CHAPTER ONE

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Emmerdale or it's characters, they belong to ITV

A/N: I was going to upload this at the weekend, but seeing since filling out my national census form has lituarlly bored me to death, and while I was on line I thought why not now!

Hope you enjoy the sequel, it is set in May 2011...3 months after chapter 20 of the last story x

Aaron woke up as the alarm clock buzzed loudly into life, he sleepily pressed the snooze button, and settled back down beneath the warm covers.

It was not even five minutes later when his mobile jingled into life, disturbing him again.

Aaron hated getting up with a passion, early or late, he reached out for his mobile and snatched it from his bedside unit, then he sleepily held up the phone to read the text message.

wake up mr sleepy! - J xxxxxx

Aaron sighed, Jackson must have radar to know when he was still in bed or late getting up, he rose out of bed and had a quick shower. All he could think about was Jackson, and how much he missed him.

Jackson had been in Southampton for 3 weeks now, signed up for a major construction contract in the town.

Jackson had been home since, just the once over the weekend last, but it was only for a few hours because he had to share out the time Between Aaron and his Mum.

Aaron hated it when Jackson had to work away, but he knew the reasons for it, if work was drying up around here, Jackson had to travel far and wide to look for it.

As Aaron ate his toast, Paddy pulled a teasing grin over his weetabix, Aaron sat opposite him now staring into his empty mug, eyes looking far away in deep thought.

" Are we still pining for someone..." Paddy cooed with a little chuckle.

Aaron snapped out his trance, " mind your own Paddy...I don't DO pining..." he then got up and chucked his breakfast things in to the sink, his usual routine.

Paddy came over to him with his bowl " hey...you better wash that up...Rhona's already had words about you not pulling your wait with the washing up!"

Aaron pulled a frown " I'm leaving them in to soak..."

Paddy looked up in surprize " what...for 7 hours in stone cold water!" Aaron pulled a cheeky smirk and grabbed a pair of pink rubber gloves from the draining board," I'll tell you what..." Aaron began

"What...you wash, I dry..." smiled Paddy beaming at him.

Aaron shook his head still smirking " No..." he slapped the gloves into Paddy's grasp, " you do it for me!"

"Cheaky!" laughed Paddy, but before he could protest, Aaron was already out the door...

At work, Aaron was in a daydream again, he constantly stared at his mobile and went off for a crafty smoke.

Ryan looked up from the motor he was working on, and turned to face Cain, " Isn't little boy lost even doing a scrap of work today!" he moaned.

Cain sighed, and strolled up to Aaron, who nursed a mug of cold tea, and was glued to his phone, " Hey you!...he's in Southampton...not Timbucktoo..." Snapped Cain," so do us all a favour and stop moping over him...and go pull your wait...you are slacking!"

Aaron pulled up his greasy overalls with a huff, " I was on a break!" he protested to his uncle.

" you are always on a break...ever since your boyfriend buggered off to Southampton to do some hard graft for your future...why don't you do the same..." Cain cried.

Aaron took no notice, and went to work on the motor he was meant to be working on, it was nearly 12, Jackson would usually call by here for lunch...he missed him so much...but he'll never admit it to them.

" Can't see them hands moving with that spanner!" yelled Cain watching him.

Ryan turned to Cain, clutching a cuppa of his own, " if I get like him...over a girl mind, not a lad...shoot me will yah..." Cain laughed, Aaron looked over, pushing out his bottom lip, he knew he was the butt of the jokes today, but he didn't care, he just missed Jackson.

After work, Aaron strolled over towards Smithy, mobile still in his grasp, Jackson still hadn't called him, and his mobile was on voicemail, he then looked up to see Chas hurry over to him.

" Aaron!...are you still coming round for your tea, love..." Chas asked,

Aaron looked at her in the warm May evening sunshine, " I can't...I've got to go and check on you know who remember"

Chas pulled a face " check on who..." then she twigged as Aaron raised his eyebrowes, "ohhhh...Hazel...I'm sure she be okay..."

Aaron shook his head " I promised Jackson I'd keep an eye out, and I am..."

Chas rolled her eyes, " can't disappoint her can we...just seems she sees you more than I do at the moment...bet she's cooking your tea in all..."

Aaron hadn't given that much thought and said, " she might...if I fancy it...what are you offering..." he asked.

The question caught Chas on the hop, " Ahhhhh...bangers and mash..."

Aaron nodded, " better see what Hazel's offering them..."

" Charming...any way if you not coming round I'll get a take out, and go to the pub..." said Chas " anyway chin up...he'll be home friday..."

Aaron pulled his eyebrowes together in an expression of fake puzzlement, " Who is..."

" Jackson! Paddy's said you've been missing him...oh bless you...you are all in love!"

Aaron took this as a que for a quick gettaway, " Gotta go...may catch up with you laters...if you're lucky..."

Chas laughed as she made her way up the road, " see that you do love..." she yelled, " may not be here on day, to annoy yah..."

Aaron turned and playfully yelled, " not lucky enough for that ever to happen..."

Aaron drove to Hotten, and pulled into the estate where Jackson's masonette was, he had to admit, he'd been to some rough dumps in his time, but this estate was just dire.

Aaron parked his beloved Fiesta sport next to a burnt out wreck, then looked up to see a gang of hoodies eyeing up his pride and joy.

Aaron stepped out the car, and put on his most hardest of looks, which wasn't to hard, Aaron always looked tough...unless he was in a gay bar.

He glared at the young hoodies, they only looked about 12, and gave them the death stare, while pointing to his car " Touch that...and you're dead!" he warned.

With his key that Jackson had given him, he went to let himself in, but the door had been forced open, he could see the splinters torn from the door frame.

" Hazel..." Aaron called swinging open the door...he then cautiously entered the empty lounge, " Hazel ..." he called out again, there was no answer from Jackson's mother.

As he entered the kitchen he could see some of Hazels heart medication on the tiled floor, and the back door was open ajar.

Aaron could feel the tablets crunch under foot, and he stepped out into the back yard...

...to see Hazel lying on the patio...

Aaron frantically hurried over to her...

TBC

As always, please review...xxx