�What are you doing here?� he asked.

�Who cares?�

Hyde stared at Jackie with incredulous eyes. She stood in front of him, a cup in hand filled with he didn�t know what. The party around them was divided; one side of the room was loud and thumping with drinkers laughing at each other�s ridiculous antics. The other side of the room held the pot smokers subdued and relaxed as the watched everything around them. The only thing the room had in common was they had nothing better to do than party so that�s what they did, breaking into an abandoned candy factory to do it.

�I haven�t seen you around much,� Hyde said, nearly yelling over the noise.

�I had things to do,� Jackie answered, her voice not nearly as loud, like she didn�t care if he heard anyway. He looked at her worriedly. He shouldn�t care. He really shouldn�t.

But he did.

He had seen her a total of two times since that day in the basement two weeks before and felt his guilt triple with each look. Yes, maybe Hyde shouldn�t care but he felt responsible so he did. She seemed just barely out of place, a mix of innocent and not so, standing among everyone in her pinkish-red dress with tiny ruffles on the short sleeves and bottom, just above her knees.

She shouldn�t be there.

�You shouldn�t be here.�

�I don�t think you have an opinion in it,� she told him as she took a drink from her cup. Her eyes seemed a little glassy but he didn�t know if it was because of her problems or her drinking. It had to be her problems because he was sure that had to be her first drink. There was no way Jackie could hold her liquor that well.

�Can I talk to you?�

She gave him a strange look and he realized she didn�t hear him.

�CAN I TALK TO YOU?� he repeated.

She looked at him, then the party around them, with a nod of resignation she followed him outside. The walked among the cars, some making frantic motions as couples moaned inside but it didn�t faze them in the least. They didn�t stop until they met the edge of the woods that nearly surrounded the old factory.

Hyde leaned against a tree and she stared at him, awaiting his reason for bring her out here. When she received none she took it upon herself.

�What did you want?�

He seemed almost uncomfortable before he answered.

�I heard you quit cheerleading.�

Her head cocked to the side, �I doubt you dragged me out here to discuss my problems with school spirit.�

�How are your parents?�

That question hit her hard and he saw the wall go up.

�None of your business.�

�That answers my question.�

She stared at him with hateful eyes, perhaps not really directed at him, but hateful nonetheless.

�Shove the rest of your questions, I�m going back to the party.�

She started to head back when the air was filled with the wail of police sirens and blue flashed in the night. They couldn�t see exactly how many police cars there were, four, maybe, but they certainly saw the mass of people flooding out of the warehouse and into the woods.

Jackie stood frozen and wild-eyed watching until a young cop observing the scene happened to look over. They were yards away, not close enough to be identified but obvious they were standing there. He opened his mouth and Hyde already knew what was going to happen.

A young, rookie cop wanting to bring in a few �examples� to show he could arrest people too.

�HEY, YOU KIDS!�

�Son of a bitch.� Hyde trotted up to Jackie and wrapped his hand around her arm. �Lets go.�

She didn�t move.

�JACKS!�

She blinked and turned to him. Maybe she had turned over a new leaf but she was still as nervous of the cops as she was before. He remembered that time, all about the pot and his stepping forward -- Things he didn�t want to remember.

He tugged her arm and nodded his head towards the gathering of trees before he dropped his hand. It took her one more moment; a moment that was sorely needed now as the over-eager cop tried to reach them. They took off and heard the mad rustle around them, Hyde taking the lead. Branches smacked at them and they could feel the scratches and bruises as they were being made.

Hyde heard Jackie�s quick intake of breath and could only guess that she hadn�t been hurt too badly since he felt her behind him. They didn�t dare stop as they still heard the cop trying to reach them, Hyde swung his arm out behind him hoping she would get the point and grab onto him.

She didn�t.

She was probably afraid and Hyde took a second to stop, a very hasty second. She slammed into his back and he looked back to grasp her hand tightly. They heard frantic movements coming up on them and Hyde started again, running so fast that he didn�t know how she kept up. There was a crack of thunder and lightening split across the sky as Hyde turned to his left, heading further into the thick of the forest. He turned again three or four times after that until the only sounds were that of their own struggle along with thunder and the sudden rain around them.

