Brace yourself-and don't get mad but there's a speedbump coming. I promise this will end happily! I also want to say THANK YOU to the many people who have left reviews. You guys are the best! I'm thrilled you're reading and very happy so many of you seem into it.
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FYI- most of the chapter is rated T, but there's a tiny section that's slightly M-ish, - though it's not too long or involved and can easily be skipped.
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CHAPTER 17
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Donna, Jackie and Brooke are all standing in front of a wall mirror in Jackie's apartment, having a final, last minute fitting. Donna is wearing a sexy green silk slip. Brooke is in a Grace Kelley style wedding dress with a princess crown and veil. Jackie wears a skin-tight magenta confection with a bustle. They pass a joint between themselves, having their own 'fancy' circle.
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"We are a classy classy sight" Donna says, fingering Brooke's veil with her free hand as she grabs for the joint. "The fanciest circle in all the land!"
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"If you bitches get any ash on these dresses I'm going to make you walk down the aisle naked" Jackie threatens very seriously.
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"Michael would probably prefer that" Brooke laughs hysterically as she tokes very carefully to avoid dropping any ash. "Where did you get this stuff, Jackie? It's strong!"
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"Steven dropped it off earlier" she answers, grabbing the joint from Brooke. "I told him we wanted to have a circle."
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"Things seem to be going well with you two, which from past experience means we can probably expect World War III to break out shortly." Donna remarks.
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Jackie coughs as she finishes the last of the roach. "Not that I don't appreciate the vote of confidence, Big Red, but not this time. At least, I don't think, but you never know with Steven. He's very mysterious," she blushes.
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"Is he still not calling you his girlfriend?" Brooke asks delicately.
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Jackie scowls at Donna. "According to him, we're 'hanging out'. He thinks that labeling a relationship subjugates both men and women, whatever the hell he means by that. Honestly though, I don't really care what he calls it. I'm having fun."
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"Are you feeling okay?" her former-best friend checks. "This is an atypical Jackie-like response."
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She laughs. "Yeah, well...whatever. I can't really complain, he's been on his best behavior. He calls me a lot, takes me out for dinner to restaurants that have tablecloths - which I know he hates - and he's just...I'm just happy. Plus, the work out he's been giving my lady parts has been- -"
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"That'll be enough of that!" the blonde cringes.
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"Give me the details later" Brooke whispers not-so-subtly.
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Jackie winks at her friend. "I'm just trying to get used to the new Steven, assuming this is all for real and he wasn't, you know, hit on the head with a piano or something," she explains.
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"I guess I'm just kind of worried for you." Donna admits. "I don't mean to be a buzzkill but what are you going to do if he goes back to being the same old jerk to you that he once was? He just seems too good to be true right now."
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"Yeah. I'm not as stupid as you think I am, Donna. I know people don't really change, but I'm trying to live in the moment for once. she says, feeling suddenly very sad.
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Brooke leans over and brushes her little friend's hair from her face. "I believe people can change." she says with pep. "Look at Michael. He's not the same guy he was a few years ago."
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Jackie forces a smile and tries to seem positive, but deep down she feels the sharp tug of dread. If Steven has taught her anything, it's that when things seem to be going well you should brace yourself, because the other shoe is gonna drop- - hard, and probably right on her head.
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"Forget about me—this night is about Brooke" she asserts perkily.
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Brooke starts tearing up and puts an arm around each of them. "This has been the best bachelorette party ever!"
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"Brooke, we didn't do anything besides smoke up, let Jackie give us facials and eat M&Ms" Donna laughs.
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"Trust me Donna, when you have a toddler, that's like Paradise" she sighs.
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Jackie folds her arms. "Well, this is unacceptable. We need to do something fun and wild for Brooke's last night as a single lady. I mean, the boys are off living it up at an Indian casino while we're sitting around getting fat and- "
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"Wait. What?" Donna shoots her a confused look. "Who's going to an Indian casino?"
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"Our guys" she responds, as if the lumberjack is a moron.
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Brooke averts her eyes and starts busying herself by removing her veil.
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Donna looks down and bites her thumb nail anxiously, unsure of what to say.
