"Final Altercation"

WRITTEN BY DAYNE DINNING

# Disclaimer – I do not own Emmerdale or any of the characters used.

ONE SHOT: This one shot spurs off from the fire in 'Their Journey Re-Written' but takes place within the 'Their Journey Re-Written 3 Years On' BUT at the same time is NOT LINKED to the latest set of stories.

The pub had been closed for almost half an hour, Aaron and Moira had cleaned up and prepared everything for the following day, Aaron had only one more barrel to change but he came back up to the bar to let Moira out. When he emerged in the back; Moira looked up from the table and smiled. "I've filled in the end of day sheet but it's down by a fiver"

Aaron shook it off. "Ahh don't worry about it, I'll go over it in the morning" he smiled. "Go on, you can get yourself off"

Moira smiled and stood up and walked to get her coat. "So what you gunna get up to with Jackson away for the night?" she called to him.

Aaron shrugged his shoulders as he stood in the doorway. "You know, I didn't even think about that, probably snuggle up with a microwave meal, Marlon kinda barred me from the kitchen, he finally realised I was pinching things" Aaron chuckled.

"Well whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy it" she smiled as she adjusted her coat and zipped it up.

"I will do" Aaron said as he walked out into the bar and grabbed the door keys and waited for Moira.

Moira grabbed her handbag and was ready to leave she walked back to the bar and then walked to the door, following Aaron. "Have a good night" Aaron said with a smile as he unlocked the door and opened it.

"You too love" she smiled as she left work.

Aaron locked the door behind her and walked through to the back and locked that door aswell before going back into the cellar to change the last barrel that needed changing. After a few moments the cellar door slammed shut, he hadn't seen how it closed because his back was towards it. Literally a second later the few lights which were working were turned off. He was stood in complete darkness; he panicked but that panic increased as he heard the door lock catch and the jingling sound of the keys hitting the floor could be heard.

Aaron tried to not breathe, a safety method to try and keep him safe and unheard, but that did not work, his breathing was rapid but very shallow. Another sound of breathing filled the room and in the complete silence it seemed deafening. "W-Who's here?" Aaron spluttered.

There was no response.

"Jackson come on this isn't funny" Aaron said, his voice shaky. It was feasible that Jackson returned home but on the other hand Aaron knew it wasn't him, it was a job which he had to stay overnight for, he couldn't be back.

Footsteps began and Aaron stepped back instinctively, but knocked into the barrel he'd just changed.

His path was clear; he knew where Aaron was from when the lights were turned on.

Aaron felt a hand on his shoulder and he froze, he tried to move but he felt another arm around his neck tight and then in an instant a drenched thin cloth covered his nose and mouth, he struggled for a few seconds before his body gave in and his eyes closed and he slumped back into the intruder.

The pub was in complete silence.

Aaron felt the tension around his wrists and he could feel cold metal touching his skin. His mouth felt tight, he could feel the shape of the tape covering his lips. He hadn't opened his eyes yet, he couldn't. He didn't wanna know who was there – but deep down he knew he should soon. Jackson hurry home babe... he thought to himself desperately.

The sound of a camera lens shutting caused him to lift his head and open his eyes quickly but they immediately snapped shut again as they adjusted to the brightness in the lit room; the first thing he saw was Dave. His eyes widened in fright and he tried shouting but as he'd felt, the tape prevented him and he only sounded quiet muffled noises

Dave smiled as he sat on a sideways empty barrel. "Well I bet you weren't expecting this were you?" he asked as his dark eyes centred on Aaron, and he ran his finger gently over the tip of the knife blade he had in his hands.

Muffled sounds erupted from Aaron's mouth again. "Nah" Dave wasn't happy and he stood up. "The tape is just no good, I can't have a conversation with myself can I?" he chuckled as he tore the tape from his mouth.

Aaron winced as took in a sharp breath. "Conversations with yourself? I thought you'd be used to that by now, prison life not good?" he asked.

"Prison!" Dave raised his voice. "What do you think?" he spat.

"Well attempted murder and a deliberate act of arson...What the hell did you expect Dave?" Aaron emphasised his name. "Ahh I get it"

Dave moved his legs slightly to allow the barrel to roll back and forth slightly, he was shaken too, a clear indication of instability. "Get what?"

