That 70s Show fanfic: Homecoming (10)

[jennickels]

Homecoming
by jennickels (aka Jen Connelly)
That 70s Show
Jackie/Hyde
23,369 words
rating: PG-13

Twenty years ago Hyde left Point Place without so much as a look back. What happens when he suddenly finds himself back in town and trying to restart his life?  Will his friends take him back? 

don't own... wish I did, but I don't. No infringement intended.

Chapter 10: Like a Woman Scorned

Hyde lay on the floor holding his nose. His whole head was throbbing, keeping pace with his pounding heart. He took his hands away expecting them to be covered in blood, but they weren't. He wiped at his nose and only found a small trace of blood there. He looked up her with tears of pain in his eyes. She was still holding the phone and could here a voice on the line-"Point Place Police Department, can I help you."

"You called the cops?" He tried to get up but Jackie stepped over and kicked him in the side again. He rubbed at his sore ribs. He couldn't believe she actually called the cops. She was really pissed.

"Um, yes," she said into the phone. "I'm having a little trouble with my ex and could use some assistance." Hyde listened as she gave directions to the operator then hung up.

"Couldn't we just talk about this?" he asked, meekly. She glared at him then started putting the groceries away again. Slowly Hyde got to his feet; Jackie ignored him. Now that he had her alone he didn't know what to say to her. He just stood there staring at her and thinking how beautiful she looked when she was mad. Without thinking, he picked up the gallon of milk and started putting it away. She stopped and frowned at him.

"What are you doing?"

Hyde looked at the milk, then back at her. "Helping," he said quietly.

"I don't need any help, Hyde. I didn't need your help the last nineteen years, I don't need it now."

"Jackie, I just want to talk."

"No, Hyde. There is nothing to talk about. So go."

"Would you quit calling me Hyde. I hate it when you call me that."

"Good, because I only call you that when I hate you." Hyde felt like his heart was being ripped from his chest. Funny how much he hated her calling him Steven before they were dating and now hearing her say Hyde was like torture to him. Her eyes never left his and her expression never wavered. Just then there was a hard knock on the front door. Hyde noticed the blue and red lights blinking through the window.

"Point Place Police. We had a complaint," said a familiar voice. Jackie groaned; Hyde smiled.

Jackie tore open the front door. "Michael, what are you doing here?"

"We got a call," he said, grinning. He looked past Jackie at Hyde. "You want me to take him in for you?"

Hyde rolled his eyes at Kelso, but wasn't entirely sure he was joking. Jackie looked over her shoulder and thought a second. "Yes, I do."

"All right, Sir, I'm going to need you to turn around and put your hands on the counter," Kelso told Hyde.

"Come on, man," Hyde started to say, but Kelso shoved him up against the sink.

"I think you know the drill, Hyde." God damn it, Kelso was enjoying this, Hyde thought. He grabbed the edge of the sink and spread his legs while Kelso patted him down.

"Kelso, this is ridiculous," he said, trying to turn around. Kelso slammed him back against the counter.

"Sir, if you don't cooperate I'm going to have to write you up for resisting arrest."

"What am I under arrest for? I didn't do anything. She was the one that assaulted me," Hyde cried. "She broke my nose, man." Kelso stepped back to get a better look at Hyde's face then he looked over at Jackie.

"Damn, Jackie. You did that? Those self defense lessons really worked, huh?"

"Well he grabbed my arm and left bruises, see," she said holding up her injured arm. Hyde tried to stand up again but Kelso still had him by the collar, with his foot holding Hyde's right leg out from his body.

"Kelso, man, let go of me before I kick your ass."

"Did you just threaten me? Assault on an officer is a serious offense."

"I haven't assaulted you yet, but I will if you don't get your damn hands off of me." Hyde was starting to get mad. When Kelso turned back to talk to Jackie again Hyde felt his grip loosen a little. He took the opportunity and swept his foot under Kelso's, knocking him to the floor. Hyde dropped down on top of him and jammed his forearm into Kelso's throat, while grabbing his arm with his free hand. Kelso struggled for a minute then gave up. Hyde let him go and stood up.

"You suck as a cop," Hyde told him, helping him to his feet. Kelso laughed.

