A/N - Chapter two guys... enjoy

Jackson's eyes followed Aaron as he headed for the door,

"…Aaron…" He pleaded; Aaron stopped, inhaled deeply without turning around, and then continued out the door.

Unable to move, unable to scream out, unable to stop the man he loved walking straight out of his life when he needed him the most, Jackson felt trapped, isolated and lonely.

Jackson closed his eyes tight shut, trying to stem the flow of tears he so desperately wanted to wipe away from his cheeks.

A few minutes later the door opened quietly, Jackson kept his eyes closed for a second praying that it was Aaron returning, but a quiet whisper of "Jackson" made he open his eyes and see his mum walking towards him.

"I just heard….." Hazel said softly, "What happened? Are you okay love?"

"He's going mum…"

"I know darling…" Hazel nodded sympathetically, "is there anything I can do for you?"

Jackson paused for a while, closed his eyes and replied "Get Cain to come see me, I need to talk to him…"


Meanwhile, back at Smithy Cottage, Aaron was busying himself packing up his room. Hearing the commotion from upstairs, Paddy came to see what was going on.

"Aaron, what are you doing?"

"..er… Packing" Aaron replied, drenched in sarcasm.

"Why?"

"Cain got me a job in Carlisle…"

"What? You're not serious? What about Jackson? You know, your boyfriend who until yesterday was fighting for his life on life support?"

Aaron stopped momentarily to regain his composure, "I'm going Paddy, and that's that…."

Paddy stared at Aaron is disbelief.

"You know I really thought you had turned a corner, you stayed at Jackson's side, you brought him his favourite food, you spoke to him, you played his favourite music, you fought of Jerry for crying out loud…..and here you are reverting right back to your old ways, running when the going gets tough….."

"HE CAN'T WALK PADDY! HE CAN'T EVEN FEEL ME HOLD HIS HAND….." Aaron cried, "and…..it's all my fault…."

Paddy shook his head, "No, it's not your fault; Jackson knows it's not your fault…" Paddy paused, unable to think of the right words, comforting words, helpful words.

"…..I love you Aaron, you know that, you are like a son to me, but I think you are making the biggest mistake of your life… and I think you know that too…."

Aaron stared at the floor, shuffling his feet slowly, and shrugged his shoulders, before lifting his hold-all on to his shoulder and walking out the room without a parting glance or a single word.

"AARON….." Paddy shouted, but it was all to no avail…..


Hazel spotted Cain with his head under the bonnet of a small red Ford Fiesta, and headed towards him.

"Cain… can I have a word?"

Cain looked up, a little bit confused, "Sure…whats up?" He said, wiping his hands on an oil soaked rag, before dropping it on to the bumper of the car.

"Jackson wants you to go see him….."

"Whaaa?" Cain replied, "I'm sorry Hazel, but this is nowt to do with me… it's between Jackson and our Aaron…."

"Please Cain, just five minutes, that's all he is asking for…..:

Cain could see the hurt and worry buried deep in Hazel's eyes, and nodded, "Okay.. I"ll go over after work, but you better make sure our Aaron doesn't know, or all hell with break loose…."

Hazel nodded, "Thank you….."

A/N – Sorry its short and sweet today, I've been rushed off my feet today…. Ill post again later

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