Jackie dragged Hyde by his arm back into Fun land, Fez followed behind them.
�We can�t leave without him. We have to find him.�
�Look Jackie. He got himself lost. He can find his way home.� Hyde said, turning around to walk back out the entrance.
�Yes. I had too much candy. I need to go rest.� Fez whined, clutching his stomach.
�I�ll buy you more candy if you stay.� Jackie said.
Fez�s eyes lit up, �More candy! Kelso? Oh Kelso?� Fez walked off in the opposite direction looking for Kelso.
Jackie crossed her arms and stared at Hyde, �See Steven! Some people are willing to look for Michael.�
�Yeah, but that�s not fair. You know how Fez is with candy. You tricked him into looking for him.�
�So? Come on you big baby. We�re going to find Michael.� Jackie took hold of Hyde�s arm and pulled him off in the direction opposite from where Fez had gone.
�Look Jackie. No one is here.� Hyde looked around. They were the only people in the park, �Where the hell did Fez go?�
�Who knows. Fun land is like gigantic-land.� Jackie said, looking around, �Which way did we come from again?�
�How should I know. I wasn�t paying attention.�
�Oh great! We�re lost in Fun land! With each other.�, Jackie gasped in horror. �Oh just wonderful.�
�I�m not thrilled about that idea either. But we�re not lost. We just gotta find the entrance and then find Fez, and leave before they close-�
All of a sudden the lights of the park shut off and it was dead silence.
�Um, Steven. Does this mean that the park is closed?�
�I don�t know...� Hyde scratched his head, �Maybe?�
�Oh great! We�re locked in fun land!� Jackie said, �With each other!� Jackie gasped in horror again.
�Oh can it Jackie. Let�s go find Fez.�
~20 minutes later~
�Steven. My feet are killing me.� Jackie complained.
Hyde looked at her shoes and rolled her eyes, �Then you should have picked out a different outfit.�
�Excuse me? No. Don�t you even start with me. Look at you! I can�t believe you�d go out of the house looking like that.� Jackie put her hands on her hips and looked him up and down.
�Like I care?�
�Well you should. I�m simply trying to give you fashion advice.�
�I don�t need your advice. I don�t want your advice. Your the one who got us in this mess.�
�Me? Oh no no no. Michael did. We are looking for Michael.�
�Well Kelso isn�t here. He�s probably at my car or walked home. So therefore, the blame is all you.�
�No it�s not! I was being a good girlfriend. He is my responsibility.�
Hyde shook his head, �You�re so stupid.� He muttered.
�Excuse me?� Jackie crossed her arms.
�What? Nothing.�
�Did you call me stupid?�
�No.�
Jackie glared at him.
�Yes. Hey.� Hyde put up his hands, �It�s only the truth.�
�It is not! I get A�s and B�s.�
�Not in school.�
�Then what?�
�Your stupid because of Kelso.�
�How does Michael make me stupid?�
�Jackie. He is the worst boyfriend a girl could possibly have.�
�That is not true. He is hot and sweet.�
�Hot? Sweet? Oh yeah. A guy who cheats on you constantly. That�s love, baby.�
�He has changed, Steven. He�s better now.�
�Oh come on Jackie. Kelso is going to be the same Kelso. You�re just setting yourself up for another heartache. And I�m going to laugh when it happens.�
Jackie paused for a second.
�I can�t believe you. Why are you always so mean to me?�
�I�m not being mean to you Jackie. If anything, I�m being nice to you by pointing out the obvious and warning you! I�m being a friend more than an enemy.�
�First you insult my relationship with Michael and then you say you�ll laugh when I get hurt? Gee. What a great friend you are, Steven� She said sarcastically.
Hyde sighed, �That�s not-Nevermind.�
�You know what. Forget it. I�m going to find Fez.� Jackie turned around and walked away.
Hyde watched as Jackie walked away. It�s not like he meant to hurt her by what he said. He was just sick and tired of the never ending cycle of Jackie and Kelso. He hated being the one who had to comfort Jackie. He hated seeing her cry. It was the only thing that made him soft. He just wanted her to get some sense and dump Kelso before he broke her heart again.
�Jackie.� He yelled out. Jackie stopped, but didn�t turn around, �Wait up.� He jogged the way over to her.
�What?� Jackie said.
�You have no idea where you�re going. It doesn�t make sense to split up.�
�As long as you don�t make any rude remarks to me.�
�I can�t guarantee that.�
�Fine. Then fine. We will stand here and you will get every rude thing you want to say to me off your chest. right. now.� Jackie crossed her arms and stared at him.