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The feisty brunette puts her hands on her hips and takes a hard stance. "Just say it." she prompts calmly, bracing herself for an answer she both fears and in the back of her brain, kind of suspects.
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Neither woman wants to speak up.
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"Fine. I'll say it. They went to a strip club. Am I right?" she prods, trying to stay zen.
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"We thought you knew" Donna says with empathy.
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The bride tries to calm her friend down by rubbing her back. "I'm so sorry honey. I know this is a sore subject for you."
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The midget shakes it off. "No. I'm fine. More than fine, actually. It's my best friend's wedding tomorrow and I intend to send her off with a bang. There are slut dresses on the garment rack in the corner and I expect you ladies will be ready for a night of drinking and dancing in 20 minutes."
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Brooke and Donna look at each other nervously.
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"What are you waiting for, bitches? You're not getting any younger!" she huffs as she unzips her maid of honor dress and lets it fall to the floor.
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The boys are sitting in one of the front tables at a mid-level strip club in Kenosha. Fez and Kelso are half in the bag already, tossing singles generously at any woman in a half-way revealing outfit, regardless of their occupation.
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Embarrassed though thoroughly amused by Fez's leering, Eric hangs back. "I don't really see the point of this. I mean, Kelso's probably already slept with half the staff here anyway."
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"It's true! I totally have!" he screams as he does another shot with Fez.
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"Also, I guess I just don't see the point of paying money to take their tops off when we can't even touch them or wank-off," he thinks.
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"Forman, you've been spending way too much time with Donna" Hyde laughs, shaking his head. "There used to be a time when the sight of a naked woman didn't make you think so hard."
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"The sight of a naked woman does more than make me think hard, if you know what I mean" Fez laughs knowingly.
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Kelso laughs along with him for a moment and then stops. "No, what do you mean?"
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Fez leans over to confess "It also makes my penis hard."
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"Oh right!" he laughs, finally getting it.
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Hyde winces. "Keep that shit to yourself man, nobody needs to hear about your dong."
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Just then, a tall blonde stripper in a tube top slides herself onto Hyde's lap. "Hey blue jeans" she flirts.
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Kelso freaks. "Oh my God, is Sam back?" he asks as he stands up and points to his buddy. "BURN!" he screams.
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Hyde looks at the dancer and swallows hard. She does look almost exactly like Sam, in as much as all blonde strippers of a certain age and build look the same. In his vast experience, he's found there isn't much variation where the blondes are concerned. That never seemed to bother him before, but he seems very bothered by it right now.
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"Hey gentlemen. Sorry I'm late. I had to swap out a new part on my car" Casey Kelso drawls as he struts into the club, catching admiring looks from most of the women working there.
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"Hey!" Kelso shouts excitedly as he leaps to hug his big brother. "I'm getting married, man! WOOO!"
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Eric looks up at Casey from his seat and shrugs. "He's had a lot to drink."
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"Well hello there, Foreplay" he mocks, while pulling up a chair. "Heard you were in Africa. Did you get to sample any of the local 'cuisine'?" he smirks in the sleaziest way possible.
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"Sadly no" Eric condescends, not wanting to play ball with this asshole. "I'm engaged to Donna, remember?"
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"Ah yeah. Pinciotti" he coos, drawing out her name as if he has a secret. "How is that hot little number? She still as foxy as when she was dating me or has she gone downhill?" Casey fake pouts.
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"I'm happy to report, her juggs are still a-poppin'" Fez confirms.
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"Thank you...Fez" Eric remarks, nonplussed.
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"Lucky man, that Foreplay, but not as lucky as this guy!" he shouts, pointing to Hyde with two gun hands. "Every man's dream is to be married to a stripper, am I right guys?"
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Everybody falls into an awkward silence.
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"Yeah, this isn't Sam and it turns out we weren't really married after all. So...whatever." he says, trying to glaze over the topic.
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"Then who's this fine piece sitting on your lap?" he asks with a wink. "Sure lookin' cozy."
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"Feeling cozy" the stripper giggles then shifts back an forth with purpose on Hyde's lap as she starts playing with his curls.
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He knocks her hand away from his 'fro and points to Kelso. "That guy is getting married tomorrow" he informs her as he pulls out his wallet and hands her $60. "Show him a good time."
