Disclaimer: That '70s Show copyright The Carsey-Werner Company, LLC and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC.

Author's Note: This story was written for the 2022 Zenmasters Anthology on tumblr.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
ADVISORY SPEED

At the Bain Wagon Theater in Kenosha, Jackie nailed her part in Two Directions, especially the climactic scene between Susan and Fred. The audience got off its collective butt to give a standing ovation. Hyde, Fez, and Jackie's folks stood in the front row, applauding, and Hyde whistled like he was at a concert. Couldn't help himself.

Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart led a path to the stage, carrying a bouquet of flowers for Jackie. Hyde and Fez were slow to follow.

"Why are you smiling?" Fez said.

"I'm not," Hyde said. "Quit looking at me." He touched his lips—crap. He was smiling. "It was a good play."

"Yes, but you stared at Jackie the whole time, the way you have all summer."

"I don't stare at Jackie, man."

"Rhonda and I talk about you a lot."

Hyde arched an eyebrow. People discussing him behind his back pissed him off. "Why?"

A crowd was gathering at the stage. Hyde and Fez would have to squeeze past a bunch of bodies to join Jackie's parents there.

"You and Jackie are adorable together," Fez said. "I thought it was an abomination at first, but Rhonda made convincing arguments. Now I'm for it."

"We're friends."

"Friends in love."

"Man, I don't have time to beat sense into you. We've gotta get to the stage and congratulate her."

Hyde rushed ahead, but Fez said at his heels, "You are so in love," and made kissing noises.

A chill set into Hyde's skin, raising goosebumps. He stopped two feet from the stage and turned to Fez. "I'm doin' Kelso a favor, all right?"

Fez shifted his eyes left then right. "What kind of favor?"

"Too insane to explain, but she'll be Kelso's girl again once he's home from Europe. That's all you need to know."

"Does Jackie know that?"

"It's what she's hopin' for."

Jackie was offstage now, holding her bouquet. She hugged Hyde when he reached her, and he said, "You kicked ass up there."

"Partly because of you. I'm really happy you were you here to see me! And the play, of course."

"I do not get a hug?" Fez said.

Jackie let go of Hyde, leaving more than his arms feeling empty, and embraced Fez.

"You are a born actress," Fez said. "The lying you've done in your life was good practice."

Jackie's face brightened. "Thank you!" She seemed genuinely touched, but she pulled Fez and Hyde aside after the hug. Her parents were talking to the play's director, and other people from the audience were with their own kids. She gazed at the bouquet and stroked the petal of a pink rose. "I'm sad Michael's not here ... but I'm sure he's sad I haven't seen him model in Europe, too."

Fez nodded with exaggerated solemnity. "Oh, yes. He's obviously thinking about you when he's walking those catwalks, being admired, and surrounded by beautiful models."

Hyde frogged Fez's shoulder, and Fez yelped in pain.

"Kelso'll get plenty of chances to see you act," Hyde said. "Drama class puts on two plays a year in school. You'll get good roles in both of 'em."

Jackie ran her hand down the front of Hyde's dress shirt. "I appreciate your confidence in me."

Her move injected hot tingles into his stomach, but Fez made kissy noises again. Hyde punched Fez's shoulder harder.

"What's that about?" she said.

"Nothin'." He raised his fist near Fez, who was wincing. "And I mean nothin'."

Jackie's folks joined them at the side of the stage. Mr. Burkhart acknowledged Fez with a look, but his full attention fell on Hyde. "How about my daughter?" he said with discernible pride.

"She'll win a Tony and an Oscar someday," Mrs. Burkhart said.

"Mom ..." Jackie hid her head behind the bouquet then peeked out from it. "Just one of each?"

She and her parents laughed while Hyde and Fez glanced at each other.

"Awards would be great and all," Jackie said, "but if I can make a living at this—" she passed the bouquet to her mom and pressed both her hands to her heart—"I want it so badly."

"Enough to quit the cheer squad and go to acting classes instead?" Mr. Burkhart said.

Her eyes widened. "You'd let me do that?"

