Author's note: Apologies for not updating sooner. To be honest, I'd forgotten all about this until I was reminded *nagged* by my good friend Grumple. More updates soon so enjoy!

The characters are not mine. They belong to Emmerdale. If they were mine they'd be a lot flaming happier!

"Aaron, no!" Jackson shouted as best he could.

Aaron didn't hear him, couldn't even, having lost control. His anger had gone beyond boiling point that this scum bag had hurt Jackson, his Jackson, because of his hatred for Aaron and he was going to pay.

Jackson looked at Paddy and begged: "Paddy, stop him, he's going to kill him!"

Hearing Jackson's plea, Cain let go of his prisoner and rushed to pull Aaron off Wayne. Aaron, still with fists flying, couldn't even hear his uncle and only lashed out more when he felt someone grab at his arm. Seeing Cain's struggle, Ryan also let go of his assailant and ran to help. It took all the strength the two men had to separate Aaron from his target.

"Aaron, calm down," Cain shouted. Aaron's breathing was heavy, almost snarling as his temper consumed him. They dragged him over to where Paddy had managed to sit Jackson up, knowing they were the only two people that would be able to calm Aaron down. Paddy tried talking to him, encouraging him to control his breathing to slow it down but his eyes were still fixed on Wayne.

"I suggest you lot get your mate and do one," Cain snarled at the thugs who picked up a bloody and battered Wayne as best as they could and headed down the garage drive and into the street. Aaron tried to charge after them but Cain and Ryan had a firm hold of him. Seeing that Aaron was only getting more aggravated, Jackson grabbed Paddy's arm and tried to haul himself to his feet. Paddy held him up as best he could, mindful that the beating may have left Jackson with who knows what internal injuries.

"Aaron...Aaron please...I need you."

Hearing his boyfriend's voice, Aaron finally turned his head to look at Jackson. He crumbled and let out a small sob as he saw Jackson's blood stained face, swollen and bruised from the beating. "I'm ok, it's alright," Jackson said as he reached out to Aaron.

Despite the damage inflicted, Aaron could see Jackson's gorgeous brown eyes pleading with him to calm down. He moved towards Jackson, freeing himself from Cain and Ryan's grasp and enfolded his arms around his boyfriend.

"I'm so sorry, Jay. This is all my fault. I'm so so sorry," Aaron cried. "I should have come sooner, should have met you from work."

"It's not your fault Wayne is a nutter. You didn't know he was going to show up here with his cronies," Jackson said, wincing as he spoke.

"We need to get you to hospital", Aaron insisted seeing his boyfriend's pain.

"No, I'm ok. I'm not going to hospital, no way. Just get me home."

Paddy interjected. "Jackson, Aaron's right. God knows what damage has been done with three of them on to you. You need to get checked over."

"No. I can't Paddy. If I show up at the hospital looking like this, the first thing they are going to do is call the police."

"Let them call the police. He should get what's coming to him," Aaron insisted, his breathing becoming more even.

"No! Him and his mates will only deny it and try to pin something on you. I don't want any comeback on this for you"

"I don't care about me!"

"Well I do! So please, just take me home"

Paddy patched up Jackson the best he could, cleaning up his bloodied face and strapping up his ribs. Aaron had helped Jackson remove his t-shirt and both had suppressed a gasp at the severity of the marks on his body, even a shoe print visible where they had stamped and kicked him. Aaron and Paddy had shared a look, each knowing they were lucky to get there when they did.

Paddy would have much preferred Jackson to go to the hospital for an X-ray but the builder was having none of it. Paddy had tried to change his mind as had Aaron but Jackson was adamant. His only concern was keeping Aaron out of trouble and the vet was grateful although he could see Aaron was distraught that his boyfriend had been so viciously attacked because of him.

They had put Jackson to bed and in between making him mugs of tea and fetching him painkillers, Aaron had hardly left Jackson's side since they got back to Smithy cottage. It had even took some persuading to get Aaron to wash Wayne's blood off his hands and change his t-shirt that had been wrecked in the fight. He didn't want to leave him.

Aaron had finally given in when Jackson had dozed off but was now back sitting on the edge of the bed watching his boyfriend's chest move up and down as he slept. His hands were beginning to ache from the punches he had unleashed on Wayne. Aaron couldn't believe what had happened, the day had gone from bad to worse and it was all his fault. He couldn't bare the thought of anything happening to Jackson but for him to be attacked because Wayne had it in for Aaron, was even worse. He could feel the anger rising in him again as he looked at Jackson's swollen cheek and the purple bruising that was rapidly creeping across his face and his arms.

"You don't have to babysit me. I'm fine," Jackson whispered.

"You're far from fine. I still think we ought to get you checked over properly."

"I told you, I'm not going to the hospital. They'll only ask questions. I don't want you getting into trouble because of that thug."

"Its only what I deserve after what he did to you. This is all because of me winding him up. I should have just left it, walked out of that bar when I saw him. Not given him a gob full, trying to be the big man. I should have had the beating, not you." Aaron's voice faltered, betraying his emotions.

"Aaron, this is not your fault. There are loads of scum like Wayne out there. It's his fault not yours. And for the record, I was so proud of you in that bar. A few months ago, you'd have just laid into him but you didn't. You kept your cool. You couldn't have predicted this."

"But you got hurt because of me," Aaron protested.

"No, I got hurt by Wayne and his mates. You did not do this to me Aaron." Jackson reached for Aaron's hand, wincing in pain as he moved. He stroked his fingers across Aaron's knuckles. "Do they hurt?"

Aaron shook his head. "it's noting compared to how bruised and battered you are."

"I'm not broken, you know. I will heal. Come here," said Jackson, indicating for Aaron to lie with him on the bed.

Aaron climbed further onto the bed, careful not to knock Jackson or get too close at first. He moved towards his boyfriend, putting his arm around Jackson when he moved forward and reclined onto Aaron's chest.

He kissed Jackson's forehead and stroked his head. "I swear I'll never let him or anyone else ever hurt you again."

Sensing his tone, Jackson turned to look at his boyfriend. "Promise me Aaron, you won't go after Wayne over this. It's over and I want to keep it that way. Please just leave it."

Looking into Jackson's pleading eyes, Aaron assured him. "I won't go near him or his scummy mates."

"Promise?"

"I Promise," Aaron replied.