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"Thanks baby. Maybe you can go next?" she says.
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"Not interested." he says gruffly.
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She shrugs and kisses his cheek, then hops off his lap and slinks over to Kelso and Fez.
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"Good thing Jackie wasn't here to see that, right?" Eric laughs uncomfortably.
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"Yeah..." Hyde replies, deep in thought.
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"You didn't tell her we were coming here did you?" he frowns, knowing this will not end well for his brother.
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"I didn't want to worry her" he admits.
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The skinny guy shakes his head in disgust. "You never learn, do you?"
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"It'll be fine. Settle down, you big girl" he grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest.
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"How long do you think you can keep this up?" Eric wonders. "This whole Jackie thing," he clarifies as he nurses his beer.
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"Until one of us drops dead, hopefully" he answers plainly.
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"Come on. You want to spend the rest of your life with that she-devil?" he balks.
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"Don't make me hit you, Forman" Hyde growls.
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"Well" Casey slaps his lap and stand up. "This was a blast, but I'm gonna head on across the street to see if I can't find a lady I'm actually allowed to touch" he announces, opening and closing his hands.
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Kelso's face drops. "You're leaving already?" he whines.
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"What do you need me for when you've got them?" he gestures to the stripper's now naked breasts, currently being shoved in his baby brother's face.
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"He has a point" Fez nods in agreement. "Who needs Casey when you have boobies?"
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Jackie, Brooke and Donna are at a VIP table doing lemon drop shots.
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"And this one-is to Brooke having an orgasm every single time!" Jackie slurs, pounding her shot.
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Brooke giggles. "I'll drink to that" she says as she guzzles.
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"And this one-is to Michael remembering to bring Brooke two bunches of flowers each year for both Valentine's Day and her anniversary, even though they're on the same day," she squeals as she drinks up.
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"Here here! I'll drink to that too!" Brooke shouts.
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Donna starts to get a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach and wonders if she can invent a way to get the girls home quickly and in one piece. Though she can see Brooke's having a great time, she's positive no good time is worth looking hung over in your wedding pictures. She may be a tomboy, but she's still a girl, and this much she knows.
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"Hey, Brooke. We really should be getting you home" she suggests. "With the wedding tomorrow and all."
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"I'm getting married tomorrow! WOOO!" Brooke hoots as Jackie refills her shot glass, sprinkles more sugar on her friend's wrist and searches through a pile of used lemon wedges to find two fresh ones.
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"Jackie, don't you think you guys have had enough?" she worries.
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Out of the corner of her eye, Donna spies Casey Kelso sauntering into the nightclub, and for the first time in years, she feels happy to see him. Catching his eye, she waves him over.
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"Hey ladies" he says, giving them a self-satisfied smile. "Having a fun night?"
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"The best, Casey!" Brooke shouts, right in Donna's ear.
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Donna taps her eardrum to make sure it's still in tact. "They're having a little too much fun, I think" she assesses.
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"Looking good, Pinciotti" he nods appreciatively. "You the designated driver tonight?"
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She shrugs. "Unfortunately. I really think we need to get Brooke home now before we end up having to drag her down the aisle, half-conscious, wearing dark sunglasses. I've been trying for 20 minutes but they won't budge" she complains.
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"Let me take care of this. I have a way with the ladies. " he suggests confidently.
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"Hey Brooke. Donna here is going to take you home now, okay?" he asks.
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She smiles at him with drunk eyes. "Okay Casey".
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"Wow. Not sure how you managed that, but thanks" she smiles, helping Brooke up from the table.
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"Anything for you, Pinciotti" he smiles in return. "And if you ever get bored playing with action figures, you know where I live."
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"Not gonna happen, but thanks" she laughs as she grabs Brooke's handbag for her. "Get up, midget!"
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"Wait! I'm not ready to go home yet" Jackie whines.
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"Jackie Burkhart. Where have you been hiding, beautiful?" he questions smoothly.
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"Just because I wasn't hanging out with the usual losers, doesn't mean I was hiding" she sniffs.
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"Jackie! We're going home NOW. Come on!" Donna claps her hands a few times, getting impatient.
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"I said I'm not leaving yet, you lumberjack!" she scowls.
