Chapter: 11/11

Chapter Title: Insumesse- to belong

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A/N Yes this is it! The final chapter- and it probably sucks ass, but you don't know how relieved I am to finish this baby. And this fic is really my 'baby', because it has received some of the best feedback ever. I honestly owe this fic to everyone of you who have reviewed or read it, because knowing there are people out there waiting for new chapters gave me motivation from not letting this die.

I wanna give a special shout-out to Lucii, because she is without a doubt my fav reviewer because I received the best encouragement from her and also because today's her birthday! Happy Birthday, babe!

So anyway, please read and review and tell me what you thought of the whole fic as a whole. And if you have the time, check out my other J/H fic "Reversal" (found in my profile) and thanks for the reviews. :D

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"Oh my God, like that must really hurt!" A cheerleader exclaimed as she huddled on one side of Brandon, tracing her finger around his swollen eye. A few other girls were crowded around him and he had his arm around a couple of them.

"It's nothing, babe. You should've seen the other guy!" Brandon said, as Donna came back into the house past him. She stopped in front of him, hearing his words a look of disgust appeared on her face and she turned to the sea of girls around him.

"Wow, that does look really bad," Donna noted and then gave him a cunning smile, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to punch you that hard. I guess I don't know my own strength!" Donna added in a high-pitched, mocking tone. Brandon scrunched his face in annoyance as the girls unhooked themselves from him.

"You got punched by a redhead? Ew!" One of them said and stormed off as the others followed her. Donna smiled at Brandon, as all the girls disappeared.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" She remarked sarcastically and then walked off towards Eric who had just come out from the kitchen.

"Ugh, is he still here?" Eric asked her, indicating Brandon.

"Not for long." Donna said. The two watched, as Brandon stood confused for a second and tried to flirt with more girls before finally giving up and leaving the party- with a bruised eye and ego.

"So, how's Jackie?" Eric asked quietly, as the two distanced themselves from the rowdy party.

"I don't know. She's confused and all she knows is that she's in love with Hyde." Donna replied.

"Really?" Eric remarked with a smirk, "Well, then they need to sit down and talk. I know Hyde wants to tell Jackie some stuff and with all these people here, I don't think he can." Eric said, glancing over at the party where Kelso was instigating a drinking game.

"Yeah. I guess we'll have to shut this party down. Or more like shut Kelso down." Donna said, as the two walked over to Kelso.

"Hey, party's over, Kelso. Get everyone out of here." Eric declared, taking the beer can out of Kelso's hand.

"But, I was on my 8h beer, Eric!" Kelso exclaimed, trying to grab the beer back.

"Look, Jackie's upset and this party is really the last thing that should be on her mind. Get everyone out now!" Donna declared.

"Or what?" Kelso challenged.

"Or I'll hit you." Donna threatened, as Kelso moved back a few steps.

"All right, all right- I'll try to get everyone out. No need to get violent, Big D." Kelso declared, fear evident in his tone. Donna smiled proudly, as Kelso stumbled off towards some noisy teens.

"That's my girl." Eric replied with a smile and put his arm around Donna. Along with Kelso, the two wrapped up the party and soon everyone fanned out of Jackie's house, leaving only a drunken foreign boy behind. The three walked over to him and sighed.

"Okay, I think we'll have to lift him out of here." Eric said, as they stood around Fez who had collapsed, face-first, onto the floor of the living room.

"Wait!" Kelso exclaimed and left the room, only to return moments later with make-up in hand. "He's drunk! This is the only time I can experiment with his soft skin."

Eric and Donna laughed as Kelso worked on Fez's face. Hyde then came out of the kitchen just as the now disfigured Fez muttered "Happy Birthday" before Kelso grabbed his legs and Donna his arms and lifted him out of Jackie's house.

"You managed to get everyone out?" Hyde asked Eric, looking at the empty living room filled with empty bottles, cans and cups and disarrayed furniture.

"We told them that the keg was dried out- which it was. Died it self out." Eric said and Hyde nodded.

"So you guys going now?"