"Yeah, I know. Except for when I actually catch the bad guy," he smirked.

"Huh?" Hyde started but before he could finish his thought Kelso slapped a handcuff over his wrist. "Damn it Kelso." Jackie started laughing.

"Ha," she yelled in triumph. She started to hug Kelso, but he grabbed her hand.

"I'm going to have to arrest you, too," he said, putting the other side of the cuff on her.

"WHAT!" she screamed and tried to pull away.

"Ha," Hyde laughed.

"Michael, get this off of me, now," Jackie yelled, hitting Kelso on the arm.

"Ah, see, Kelso, assaulting an officer. That's a serious offense, Jackie."

"Shut up, Hyde!" Jackie's face was turning red as she fought to get loose, which was pointless with the handcuff on. Hyde laughed again. He was really enjoying watching her get all worked up.

"MICHAEL KELSO," she shrieked and tried to slap him across the face. Kelso stepped back and she kicked him.

"Damn, Jackie, that hurt. Take it out on him. He's the one you're mad at." Jackie turned her attention back on Hyde and kicked him in the shin.

"I'd like to file charges on that, I've got witnesses now," Hyde said, rubbing his leg.

"All right," Kelso sighed. "I'm going to have to take you both down town to sort this out." Hyde grabbed Jackie's arm before she could take another swing at Kelso.

"Let me go, Hyde!"

"Jackie, just calm down."

"NO, let go, Hyde."

"Jackie-"

"LET GO!" She was bawling now, tears streaming down her face; her breaths coming in gasps. Hyde looked over at Kelso and shrugged. Kelso ran his tongue over his teeth but said nothing. Hyde pulled her in a little closer and put his free hand around her back. She dropped her arms to her side, giving up.

"Jackie," Hyde whispered.

"Just leave me alone, Steven. I don't want to talk to you, ever. I hate you," she sobbed into his chest.

"I know, Jackie. Just give me a chance to make it up to you." Jackie started hitting him again, but it was only a half effort. Hyde used his cuffed hand to hold both of her wrists against her stomach and hugged her with his free hand. He wanted to tell her he was sorry; it was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't seem to get the words out. They sounded so lame in his head, but he meant them. He was more sorry then she would probably know.

Kelso sighed. He clapped Hyde on the shoulder and kissed the side of Jackie's head. "Here," he said, placing the cuff key in Hyde's hand.

"Don't you want your cuffs?"

"Just bring them by my house when your done. At least this way she has to sit and listen to you." Kelso smiled his crooked little smile. "Good luck, man."

Hyde nodded. "Kelso, man, thanks," he called after him. Kelso just raised his hand acknowledging Hyde.

Hyde took a deep breath, smelling Jackie's shampoo-it smelled like peaches. "If I let you go are you going to hit me again?" Jackie shook her head no but as soon as Hyde let go she punched him right in the mouth. He fell back against the table almost taking both of them down to the floor.

"I deserved that," he said, tasting blood in his mouth. He waited for a barrage of fists but Jackie didn't hit him again. She just stood, looking defeated, tears streaming down her face. "Are we going to talk now?"

"Ugh, Steven. I don't know. If you're just going to tell me how sorry you are then I don't want to hear it. Just let me out of these." Hyde unlocked the cuffs and rubbed his own wrist. He could already see a red band forming around it. Jackie did the same, all the time mumbling curses at Kelso. She went right back to putting the frozen food away. Hyde looked around for something to do. He felt uncomfortable now that they were alone. His body was tense and his head was pounding.

"Where does this go?" he asked, holding a couple cans of soup. Jackie glanced over her shoulder to see what he had.

"Last door on the right, top shelf." When he turned back around from putting the cans away Jackie was standing next to him with some ice wrapped in a dish cloth.

"I'm sorry about your nose," she said softly. "I'm not sorry about your lip, though."

"What about my shin. That really hurt."

"Only slightly." She caught herself halfway to a grin and turned away. Hyde noticed though. He held the ice up to his busted lip and tried to figure out what to say next. Jackie sat at the table and motioned him to sit. "I just want you to know I'm doing this for Steve. He asked me to talk to you, so I am and that is the only reason."

Chapter 11