In the basement, Eric and Izzy were sitting on the couch, watching TV, when Hyde and Kelso came in.

"Hey." Hyde said, sitting in his chair.

Kelso squished between Izzy and Eric on the couch, making her laugh and hit him. "Whatcha doing?"

Izzy rolled her eyes, smiling. "Eric's counting his not-so-secret stash of money."

"Oh, from the, uh, Monopoly box?" Hyde asked, chuckling.

Eric scowled. "Okay, it's Candy Land? A- And I'm getting something special for Donna."

Kelso's eyebrows raised. "Ooh, something special, huh? Is it firecrackers?!"

Eric gave Kelso a what the hell are you on look. "No."

"No no, cause if it's something that blows up, I'll go halfsies." Eric just stared at Kelso who, for once, took it in the right way. He stood up and walked around to the back of the couch.

"It's a promise ring. Cause, you know, Donna and I have been fighting a lot lately..."

"Forman." Hyde said, leaning forward in his chair. "You get mushy with Donna, she's gonna see the secret girl inside the man. Now, trust me. You don't wanna let Erica out."

Kelso sat back on the arm of the couch next to Izzy, giggling. "Heh, Erica. That's a good burn. Hey Izzy, if he's Erica, does that make you, like... Isaac?"

Izzy scowled. "Don't call me that!"

"Okay. Isaac." Kelso giggled, and Izzy punched him on the arm, making him yelp. "Y'know, You can't do that with Michael, I'm lucky."

"Oh, really?" Hyde asked. "Michelle?"

"Damn, I forgot about Michelle." Kelso turned to Eric. "Look. Hyde obviously doesn't understand mature relationships, he's too busy chasing a girl like it's the third grade-"

"He what?" Izzy asked

"But I do! Understand mature relationships, that is. And a promise ring is not only a gift from the heart, but it also means more sex and less mouthin' off." Kelso considered it for a moment, then grinned. "I'm getting one for Jackie, too!"

"Great. Let's go!" Eric said. The two stood up, and Kelso looked over at Hyde.

"All right! See ya later, Hyde-a...uh, lisha." He leaned over to Izzy. "What's a good girlie name for Hyde?"

"Um... Hyderingia?"

"It's Heidi, you morons, Heidi!" Hyde yelled.

"But Hydereingia's so much prettier."

Hyde paused, then rolled his eyes. "Fine, Izzy Bee. Hydereingia."

-

In the circle later that day, Eric held up the ring for everyone to see. "Ah, the ring of love. Just holding it makes me feel mellow, content." There was a beat as he stared at the ring. "Actually, that might not be the ring."

"Why is everybody but Fez in love?" Fez whined. "If I don't get some romance soon I'm going to give myself a blister. Well... another blister."

Hyde sighed and leaned over. "Tell you what, Fez. I'm gonna take you cruising for chicks in the El Camino. And, I'm gonna let you buy the gas. And, buy my dinner. And, if we meet a chick, I'm gonna let you walk home!"

Izzy made a face. "That's so icky, Steven. If a guy tried 'cruising' for me, I'd probably just cry and run away."

"Izzy Bee, you do that at everything."

"So you see my point!"

"Guys," Kelso said, "what if Jackie doesn't want a ring from a guy like me? I mean, sure, I'm good looking, but, I can't be trusted!"

Eric shook his head. "No. You guys are the perfect couple. You do the bad stuff, and she tries to catch you. She's... Smokey to your bandit." He laughed loudly. "God, it's like that movie applies to everything!"

"I just... I wish there was a way I could give Jackie a thing. That wasn't actually the ring. You know? Like a... a test gift just to see what she would say, and then if it went bad I could just walk away." He paused, then smiled like a dork. "Hey, am I talkin' in rhyme? Oh, I wish I could do that all the time." The realization of what he's just said sank in. "Oh! Oh, man!"

-

Later on, in the Hub, Donna, Jackie, and Izzy were eating at their usual booth. Donna was playing with her ring, which she had on her index finger. She held it in front of her, looked at it, then twisted it a little and admired it again.

"Can you believe it? Isn't it pretty?"

"Yeah. I really need to introduce you to my good friend nail polish." Izzy giggled, showing off her perfectly-done nails.

Donna rolled her eyes. "You just paint them to hide all the acrylic paint you've got under your nails."

Jackie's jaw dropped. "Oh my god, ew." Donna chuckled. "And, a promise ring is sacred, Donna. Why aren't you wearing it on your left ring finger?"