They didn�t know how long they were scrambling to get away but now they just stood, trying to access their location as they shivered in the abrupt and icy downpour.

�Where are we?� Jackie yelled as the lighting struck illuminating her for just a moment.

�I don�t know,� Hyde shouted.

Another flash showed her angry face.

�You dragged me out into the woods with no idea of where we were going?�

�What was I suppose to do? Stop and buy a map? I was a little distracted trying to stay on parole!�

She made some sound of frustration as she took long strides over the muddy ground. Hyde gave another glance around but he truly was lost.

Any answer he could have come up with was interrupted by a chunk of mud that hit him in the face.

It hadn�t really hurt, being that the rain was coming fast and it was mostly a slimy consistency, but that didn�t affect his annoyance level from the surprise.

�What the hell did you do that for?� he yelled.

�What do you think I did it for? This is all your fault! I�m freezing out here!� She picked up another handful of mud and with the lightening flash he saw her aiming a second before it hit his arm.

�Well you should have worn a coat, especially wearing something like that!�

�I had one!� she argued. �I left it in the party.�

Another mud ball to his chest.

�That�s your problem!� he answered as he was crouching down to pick up his own handful. He�d probably offer his coat in the next moment but for right now this is what was needed.

He threw it blindly and when the light briefly appeared he was rewarded with the sight of Jackie, mouth open in shock, with mud ruining down the right side of her face. Forehead shot. Nice.

He then heard an almost-growl full of anger and spotted her briefly running toward him.

That�s how he ended up on the ground as she sat on top of him.

�I can�t believe you! I hate you! Why did you have to drag me out here? Why did you have to talk to me?� she screamed, smearing mud in his hair and over his nose and cheeks. �Why can�t you just ignore me like you�re suppose to? Why can�t you do that?�

Another strike of lightening brought the vision of her crying face, her shoulders sagging like they held the world�s weight.

�Why can�t you just do that?� she asked pleadingly as he caught her wrists. She didn�t try to pull away, she just continued to cry, continued to sag forward until her face was buried in his throat.

Hyde held one of her wrists while his arm encircled her back. He said nothing as she sobbed into him, he just let her. The rain was falling on his face making him unable to open his eyes and his face scrunched up a little as the drops pummeled him.

Jackie�s crying had slowed to nothingness but her body still heaved as she was tried to be still.

She had lost control and shown too much of herself. This is how people got hurt. She had to change it, to forget, to feel better . . .

He felt her tilt her head up to his ear and he heard her over the clatter of the rain as she spoke to him.

�Make me feel better.�

Her hands slid down to his jeans and tugged at his belt. She once again returned to his throat, nuzzling it before laying a soft kiss. Worked before, let it work again. Her fingers opened the belt as he didn�t move and when her she tucked into the waistband to try and work the button his hand fell over hers.

Jackie stopped her task and looked at him in question. He opened his eyes and a crack of thunder brought the light and he stared at her, mud covered but still so beautiful. He wouldn�t do this again, it *was* using her and he hated himself for it. He wanted to blame her, blame her for letting him inside of her, for letting him have her for a little bit. He couldn�t though, and he hated himself for that too.

�Help me, Hyde,� she rasped in his ear.

She began to work under his hand but he tightened his hold and she stopped again.

�Please, Hyde,� and this time it was a plea and her face was right in front of him.

�No.�

She paused for a second before wrenching herself away from him. She stood and began to pace as he still lay in the mud.

�I should have known you wouldn�t help!� she yelled. �All you care about is yourself! But that doesn�t matter because I don�t care about you either!�

She wanted some reaction but didn�t expect any at that statement, but to her complete surprise he struggled up from the mud to face her. Another flash and she saw his mud covered face hiding a pair of offended, flashing eyes.