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Casey taps his chest and cocks his head to the side. "I got this one, Big-D. Why don't you take my sister-in-law home and I'll keep an eye on this little thing."
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"That's what I'm afraid of" she tells him with a furrowed brow.
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"Don't be ridiculous. She's like a baby sister to me!" he says, grimacing at what she's implying. "I'll be good. Scout's honor!" he swears, holding up his fingers
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Donna's a little uneasy but has run out of options. "Okay...I guess. Just...don't try anything funny, Casey, or I'll have to kick your ass." she responds skeptically as she practically drags an inebriated Brooke out of the club.
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Jackie turns to him and laughs. "You were never a scout".
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He winks at her. "No, but I did beat a few of them up in high school".
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She laughs. "You Kelso boys are as tough as you are pretty".
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He leans forward and drinks Brooke's untouched shot. "The same can be said of the Burkhart ladies. Wanna dance?"
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"Oh thank God! Steven never wants to dance" she complains as she runs around the table and grabs Casey's hand.
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He pulls her close and she can feel herself getting dizzy. Maybe dancing wasn't the best idea. In fact, staying there with Casey is a pretty lousy idea too. Not that he isn't cute...or a pretty good dancer. Yeah, Jackie is now fairly certain that staying with Casey is a horrible idea.
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"Steven who?" he casually questions. "Is he your boyfriend?"
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"Hyde and nope" she says definitively. "We're just 'hanging out', according to him" she sighs, signaling her displeasure with their status.
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"If you were my chick, I'd 'lock it down', if you know what I mean" he grins lasciviously.
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"Wish he felt the same" she pouts. "Instead of 'locking it down', he's probably feeling up some whore in a strip club right now," she speculates bitterly.
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His grin widens as he seizes upon a golden opportunity. "As a matter of fact...that's exactly what Hyde is doing right now. I just came from Michael's stag night across the street," he informs her gleefully.
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Jackie's feels like she just received the news she's gained ten pounds and her head begins to throb. "What?" she asks fearfully.
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"Oh yeah, he had some hot blonde number wiggling on his lap when I got there, and as I was leaving I saw him hand her a wad of cash. Guess 'hanging out' means he can still bang tall, blonde strippers" he shrugs innocently.
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Donna emerges from the club practically carrying Brooke out with her. From across the street, she can see Eric opening the door to the Vista Cruiser.
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"Eric!" she screams, loud enough for him to hear.
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He looks up and smiles.
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"A little help here?" she begs as she waves him over.
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Eric runs to her aid. "What are you doing here? I thought you guys were staying in?"
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"Me too, but Jackie wanted to show Brooke a good time" she explains and she shifts some of Brooke's weight onto her boyfriend. "Of course, this suggestion came right after she discovered that instead of going to an Indian Casino, as Hyde had told her, you were going to a strip club."
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"Great. I'm really looking forward to hearing how this all turns out. Now, if you'll just excuse me..." he pretends like he's leaving, sending Donna into hysterical laughter.
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"Eric! We have to be here for Jackie! What if she needs us? What if Hyde needs somebody to bandage his shins?" she challenges him.
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Eric sighs.
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Jackie face crumples up as she flashes back to Sam draping herself all over Steven for those many torturous months last year. He told her he loved her and then he married a whore. There's just no way her psyche can handle something like that again. She realizes now that she'd be smarter to head this thing off at the pass.
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"Wanna get out of here?" she asks pointedly, shocking Casey with her brazenness.
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He grins smugly. "Little Jackie Burkhart, you wildcat" he says, shaking his finger at her. "Hell yeah, I want to get out of here."
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He grabs her hand and leads her to the front door before she changes her mind, amazed at how perfectly she played into his hands. His idiot brother may have plowed Little Miss J when she was a girl, but she's all woman now and he can't wait to rub it in Mikey's stupid face that he got to have her after her tits finally came in.
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Jackie's heart begins to beat in her ears and she can feel her grip on the situation slowly falling away. This is wrong. She knows in her gut it's wrong, but she can't seem to stop it. She curses herself for being an idiot and for being so self-destructive. She hates having no control, but she can feel herself circling the drain, and if it comes down to Steven or her, she'd much rather be the one to put the bullet in her own brain.
