The next morning Aaron woke up earlier than Robert, he found that one of Robert's arms were still around his back, he looked up at his husband and saw that he was still asleep. Robert's chest was slowly going up and down as he breathed, his eyelashes flickered as he dreamed. The younger man looked down at Robert's stomach and saw that Robert had his other arm around his stomach. Aaron lifted away Robert arm and slowly rolled up his shirt. He started to quietly cry when he saw the large purple bruise on his husband's stomach.

Robert woke up when he heard the sound of someone crying, he opened his eyes and saw Aaron looking down at his torso whilst crying. His heart went out to Aaron, he knew Aaron blamed himself for what happened last night. If Aaron would only understand that he was not angry at him. If anything Robert was angry at himself for not seeing that Aaron was terrified, he had shouted at the man he loved, when he was the one who should have been supporting Aaron, he had not thought about the fact that Aaron had a very fragile state of mind even before he was attacked. He had been destroyed as a child and the recent attack because he did not leave the man he loved took him back to that dark place that he had dwelled in for sixteen years. Robert slowly placed a hand on his husband's hand and held it as he pushed down his shirt to hide the bruise from sight. "Don't do that to yourself" Robert said softly.

Aaron looked up and saw the kind look in Robert's eyes "I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't know that it was you. I'm so sorry" Aaron wept.

"Aww, c'mere baby" Robert said as he put his other arm around Aaron and pulled him into an embrace. Aaron hugged his husband and cried "You have nothing to be sorry for. You've done nothing wrong. You were scared, I understand that" Robert cooed as he hugged his husband.

"But you were so angry at me" Aaron sobbed.

"I didn't realise that you didn't know that it was me. I didn't think. I'm sorry for shouting at you" Robert apologised.

"I'm sorry Robert. I'm so sorry" Aaron cried into Robert's chest.

"You have nothing to apologise for, you've done nothing wrong" Robert planted a long soft kiss on Aaron's forehead before he rested his chin on the top of his husband's head. They hugged for a few more minutes before they got dressed and walked downstairs. To their surprise they found Chas, Cain, Debbie, Paddy, Moira, Zak, Lisa, Marlon, Sam, Belle, Carly, Andy, Bernice, Victoria and Adam all sat in the living room waiting for them. Aaron put his hood up so that nobody would see this battered and bruised face. Robert saw that his husband was hiding so he stood in front of him to offer him more comfort. Cain stood up as Robert and Aaron walked over to their unexpected guests. "So... who wants a coffee?" Robert asked.

"You scumbag" Cain punched Robert in the face and he fell to the floor as Aaron sprang into Acton and held Cain back.

"What the hell Cain!" Aaron shouted. He then looked over his shoulder and saw Robert on the floor "Robert!" he kneeled down on the floor and inspected Robert's face for any bruising.

"I'm fine Aaron" Robert said as he looked into Aaron's eyes and placed a hand on his cheek.

"You gave me your word that you'd protect him! You told me on your wedding that you'd always look after him!" Cain shouted.

"I am protecting him. I never stopped" Robert said as he looked up at Cain.

"You liar!" Cain shouted as he tried to lung at Robert again but Aaron quickly moved in front of his husband.

"Leave him alone. He's not lying!" Aaron shouted.

"How can you defend him after what he's done?" Zak asked.

"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything!" Robert said in his defence.

"Tell the truth Robert!" Victoria shouted.

"I am telling the truth! I haven't got a clue what you lot are talking about!" Robert insisted.

"Bullshit! Tell the truth!" Adam shouted.

"He hasn't done anything!" Aaron shouted.

"I don't even know what you guys are talking about!" Robert yelled.

"You paid some guys to kidnap Aaron!" Cain shouted.

Aaron and Robert looked at each other in complete shock, until Robert looked at everyone else but Aaron did not look at his family. "I'd never do anything like that to Aaron. I love him" Robert stated.

Cain got his phone out and passed it to Aaron "Watch the video" Cain ordered.