�You don�t care about me? Oh, must have mistaken it when you were following me around like a PUPPY!�

�What can I say? We all make mistakes, Steven.�

He opened his mouth to retort but shut it again, she still paced in front of him.

�You called me Steven.�

She stopped then and looked at him incredulously.

�What?�

�You called me STEVEN,� he replied even louder.

She seemed to consider it before shaking her head. �What is with you and the name thing? I slipped.�

The rain was slowing now and sound and light accompaniments were dying out too.

�You wanted to say it,� he told her, glad they didn�t have to speak so loud anymore.

�Quit being ridiculous,� she alluded.

�Quit being jaded.�

�Just . . . leave me alone,� she said wrapping her arms around herself and turning away to stare at the dark woods.

�No,� Hyde protested. He came up behind her and turned her to face him. �I think you wanted to say it, I think you didn�t think I would notice.�

�WHO CARES?� she yelled through the barely there drizzle as she broke away from him. �Who cares if I did it in some big subconscious way or just said it because I wanted to. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?�

�It makes a difference,� Hyde said firmly,

She looked at him with disdain.

�You think your special, *HYDE*? I wanted to feel better an awful lot lately, you think you�re the only one who wanted to pitch in and help?�

He felt the mean spirit in her voice and it stabbed at his chest.

�Kelso?� he asked.

�Among others,� she spitefully answered.

He nodded and looked around. Figures, it figures it wouldn�t be special, not for him. Nothing was ever special for him.

Except her.

He looked back at her, the moon slowly coming out to provide the light as she regarded him with anger in her features. She was special. He didn�t care; she�d always be that way for him, even if it was a lie.

�Aren�t you even going to get mad? Aren�t you going to storm off and leave me here?�

�No,� he answered shortly. The words she screamed at him earlier ran through his mind as he asked, �Is that what you want me to do? Leave you alone?�

�You�re really good at this, considering I already told you to go away.�

�No. Why do you want me to ignore you? Why was I supposed too?�

�That�s what you do!� she yelled obviously.

He was silent, as he understood what she had just said.

�Is this about your parents?�

Her eyes flamed and she walked away from him.

�Why does everything have to be about THEM?� she yelled in frustration as she stopped at a tree and leaned against the bark.

�I wouldn�t cheat on you, Jackie.�

�Yeah, Hyde, keep telling yourself that,� she laughed.

�I don�t care, I wouldn�t do it. I know what you wanted. You expected me to just push you away, you wanted that, too. If we had sex and I pushed you away you wouldn�t be hurt because you knew it was coming. It�s not like that, it doesn�t have to be this bullshit,� Hyde tried to tell her. It looked like she was on the verge of tears again as she shouted at him.

�Don�t you dare say that. My father cheated on my mother, Kelso cheated on me, Chip only wanted me for sex and I can name a million other guys that feel the same way!�

�What about Fez? He likes you for more than a quick roll. Why did you pick me? Because I was there?� his voice starting to rise as well.

�No, because *I* liked you, it was one last try that something could be good. It was suppose to be one more chance but . . . But I never really thought it would turn out well anyway so you were right,� she gave a short laugh before looking away again. �I thought you would leave too, totally ignore me and then I�d be totally convinced that love is just some fantasy thing, throw it away like all those dumb unicorns I had.�

She shook her head and the slight smile away as she turned to him with accusing eyes.

�BUT YOU WON�T GO AWAY!�

She pushed herself off of the tree and went to lean against another. He followed her with resolve and leaned into the wood right next to her.

�I�m not going to either.�

She sighed and turned to him in the moonlight. He seemed so sincere with eyes of earnest and yet so funny with mud clinging all over him. Some that was thinly spread was already dried and cracked, other globs still wet and clinging. She laughed at his appearance and stared at him.

�Why?� she asked, not knowing how to feel but knowing she wasn�t going to cry again. Not in front of Hyde again.

�Because,� he answered. �I think I�m in love with you.�

�What?� she asked another laugh escaping.

�I mean, I�m not completely sure or anything but I think, I do, I think--�

�Oh, this just what I need,� she said, dissolving into giggles.

