I don't own That 70s show, or its characters. This is purely a fiction written for fun. Hope you enjoy!

The Seeker

The air was crisp, sharp with the scent of fall. Steven steered the El Camino down Franklin, towards the center of town, propping his elbow on the open window. They drove past the empty church, and Steven felt his stomach swoop uncomfortably, settling
in the pit of his abdomen. Donna's compact red car was still parked at the back of the lot, and he could just make out her fiery hair, and Jackie's dark locks in the front seat, as they drove past.

"I can't believe Eric did not show," Fez said, picking at the cuff of his jacket. "Is there no chance for true love?"

"We'll find him, man, he's just got cold feet," Steven assured Fez, his eyes scanning the roads for any sign of the Cruiser. "Keep an eye out, Fez."

Fez sighed dramatically. He unrolled a tootsie roll, popping the candy into his mouth. "We've been driving around for thirty minutes, Hyde. We've passed by the church four times. Face it, he's not here."

Steven chewed on his lower lip, the setting sun glinting off his sunglasses. He came to a stop at the light, downshifting to first. Fez was right; Eric was gone. Steven knew it he wasn't an idiot. But he couldn't stand the look on Donna's face when she
had realized that she had been left at the alter, jilted in front of her family and friends. Steven gripped the steering wheel rigidly, his knuckles white. He eased off the clutch, turning onto Green Bay Road. "One more sweep, man, then we'll go to
the Forman's."

"Alright," Fez agreed, his attention returning out of the car. "One more sweep."

They drove past The Hub, past the high school, and around Mount Hump, all without sign or sound of Eric Forman. The Piggly Wiggly was full of shopping mothers. The Foto Hut shack was empty as the day Leo had left it. The Hub had its usual plethora of
high school teens, none of whom had shaggy hair atop a gangly body.

Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow was the last stop on the loop. A secret hope that maybe Eric had just been running late, or lost track of time tensed the air. Steven half expected to see the Cruiser parked out front, Eric waiting before the church doors,
confused as to why everyone had left before he'd arrived. Fez leaned forward, his dark eyes scanning the empty lot. The forlorn lament that left Fez's lips answered perfectly the way Steven felt himself. Steven pulled into a space at the front of
the church, letting the Camino idle. His eyes swept the empty spaces; Donna and Jackie had finally left, headed towards the Forman's.

"Alright, let's leave it," Steven said tersely, putting the Camino in reverse. The Camino's tires squealed, leaving two identical stripes of black on the pavement as Steven fishtailed out onto the main road. Fez gripped the door as the force of the turn
threw off his equilibrium.

The Forman's driveway was packed with vehicles, and Steven parked at the curb. He hurried up the walk, peering into the garage. But the orange hood of the Toyota was all that greeted him.

"He's really gone," Fez announced sorrowfully, following Steven into the kitchen.

"Did you find him?" Red asked as Steven and Fez entered the living room. Mrs. Forman paused by her husbands' side, knocking the edge of her wedding band gently against the side of her wine glass.

"Nope," Steven said, stopping at Red's pea green chair. "Searched the whole town, no sign of the him or the Cruiser."

Jackie frowned, turning her attention to Donna. She placed a comforting hand on the red head's shoulder, Jackie's rounded eyes finding Steven's again. Discomfort and brusque silence swept over everyone as Pam sipped at her glass of wine, her lips puckered.
Donna sniffled, looking down at her lap. She wrung her hands, rubbing the flesh scarlet. "I can't believe he just left."

"Oh, Donna," Jackie started, stopping herself. She chewed on the inside of her cheek and patted Donna's shoulder. "Just think, now you won't have to live in that stinky trailer."

Donna chuckled half-heartedly. She swiped the pads of her fingers under her eyes, smearing mascara. "True. Still…"

Steven took a seat on the side table just as the phone rang. Silence fell heavily over the already tense room save for the shrill trilling of the phone. Mr. Forman looked expectantly to Steven, and the latter picked up the receiver, clearing his throat
before answering.

"Hello?"

"Hyde? It's me," Eric said. His voice crackled over the line. "Hey. Man, look I'm not coming."

"Yeah, we kind of figured," Steven answered sarcastically.

Eric's voice sounded heavy, and he coughed on the other end. "Look, I just- She's going to be miserable married to me. I can't do that to her, man, I love her too much. She's gotta get out of this town."

