Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Thoughts are in italics.

Part Four

When Jackie woke up Hyde was no longer holding her. She felt cold and alone. When did I start to need Steven? She sighed to herself as she got out of his bed. She looked at the clock and was shocked that it was past 11. She hadn't slept this late in years it seemed like. She walked over to the mirror and took in her appearance. Her hair was unspeakable, but her bruises were already beginning to heal. She looked down at Steven's shirt; it looked so big hanging off her small frame. She smiled thinking about all the times she'd seen this ratty old shirt on the poor, dirty orphan who had somehow come to rescue her.

Hyde walked into his room and stood in the doorway watching Jackie check herself out in the mirror. He leaned against the doorframe and just stood back admiring her. Even with the bruises and messy hair, standing there in his over-sized clothes he thought she was just the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. "You're beautiful." He said without even thinking about it.

She blushed and turned to face him, "Oh… so you've already smoked this morning?" she asked biting her lip.

"Yeah." He laughed making an excuse for his outburst. "Everyone is out of the house so get yourself something to eat and get cleaned up and I'll be in the basement when you're ready to go."

She did as instructed and then went down to the basement. She found Hyde sitting on the couch in the same place where he was the day before. She took her place beside him and asked, "What are we watching?"

He turned off the TV and turned to face her. "Are you ready to go to the cops?"

"Not today Steven, I'm still not feeling well and I'd rather just sit here and not think about any of it." Then to seal the deal she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Can't we just spend the day like this?"

He couldn't help himself, he gave in. "Fine… I haven't seen this Charlie's Angels before anyway." He said turning back on the television. As if it were just second nature to him now he put his arm around her shoulders and smiled when she leaned against him. We fit together so perfectly. It's like we belong this way together. He shook the thought off. You sound like a chick. He scolded himself turning his full attention to the television show.

Jackie laughed at something on the show and looked up at Hyde to see if he was as amused. He's got such a nice smile I wish that I got the chance to see it more often. And his eyes are beautiful. She leaned into his embrace. I just fit here so well, it's like we were made for each other. Then she looked back to the television shaking off her thoughts. He doesn't feel that way about you.

This pattern went on for the two of them for the next two days. Everyday they grew closer, in the evenings they avoided the gang, and at night they reveled in being in each other's arms. But neither of them would admit their true feelings to themselves, much less each other.

On Thursday things started out the same as Tuesday and Wednesday had before it for Hyde. But this time, Jackie woke up whileshe was still being held tight in Steven Hyde's surprisingly loving arms. One was wrapped over her and around her waist and the other was wrapped under her and around the top of her shoulders between her neck and the top of her breasts. He leaned down and kissed her on the top of her headthinking she was still asleep. She scared him when she looked up at him, "Good morning to you too." She said with a flirtatious smile.

He untangled his arms from her and stood from the bed. "Good morning. I'm going to go grab some food."

"Okay, well I'm going to take a shower and get dressed." She replied lamenting their broken moment.

Soon they were back on the couch in what had become their standerd position watching television. Once the first show was over, Hyde looked down at the petite brunette next to him. "Do you want to go to your house and get some of your stuff?" He asked.

She looked up at him like a deer in the headlights; her eyes were so full of fear. "What if he's there, Steven?"

"Shouldn't he be at work right now? I thought this would be the safest time to go." He explained.

Jackie nodded tentatively. "But you'll be there, right?"

He nodded. I wouldn't be anywhere else. He thought but decided to leave it unspoken.

They drove to her house and she was drastically relieved to see that there were no cars there. "Let's just get this over with as soon as possible." Jackie said as they went inside. She ran straight up to her room and grabbed a bag to start packing stuff.

Hyde followed her up the stairs and helped her get her stuff together. They were taking the last trip down the stairs when they came face to face with Jackie's stepfather. He was a little taller than Hyde with a similar build and a very angry expression. "Where the hell have you been?" He said taking a step towards Jackie.

Hyde stepped in between them and handed Jackie his keys, "Jackie go start the car."

She did as she was told ignoring the fear that being in the presence of her stepfather was creating and concentrating on the calm that washed over her trusting that Steven wouldn't let anything happen to her. I can trust him with my life. She decided to herself.