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Just before they reach the door, Casey backs her up into a wall in a dark corner and presses his erection against her, which causes her to gasp. "I've been thinking about doing this for years, Burkhart" he whispers almost menacingly in her ear, causing her to shiver from the soft vibration of his warm breath hitting her neck. "I'm really looking forward to it."
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"Good," she says, trying to steady herself on her wobbly knees. "I like a man who's grateful".
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Casey laughs. "Oh don't you worry, beautiful, I'm going to show you just how grateful I can be."
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He leans forward and kisses her, slowly, sensually, dipping his tongue in and around her mouth, across her lips, teasing her gently. He's had a lot of practice and it shows.
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Jackie's head feels even foggier than before now. She moans softly as his hands move down the front of her body, tweaking her nipples through her satin slip dress, making them stand to attention under his expert touch.
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This is insane. She has no idea what the fuck she's doing, but Steven's across the street doing the same thing to her and she refuses to be the victim this time. If she's going to get hurt, she'll make sure it cuts him just as deeply.
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"You feel so good, baby" he breathes into her neck as he nibbles away behind her ear, dragging his tongue down to the crook of her neck and sucking on her there.
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"Casey..." she pants as he covertly slips his hand under her dress.
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"I want to feel how wet you are for me" he groans into her neck as he slides the crotch of her panties aside and dips a finger into her hot core. "Damn, Jackie" he says in true Kelso fashion. "I don't know if I can wait to take you all the way home."
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He plunges his finger into her harder and she gasps. Her heart is screaming now for her to stop, but her head is making her push on.
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"Then don't" she groans, teetering on the knife's edge of pleasure and pain. Her soul is withering as she stands there, but his fingers are making her feel so good that she finds herself climbing the edge of pleasure despite herself.
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Just as she's about to reach her peak, she has a moment of clarity. Even if Steven's the kind of person who is capable of cheating, she's not. It's not within her.
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"No" she says softly. "No. I can''t—I can't do this" she cries as she pushes him off of her, gently at first, denying herself the impending release. "I'm so sorry Casey. I'm so sorry." she pushes harder and escapes his grasp.
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She starts to walk quickly towards the front door but he grabs her arm. "Come on, Jackie. We were just getting started."
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She shakes his hand free. "I just can't. I'm sorry," she says crying as she walks through the front door into the parking lot.
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"Why?" he whines.
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"I'm doing this for the wrong reasons" she admits as she continues outside.
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"Jackie" Casey calls out "I don't care what your reasons are, baby" as he stands before her, practically begging.
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"Casey! Go home!" she screams, getting irritated with his constant pestering.
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From across the street, Donna and Eric can hear them arguing. Donna looks over at Eric with alarm and silently runs across the street to help Jackie.
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Just as Donna leaves, Hyde emerges from the strip club. "Sorry man, it took forever to get my coat. I think that's how they trap you there" he laughs.
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Eric turns towards his friend with a tense expression.
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Hyde looks confused. "What's wrong?" he asks just before hearing a familiar voice yelling from the other side of the street.
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"Go away Casey!" she screams at him drunkenly as he grabs her by the shoulders.
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"You're nothing but a tease, Burkhart! No wonder my brother ran around on you." he taunts.
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"That's enough." Donna tells him firmly and pushes him off of her friend roughly.
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"Stay out of it, Pinciotti!" he growls.
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"I don't think I can do that, Casey" she warns in a low voice.
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"Why don't you go take a cold shower and leave me alone, you sleazebag." Jackie yells loudly.
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Hyde takes off to the opposite parking lot and positions himself in front of Jackie. "What's going on here?"
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"Your little girlfriend is nothing but a cock tease" he hisses.
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Hyde nervously shoots Jackie a look and then turns back to Casey with his chest puffed out and clenches his jaw. "Your brother is getting married tomorrow, so I'm going to give you one chance to walk away, and if you don't, I will bash your fucking head in. They'll be pushing you down the aisle in a wheelchair" he threatens coolly, both fists balled tightly and ready for action.
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Casey laughs. "Whatever man. That bitch isn't worth it anyway!" he says maliciously.
