WARNING: This story was written after reading spoilers and contains things that will happen in future episodes.
Aaron reached out his hand, desperately searching for a piece of the puzzle...anything that would help him understand what was happening. His hand stopped, his heart beating loudly in his chest. He curled his fingers, feeling the curls of his boyfriend tangle around them.
"Jackson?" he whispered, barely audible.
He could feel a lump forming in his throat and the stinging burn of tears as they threatened to fall from his eyes.
"Jackson?" he called louder.
He slid his hand from the tangled mess of curls to cup his lover's cheek. He shifted, trying to roll onto his side. His movement stopped abruptly by something tight across his chest. He let out a yell of pain and surprise. He was belted in, they were in the van. His eyes scanned the darkness to his right; he could make out the outline of Jackson's lifeless frame.
Confusion and panic set it. The pain in his shoulder was now excruciating. He couldn't think about that now, he had to get free...he had to help Jackson.
"Hello?" he heard someone call from a distance, a man's voice. Finally a glimmer of hope! He went to answer but the words stuck in his throat.
"An ambulance is on the way," the voice yelled.
It was too much now. He felt his eye betray him. They were closing despite his efforts to will them open. Darkness surrounded him.
Paddy sat in silence, staring absently at Aaron lying in his hospital bed. His mind wandered back to a few months earlier, the last time he was here. Aaron was hooked up to so many machines, fighting for his life. Now he was here again. He felt the tears flowing steadily down his cheeks, wiping them away instantly. He had to be strong; Aaron needed him to be strong.
"Mr. Kirk?" The voice pulled him from his thoughts. He looked up to see a police officer standing inside the doorway. He could feel the anger boil inside him. "How dare him!" he thought. He calmed himself as he looked at the officer.
"He's not awake," his voice was shaky, "He can't answer any questions right now."
"That's alright. Can I ask you some questions?"
"S'pose," he answered, letting out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding.
"I'm Officer Whitleigh. I just need to gather some information on the victim."
"Aaron," Paddy interjected, the anger coursing through his veins once more.
"Of course, I'm sorry."
There was a slight pause; the officer was looking between Aaron and Paddy, a small frown on his face.
"Could you tell me the victims name and age please?"
"Aaron Livesy. He's...he's 18." The tears were welling in his eyes again.
"And your relationship with him?"
Paddy scoffed, confused as to how that will help the case.
"He lives with me. I'm an adopted dad of sorts." He smiled through gritted teeth.
"And his relationship with the other man?"
"They're...well, he's..." he stopped, not sure what to say.
"My boyfriend," came Aaron's voice, weak and shallow.
"Sorry?" the officer asked.
"He's my boyfriend," Aaron said louder, although still weak.
"Aaron! You're awake! I should get the nurse," he turned looking at the officer, silently pleading with him to go away. He looked back to Aaron, a smile overtaking his face and tears spilling onto his cheeks.
"I'm fine Paddy. Where's Jackson?"
"He's in the other room with the doctor."
"Ahem," Officer Whitleigh was trying to regain focus, "Could you tell me what happened tonight?"
"I need to see Jackson. Is he hurt?" he turned to look at Paddy, panic and worry consuming him. Paddy looked away not able to hold the young man's stare.
"I'll go see about him, won't be a tic." Paddy turned to leave, stopping in front of the officer. "He's not in any shape to talk."
"The sooner we find out what happened tonight the sooner we can start the investigation," he smiled reassuringly at Paddy.
"Mr. Livesy, can you tell me what happened?" Officer Whitleigh was looking at Aaron, moving closer to the bed.
Aaron stared at him as his mind wandered back to a few hours before.