�What?�
�Come on. Just lay the burns out on me. You know your waiting for the right time to say them, but just say them now.�
�Jackie. I don�t want to �burn� you. Ok? I didn�t mean to make you mad before. I was trying to be a friend. But obviously, you took it the wrong way.�
Jackie rolled her eyes.
�Look. Every time Kelso screws up, you come to me. And I am sick of it, Jackie.�
�Fine. I won�t come to you anymore.�
�No.� Hyde took off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes, �That�s not what I meant.�
�What the hell, Steven? Do you not mean anything you say tonight or something?�
�Look. Let me explain. God. Your giving me a headache.�
�Well your giving me a headache!�
�OK. I don�t hate you coming to me. I hate when you cry.�
�Why?�
Hyde shrugged his shoulders, �Because. I don�t know. I don�t like it.�
�Oh my god.� Jackie put her hand over her heart, �You don�t like it when I cry because you have feelings! And you feel sad when you see me in pain! Because you CARE!�
�What? No. No Jackie. I don�t like the sound you make,it�s uh, annoying.� Hyde scrambled for an excuse.
�Oh shut up Steven Hyde! You have feelings!� Jackie squealed and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a hug.
At first, Hyde looked freaked out. But then his face softened. He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her waist. But yet, he found himself placing his hands on both sides of her waist.
Jackie didn�t expect any movement from Hyde...she put her arms down and leaned back, Hyde�s hands still firmly placed on her hips. She slightly tilted her head to the side and looked at him. Hyde slowly leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. The kiss was just like their first one. At first shy and slow and then full of passion and heat.
They pulled back, out of breathe.
�Wha-why? What was that for?� Jackie asked, her eyes full of confusion and excitement.
�I don�t know...�
They both stood in awkwardness. But within seconds, they were wrapped up into each other, kissing furiously.
Jackie finally pushed Hyde off of her, �Mi-michael.� She managed to say, �We can�t do this.� Her voice hinted disappointment.
�We can�t?�
Jackie looked at him with wide eyes, �I don�t want to cheat on him. I don�t want to be the cheater.�
�So don�t be. Dump him.�
�For his best friend?�
Hyde just shrugged his shoulders.
�Steven. I can�t do that.�
Hyde laughed, and shook his head.
�What�s so funny?� Jackie sounded pissed off.
�You didn�t feel anything, did you? God. This is just like last time.�
�No it�s not! For your information, I DID feel something. That�s why I kissed you again, you dumbass! And last time, you didn�t feel anything either.�
�Jesus Jackie. I swear. You claim to be a smart girl, but you�re not. Why do you think I kissed you?�
Jackie shrugged her shoulders.
�Because I wanted too! Because I�ve wanted too ever since I dropped you off at your house after that date!� Hyde almost shouted.
�Wa-wait. So you felt something? And you didn�t tell me?�
�Why bother? You�d just go back with Kelso.�
�That�s not fair, Steven.�
�I�ll tell you what�s not fair, Jackie. Seeing you with him. He doesn�t deserve you. When are you going to wake up and realize that you can do so much better? That he isn�t going to change? He�s still the same Kelso that cheated on you. The guy who made you cry. The guy who made you come to me. And made me deal with all this shit.�
�What shit?�
�This. You and me. I�ve developed this-this thing. And I don�t develop things.�
�You developed a thing for me?�
�YES!� Hyde yelled, �Isn�t it obvious?!�
�Wait. Back to that kiss. You felt something, and didn�t tell me? As I was saying, That�s not fair. If I would have known, I wouldn�t have gone back to Michael, I would have gone to you!�
Hyde stared at her. Jackie blushed.
�You would have?�
�Yes. I liked you Steven. A lot. Hell, I still do.�
Hyde smiled.
Jackie frowned, �But it�s too late. I�m with him now.�
�But you can change that, Jackie.�
�And go out with his best friend? You and I both know that won�t be pretty in the end. It�ll ruin you guys. It might even ruin the whole group.�
�Whatever.� He muttered. He started to walk away.
�Wait. That�s how your going to leave this? �Whatever.�?�
�What else do you want? You made it clear that you and me won�t work out. What did you expect? Me to tell you, �Oh no Jackie. Please. I love you.?� He turned around, �Cause I�m not going too. If you�re worried about everyone else, then no. I�m not saying I�m the best boyfriend, but I would treat you better. And you deserve that. But you don�t think that. Or at least, not yet. So until you realize that you deserve so much more...then maybe you�ll get the ending you want.�
Jackie opened her mouth to respond, but Fez and a cop interrupted them.
�Hi guys! This is Tom.� Fez pointed to the Cop.