"I dunno." Donna shrugged. "Cause I like it on this finger. What's the difference?"

"Donna. If you don't wear your promise ring on your left ring finger it totally cancels out the promise that you'll be together forever!"

"Wait, that's what I promised?"

Just then, Fez came into the Hub and walked up to the table. "Hey, ladies. Oh, nice ring, Donna. Jackie, lemme see yours."

Izzy's eyes widened and, when Jackie wasn't looking, she wildly mimed to Fez to shut the hell up at all costs.

Jackie looked confused. "I don't have one."

"Oh no, of course not. Because Kelso has not given you one yet." Izzy sighed and fell back into her seat, and Fez realized he said more than he should have. "I mean, um, I mean... look away!" He ran out of the Hub, and Jackie's face lit up.

"Oh my god, did you hear that? Michael's giving me a promise ring!"

"Yeah, that's great." Donna said flatly.

"Just... pretend it's a surprise? Please?" Izzy asked. "They'll blame me, they always blame me when secrets are spilled."

"I wonder how he's gonna give it to me. I hope he hides it in food. I told him if he ever gives me something nice, he should put it in food. It's classy."

Izzy sighed and rested her chin in her hand. "All this love just makes me think about how stupid it is that I'm just so... obsessed! With Steven, when he clearly doesn't feel the same."

Jackie rolled her eyes. "You are not obsessed with Steven. I was obsessed with Steven."

"Yeah, Iz," Donna said. "Don't worry, you'll never come close to Jackie stalker level."

"Hey!"

-

In the El Camino last night, Hyde was driving, "cruising" for chicks, and Fez was in the passenger seat.

"Alright, man," Hyde said, "be cool. These chicks are checkin' us out."

Fez nodded. "Cool. Gotcha." He leaned out the window and said, rather loudly, "Hello ladies!"

Hyde reached over and pulled Fez back into the car. "No, man, that's not how you do it! You gotta be... aloof."

"Did you just call me a... loof?" Fez's eyes were wide. "Because if so, I'll have to kick you in your nads."

"No, man. Aloof. Distant. Zen."

Fez sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. "Well that's not what loof means in my language."

"Look, I don't care what you think it means, that's what it means here."

There was a pause, then, "You're the loof."

"Fez, it's not—

"I said loof! I mean, look at you! You cannot tell Izzy how you really feel, and you resort to cruising for girls with me? Now that's what I call a loof."

Hyde sighed and shook his head. "Man, all this love just makes me think how stupid it is that I can't tell her. I talk to her about everything, man. I just..." He clenched his jaw. "I dunno."

-

In the Formans' driveway, Izzy was shooting baskets, but Hyde kept his arm up the hoop and blocked every shot. Fez, Jackie, and Kelso were standing by watching, and Eric was waiting for Donna.

"Oh, there you are, Donna. The movie's about to start. Come on." Eric took her arm and looked down. "Where... where's your ring?"

"Oh! I put it on a chain so I could wear it around my neck." She walked around to the car, and Eric stood, somewhat uneasy about this.

"Burn!" Kelso yelled. "Oh, super burn, the wedding's off!"

"Kelso, shut up." Eric and Donna said in unison.

"Yeah, Michael, you don't know anything about anything!" Jackie bit back.

Slowly and deliberately, emphasizing each word, Kelso said, "I... do... too!"

Hyde leaned over and into Izzy's ear, whispered, "Now I don't know which fight's the funniest!"

"Wait, fight?" Eric said. "We're... okay, I'll be right back." He walked to where Donna was standing, and everyone followed close behind him. "Donna, why aren't you wearing the ring on your hand?"

Donna shrugged. "I dunno, I didn't really think it was a big deal."

"That is not true!" Jackie said shrilly. "I told you! I told her it was a big deal."

"Look, Eric, why don't we talk about this later?"

"Well, I- you know, there's not really anything to talk about. Unless... you don't wanna wear this ring."

"Ouch!" Kelso yelled. Everyone slowly turned to look at him. "Sorry, I'm sorry." He gestured at Eric and Donna to continue.

Donna looked helplessly at Izzy for a moment, then laughed and took the necklace off, putting it on her finger. "It's great. The ring is great. See? It's great!"

"So... we're good?" Eric slowly asked.

"Yeah. Fine."

"Okay! Good!"

They were about to get in the car when Kitty ran out with the camera. Eric had a huge smile on his face, while Donna seemed less than thrilled as Kitty snapped a picture, then ran back in the house.