"Well do you want to talk to her?" Steven asked, his eyes briefly meeting Donna's. "She's sitting right here."

"No!" Eric yelled, surprising them both with the force of his voice. "Look, I'll call back later, I gotta go, times running out on the payphone."

"Alright, man. Bye." Steven replaced the phone on its cradle, clearing his throat once more. He could feel everyone's eyes fixed on him, and he rubbed the palms of his hands together, thinking of what to say.

"Well?" Donna asked exasperatedly . Two red pinpricks rose high on her cheekbones.

Steven sighed, licking his lips. Donna's eyes were pained when Steven met her gaze. He could see her swallow thickly, the sheen of fresh tears glazing over her irises. "He said he's not coming. Not tomorrow, not to the wedding. He's gone."

Donna scoffed, a couple of tears escaping to race down her cheeks. Jackie crossed her arms, her mouth pursed. She seemed to deflate as Donna softly cried beside her, the other occupants embarrassed to be witness to such a personal moment. The room was
thick with tension. Mr. Forman shook his head, moving over to the wet bar to pour a couple fingers worth of whisky.

"I'm going to go home," Donna whispered, her voice heavy with tears. She stumbled out of the room, palming open the swinging door, with the sound of her heels clacking across the linoleum kitchen tiles echoing into the living room.

"I think we're going to go too," Bob said, reaching for Pam's hand. They set aside their drinks, standing together with hands clasped tight. "Make sure she's ok."

"I'll pack you some leftovers," Kitty said, grabbing a platter of empanadas from the coffee table and hurrying into the kitchen. "Only thing to cure a broken heart is food!"

Steven moved to sit next to Jackie as the adults filtered out of the room. She leaned into his side, arms crossed firmly under her breasts. Fez unwrapped another candy, working it around his mouth, the hard candy clicking against his teeth. They remained
silent, the sound of the clock ticking and the muffled voices of Kitty and Red the only distraction from the events that had unfolded.

"Man, am I glad to be here with you guys!" Kelso announced, bursting in through the front door. He slammed the door behind him, his smile morphing into a scowl as he entered the living room. "Hey, what's going on? Where is everyone?"

Jackie turned to look at him, "Eric ditched Donna at the alter."

"What? No way!" Kelso sank to the couch on Steven's other side, his knees spread wide. "Man, I was really looking forward to something happy and full of love too. Lunch with Brooke and her mom did not go as well as I'd hoped."

"Big surprise there," Steven said derisively under his breath. Taking Jackie's hand, he pulled her up off of the couch, motioning for the others to follow. "I know what'll help. A circle."

The gang trooped through the kitchen, hurrying past Red and Kitty into the basement. Fez shut the door behind them, jogging down the stairs as Steven grabbed his stash from the box of Monopoly. Kelso and Fez arranged the chairs around the spool table,
as Jackie plopped onto the couch, smoothing her skirt over her thighs.

"So Brooke's mom wants to take Brooke to Chicago to have the baby," Kelso said, sinking into the lawn chair. "And she wants them to live there. Without me."

"Well, you could always move to Chicago, Michael," Jackie said.

"Who would want to live in Chicago? Besides the lake, there's nothing to do there," Michael argued, staring down at the spool table dejectedly.

"Brooke and the baby, maybe could use having you around?" Steven reminded him, packing a bowl.

"I guess," Michael said, watching Steven light the bowl, and take the first hit. His brows drew together on his forehead. "Eric really ran off?"

"When I find him, I am going to kick him so hard, he won't be able to walk for a week!" Jackie exclaimed, taking the bowl from Steven. She took a hit, holding her smoke for a few seconds. "I can't believe he did that to Donna. What a coward."

"Yeah, Forman usually ruins things by actually being there," Steven said, scratching at his side burns.

Jackie turned to Steven, a glint of mischief in her eye. "You know, Steven, since the church is booked and all-"

"No." Steven interrupted.

"Oh, come on!" Jackie exclaimed.

Fez took the bowl from Michael, holding it and the lighter loosely in his hands. "I just realized! Cockroach beats nuclear bomb! Let's play again, and I warn you, I will be cockroach."

-x-

Steven dropped the tailgate on the El Camino, wrapping an arm about Jackie's shoulders as they stared out over the town from their perch atop Mount Hump. She shivered in the cold October air and he pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her sweet-scented
hair.

"Steven?" Jackie asked, nuzzling under his chin.