�What are you kids doing here? You�re all trespassing.�
�We were looking for our friend. He got lost.� Hyde said, avoiding Jackie�s stare.
�Well, get out of here.�
They all stayed in their places.
�Now!!�
They quickly walked away.
�I�m sorry Jackie.� Fez said, as they got into Hyde�s car, �I didn�t find Kelso. But, could I still have candy?�
�Sure, Fez. Whatever.� Jackie muttered, she got in the backseat. Fez got in the front, along with Hyde.
�So what happened to you guys?� Fez asked. Jackie looked out the window. Hyde looked at her through the rearview mirror.
�Nothing.� He said. He started the car.
�Why are you all so unhappy?� Fez looked in the backseat at Jackie, who was still staring out the window. �Do you want me to sing? That will cheer you up.� Fez turned on the radio and started singing away.
~Forman�s Driveway~
They all got out of Hyde�s car and started walking to the basement door. Jackie grabbed Hyde�s arm and pulled him to the side.
�What?� He asked, looking at her with a defeated look.
�Would you really want a relationship with me? Would you want to be my boyfriend? Would you want me to be your girlfriend? Are you willing to drop your whole tough guy image for me? You waited so long to tell me how you really feel...and what did you want too happen? Or what do you want to happen?�
�I wasn�t planning on telling you. But one thing led to another.�
�Ok. so answer my other questions. Would you want a relationship with me? A full out, hand holding, sitting on lap, kissing in public relationship?�
�I don�t know.�
�And that�s why I�m not going to break up with Michael.�
�That doesn�t mean I wouldn�t want to try. I�ve never had a serious relationship before.�
�So how do you know you�d be a better boyfriend?�
�Because I know you. I know what kind of a guy you want. And though Kelso may have the looks of whatever stupid, celebrity crush you have...he doesn�t even come to close to the other stuff. He treats you like shit.�
�That�s not completely true.�
�Whatever Jackie. Until you realize that I�m right about him, then we�ll continue this conversation.� Hyde turned around and walked towards the door.
�So what? What are we now?�
�Unfinished business.� Hyde gave her one last glance, and stepped into the basement, putting on his Zen face.
Jackie stared at the closed door.
�Hey Jackie.�
Jackie spun around and came to face to face with Kelso. She was consumed with guilt. But tried to hide it.
�Michael.� She said softly, but then raised her voice �Where have you been! We got locked in the Fun land looking for you!�
�Oh, sorry. I got lost.�
�No? Really?� Jackie replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
�Yeah. So I went to the lost and found. And then I got a ride home. But then, the lady kicked me out, and I had to walk the rest here. And her little boys ruined my ice cream! The youth today! It�s horrible!� Kelso shrugged his shoulders, �Anyway. You coming down to the basement?�
�You know. I�m going to go home.�
�Oh. ok. Well I�ll call you later.� He leaned in to give her a kiss, Jackie pretended to drop something and moved before he could kiss her.
�Whoops.� She bent down and picked up an imaginary object.
�What was it?�
�Uh. My lipstick.� She pretended to stuff it away in her purse, �I�ll see you.� She gave him a weak smile and walked off.
*******************
Jackie tossed and turn all night. When she got back to her house, she locked the door and sat in her room, remembering the touch of his lips...the kiss..more like kisses brought back so many memories of their first kiss. and how much she missed it. And now, she craved for him more than any other drug. She had been so good. So good at covering her feelings for him. So good at pretending to be over her stalker days. But then he had to go and kiss her. and she kissed back.
It was all too complicated. If she stayed with Michael, she�d always be thinking of Steven. If she dumped Michael, she would ruin a friendship and possibly multiple friendships. She�d be breaking up the group. And she didn�t want that. What she wanted was Steven, but she couldn�t have him. And it was her own mistake. She lied about the kiss. And that ruined any chance of them getting together; that put her back into Michael�s arms once again.
But she had needs, just like Fez. And she had a craving for Steven�s lips. Screw whats right and whats wrong. She didn�t really give a shit.
Pushing off her covers, she got out of bed.
***************
Hyde couldn�t sleep. Instead, he was in his chair watching TV. He was trying to get Jackie out of his head, but he couldn�t. Why did he have to go and kiss her. It just unleashed all the feelings he had for her. And he was so good at hiding them. But he was glad he told her what he did. They were unfinished business. And they would stay that until she had the brains to realize Kelso was no good for her. But deep inside, Hyde knew he was going to have to go through the torture of watching Kelso and Jackie for months to come. Although Jackie may be loud and bossy and appear to be strong...on the inside, she�s weak.
He almost jumped a mile when the basement door opened and Jackie walked in.