"Yeah, it's pretty late." Eric said and then put his hand on Hyde's shoulder. "Man, remember what I said about telling Red the truth okay? And if you want- Kitty will make you something, clean your clothes- if things don't work out here." Eric patted Hyde on the shoulder. Hyde nodded slowly and said bye to the rest of his friends.

Hyde closed the door behind his best friend dreading, in a way, that he was now all alone in the house with Jackie- the one person he had hurt most, the one person he cared for most. Sighing, Hyde turned back to the living room that was left in shambles. Under any other circumstance Hyde would've left the mess to Jackie or someone else to clean it up. But the guilt that was building up inside of him for making her cry, for hurting her, overpowered his pride and he began to slowly throw cups into a trash bag.

For minutes he silently cleaned before hearing the clattering of heels echo across the paved floor. Hyde looked up to see Jackie standing near the doorway looking at him. The two just watched each other for a moment, before Jackie broke the gaze and walked over to the other side of the room. Without a word shared, she picked up another trash bag and started hurling the garbage on her side into it as Hyde watched her.

Minutes went by and neither said a word. Neither even looked at each other. Solemnly they both cleaned the floor, throwing cups, chips and broken glass into the bag. The awkward tension was so thick that it could be cut with a knife and before long Hyde couldn't stand it and made the slice himself.

"Jackie." He called quietly. Jackie looked up at him and for the first time he saw how heartbroken she really was through her moist eyes and smeared kohl. He looked down at the floor before moving a few steps closer to her and mumbling, "I'm sorry, Jackie."

Jackie remained quiet. She turned back to the bag and put a few more cups into it. Hyde waited anxiously for any response, the seconds seeming like minutes as more uneasiness filled the room. After what seemed like forever Jackie turned back to him, "What are you sorry for, Steven?" She asked softly.

Hyde paused for a moment before quietly continuing, "For what I said. For what I did. For- well, everything. I know I screwed up, Jackie and I hurt you and I'm sorry for that." For once Hyde was speaking true from his heart to her. Jackie just looked at him, more confused than ever. She didn't know what to say or what to understand. Hyde decided to work on her silence and plead his case further. "This is hard for me, okay? To admit that I need help from you. It's really hard and I guess I've been acting weird because of that." Hyde declared. Jackie moved towards him a bit more, with each of his words she had inched forward and now stood only a few feet away from him. The discomfort was beginning to fade and all the feelings that were tugging within Jackie were now aching to come out in one sentence in response to Hyde's words. But she held her breath and knew she had to listen to him- she had to understand Steven, she had to know what he really felt, so that she could get over him like Donna had said.

"Why? Why is it so hard for you, Steven?" Jackie asked, her hand extended forward- it was aching to grasp his, but she quickly let it fall to her side.

"B-because…" Hyde paused and finally looked directly at Jackie, "Because I never thought I had to be dependent on anyone. I thought I could live life on my own- I didn't need anyone. But since my arrest, I've realised that that's not true. I've been dependent on the Formans this whole time. They gave me a room, they fed me, they gave me clothes- they've done so much for me. And I never wanted to disappoint them. But then that night happened, when I took the wrap for you…"

Hyde stopped and didn't know whether to continue. His feelings were spilling out and to none other than Jackie and he was afraid that the more he spoke, the more the truth would come out. The more his cold exterior would fade away. He was afraid to tell her everything. He was afraid to tell her that the reason he couldn't admit he needed help from her was because he liked her and he liked that she helped him and he liked that he needed her. But most of all, he was afraid to tell her that he had been acting weird, because he was really falling for her.

His cut-off sentence had left guilt plastered across Jackie's face. All this time she hadn't really thought of what he had been going through since that day a few days ago. The moment he was arrested all that was in her mind was that she would get him out, she would take him in, she would dote on him and he would fall in love with her. She hadn't realised that he was torn over disappointing the Formans for his actions. That he relied on them, he respected them for making his life better and in one instant she had taken that all away from him.

"Steven, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to…" Jackie stammered. She didn't know what to say. How could she say sorry for wrecking his whole life? How could she apologise for putting her feelings before his- for only thinking of herself while he struggled? She was upset that he had insulted her and that he hadn't cared for her- when all along he had a reason to. She had taken his security away from him and then pressured him into liking her- he had every reason to hate her.