"What, Doll?"

Jackie turned to look at him, her face open and loving. "Would you ever want to get married?"

"Not this again, Jackie, we've already talked about this," Steven said tiredly. He chewed on his tongue, staring resolutely over the small town spread out before them. Wind buffeted them, and Steven adjusted his position, stuffing his free hand into his
pocket.

"I know we did, it's just-" Jackie started, staring up at him. The look of love and adoration was fading. "Well, I mean, we're getting older, Steven. You've graduated, and I'm about to graduate, and we need to think ahead. Plan for the future."

"Jackie, we're still young. We're still teenagers," Steven argued, feeling like a broken record. His chest swelled as he took a deep breath. "I don't understand why you keep bringing this up."

"Because, Steven!" Jackie said hotly. She pulled out of his grasp. "When will we talk about this? You never want to talk about anything pertaining to the future. It's like you have no plans, or goals, or wants!"

"I have plans, Jackie!" Steven disputed.

"Oh?" Jackie asked, turning to him. She wrapped her coat tightly about her. "Like what? Tell me one plan you have for the future."

Steven's jaw tensed and he broke his stare with the town, looking to the trees surrounding The Overlook instead. Leaves swirled from the branches, landing in multi-colored piles around them.

What plans did he have for the future, exactly? He worked a dead end job as a chef at a hotel that catered to the "elite" of Point Place, had a meager amount of money saved and lived in a basement. Not even his own basement, but someone else's basement.
And Jackie wanted him to decide his whole future in an hour. He'd never been one to make plans. He went with the flow, riding the waves of possibility whenever they arose, often taking unnecessary risks that somehow always worked out in his favor.
He lived the mediocre life, and that was fine with him.

"Steven?" Jackie prompted.

"I don't know, Jackie," Steven answered stormily. He felt his face mutate into a glower, and he worked his jaw in an effort to alleviate the tension.

"Well, what about us?" Jackie continued.

Steven looked at her. "What about us?"

Jackie's mouth dropped open, her eyes wide. "Well? Are we going to get married? Have kids? Do you even want that with me?"

Steven shrugged, staring over her head. The wind picked up, assaulting him with the scent of Jackie's perfume. He could see a future with her, true. One that was strikingly similar to what they had now. Something chill, cool. No pressure of balls and
chains shackling him to her for the rest of their lives. If only she'd quit harping him with the subject. As soon as Forman had proposed to Donna, the sound of wedding bells had been ringing continuously in Jackie's ears. It was beginning to drive
Steven mad. And look where that had gotten Donna. Sure, when he was older, in his twenties, maybe even his thirties secure in a job, then yeah. Then he'd propose, if the timing were right.

"You don't know?" Jackie asked incredulously. "How can you not know? This isn't like picking out which ratty, band t-shirt you want to wear today, Steven, this is about us-"

"Jackie!" Steven sputtered. His hands rose to his eyes, rubbing hard enough to send bright white stars exploding over his lids. "Enough!"

"No, Steven, not enough!" Jackie cried, standing from the tailgate. "I need something, Steven, just open up to me! I can never figure out what you're thinking!"

A fire engine's siren wailed, sounding thin as it was carried on the breeze towards them. Steven met Jackie's eye, noting the sheen of tears that had welled up, coating her lashes. He rubbed his lips together, nodding his head slowly. Jackie sounded close
to tears, working to swallow over the lump that had settled in her throat. She scuffed the toe of her boot across the dirt, puckering her lips together.

"Jackie," Steven whispered, holding out a hand. "Come here."

Jackie slapped a hand into his, jerking when he pulled her to stand between his knees. She avoided his eye, pouting. It was a trick she had used on him too many times to count, Steven thought, a smirk covering his lips. Caving to her had been the easiest
way to keep her happy, but he wasn't going to cave on this. The stakes were too high. It wasn't just his future; it was hers on the line too. In the end, he'd just disappoint her. He'd never be able to make enough money to give her all the expensive
things she wanted. And kids? Steven wasn't sure he even wanted the smelly brats.

Steven wrapped his arms about Jackie's waist, anchoring her to him. She kept her arms crossed over her body as Steven drew her into a hug, his forehead falling to rest on her shoulder. "You gotta stop this, Doll. We've got time to talk about things. Ok?"

Silence answered him.