�What the hell are you doing here?� He said, looking at his watch, �It�s almost 1.�
Jackie didn�t say a word. She walked over to him, grabbed his face and shoved her tongue down his throat. Hyde�s response was wrapping his arms around her tiny waist and pulling her closer to him. The world disappeared for a moment, There was no Michael Kelso...it was just Hyde and Jackie.
When they finally pulled back, Hyde thought she had made up her mind.
�So what does this mean?� He asked.
Jackie�s smile faded, �What?�
Hyde looked confused and let go of her and stepped back, �What did that mean?�
�It was suppose to mean something?�
That made Hyde pissed, �Oh I don�t know. Maybe that you dumped Kelso? That you realized that you were better without him? That you wanted to be with me?�
�Oh god.� She whispered, �I-i...just wanted too-�
�To what? Make out? Use me for your own enjoyment? No Jackie. That�s not how this is going to work. So why don�t you just leave, ok?�
�I�m sorry.� She said softly.
�Yeah. Well so am I. for thinking that you could change.�
Jackie was at a loss for words. She didn�t know what to say. She looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. But his face didn�t change, he had a cold, hard look and it didn�t soften a bit when she looked at him. She turned and walked out of the basement.
Right then and there she decided not to dump Michael.
**************
Skip ahead to �Love, Wisconsin Style�
Hyde sat in the basement alone. He had come home from putting dead fish in Kelso�s van. He didn�t feel like sticking around to spy on Kelso when he came to get the van. Jackie told him about the engagement, and all Hyde wanted to do was lock himself away from the world.
Jackie never did dump Kelso, obviously. She never took his advice. She never changed. Not even when Kelso dumped her. Today they had made up. So it was clear on what Jackie wanted. But secretly, Hyde hoped she still liked him because he still had a thing for her.
He was so mad when she came in the basement and kissed him just for the hell of it. It made him so angry because he thought it meant something...but it didn�t....So he and Jackie decided to just be friends. Or at least they pretended too for everyone else.
But when he found out about the engagement, his heart stopped, but he couldn�t let her see how much the news hurt so he hid his feelings and talked about the stupid fish instead. He was going to lose Jackie for good now.
The basement door swung open and Jackie took a step in. Hyde looked over at her. Her eyes were puffy and red with tears running down her cheeks. Hyde stood up.
�What�s wrong?� He asked.
�He left me.� She cried. She ran over to him and wrapped her arms around him. Inside, Hyde was screaming �I told you so.�. But he couldn�t be mean to her now. So instead, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head.
After 10 minutes, Jackie stopped crying. She and Hyde sat on the couch.
�You were right.� She said softly.
Hyde looked over at her and didn�t know what to say.
�I�m just stupid. He could have never changed. Hell, I couldn�t change. Right?� She looked at him.
�You can now.�
�Yeah. I know. I�m going to too. I�ll prove it to you.�
He shook his head, �You don�t have to prove anything to me.�
�Yeah. But you were the one who said I couldn�t change. Well, I�m going to show you that I can.�
Hyde smiled, �Ok.�
Maybe they did have a chance after all...who knew what the summer would bring...
~One Month Later~
It was a hot,summer afternoon. Eric was moping around in his room and Fez was up there trying to make him feel better. Jackie and Hyde were in the basement, watching t.v.
Over the past month, Hyde noticed improvements in Jackie. She sworn up and down that she was over Kelso, and he was beginning to believe it. They really didn�t have anyone else to hang out with. Eric was always moping around and Fez was always on some weird adventure to either get a girl or get free candy. So it was just the 2 of them most of the time. It was weird because Jackie was popular. She had other friends. But she chose to hang out in the basement instead.
When Hyde was at the Hub the other day he overheard a couple of guys talking about her. They were talking about how each of them tried to ask her on a date but where shot down. That confused Hyde a little bit. Why wouldn�t she want to go on a date with a new guy and move on? Why didn�t she say yes to them...and why did she choose him instead...
�So Jackie.�
�So what?� She said, staring at the tv.
�I overheard some guys talking about you in the Hub.�
�Well yeah...that�s not something new.�
�They were talking about how they all asked you out and you said no to them.�
�Yeah, so?�
�Why did you say no?�
Jackie looked at him and raised her eyebrow, �Because I didn�t want too. That�s normally the reason a girl says no. Why?�
Hyde shrugged his shoulders, �I was just curious. I mean, I know you�re popular and all. I know you have friends outside the basement. And you like boys-�
�I don�t want to date them.� Jackie said, �And I don�t want to hang out with those snobs. I�d rather hang out with you.�
�Really?�
�You may be a jackass at times. But I enjoy your company.�
�I�m a jackass?�
�Yeah. You�re all Mr. Tough and you act like a jackass. But. I�d rather hang out with a jackass than a snob.�
�Shut your pie hole, Jackie.�
Jackie smiled at him and turned back to the t.v. Hyde tried to look serious, but he found himself also smiling. Jackie and Hyde still pretended to hate each other. But they knew they weren�t being serious.