"This..." Aaron looked around the cellar. "It's what? Three, four in the morning and you've got a hostage in the cellar of his pub, this is revenge part two for you isn't it?"

Dave nodded. "But you're not a hostage"

"WELL WHAT AM I THEN?" Aaron screamed at him. "Because this Dave is kidnap, and you can do what you want to me but I'm not going anywhere, I can guarantee you that"

"How can you be so sure about that?" Dave glared at him. "The ball is in my court Aaron" he now, emphasised his name.

"Oh get over yourself, Jackson left you, it had nothing to do with me, YOU ruined that relationship. Therefore that's your fault. You just can't admit it to yourself that's why you've taken it out on Jackson by hurting me and still are. You need help Dave"

Dave raged and flung the knife in Aaron's direction and let go with sheer force.

Aaron screamed in utter pain as the knife tore through his skin below his collar bone at speed.

A few hours later, Aaron was slumped against a barrel, he'd been horrifically beaten, the cuts and bruises were now more profound as time had passed since it happened. The stab wound was seeping with blood still, the fact that Dave pushed the knife in further and twisted it into the muscle did not help matters, neither did pulling the knife out.

Dave stared down at him. "Does it hurt as much as flames Aaron?" he spoke quietly, his look was one of a psychotic nut job, as Aaron would call him.

Aaron shook his head. "Close..." he struggled. "I know why you're doing this Dave alright but you have to stop this now, if you do...you can go and I won't call anyone, not the police – no one"

Dave eyed him carefully, almost swayed but that wasn't going to work on him; he'd waited for this for three years and now it was finally here he wasn't going to let Aaron stop him. "Good try Aaron..." Dave smiled and shook his head. "I've needed to do this for years..."

"What do you think Jackson would say to all of this?" Aaron asked. "And don't say you don't know because you do. You love him that much is obvious, this wouldn't be happening otherwise"

"I've always loved him!" Dave yelled.

"Why behave the way you did when you had him then?" Aaron asked.

Dave looked away. "You're pushing it Aaron"

Aaron shrugged. "I bet it was hard when he left, no one to beat up, no one to touch, sleep with, have sex with, I tell you something, I LOVE having Jackson with me, his warmth, his smile, the touch of his skin, his smell, his hot body all over mine as we make love..." Aaron glared at him as he taunted him.

As he spoke, the more Dave became frustrated and his eyes filled with tears, his shaking increased.

"You need to let it go Dave, stop living in the past! You lost Jackson, I found him, that's it, end of. Maybe you're next relationship won't be as disastrous" Aaron sighed and looked away.

"Let me ask you this" Dave's speech was slow and gritty. "Where is Jackson now hmm? Not here to rescue you this time is he?"

"He's away...ahh but then you already knew that" Aaron grinned sarcastically.

Dave stood up and started to pace before deciding on kneeling down in front of Aaron. "Do you know how jealous I was – am of you?" he said with teary eyes.

Aaron averted his eyes from his glare and shook his head. "No need to be jealous of me"

"Oh" he scoffed. "But I think there is...you have everything, you're set for life and...and well...you're fit...I mean I don't blame Jackson really I wouldn't have minded having a piece of you back then...and even now..." Dave said as he edged the back of his hand towards Aaron's face and stroked his cheek.

Aaron grimaced and turned his head to the side. "Don't touch me psychopath"

Dave's hand moved slowly, he traced Aaron's jaw line, under his neck and down to his chest and he started unbuttoning his shirt.

"I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME!"

"You gunna cry and shout? Go on, no one can hear you can they?" Dave smiled. "I'd like to see you try and stop me Aaron – I really would but I want to hurt you and I think I know just how..."

Aaron began to cry, he let his shield down and his vulnerable side showed, his shoulders jerked as he cried. He looked at Dave. "Please...Please don't" he sobbed; the tears streamed down his cheeks.

Dave proceeded to unbutton Aaron's jeans and pulled them down harshly.

Aaron squirmed as he felt his grubby hands touching him, the tears still fell. He kicked his legs but Dave restrained them instantly. Dave then began to remove his own clothes.

To Be Continued...

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