Hyde looked at her, puzzled by her words. What was she apologising for?

"I wrecked your life. I'm so sorry, Steven. You should never have taken responsibility for that pot- it was mine. I should have been the one to go to jail. I lost you your family- and I'm so sorry." Jackie whimpered. Her words began to sink in and she began to cry. Hyde looked perplexed at her sudden words, her sudden reaction, and without thinking he grabbed a hold of her hand.

The action confused both of them. Jackie stood shocked as Hyde embraced his hand's warmth over hers. Hyde didn't know what he was doing, but holding her hand felt right. It gave him the courage to admit what he wanted to. To explain to Jackie what he meant, to finally tell her the truth.

"Wait, no. Jackie, that's not what I meant. I-I don't blame you for anything. What I was trying to say was…" He took a deep breath before continuing, "When I took the wrap for you- I-I just did. I didn't think of the consequences. I didn't think of the Formans. I didn't think of whom I would disappoint. All I knew was that I was doing the right thing." Hyde admitted as Jackie listened to him, still not understanding what he was saying. "It did cost me. I lost the Forman's support and respect, but… really it was worth it, Jackie. And I don't blame you for it. And when I was on my own- I thought I could survive. I thought I didn't need anyone, but that wasn't true. I needed someone, I needed help…" Hyde looked up at Jackie, taking a large intake of breath before finally ending, "I needed you. You were right, Jackie. I realised that you care about me and I guess…I do sort of care about you."

"What the hell do I know? I'm living in a high school crush." Jackie cut him off with a groan.

"Well, m-maybe you're not." Hyde declared, moving a step closer to her.

There was that little glint of confusion in Jackie's eyes again, "What do you mean?"

"You were right, Jackie. I don't hate you. I haven't for a long time." Hyde looked away for an instant before gazing directly into Jackie's eyes. "I like you, Jackie." A smile suddenly appeared on Jackie's lips. "I-I realise that all this stuff I've been doing- it's because of you. Going to jail, living with you, having breakfast with you, punching guys- you're the reason for it all, Jackie. A-and I guess I was trying to…" The smile grew larger as Hyde began to mumble more- more excuses and feelings he had never known he could admit to, let alone have.

As Hyde continued to ramble, Jackie moved forward and in one fluent movement crushed her lips against his. Hyde hesitated at first, overwhelmed by her sudden move, but soon he responded back as her warm lips passionately kissed his. His tongue ran across her lips, as Jackie ran her hands from his back up into his hair- tangling her fingers into the web of curls. Hyde kept his hand securely across Jackie's waist, pulling her closer and closer into him as their kiss deepened. Their lips swelled as they continued their drugging kiss, until finally pulling apart after desperately needing air. They both glanced into each other's eyes with dishevelled appearances and fervent breaths- and smiled. A small, loving smile. The smallest gesture that made both their hearts tingle.

"So all this time- you actually liked me?" Jackie asked with a grin, entwining her fingers with his.

"I guess." Hyde mumbled, avoiding her eyes for a moment. His cheeks almost flushing a pinkish colour. God, he was blushing. Now he understood why Forman was "Forman" since he started dating Donna.

"Love me?" She posed with a smirk. Hyde glared back at her.

"Don't push it." He declared and Jackie laughed. She moved in closer to him again, letting him pull her into his arms. She stood in his grasp- feeling warm, loved, happy- secure. She looked into Hyde's eyes, trying to read what they were expressing- the eyes that he kept hidden beneath big shades most of the day. Jackie placed her hand on the side of Hyde's face and slowly caressed his cheek. He seemed to fidget at first, feeling awkward by her gesture, but then stood comfortably as Jackie traced his face with her fingers. She glanced back at him, looking deeply in his eyes searching for the same glitter of excitement and happiness that were sparkling in her eyes, the glimmer of happiness that she had held back for so many months.

But she couldn't find the same in Hyde's eyes. Not even a flicker of contentment. Jackie sighed- knowing exactly why.