"Look," Steven said, pulling back. His throat felt like it was constricting, his heart pounding in his chest. Butterflies ripped through his stomach, and his fingers twitched. He had only told her once, to win her back, but maybe now was the time to say
it again. If only to satisfy her, and get her off his back. His fingers gripped the back of her coat. "I know what I feel for you, ok?"

Jackie's eyes finally met his. "And what would that be?"

"You know what it is," Steven answered. Their eyes were locked on each other. Words unsaid pinged between them, and Jackie shifted from foot to foot.

"Maybe I don't." Jackie said. She tightened her hold on her coat, her chin high. "You never assure me. It's like you're just stringing me along till someone whore-y-er with bigger breasts and a tattoo comes along. I know your type, Steven."

"Dammit, Jackie, you know that's not fucking true!" Steven blurted. His arms tightened around her waist, squeezing her.

Jackie's eyebrows arched and she looked at him disbelievingly. She was daring him to say something different, to Prove His Love. That's what she always wanted. For him to fucking Prove His Love.

Just say it, the little voice in his head demanded. Just fucking say it, you pansy. It won't kill you!

"I love you, Jackie," Steven whispered, his voice deep.

The wind had died down, leaving tendrils of her hair tangled over her shoulders. Her arms relaxed slightly, and her lips lost their pout. Her brown eyes were soft in the fading light. "Say it again."

Steven took a deep breath, rolling his eyes. "I love you. Ok?"

"Well don't say it like you have a knife to your throat," Jackie admonished.

"Look, you wanted me to say it, I said it," Steven said, dropping his hold on her.

Jackie spun on her heel, stalking around the side of the Camino to the passenger door. "I want to go home."

"No," Steven said, getting up from the tailgate. He followed her around the side of the Camino, slamming the door closed again. "We're not leaving till we get this figured out. I don't like going to bed angry."

"Steven, you're always angry," Jackie shot back.

"Yeah, about the government controlling the masses and about this stupid town!" Steven retorted. He shifted his weight, crossing his arms. "Look, Jackie, I'm not usually mad at you, and I like keeping it that way."

"Whatever," Jackie said.

Steven's head dropped back on his shoulders, and he stared up at the night sky. He took a couple steadying breaths. Jackie was staring at him expectantly when he looked back to her. This was why he didn't want to talk about the future. He was always disappointing
her. Never saying what she wanted, or how she wanted.

"Jackie…" Steven said softly. His heart swelled, his veins surging with boiling blood. "I love you."

"Really?" Jackie asked skeptically, her eyebrows drawn together.

"Yes, really," Steven said. He let his gaze fall to the ground. "I don't know what to do to make you believe me."

"Perhaps show it more?" Jackie suggested. "Tell me once in a while?"

Steven chewed on the inside of his cheek, his eyes narrowed as he stared down at her. "I thought you understood, Jackie."

Jackie exhaled roughly. "I thought I did too, Steven. I thought I knew everything about you. But lately, I don't know, I feel like we're on different wavelengths."

"Do you want me to tell you I think we'll get married?" Steven's voice had grown hard. He was sick of this. Sick of this constant banter of Will We Or Won't We. "Do you want me to tell you we'll have two and a half kids and a golden retriever and ride
off into the sunset on a fucking unicorn every night?"

"Don't mock me, Steven," Jackie said darkly, her eyes narrowed as fresh, new tears welled up.

"I'm not!" Steven yelled, his voice echoing through the trees. "Look, I want to tell you everything that you want to hear Jackie!"

"Then tell me!" Jackie screamed back.

"I won't lie to you!" Steven yelled louder. A murder of crows rose into the air, squawking boisterously. Jackie's jaws snapped shut and she wiped at her eyes. Steven panted angrily. His blood rushed in his ears, and his skin felt itchy with the force
of his blood coursing through his veins. "You want to get married, Jackie, I get it. But I don't want to get married. You need to get that."

Jackie swallowed hard, a tear coursing down her cheek. "In general, or just to me?"

Steven shook his head slowly from side to side, refusing to follow the instinct to break eye contact. "In general, Jackie."

"I don't understand." Jackie began, her voice showing her frustration. "Why is the thought of marrying me so disgusting to you?"

"You don't disgust me, Jackie," Steven reached for her, cupping her jaw in his hands. "It's the thought of marrying at all. I thought you'd get this, it's not like your parents had a good marriage."

"You don't want to get married because my parents didn't have a healthy marriage?" Jackie asked scornfully. "What about your parents? They weren't exactly the perfect example of matrimonial bliss."