Hyde stared down the older man with anger reflecting in his own face. He clenched his fists and jaw. "You aren't ever going to come near Jackie again." He snarled at the older man through gritted teeth.

"You think I'm going to let you tell me what to do, you little punk?" The older man snarled back.

Hyde grabbed the older man by the lapel of his sport coat and laid him out on the ground. Hyde kneeled above the man still gripping the lapel of the coat and drawing back his other fist. "Give me one more reason, and I will kill you." Hyde explained. With that he let the man go causing him to bang his head into the ground. After Hyde was back on his feet he kicked the older man hard in the side. With that Hyde went and got in the passenger's seat of his own car and looked at Jackie. "He won't be bothering you anymore. Tomorrow we are going to the cops."

Jackie nodded and started the car. They drove back to the Foreman's house in silence. They stored all of her stuff in Hyde's room. Jackie smiled at Hyde, "Steven I'll be out in a minute."

He nodded and went out into the main room of the basement to the comfortable couch in anticipation of Jackie joining him.

Jackie came out in a long sleeved dress eliciting a smile from Hyde right away. Then he drank in the rest of her appearance. She had pulled half of her hair up, put on earrings, and some makeup. She was actually beginning to look like the old Jackie again. That idea made Hyde frown a little, but she just looked so beautiful. The bruise on her face was faded and it was the only sign of her abuse that was visible in that outfit.

She pranced over in front of him swishing her skirt around. "What do you think, Steven?"

He shrugged. You always look amazing. He said silently, but aloud all he said was, "You look nice." But you don't need to dress up for me to think you're beautiful. Stop it man! You are turning into a total sap.

She smiled and said, "Thank you." Theythen returned to their familiar positions on the couch.

Hyde looked at his watch, "Everybody is going to be here soon, I think we should tell them."

"No." Jackie answered simply not even looking away from the television as if this were the most casual conversation she'd ever had.

"They can help… Mrs. Foreman is a nurse, she can check out your wounds to make sure they aren't serious." Hyde began.

Jackie cut him off, "They aren't serious."

"You don't know that." Hyde corrected, and then he added. "And Donna would probably let you stay with her and then you wouldn't have to hide out in this basement with me." Even though I love having you here. Hyde thought to himself as he looked over at Jackie. Then he caught himself again. No! You do not like Jackie. You just don't like to see girls hurting. You don't care about Jackie, you just want to protect her, keep her safe, and love her because she's a hurt girl. Wait love? No love. You certainly do NOT love Jackie Burkhart.

He doesn't want me here. He's tired of having me around. Jackie realized to herself as she casually back up away from Hyde on the couch. "We aren't telling them and I don't want to stay with Donna. But I understand if you don't want me here." She said standing up.

I can't let her go. Hyde realized grasping her hand and pulling her back down to him so that she was sitting across his lap. He moved his hand from holding her hand to cupping the side of her face. "I don't want you to leave." He said sternly then he drew her face towards his, but they were interrupted right before their lips touched.

"Wow… it's really coming down out there." A soaked Donna said as she led the group into the basement.

"AH HA! I knew it!" Kelso said having caught Jackie and Hyde in their compromising position.

Jackie flew off of Hyde's lap afraid of being pushed and faced her friends.

"It's not what it looks like" Hyde and Jackie said in unison.

Donna was the first to notice Jackie's black eye. "Jackie… what happened to your eye?"

Kelso stepped forward and lunged at his curly haired friend in a frenzy. "It isn't bad enough you had to steal my girl, but you're hitting her, too!" He exclaimed punching Hyde in the stomach.

Jackie's eyes got wide as the horrible scene played out in front of her. "Michael, stop it! Steven wouldn't ever hurt me."

Donna pulled Kelso off of Hyde and threw him into one of the chairs. "You're an idiot." She said to Kelso.

"She's right." Eric said stepping into the conversation. "But that doesn't explain Jackie's shiner."

"It was her stepfather." Hyde explained to the group, "He's been abusing her, so she's been staying here."

Jackie had never felt betrayed before. She walked out of the basement out into the rain without a word.

To Be Continued… please review.