"You've won Best Cheerleader in Wisconsin two years in a row. If you continue cheering, you'll make captain by twelfth grade, win the state competition. Then you'll join a college cheer squad, go on to a professional career, and cheer for the Packers or Dallas Cowboys."

Mr. Burkhart sounded like he was talking to a client in business. Hyde heard him speak this way to Jackie at their Friday dinners, but Mr. Burkhart cupped the back of her head, and his tone softened. "Is that what you want?

"No."

"Life involves sacrifices," he said. "You should keep practicing your dancing and gymnastics skills. They'll serve you well in Hollywood or New York, but you have to focus."

Mrs. Burkhart rubbed his upper arm. "Jack, stop it. She's just put on a successful performance. Don't pressure her."

He inhaled sharply and smoothed his hand over his dark hair. "You're right." He hugged Jackie the way Mrs. Forman often embraced Forman or Hyde. "I'm sorry, kitten. I do get caught up sometimes."

"It's okay, Dad."

Hyde hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his slacks, willing his muscles to relax. He'd learned plenty this summer about the dynamics of Jackie's family. Her folks were both overachievers, and they expected similar from her. Their intentions were good, but their … enthusiasm for Jackie's success could be oppressive. Otherwise, she and Kelso would still be together.

Jackie strolled hesitantly to the Formans' house. The sun shone above her, but the sky was growing darker. Her thoughts were the same and fueled her pulse to beyond its normal speed.

Michael was coming home today, a week before school started. According to a letter he wrote Steven, he'd drive to the Formans' after dinner with his family. He'd asked Steven to ask her to be there. She planned on it.

Too bad Eric would miss the reunion, though. He was in California. Because of Donna's letter to him, he'd decided he needed to see her in person.

His parents had said no. Steven and Fez said yes. Then they used money from Eric's Scooby-Doo thermos stash to pay for the plane ticket. Eric boarded that flight four days after Jackie's performance in Two Directions, and she, Steven, and Fez have been covering for him since.

The task wasn't easy but worth it. Eric and Donna deserved to be happy together. As long as their idiocy—or their parents—didn't interfere, they would be. Once the Formans realized they hadn't seen Eric in three days, he'd be in deep trouble. Bob wasn't particularly pleased about Donna being in California in the first place. She'd left without telling him beforehand.

But Jackie's own love life was her priority tonight. She finally arrived at the Formans' house. Michael's V.W. Microbus was parked in the driveway, and she slowed her pace. Michael, tall as ever but more muscular and tan, was embracing Steven. He hugged Fez next, and she inched close enough to hear him say, "Where's Jackie?"

She fiddled with the abalone shell pendant around her neck. "Right here," she said at the hedge near the basketball hoop.

Michael charged from the driveway and scooped her up in his arms. He smelled like forest and spices. Like Pour Monsieur by Pierre Cardin. He'd never worn cologne before the summer, only deodorant.

"Baby!" he said and kissed her passionately. She kissed him back but felt no surge of love. No excitement. His lips and body could have belonged to a mannequin's.

He put her down, and her feet were solidly on concrete. He continued to hold her, gazing at her eyes with undeniable adoration. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you, too."

"I didn't cheat on you."

"I knew you wouldn't," she said, throat thick with discomfort.

Michael moved his grasp from her waist to her hands. "Really?"

"I believed you, Michael, after our last talk. I had to think about it a while, but I realized I made a mistake not to give you a chance to be true."

"Aw!" He moved in for another kiss, butt she stopped him.

"My parents don't know I'm here with you. If they did, I'd be shipped off to boarding school."

All traces of joy vanished from him, replaced by fear. He squeezed her hands lightly. "So what are we gonna do?

"Steven and I will take care of the problem."

He glanced at his van, where Steven and Fez were talking. "Hyde?"

"Mm-hmm. He'll tell you the details. I've got to go. Stay here, right here, until I'm in the house." She stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. Then she approached Steven, and Michael remained by the hedge. "Steven, we need to talk. Now."

"Yes, dear."

"I hate when you say that."

He grinned. "That's why I say it."

They entered the Formans' kitchen through the sliding door, and what she had planned pushed her pulse even faster.