"Exactly!" Steven cried, gripping her face a little tighter. His thumbs caressed her cheeks, catching the droplets of tears that escaped to course down her skin. "I don't want to risk that. I don't want to end up like our parents, Jackie. We're happy
now, aren't we? Isn't that enough? Why do we need to put our names on a piece of paper to make things real for you?"

Jackie leaned her cheek into his palm, her hands reaching up to wrap around his wrists. Her eyes were glassy, but the tears had dried. Steven leaned forward, pressing a sweet kiss to her strawberry glossed lips. She sighed against his mouth, her fingers
tightening over his wrists. When he broke away, she was already looking at him, her eyes wide.

"I promise, Jackie, I'll never lie to you," Steven vowed. He kissed her again, with more pressure, his tongue dipping past her lips to taste her. "Alright?"

Nodding jerkily, Jackie propelled herself into his arms, wrapping her own tightly about his neck. "Ok, Steven."

"No more talk about marriage," Steven said, holding her tightly to him. He buried his nose to her neck. "Especially not since Forman just ditched Donna."

"No more talk about marriage…" Jackie repeated, her voice hinting at her lie.

-x-

Jackie eased open Donna's bedroom door, pausing before fully entering the room. Donna was propped up against the wall, her knees bent supporting the book she was blankly staring at.

"Hey," Jackie said, startling Donna.

"Oh, hey," Donna replied, her eyes pinging up to Jackie and then back down to her book. She turned a couple pages back, clearing her throat as she pretended to read. Her red-rimmed eyes settled on Jackie. "Where were you?"

"With Steven," Jackie said, falling to her cot with a sigh. She worked at the zipper on her boots, dropping them one after the other onto the rug. "We went up to The Overlook."

"Romantic," Donna deadpanned. Shereturned to staring blankly at her book, her feet rubbing together under the comforter.

"Have you heard anything from Eric?" Jackie asked softly.

Donna massaged her lips together, shaking her head from side to side.

"Do you want some time alone?" Jackie asked, leaning forward and cupping her knees. "I can sneak over to Steven's."

Donna swallowed thickly, her face scrunching as fresh tears gathered in her eyes. She turned away from Jackie rubbing her cheek against her shoulder as the tears began to fall.

Jackie nodded, standing from the bed. She grabbed a pair of pajamas, shoving her feet into her slippers. At the door, she paused, pivoting on her heel to look at Donna. The Amazon was blubbering, snot leaking from her nose and eyes swollen with fresh
saline. And Jackie bit back the snide comment that naturally rose, biting her lip roughly. Instead, she surprised herself. Crossing the room, she dropped her pajamas to the end of the bed, sinking to sit beside Donna and wrapped her tightly in a bear
hug. Jackie's hands swept up and down Donna's back, and Donna clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I don't get it, Jackie," Donna moaned, her tears soaking Jackie's top. "Why would he do this to me? He said he loved me."

"I don't know, Donna," Jackie whispered, holding Donna tighter.

Donna pulled away, wiping the back of her hand under her nose. "I'd like to be alone."

"Ok," Jackie nodded, standing.

Jackie grabbed her pajamas, heading out of the room. Donna's voice stopped her as she made to close the door quietly behind her.

"Jackie?" Donna called. She shrugged, her face blotchy. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Jackie said, smiling. "Oh, and you should really get some cucumbers. It'll help the swelling."

Donna scoffed. "Thanks."

Jackie closed the door softly, hurrying down the hall. She hummed as she passed by Bob's bedroom door, gagging when she heard her mother's girlish giggle, swiftly followed by Bob's. The yard was dark and Jackie sprinted across the expanse of grass, skirting
the hedge dividing the two properties. She took the exterior stairs to the basement at a jog, breathlessly banging open the door.

Steven looked up, startled, as Jackie entered the room. He let his propped feet drop to the floor. "Hey, Doll."

"Hi," Jackie answered, dropping her clothes to the couch. She sank to Steven's lap, wrapping her arm about his neck. She kissed him, her hand cupping his cheek. "Can I stay the night? Donna needs some alone time."

"Yeah, sure," Steven responded quickly. He hugged her waist, his eyes dropping to stare at the television. His voice was questioning, his legs bouncing under her. "So, we're ok, right."

