Hey! Sorry for yet another long gap in my updating! I've been busy shopping for school supplies and such. *frowns at the reminder that summer is almost over* I'm trying to wrap up some of my older stories (Quinn's Older Sister, Rusty's Legacy, A Spy's Fear, etc…) so I can start writing some of the new, exciting stories I have in mind. *claps hands together* This is the epilogue to Bruises, and I just want to thank all of you so much for reading this story and reviewing it. I really enjoyed your input when I was stuck and appreciated your encouragement when I was down. There are a few people I want to thank and the first being OXannaOX , the very girl who requested this story. Thank you so much! I would've never thought to write this fic if you hadn't suggested it! I love reading ur reviews on all my stories and hope to continue reading them in the future. I'd also like to thank some of my regular reviewers: brokenrussiancrawl, discoslam , Ace5492 , brokenangelwings16 , and Bratalia . I love u all! And to all my other reviewers, u guys rock! I hope you enjoy this last update! Dislcaimer: I do not own That '70s Show. Owning this show to me is like how Fez would feel owning a candy factory. *wanders off into fantasy world*

Point Place, WI

Jan. 1, 1980

Jackie Burkhart looked herself in the mirror, tracing the now faint scar on her shoulder. Dr. Richards had been right. Her scars, both physical and emotional, had started to heal over time. Of course, it hadn't been easy. When she was first released from the hospital, Jackie wasn't able to sleep at all. Chip's face and words kept racing through her mind, his gruesome smirk burned into her memory. Luckily, the gang wasn't about to let her fall off the face of the Earth. Everyone helped lessen the pain. Donna's dad let her live with them, and it wasn't long before the tiny brunette was considered an honorary Pinciotti. The Formans continued to act as the parents she never had, and Eric took over the role of annoying but protective older brother. Fez and Kelso continued to keep her smiling on a daily basis, something she really did appreciate. After going through what she did, it was easy to start feeling down. Jackie truly loved all of her friends.

And then there was Hyde. The normally loud midget didn't have words to describe her fiancé. Yes, fiancé. Steven Hyde, the Zen burnout with paranoia of the government and relationships, had proposed to her on Christmas 1979. They were set to get married the following April, Jackie's favorite month. After she got out of the hospital, they began dating. Jackie had discovered a side to him she didn't even know existed. He was the prince charming she had always dreamed about when she was a little girl despite his protests. The two were madly in love and had been together for two years. It took the gang a little while to adjust to the relationship, but they eventually accepted it. Everyone had all graduated from high school with a couple of ups and downs along the way. Eric and Donna had been engaged and set to get married until Eric ran off on the wedding day. They were now back together and going to Madison together, visiting every weekend to see their friends and eat Kitty's food. Kelso had knocked up a girl two years older than them, Brooke, at a concert, and they had a young daughter, Betsy. The two were together and raising their daughter in Point Place with wedding bells in the future. Kelso was working as a police officer, a fact that scared everyone, while Brooke was a librarian. Betsy was a little angel who loved spending time with her godparents. Meanwhile, Fez had married Laurie to stay in the country after graduation, and the two were currently expecting their first child. The couple both were stylists at the same salon.

Jackie smiled at thinking how far the gang had come. They weren't just six kids sitting around a basement anymore. They were grown adults with jobs and responsibility. Of course, that's not saying the gang had grown up completely. Kelso was still constantly gluing himself to stuff, Eric still babbled on about that Star Wars crap, Donna continued to wear flannel, Fez was as perverted as ever, and Hyde still insisted there was a car that ran on water. She was glad they would always truly be them. The gang wouldn't be the same any other way.

Jackie felt a pair of strong arms wrapping around her waist. She craned her neck to see Hyde smirking at her. "You're being awfully quiet, Doll. Red actually asked me if I had found a way to install a mute button on you," he teased. Jackie glared at him. "And of course, I told him that even if I could, I wouldn't," he added quickly. She could kick hard. The dark-haired beauty raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "What's on your mind?" Hyde questioned gently. He always worried when she was too quiet. In his experience, it was never a good thing.

Jackie's face got that sad, wistful expression that he hated, and the Zen master instantly knew it was about two things: Chip or her parents. Both were extremely sensitive topics for the girl. With the exception of her therapist, Jackie hadn't talked to anyone about what had happened with Chip, and she didn't appreciated when anyone tried to bring it up. The only time Hyde had heard his fiancé bring it up was when she asked Eric to tell her what had happened at her house after Kelso drove her to the hospital. Eric, though surprised, managed to tell her everything she wanted to know. The mismatched-eyed beauty never asked about it again. Jackie's parents were a bad topic as well. Her parents never came back to town. Jack Burkhart left the country to avoid arrest for tax evasion and embezzlement while his wife whored her way around South America. Jackie didn't have contact with either of them, and she really didn't want to.

Jackie looked up at Hyde, who she could tell was worried about her. "Nothing, Puddin' Pop," she answered, using the pet name he hated and she loved. "I was just thinking about Chip and how things could've been different." She fingered the scar.

Hyde noticed the tiny action and placed his hand over hers. "I know. Things could've been different, but I'm glad they aren't. I wouldn't have them any other way." His words were sincere, and they went straight to her heart.

Jackie grinned widely, happy tears rolling down her face. "Oh, Steven. I love you."

"I love you too," Hyde replied, cupping her chin in his hand and kissing her gently. After a few minutes, he pulled away. "Now let's watch go the ball drop," he suggested. Jackie smiled and pulled him towards all their friends.

"5….4…..3…..2…..1…" everyone in the room counted down. Hyde turned to Jackie.

"So, what's your New Years Resolution?" he asked with a smirk.

"Making sure you get to the alter without pulling an Eric," Jackie joked. Hyde gave her a serious look.

"I wouldn't be too worried if I was you, Doll," he reassured her, wrapping his arm around her waist. The whole gang watched as the ball dropped, ending a decade and bringing in a new one. One full of possibilities and love and family and friendship.

And, as everyone else shouted, "Happy New Year!", the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Hyde were engaged a passionate kiss. And while there had been bumps along the road, the couple had gotten to where they should be. Because scars fade, bruises heal, and memories are replaced. And Jackie learned that being broken and bruised were two very different things. She had been bruised many times but never broken. And she had Steven and the gang to thank for that.