~The Next Day~
As normal, Jackie and Hyde were in the basement, watching t.v. The Price is Right was on.
Jackie sighed. The Price is Right was so predictable. Another old lady.
�Another old lady. She can�t even reach the wheel.�
�I can�t watch �The Price is Right.� again. I just can�t.�
�This summer totally sucks. There�s nothing to do.�
At the same time, Jackie and Hyde looked at each other. They both wanted it, it was obvious...so they leaned in and kissed.
They pulled back and tried to watch t.v. but it didn�t last too long...Hyde looked at Jackie and knew she had changed. Jackie looked at Hyde and knew she was over Michael Kelso for good. And in a flash, they were making out on the couch.
~Skip ahead to the next August~
It was near the end of summer. Jackie never did make a decision between Hyde or Kelso. The only decision made was choosing herself. Hyde had given up all hope for getting back together with Jackie, and Kelso...he didn�t really care. He spent his summer hooking up with random chicks. Jackie was aware. Hyde thought she�d be able to make a decision...but, she didn�t.
�Maybe she never really loved me.� He thought, as he packed up his stuff.
He was heading down early to UW. He was going to be living with Donna and Eric for a while. He didn�t feel like staying in a dorm, it wasn�t his �style.�
�Maybe she just said it to make up for her mistake.� He thought back to the first time she told him she loved him. Although his face didn�t really show it, deep inside his stomach was making flips. Of course he took her back. What fool wouldn�t? He believed her. He never doubted it. Until now...now that she couldn�t make a decision between him or Kelso.
�It�s not like I say I love you to just anyone.�
When he told Jackie he loved her, it wasn�t to try to get her back, it wasn�t some excuse for his mistake, it was the truth. She needed to know that he loved her then, more than ever. He didn�t want to lose her without her knowing how he really felt.
She had changed. She proved to him that she could. She finally got over Kelso. She finally saw how much of a jackass he was.
But now; she was falling back into old habits. She was considering actually taking him back.
�What the hell?�
He would never understand the situation completely. Which reminded him of how pissed off he was about it; he started roughly shoving shirts into his bag.
�Why can�t she just pick me?�
Hyde wasn�t use to this. He wasn�t use to feeling this way about anyone. Jackie was the first girl he fell hard for. The first girl he fell in love with. The first girl who told him that she loved him....and then she took it back.
At first, he didn�t believe her. But then, as the days went by, the weeks, and soon months...and she had yet to make a decision....he was starting to believe her....
�Is that what she wants?� He thought. He stopped packing and sat on the edge of his bed and stared at the floor.
�Maybe this is it...she�s made it clear, she�s never loved me.�
�Steven.�
Hyde turned and looked at Jackie, standing in his doorway. She looked nervous.
�Is this the part when she comes to tell me she chose Kelso.� All he could do was stare at her, as she made her way to his bed and sat down next to him.
�I talked to Michael.�
�Yeah. This is the part.�
�So should I go tell him congratulations?� Hyde asked sarcastically. He got up and walked over to his dresser, opening a drawer.
�Why would you?� Jackie asked, sounding confused. Hyde grabbed a couple shirts in one hand, �Well it�s the normal thing to say when someone wins something, or gets something. In this case, gets you.�
�Michael didn�t get me, Steven.� Jackie said, staring at him in disbelief, �I talked to Michael because it was only fair to tell him first, before I told you.�
�Tell me what?� Hyde asked. He got a funny feeling in his stomach...it felt like it did when Jackie told him she loved him. It started doing flips.
�That I love you.� She stood up, �Like a woman loves a man. Not the kind of love that I feel for Michael, which is only friendship.� She walked over to him and stood before him, �I made my decision. I made it a long time ago. I was just so scared too-�
Hyde cut her off, �It�s ok.� , taking her face in his hands; he smiled, �I love you too.�
And he kissed her.
And he felt so happy. All of the doubts he was thinking before vanished. She did love him. He was wrong. She loved him, and wanted to be with him. He didn�t want to hear the details now, of how she came to realize and why she didn�t make her decision sooner. All he wanted to do was be with her; kissing her, holding her...
Screw UW. He�d go later. Right now, he had other priorities.