"I-I want to tell Mr. Forman." She finally spoke, circling the palm of his hand with her fingers.

"What?" Hyde asked, confused.

"I want to tell him what really happened, Steven. I can't live knowing that you lost your family, your home, your security because of me." Jackie declared softly, "I know you want to be there. And I'm stopping you from it- and I don't want to stop you from what will make you happy anymore. And the Formans- they make you happy." She cupped his face in her hands and looked him directly in the eyes. "I'm going to tell them the truth, so that you can go back home. So you can be truly happy, Steven. Okay?"

She gave him a light hug, as he stood thinking about what she had said. She was right. He was happy with Jackie, but there was something missing. And living with Jackie wasn't right. Not at that moment in their lives. Her parents could come back any day- what impression would he make on them when they would find out he, an ex-convict, was living with their only daughter? It wasn't right. He didn't want her to disappoint her family, like he had his.

He had disappointed the Formans, his true family. And he so desperately wanted his family back, as much as he tried to hide it. Kitty loved him and Red treated him like a man- like a son. He was happy with the Formans, happy being part of a family, being somewhere where he belonged. He craved that more than anything else in life and Jackie was willing to give that to him.

"But I won't be able to drive your dad's Lincoln to school on Monday then." He finally spoke. Jackie laughed and gave him a brief kiss on the lips. He then looked back at her and said, "I'll come with you. We were in it together, so we'll tell them together." Jackie grinned at him and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Oh thank God! I didn't want to tell the Formans by myself. Mr. Forman would yell at me and Mrs. Forman would probably start telling me about cooking!" Jackie exclaimed and Hyde chuckled at her, gently pushing away a few stray strands of hair that fell over her face. He stood quietly, chewing on his bottom lips nervously as he played with her hair. He was wanted to say something, she could tell. Jackie looked at him curiously and he stopped playing with her hair before shuffling his feet slightly and then smiling at her.

"Um, thank you, Jackie. For everything. Thanks." He said quietly. Jackie's incredibly beautiful smile played across her lips again as she gave his hand a squeeze.

"You're welcome, Steven."

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"Why didn't you tell me this before!?!" Red hollered. Hyde stood near the stove and Jackie, smartly, stood behind him as they finished explaining what had really occurred that night to Red and Kitty- who both sat at the kitchen table in awe. "How could you two be so stupid?"

"W-we don't know." Jackie squeaked. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Forman." Red sighed as he stood up, walking towards the two of them.

"I will have a talk with your parents when they come back and you- I didn't expect this from you." Red said, pointing at Hyde. Hyde lowered his eyes to avoid meeting Red's disappointment. Red paused, noting Hyde's expression and softened his tone, "I didn't expect you to be so noble." Red declared. Surprised, Hyde looked up instantly and Kitty's eyes brightened up as she stood up excitedly.

"A stupid noble dumbass." Red ended with a chuckle. Hyde smirked at Red and Kitty quickly wrapped her arms around Hyde, pulling him into a caring hug.

"But we love you!" She said, placing a kiss on his cheek. Hyde then looked back at Red, who nervously shook his head before muttering.

"Now get your stuff and go to the basement- you're moving back in."

There was no way Hyde could hide his evident appreciation, as a genuine smile appeared on his face. "Thanks, man." Hyde said, extending his hand outward to shake Red's. The two looked at each other before Red shook his hand with Hyde's. They paused, smiling at each other with their hands still adjoined before Hyde moved forward and gave Red a hug. Red hesitated for a moment before smiling and patting Hyde on the back.

"It's good to have you back, son." He replied sincerely.

"It's good to be back." Hyde said, as he slung his bag over his shoulder. Jackie grinned from behind him, her hand instantly grabbing his as he stood by her. Kitty smiled at the gesture between the two and it didn't go unknown to Red either.

"Just remember, that I'm watching you a lot more closely now. Both of you. And don't you even think of doing anything so stupid again, Steven- even if it is for a girl." Red declared as both Jackie and Hyde nodded. Jackie began to make her way towards the stairs to go down to the basement and Hyde began to follow her. He then turned around, glancing at Jackie and then at Red.

