It Takes One to Know One

Part 2

It had taken a flying tackle to bring him down, and the two of them had hit the tarmac with a sickening thud. The impact had been painful but it hadn't knocked the fight out of either of them and they were now each wrestling to get the upper hand. Aaron quickly realised he was stronger than his opponent, and soon had him more or less pinned to the ground. He'd continued to struggle though and was showing no sign of giving in and Aaron was intent on landing at least one punch to subdue him. He would have done to if he hadn't finally managed to get a good look at the intruder's face, the soft glow of a nearby streetlight illuminating his features.

He hadn't been able to hit him then, if he'd been the same age or older he'd have happily planted one on his chin but the fact he was a few years younger stopped him; he couldn't beat up a kid.

Releasing his hold on the boy he got to his feet, telling him to do the same and warning him he'd be sorry if he tried to make a run for it again. He watched him right his dishevelled clothes, waiting for him to make eye contact before asking, "What were you doing in the garage?"

"An oil change!"

He'd been expecting a truthful answer, not a smart mouth reply, God knows why! He knew he wouldn't have given one if he'd been caught up to no good at that age.

"Right come on." He gestured towards the village.

"Where?"

"Back to the garage while I decide what to do with you!"

They'd traipsed silently along the road, the boy leading the way, Aaron close enough to grab a hold of him if he did try to get away.

Once back at the garage he switched on the light and had a good look round the premises. Relieved to see everything was in order he turned his attention to the boy. He could see him clearly now, he looked to be fourteen or fifteen, his dark hair was short, his brown eyes wary. His face bore several bruises, they were fading now and Aaron guessed they were the result of some violent encounter. He hated the thought he'd so nearly added to them.

So what did he do now, ring Cain? No! He might just get heavy handed too. The police? Definitely not! Cain wouldn't want them sniffing round and having had several run-ins with the boys-in-blue himself at that age he knew he'd feel guilty if he did. The boy was obviously in some kind of trouble, was probably in need of some help. Not that he was the right person for the job. But he knew a man who was!

eeee

Jackson switched off the van's engine and sighed wearily. All he wanted to do right now was take a shower and crawl into bed, snuggle up to Aaron and fall into a deep and restful sleep. He was exhausted, too tired even to eat.

On aching legs he made his way in through the front door, the warmth enveloping him and instantly easing some of the tension from his shoulders. It was so good to be home and he could call Smithy cottage home now that he'd moved in with Aaron.

He made his way into the kitchen and was more than a little surprised to see a teenage boy sitting at the table.

"Hi." He thought he'd sounded friendly enough but on hearing the boys reply he wasn't so sure.

"Up yours!"

"Charming!" Jackson snapped and looked towards Aaron for some insight into the situation.

Aaron was standing, leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed and face grim. He rolled his eyes in exasperation and wanting to show Jackson what he'd had to put up with for the last half hour asked the boy for the umpteenth time, "What's your name?"

"Simon Cowell!"

He'd once given Donna, Marlon's ex the same sort of lip, he'd thought it funny at the time, Donna hadn't, and neither had the other policeman and he wasn't finding it so funny now that he was on the receiving end.

Jackson raised an eyebrow, "Where'd you find this little ray of sunshine then?"

"In the garage."

"Oh?" Even though his brain was equally as tired as his body Jackson was instantly putting two and two together, "So is he the mystery door opener?"

"Yeah." The boy hadn't admitted to doing so but Aaron felt sure he'd spent the last couple of nights sheltering in the garage.

Stepping over to stand beside Aaron, Jackson asked, "Does Cain know?"

"Not yet."

"The police?"

"Not yet."

The boy had tensed on hearing mention of the police; he'd looked up at Aaron then and said, "I didn't take anything."

"No one said you did. But you shouldn't have been in there." Aaron decided to ask the boy something that had been bugging him, "How'd you open the door? You didn't have a key."

"It's easy when you know how!"

The smugly made reply had Jackson shake his head. Aaron had just stared the teen out.

An uncomfortable silence had followed, Jackson finally breaking it with, "So what you planning on doing with him?"

Aaron shrugged, "Paddy will be home soon, he'll know what to do."

Jackson had had to smile at that, he liked that Aaron had so much faith in the older man; well Paddy had over the last couple of years well and truly earned it. He couldn't wait to see his face when he realised he had another mouthy and obstreperous teen under his roof. But in the meantime..."Are you hungry?"

The fact he hadn't received a 'no' in answer to his question told Jackson the boy was indeed hungry so he pulled open the fridge door and examined its contents. Deciding a pizza would prove both fast and filling he set about preparing it for the microwave, he'd have stuck it in the oven normally but not knowing when their young guest had last eaten he decided not to keep him waiting any longer than necessary.

Aaron had offered the boy something to eat earlier but had been told where he could stick it and so hadn't offered again. But seeing how Jackson was just getting on with it he decided to make them all a hot drink. He'd turned his back on the boy then, realising a little too late his mistake. With his and Jackson's attention elsewhere he'd leapt to his feet and made for the door. Once again Aaron found himself in hot pursuit, but before the boy could reach the door it had opened and to Aaron's relief Paddy had stepped into the hallway, seeing him the boy had stopped in his tracks and was soon backing away from the imposing figure.

Aware something was going on with the youth Paddy eyed Aaron questioningly, "Who've we got here then?"

Knowing Paddy expected an answer and quickly Aaron said the first thing that came into his head, "Trouble!"

TBC