-

"Oh, Mrs. Forman, that is a wonderful picture." Fez said. "You can really see how unhappy Donna is." They were all clustered around the photo in the kitchen, joined even by Red, Midge, and Bob.

"Okay," Izzy said, concerned. "All I know is, when Donna said she was fine, she definitely wasn't fine."

Kitty rolled her eyes and looked at her daughter. "Eric has never been good at knowing when fine isn't fine. It runs in the family."

"No, it does not!" Red said.

"Fine." Kitty said angrily.

Red smiled. "Okay! Good!"

"I don't know. She doesn't look that unhappy." Bob said. He turned to Midge. "She kinda looks like you!"

"I'm unhappy, Bob."

There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence, then everyone heard a can opening. The herd of people parted, and they all saw Hyde in front of the refrigerator, holding a beer. He said nothing. Everyone just stared at him, and he stared back.

After a longish pause, Hyde finally said, "I'm just so worried about Eric and Donna!" He paused, then laughed. "Aw, fine!" He handed the beer to Red.

-

After everyone had parted ways from the kitchen, Kitty was still around, preparing dinner for the night. Hyde came back in through the living room, hugging the door awkwardly.

"Hey, Mrs. Forman." He said, trying to act nonchalant.

"Oh hi, Steven. What brings you over here? Do you need a snack? Isabelle made cookies!" She gestured to a plate of chocolate chip cookies resting on the counter.

Hyde chuckled and grabbed one, going to sit in a chair at the table. "Can I talk to you about something?"

Kitty looked over, pausing. She saw the serious look on his face and nodded, wiping her hands on her apron. She sat across from him. "What's going on, Steven?"

"I just..." Hyde paused, clearly holding his breath. "I need... I... How did Red first tell you he loves you?"

A small smile showed on Kitty's face. "Oh. What, did Isabelle mention the story?"

He let out a flat laugh. "Something like that."

"Well. We met in '52, and when we had been dating for a little bit, one night he took me out dancing. Now, Mr. Forman, he never goes dancing. Not willingly." Hyde chuckled. "So I knew something was going on when he asked me. When a song came on--ooh it was Frank Sinatra. Now, he wasn't very popular back then, but oh, I loved his music." Kitty smiled and rested her chin in her palm. "He asked me to dance... and he dipped me, and just... said it."

Hyde couldn't help but smile. "And what happened after?"

"Oh, well-" Just then, Red came into the kitchen to grab a beer. "Red, do you remember what happened right after you first told me that you loved me?"

Red scowled. "Oh now, Kitty, why would you want to-" He looked over and saw Hyde sitting there expectantly. Red hid a smile, realizing quickly what was happening. "Oh. Well, I, uh... I kissed you. And then you ran out and told all your friends."

Kitty turned back to Steven, her cheeks pink. "Now Steven, you need to answer us this one question."

"Yeah, Mrs. Forman?"

"Is this about Isabelle?"

-

The next day in the Hub while Izzy was working, Hyde was playing pinball next to her counter.

"Hyde," Fez asked, watching him play. "When I cruise a girl, how long do I have to talk to her before she will french me?"

Hyde chuckled, not looking up from his game. "That depends on what kind of girl you're cruising for. Aim low, Fez. Real low. Just this side of gross."

Izzy sighed and leaned against her counter, facing the boys. "No way, Fez. Aim high, you deserve a great girl." She gave him a wink. "I should know, I dated you."

Jackie came into the Hub and walked right up to Izzy. "Where is Michael Kelso?! I want my ring."

"Uh, bathroom." Izzy said.

She turned and started to head for the men's bathroom, but Fez stopped her. "Jackie, wait, wait. Kelso wants to give you the ring. But he's scared."

Jackie looked confused. "Why is he scared?"

"Because you're scary." Hyde snickered.

"No." Fez quickly said. "It's because Kelso is delicate. Sensitive."

"He's a girl!" Izzy giggled. "Okay, but really, Jackie. You can't push him into this. He'll do it when he's ready."

Kelso walked out of the bathroom, and Jackie ran up to him. "Where's my ring, you idiot?"

"Or yell at him," Hyde said, grinning. He finally turned away from his game to watch. "This is more fun for us."

"Look, you. I want my promise ring, and I want it now. Give it!"

