, Hyde was ready for yet another lecture from his friends. If he didn't know any better, it seemed as though they had stepped back to a few years before when they tried convincing him out of moving to New York with Chrissy. In retrospect, he acknowledge that did he a favor then, but now he was confident that he needed to do this.

"Oh, I just figured that by now you'd decide to..you know, stay."

"Why would I do that?" he asked raising an eyebrow, knowing very well what her answer would be.

"Well...Eric and I were talking and we...we don't think it's um...we don't think it's a good idea for you to go."

Before he could answer, Fez interrupted.

"I think it's a good idea."

Everyone turned to look at him. Donna looked a big annoyed that he contradicted her, while Eric and Hyde were more amused as to what he would say.

"Why Fez?" asked Donna.

"He's not doing anything else here" the foreigner answered matter-of-factly.

"Jeez thanks Fez" replied Hyde.

"You're welcome" answered Fez failing to catch the sarcasm in Hyde's voice.

"He has his store here, of course he's doing something."

"If he goes to California to open a store then he'll be doing something there too."

"Why go to California to do something he's already doing here?" asked Donna and it seemed as though she and Fez would continue going back and forth like this which Hyde didn't mind too much because he didn't have to answer any questions.

"Maybe he's bored of doing the same thing here."

During moments like these, when Fez managed to say something smart, Hyde appreciated his foreign buddy even more. Frankly, he had given him more reasons to want to go to California. He was pretty tired of Point Place and the routine he had grown accostumed to in the past months. There were days where he felt stuck and a lot of that had to do with the town. Since he was little, he had worked on a reputation as a rebel, a young man trying to fight the establishment by any means necessary. He endulged in that image for years and now, he couldn't do away with it. As long as he stayed in Point Place, he was nothing but the criminal rebel child of rwo disfunctional alcoholics.

"Yeah but that's not the reason he's going there" said Donna which made the boys stare at her.

A few seconds passed before Hyde took over for Fez.

"Why am I going then Donna?" he asked, almost challenging her to say it.

"I didn't mean..I..Hyde."

"Why am I going?" he urged on.

"You know why Hyde."

"Just say it."

"Jackie. You're going to California for Jackie okay?"

There it was. The thing they had been avoiding for days was finally laid out on the table. Hyde was sure that everyone thought the same thing. Hell, to be honest she was one of the main reasons he was going there. However, everyone else had been smart enough to not mention it around him.

Once again, that awkward silence took over. Hyde and Donna just stared at each other while Eric and Fez shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Finally, Hyde broke the silence. As he was getting up from his chair he said, "Always so damn smart Pinciotti."

He was making his way to his room when Donna got up from her chair. It was obvious that she got insulted by his statement and was not going to back down. She was not going to be penalized for trying to look out for a friend. She was doing the right thing and whether or not everyone else was willing to tell Hyde how much he'd regret the move, she was going to make sure he knew she wasn't supporting it.

"You know I'm right Hyde. You know the only reason you want to open a store in California is because that's where Jackie is and I'm sorry to break it to you but that ship sailed a long time ago."

Eric knew this was not going to end well and had to try to step in.

"Donna, I think you should stop."

"No Forman, let he keep going. Donna always knows what's best for everybody, don't you Donna?"

"What the hell does that mean?"

"You always have to have an opinion. Sometimes, I don't really give a damn what you say because it has nothing to do with you. Whatever my reason is for leaving, is my decision. It doesn't affect you."

"You're my friend Hyde, it does affect me. It affects us all."

"So it's okay for you to run off to California or Forman to go to Africa for a year but not for me?"

"It's not like that Hyde. This isn't good for you."

"I'll be the judge of that" he concluded before going into his room.

"You're making a mistake and you know it" she yelled, right before he closed the door.

As Fez popped the last piece of chocolate in his mouth, Eric walked over to Donna and said, "We just need to let him go."

She nodded her head yes, knowing that she had just given Hyde the most important reason to go to California-he was going to go simply to prove her wrong.