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Jackie walks around Hyde and kicks Casey hard in the right shin. He grabs his leg and winces in pain, then looks at her in complete shock. Not satisfied, she kicks him again in the left shin this time. "I'm the only one allowed to call me a bitch, got it?" she snaps as she turns to walk away.
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Hyde watches as Casey skulks back towards his car and turns to check on Jackie, only to find that she's already halfway down the block with Donna trailing behind.
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"Jackie!" he calls out, trying to get her to slow down.
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She doesn't respond, so he tries again. "Hey!" he screams as he jogs over to her and cuts off her path.
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"Get out of my way, Steven" she demands coldly, hands crossed over her chest.
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"Jackie, what's wrong?" he asks. "What happened over there?"
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She laughs. "What's wrong? Really? What do you think is wrong?" she roars.
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He steadies her by putting his hands on her shoulders. "Talk to me" he demands gently, dipping his head low to try to meet her gaze.
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"Did you win anything at the Indian casino tonight, Hyde?" she asks, narrowing her eyes.
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His face falls. "Oh".
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"Yeah. Oh" she whispers to herself. "Heard you had a good time though. I know how much you just love blonde strippers" she hisses, practically choking on the word stripper. "Bet she showed you a good time, just like S-Sam used to."
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He flinches at the mention of his sort of ex-wife's name.
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"It's not what you think" he starts to frantically explain.
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"Oh don't worry Puddin' Pop, Casey told me all about it." she says with an acridity he's not used to from her.
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His body stiffens. "Did he now?"
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"He said she was on your lap and all over you. He said you gave her a wad of cash" she continues.
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"It was for her to dance for Kelso" he explains.
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She runs her hands through hair. "You know, even if I believed you—which I don't-you still lied to me about coming here tonight. You're always going to be untrustworthy and I just can't live like this anymore."
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"What are you saying" he asks, his voice wavering.
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She places her hand over her mouth and holds back a sob. "We tried, okay? We tried and I'm glad we did, because now I know for sure that we never would have worked."
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Hyde closes his eyes and prays that this is all a horrible dream. He's worked so hard to get her back, he wants this so much, and with one stupid mistake he managed to fuck it all up over the course of a few hours. "Jackie, we do work. The last two months have been the best of my life." he pleads, reaching out for her.
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She shakes her head. "Don't touch me. It always complicates things when you touch me."
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"I'm sorry doll. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you the truth and if I could go back and do it again I wouldn't lie to you, but I was only trying to protect you." he ardently tries to make her understand. "Please don't leave me." he begs quietly. "I love you."
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"I know I'll never love anybody like I love you, but you're just not good for me. You told me once that if I felt bad about myself around you that you would rather leave me alone," she recalls. "Well, I'm feeling pretty crappy about myself right now Steven," her voice catches in a sob, despite her best efforts to keep it together.
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Unable to stand her weeping and deathly afraid he's lost her, Hyde grabs Jackie and holds her tightly to his chest, almost willing her to stay with him. "I'm so sorry baby, I'm sorry." he whispers into her hair, over and over again like a mantra. "I can't give up. I know I said I would, but I won't. I can't, okay?"
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She pulls back from him and wipes her tear-stained eyes. "I almost fucked Casey Kelso in that nightclub. I wanted to get back at you because hearing about you with that stripper made me feel lower than shit. I felt like nothing."
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Hyde is stricken. "Jackie, I-"
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She waves him away. "The reason I'm leaving isn't because of the stripper, Steven, it's because what you did tonight drove me to debase myself. I let Casey Kelso put his fingers all over me in a public nightclub for revenge. You've turned me into a whore, and I can't forgive you for that, no matter how much I want to." She turns and walks away towards Donna, who is waiting for her halfway down the block.
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"Jackie!" he brays, like a wounded animal.
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The lumberjack embraces her midget friend with care, giving freely her the support and love she once withheld.
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Donna glances up at Hyde with sad, disapproving eyes, and guides Jackie down the street towards her car.
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A/N - DRAMA! Okay, I know I know, you wanted to see them cute and happy-and I promise you will, but it wouldn't be as interesting without a few bumps, right? Let me know what you think by PLEASE reviewing this chapter! I'm dying to hear from everybody!