"Really?" Kelso asked, eyebrows raised. "Ok, just... wait, cause I just... I wanna do this right." He got down on one knee and took out the ring. "Jackie? From the first minute that I saw you, I knew that I wanted to fool around with you." Jackie turned around and shot the others a glare, the three of whom just shrugged. She turned back to Kelso. "And then, after we did that, and I still wanted to talk to you, I knew that I never wanted to be without you. So... will you accept my ring?"

Jackie smiled, her face lit up. "Yeah. Yeah, Michael, I will." He stood up and pulled her in for a hug.

Hyde made a face. "Oh, god."

"I know." Fez mumbled.

Izzy giggled. "Stupid."

-

"Hey, what's up?" Hyde asked as he and Fez walked into the basement.

Eric looked up from his comic book. "So, how was cruising?"

"Unsettling." Fez said. "When a girl is in a car, you can only see her from the neck up. Talk about the tip of the iceberg."

"So, uh, where's Donna?" Hyde asked.

Eric pointed in the direction of her house distractedly. "Oh, she said she had to study."

"Huh. So... everything's cool?"

There was a beat, then Eric put down his comic. "Okay. Look. I don't know what everyone thinks is going on, but Donna and I are not only fine, we're great. Everything's finally settled, so... we're happier than ever."

"Well, one of you is." Hyde mumbled under his breath.

"The hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Look, Forman. I get what you're trying to do. You know, you're trying to... lock her up. Seal the deal. And, all I'm saying is..." Hyde cleared his throat. "Maybe Donna's not that kinda girl."

Eric paused and thought for a moment, then slowly rose to his feet. "Okay, you don't know as much as you think, Hyde. Just because you like my sister, it doesn't mean you know anything about this kinda stuff. So you need to just shut up." He turned and went upstairs, leaving Hyde and Fez in an uncomfortable silence.

Fez shook his head. "Now, that man is a loof."

-

Later that same night, Izzy sat in Red's chair in the living room, flipping through her magazine. Hyde sat on the couch, watching TV in the seat closest to her, his mind elsewhere. Music was playing from the kitchen as Kitty cleaned, which Izzy was softly moving her head to.

She looked up when a different song started playing. "Oh, I love this song." She said, smiling to herself.

"What is it?" Hyde asked, desperate for any conversation to take his mind off how beautiful she looked, with her hair done in two perfect braids and wearing patched-up old jeans.

"Sinatra." She shook her head lightly and flipped a page in her magazine. "It's no big deal."

Hyde stood up, and before he could realize what he was doing, he extended a hand out to her. He cleared his throat, gaining her attention. She looked up confusedly.

"Wanna dance?" He asked, his heart threatening to beat out of its chest. "I never did get a full dance with you at that disco."

She nodded, a smile tugging at her lips as she took his hand. He slowly pulled her out of her chair and pulled her close to him. He gingerly placed his hands on her waist, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"What's this song called?" He asked after a few moments of silence.

She turned and rested her head against his chest, hearing his wild heartbeat. "It's called, um, it's 'That's Life.'"

He chuckled. "How very existential."

There was a minute of them dancing slowly, and when Izzy started giggling, Hyde pulled away slightly to look at her, neither of them taking their hands off each other.

"What's so funny?"

"This is a fun song. And we're slow dancing."

He chuckled. "Then it doesn't have to be slow."

He picked her up by her waist, twirling her around once before setting her down. He had a huge smile on his face--he couldn't help it, her laugh was contagious.

They picked up the pace of the dancing, laughing through it all.

When the song slowed down at the end, so did they.

They stopped a moment, their noses almost touching. Each of them swore the other could hear their own erratic heartbeat.

"Izzy Bee, I-"

"I like you, Hyde." She breathed out. Her eyes widened when she realized what she had said. "I really like you. And not like a friend, like- like a more than friend." Before she could realize what was happening, her mouth just ran with it. "Like, I think I might even be in love with you, but I don't want to say that because I know you and I know you would never feel that way about me-"

Hyde said nothing and just changed their position, dipping her slightly. His hair hung in front of his eyes, and his necklace dangled mockingly. He pressed his lips to hers softly. He was quick to realize that he was kissing her, actually kissing her, right as he could hear the song ending with a "My, my!"

He pulled her back to her feet, and neither of them dared to break eye contact.

"I feel that way, Izzy Bee." Hyde had a big, goofy smile on his face. "I've felt that way as long as I can remember knowing you."

Izzy giggled breathlessly. "So... what does that mean?"

"It means... I love you? A- And I'd like to give us a try. Can we try that?"

She just smiled and kissed him again.

"Well that answers that." He chuckled.