Jackie laid her head on his shoulder, her fingers toying with the curls at the nape of his neck. "Of course, Puddin' Pop."

"Hmm," Steven's chest buzzed against her, his deep voice echoing. His clothes were thick with the scent of marijuana, and that heady woodsy scent that was his own natural cologne, and Jackie pressed her nose to his collar, taking a discreet breath. Her
lips found his neck, leaving a row of soft kisses from his collarbone up to his jaw. Warmth spread down her body, pooling between her thighs. She caught his earlobe between herteeth, sucking gently on the soft flesh. Her sex throbbed and she
pressed her legs together in an effort to alleviate the pressure. Steven responded in kind. His breaths came out faster, his pulse throbbing under Jackie's touch. His fingers slid under her top, coasting over her searing skin.

He pushed at her hips, easing her off of him. "Come on."

Jackie grabbed her pajamas, quickly skirting around the couch to meet Steven at the back of the basement. He took her hand, pulling her aggressively into his bedroom. She pressed him up against his door, her hands falling to the buckle of his belt.

A deep, guttural moan left Steven's mouth, and he yanked the hem of her top from her skirt, pulling it up and over her head. They left their clothes piled on the floor, falling onto his cot with matching groans of pleasure. His skin singed her own. Her
fingers sought his, threading them together as he pushed them up the mattress, his pelvis mooring her to the bed.

Jackie pushed back at his shoulders, turning her head to reach for the box of condoms Steven stored in his dresser. She dropped a foil package on the dresser top, distracted by his touches. His head dropped to her chest, suckling at her breasts, rolling
her nipples into stiff peaks. Jackie reached between them, grasping his engorged member in her hand. His body twitched as she began to work her fist over him and Jackie smiled with desire. She could read his actions, knew that he loved the way she
touched him and the wet, hot kisses he placed on her chest and stomach verified it.

Fisting a handful of his curls, Jackie released a breathy "Steven", slanting her mouth to kiss him deeply. His tongue was slick and sweet against her tongue. She sucked on the thick muscle, alternating the pressure till Steven jerked back, wrenching the
condom off the dresser.

Sitting back on his heels, Steven tore open the foil package, momentarily pausing to watch as Jackie's fingers dipped to her sex, rubbing against herself. She brought a moist finger up her body, circling a pert nipple before bringing the appendage to
her mouth, sucking her essence from her skin, her eyes fixed on Steven's.

"Fuck." Steven groaned, dropping the condom beside them on the bed. He grasped her hair, leaning over her to thoroughly kiss her mouth, nipping at her lower lip.

"God, Steven," Jackie responded, clutching his shoulders. She brought her hips up, rubbing her glistening sex against Steven's dick, coating him in her juices. "I want you. Now."

Steven pulled back, sheathing himself in the condom. He pushed himself between her knees, gripping her thigh to gain better access.

Jackie moaned wantonly as Steven slid into her. He filled her pleasantly and Jackie felt her insides quiver. She pressed her head back into his pillow, riding out her orgasm at the feeling of him.

"God, you're beautiful," Steven whispered. His unshielded eyes poured out all his affection for her.

"Steven," Jackie moaned again, grasping the back of his neck to pull him in for another kiss.

Steven angled his hips, pushing her thigh up with his leg, and began to move, pumping in and out of her with a solid rhythm. Jackie ran the tip of her tongue along his bottom lip, sighing into his mouth when he captured her lips, dipping his tongue between
her teeth. Heat settled over her chest and sweat slicked their skin.

"Don't ever leave me, Steven," Jackie moaned, staring deeply into his eyes.

He swallowed thickly, his rhythm never faltering. He shook his head sweat beading on his forehead. "Never."

"Promise me," Jackie demanded.

Steven kissed her deeply again, swallowing whatever response was building on his tongue. Their tongues fielded against the others and Jackie brought her hands to his back, scratching her manicured nails down his skin. Jackie felt an intense pressure building
deep in her belly. Her insides were slick with her arousal, and she cried out her ecstasy as she came, quivering in Steven's arms. His hips sped up, working to join her in euphoric bliss.

Steven quaked as he came, his breath hot on her skin. He pulled out of her slowly, falling to lie beside her on the cot. Jackie curled against him, pressing kisses to his chest. Their panting breaths calmed them from their highs. Steven wrapped an arm
about Jackie's shoulders, his fingers tracing circles over her side, eliciting goose bumps.

