"Can we just go? I feel so dirty now from that stupid apartment. We should have just left like I said."

"I was trying to buy a house!" he argued as he walked around to his side of the car.

Jackie smiled at him as he got into the car.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Later that night they were back at their hotel, both in the bed. Jackie was sitting with her back against the headboard and her legs sitting out in front of her. Hyde was lying on his side, asleep, with his head in her lap.

Jackie's hand ran through his hair and down to his neck then back up. She was thinking about their day, just reflecting on everything that had happened. She was astounded by how great he was. Sure they had had a little spat earlier but it had been fairly minor and had worked it all out in a matter of minutes.

After the apartment they went out to grab a bite to eat at this cute Italian place she'd wanted to try. After they finished dinner Hyde's hand still hurt and Jackie had made him go to the ER. The doctor had x-rayed the hand and said it was just bruised and swollen. He had given Hyde pain meds. Hyde had been excited, insisting that he was able to have a semi-legal high that way. Apparently though, when he was actually in pain it just made him sleep.

Almost immediately after he had taken the pill he had started looking a little sleepy. Jackie had insisted he lay down but Hyde had resisted until Jackie sat on the bed and begged him to join her. Finally, even after insisting he wasn't going to fall for it, he crawled into the bed. Seconds after his head fell into her lap he was asleep.

He had looked so comfortable so that was how even after three hours Jackie was still sitting there. Luckily the remote had been within arm's reach so she was able to grab it and flip through the channels.

"Mm. How long have I been out?" Hyde mumbled against her leg.

"A little while. How's your hand feeling?"

He opened his hand then made a fist. "Hurts still."

"See baby, that's why you can't punch walls. Promise me you won't punch any more walls."

"I can't promise that," he answered.

"And why not?"

"Because I don't know if I can keep that promise."

She smiled down at him as he rolled over to look up at her. She wanted to be mad but she was just grateful that he was being honest, even if it wasn't what she wanted to hear. It was times like these that made her love him more than before.

Kelso would have just told her what she wanted to hear and then let him hurt her again and again. From everything her and Hyde had been through he had been open and completely honest with her, even when it wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"Thank you for being so amazing Steven. You've been so great with me and everything we've had happen so thank you."

"Anything for you doll."

"You know, when you tell me that, I actually believe it. I love that about you."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. I know I can count on you."

"Good. I'll always be there for you," he said.

"I know."

"You look tired."

"I am."

"Come here," he said, his head moving from her lap.

He pulled her down next to him then wrapped his arms around her tightly, spooning her against his chest. She felt him kiss the back of her head before his lips moved to her ear. He kissed her ear softly.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear.

He always managed to surprise her with his sweetness. When she had first met him she never would have thought that he cuddle with her and kiss her ear before whispering 'I love you' in her ear in his sweetest voice.

"I love you too," she replied back as she let her eyes slip shut.

Hyde squeezed her waist tighter against him, kissing her one last time before they both fell asleep.