"I'll try, Red. But I can't guarantee it." Hyde said, looking in Jackie's direction. Red shook his head with a laugh, as Hyde walked down the stairs to the basement. Kitty smiled at her husband and put her arm around his waist as he pulled her towards him.

"We've done a good job with him, Red. Despite all that's happened- I'm proud of him." Kitty said, looking in the direction of where Hyde had just left.

"Yeah. We have. I'm proud of Steven too, Kitty. He's turned out to be the man I always thought he could be." Red said, he leant forward and softly kissed Kitty on her forehead. "He's definitely a part of this family. He's definitely a Forman."

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"Hey." Hyde said casually as him and Jackie descended the stairs into the basement. Their friends looked at them in shock, surprised at Hyde's appearance.

"Hyde! You're here? Are you back?" Eric stumbled, as Hyde went straight to 'his chair' on which Kelso was sitting. Hyde gave him a slap on the back and Kelso immediately shot off his chair.

"I-I was uh keeping it warm for you." Kelso stammered, as Hyde sat down. A groan of relief escaped his lips as the hard wooden back of the chair met his back.

"Yeah- I'm back." Hyde replied, putting his feet up on the coffee table. His response brought cheer to the group and Eric grinned widely.

"Great! Because you know- I was almost going to tell Red that I do drugs, so you could come back." Eric replied.

"No, you weren't. You were saying how there was no way you would put your ass in the line of Red's foot even for Hyde." Fez replied. Eric glared at his friend and back at Hyde.

"That's not true. I said- that I might consider telling Red if you weren't going to tell him that…" Eric paused before glancing over at Jackie who had slipped into the chair across from Hyde. "So you told Red everything?"

"Yeah. I told him everything." Hyde said, as the others looked confused at the conversation between the two best friends. Hyde looked over at Jackie and gave a small smile, "We told him everything."

Eric grinned, being the only one who understood what Hyde was saying and why he was sharing that intense look with Jackie. "All right!" He declared in excitement.

"Told who what?" Donna asked, curious looking over at Eric. Eric leant forward from his position on the edge of couch and whispered an explanation in her ear. Donna looked confused for a moment as she listened intently before shaking her head and slightly pushing Eric away.

"That's not true!" She said with a laugh as Eric teetered on the edge of the couch.

"Yes, it is! Hyde, tell her." He declared. Hyde just shrugged in their direction, causing Eric to sigh and turn to Jackie. "Jackie, you tell her."

"Tell her what?" Jackie feigned, folding her arms across her chest and leaning back in her chair. Donna laughed at Eric and told him he was crazy.

"I wanna know! Tell me!" Kelso whined and Fez retorted a similar remark.

"Tell you what?" Jackie repeated again, smiling sweetly at them. Hyde chuckled to himself before standing up.

"Before you girls start gossiping and trying on make-up, I'm going to go check out my room." Hyde said walking over to his door.

"Okay. But, um, don't worry if there's some stuff in there that wasn't before. I'll just move my Star War figures back to my room." Eric sighed, as Hyde smirked at him.

Hyde walked up to his room, taking a deep breath as he looked into the small, cold room. A wave of relief- of happiness washed over him as he glanced into the room that only had a rusty cot on the side and a bunch of dented cardboard boxes.

This was it. This was his home.

Hyde smiled and took a step into his room, as the others began to talk about other events of the day. A step back into the life where he belonged.

A moment later, his head stuck out of his door as he looked back at the group. "Hey Jackie, you coming?"

Eyebrows raised, little 'gah' noises escaped and a smug expression appeared on Eric's face as Jackie gave the group an innocent smile and a small wave before practically skipping to Hyde's room. The rest of the gang watched as Hyde extended his hand out and Jackie took it and walked into his room.

"And hey- get out of my basement." Hyde said to the others with a smirk and closed the door to his room- leaving the loneliness out of his world.

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He was left alone. Kicked out of a world that he belonged to. He was that lone bubble, isolated from the rest. Until she came and made him fall into reality and mix with the rest. A girl who changed his world, his thoughts and his feelings.

Jackie made Hyde realise that there was more to life than reputation.

There was belonging.

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Fin