"I love you, Steven," Jackie whispered, bringing her chin up to kiss his jaw.

"I know, baby," Steven whispered back, tilting his head down to kiss her mouth.

-x-

"We're just going to be friends," Eric announced. "Donna is going to rededicate herself to feminism."

"Wait," Kelso said from his perch by the freezer. "So, are you and Donna together, or not?"

"We're just working through some things, rediscovering ourselves." Eric said, drumming his fingers on the arm of the couch.

"So are you boyfriend and girlfriend, or can you see other people?" Kelso asked.

"Why so interested, Kelso?" Eric asked suspiciously.

Steven plopped into his chair. "He's trying to figure out if he can nail Donna."

"Hyde!" Kelso cried, stamping his foot.

"No, Kelso, you can't nail Donna," Eric said.

"So you two are still a couple?" Fez butted in.

Eric turned to the foreigner. "You can't nail her either."

Fez leaned back in the lawn chair, quirking his brow.

Eric pulled himself up to sit on the back of the couch. "I've got it all figured out, guys, I'm going to take the year off. I'm going to sell Donna's engagement ring, and have a gap year."

"So you're gonna be a bum." Steven supplied, swiping a magazine off the spool table.

"In the grandest European sense of the word!" Eric exclaimed. "So you'll help me find the ring?"

"You don't know where it is?" Fez asked.

"Well," Eric began. "Donna said she threw it off the water tower."

Steven burst out into deep belly laughs. "Man, that sucks. Almost seems like you had a group of friends telling you to not buy her a ring and propose."

The basement door opened, producing Jackie. She set her purse by the record player. "Hey guys. What are we talking about?"

"Forman is going to be a lazy, selfish bum and take a year off from life," Steven said, placing his hands on Jackie's hips as she sat across his thighs.

"And do what?" Jackie asked, smoothing her skirt.

"That's just it," Eric said excitedly. "Nothing!"

"Nothing?" Jackie repeated.

"Nothing!" Eric confirmed.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Jackie scoffed.

"You just don't understand," Eric said, waving his hand at her in dismissal. "Come on, the sooner we find the ring, the sooner I can begin!"

Steven took Jackie's hand, leading her up the stairs to the drive. Donna met the at the tailgate of the El Camino. Her new, shiny blonde hair glowed in the sunlight. "Hey! Where are you going?"

"Water tower," Eric said, meeting her at the bumper.

"Oh, why?" Donna asked, crossing her arms. "We going to paint something new on the tower? Shouldn't we wait till it's a little, I don't know, darker outside?"

"We're going to look for the miniscule diamond Eric bought you and passed off as an engagement ring," Jackie threw in, tapping the toe of her wedge on the cement.

"It wasn'tthat small," Eric defended weakly. "Come on, I was in high school when I got it."

"Steven, if you ever buy me a ring that small, I will never forgive you," Jackie said, prodding his chest with a baby pink nail.

"Good to know," Steven said, adjusting his sunglasses.

Fez, Kelso, Eric and Donna piled into the bed of Camino, two to a side, as Jackie slid across the bench seat to Steven's side. Steven backed out of the drive, speeding through the neighborhood towards the reservoir. The day had grown unseasonably warm
for October, and Steven rolled the windows down, basking in the warm breeze that swept over them.

His eyes caught sight of his friends in the back, smiling and laughing. He brought his arm to curl around Jackie's shoulder, and he smirked, accelerating through an intersection. Things had settled down, seemingly back to normal. Jackie had quit her yammering
about marriage. Donna and Eric had worked out their differences. It was as though the debacle of their engagement had never happened.

Jackie laid her hand on Steven's thigh, her head coming to a rest on his shoulder. The sun glinted off the windshield, briefly blinding him, and Steven took a deep, steadying breath.

Things were good, he decided, turning to press a kiss to Jackie's forehead. She smiled up at him, her fingers curling around his thigh.

He'd enjoy it while it lasted.

-x-

Not sure if this will turn into a full-fledged story or not. It was just something that was on my mind that I wanted to get out there. I write under another penname on this site, but didn't want my readers of my other stories to worry that I was giving them up. Plus, I'm trying to get away from the stories that I wrote way back when that are, to be it gently, fucking terrible. If you'd like more, please review. If you don't want more, please review. If you hate this/love this/kind-of, sort-of like this, please review. I don't have a beta, so anything constructive would be amazing. Happy reading!