�Why are you laughing at me?� Hyde asked, annoyed.

�Because I thought of this moment before, back when I was your �puppy�,� she said, shooting him a pointed look. �I never thought it�d be after we ran from the cops, got lost in the woods and are completely cover with mud. Not to mention I�m against love nowadays. Considering, it�s not so bad a confession.�

She laughed again and Hyde even let out a chuckle before following her example. They didn�t calm down for minutes and afterward they stayed against the tree slightly gasping.

Jackie panted at her loss of air and nudged Hyde.

�I should tell you something.�

�What�s that?� he asked breathlessly.

�I -- I didn�t have sex with anyone except you, but . . . I did start with Kelso. I actually wanted to forget about you,� she paused with a curve in her mouth before it faded. �It was about two days after we, well, you know.�

She cut herself off with slight hesitation and he was happy, even though his jaw was clenched tightly at the story. It was like she changed so much but those little parts of her that slipped through proved she was still there.

�Anyway, I saw him and he agreed so fast that I didn�t even think until we were in his parent�s car and he was trying to get my shirt off. He was busy kissing my neck and I was just sitting there, completely frozen, not that he noticed much. I thought about you, about your face when you were . . . inside of me.� For a moment it seemed like she blushed. �I couldn�t get you out of my mind and I ended up just pushing Kelso off of me and was gone. So much for my plans of one night stands.�

�Glad for that,� Hyde put in.

She gave another tweak of her lips as they listened to the silent woods.

�What is that?� she asked, squinting in the dark. The rain had finally stopped and in the distance she could see the gleam of a white sign.

�I don�t know,� Hyde answered struggling to see. They began to make a slow trek to the spot and Jackie suddenly got very enthusiastic and jogged up to it. A sign, a white sign with proud black letters nearly perfect in the moonlight.

Welcome to Point Trail. You are at the start of a 30-mile trek. Enjoy!

�We ran into the trails! All those turns you took,� Jackie broke off laughing.

�We can�t be more than thirty feet into the woods,� Hyde finished in disbelief.

They looked at eachother with matching grins that slowly turned forced. They�d have to leave now and now everything would change. Hyde looked at his feet before he shrugged.

�Lets go.�

Their steps were slow as they followed the beaten path until they finally met an open field. They looked toward the direction of the old factory and saw it in the distance; they hadn�t really run that far after all. The police were gone and so were the cars that had covered the surrounding area.

�They took my car,� Jackie sighed wearily.

Hyde stared at the place that had been busting with noise earlier.

�I didn�t park in the field.�

She turned to him with a curious look.

�I�m on parole, better safe then sorry. They get my the El Cameno and they know I was there and I�m back in custody.� He began walking and called behind his shoulder. �Come on, I�ll drive you home.�

She followed wordlessly and they walked the distance to the factory and passed it, stepping over the deep ruts the over-packed vehicles had made in their rush to leave. It was a good ten minutes before they found Hyde�s car, parked off in a darkened spot and shrouded by trees.

They didn�t speak as they got in or all the way to Jackie�s house. They didn�t want to really. It had been so much like before but Hyde had been stronger this time, they had resolved some things and they didn�t want to hurt that by falling into something foolish now.

When Hyde finally pulled in front of her house Jackie didn�t get out. She had to know something first and she was going to risk that bit of reassurance that love might be real.

�Did you mean all that? That you wouldn�t cheat on me and -- Did you mean that you may be in love with me?� she asked with a giant sigh, her old self made him smile.

�Yeah. Yeah, I meant it. I wouldn�t cheat on you and . . . and I do think I�m in love with you.�

She looked at him and he could swear he saw that she was happy, just like she used to be at every little thing. She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the lips, sweet and gentle. Just a taste that risked their willpower.

�Thank you, Steven,� she whispered before leaving him.

Again.

The same way . . . but different. A curve grew over his lips as he thought.

It was different, this time he didn�t give in, this time he tried to truly help.

This time they had a chance.

The End.