Aaron pressed play on the video and he started to watch the video with Robert. The video showed how Aaron was kidnapped and Robert watched in horror and cupped his hand over his mouth as he watched the part where two men put a bag over his Aaron's head and dragged him over to the boot of a car as he kicked and screamed until they hit him over the head with a crowbar. Robert started to cry when he remembered how he found his husband hurt in the woods. Aaron heard Robert crying so he looked up and saw the tears streaming down the older man's face, he quickly paused the video before he threw the phone onto the sofa and hugged his husband.

"Sshh it's okay Rob" Aaron whispered.

Robert sobbed as he clung onto Aaron. "Aaron. My beautiful Aaron. What did they do to you, baby?" he cried into his husband's chest.

"They just beat me up for a bit. They didn't do anything else. I was just scared and in pain, that's all" Aaron whispered.

"I should've just gone to scrap yard and stayed with you. I'm sorry baby, I should've been there to protect you" Robert sobbed as he made fists full of the back of Aaron's hoodie.

"It's not your fault. I'm fine now, you found me and brought me home. Thank you for helping me. I love you with all my heart" Aaron whispered as he stroked Robert hair.

"I love you too" Robert sobbed.

"Aaron are you mad? You saw what he got three men to do to ya!" Zak shouted.

"He didn't do anything" Aaron said as Robert cried harder into his chest "Sshh it's okay Rob, it's ok" he cooed.

"We've given you the proof!" Marlon added.

"Aaron listen to them. It's not the first time that he's hurt you" Paddy stated.

"He hasn't hurt me!" Aaron raised his voice.

"Oh come on Aaron! The guilt is written on his face. Of course he did it!" Chas shouted.

Aaron pulled back from Robert and looked at him, he wiped away Robert's tears with his sleeve "No he hasn't. He's kept his promise to protect me!" he raised his voice again.

"How do you know that Aaron? How do you know that he's not lying? You know that he was an evil man only a few years ago!" Cain shouted.

Aaron could not hide the anger that he had because of people accusing Robert of something that he did not do. He quickly stood up "Because I know who did this!" Aaron shouted as he turned around to face his family and he yanked his hood down "And it wasn't Robert".

"Oh my god!" Chas cupped her hands over her mouth when she saw the state of her son's face.

"Chrissie White paid three men to kidnap me and beat me up in the woods because I wouldn't leave Robert. She had them tie me up, stuff me into a boot of a car and drive me to the woods where they hit me with a brick, a crowbar and a baseball bat as well as kicking me over and over again! They then left me in the woods and drove away. I thought that I was going to die so I called Robert I told him that I was in the woods and that I had been attacked. He drove the woods and found me unconscious on the ground with my wrists and ankles tied together with duct tape. He brought me home, made me a hot meal and he ran me a bath. He washed all of the blood and mud off of me. He held me last night and said that everything would be okay, he promised me that he'd make it all better for me. So I believe my husband when he says that he'd never hurt me!" Aaron shouted as he helped Robert up.

"How badly were you hurt?" Andy asked.

Aaron looked at Robert can you help me please? I need to show them" Aaron said.

"Okay babe" Robert nodded, he then helped Aaron take his hoodie off and he lifted his husband's shirt over his head.

Aaron sighed as he turned around so that everyone could see his chest. "It was so painful, I could barely walk. Robert had to help me to do a lot of things" he said quietly.

Chas started to cry and Cain stared at his nephew in shock. "Jesus, Aaron what happened to you?"

"I was kidnapped, tied up and beaten half to death in the woods. Robert found me and brought me back home. He's stayed with me ever since" Aaron explained.

"Oh sweetheart" Chas said as she walked over to the son and hugged him.

"Mum please don't cry" Aaron hugged Chas as she cried.

"My beautiful baby boy. How could anyone ever hurt you?" Chas sobbed.

As soon as Chas said that Aaron remembered the abuse that he had endured as a child. He often wondered how his father could have done that to him. However he pushed that memory to one side and just hugged his mother. He then looked at Robert, his husband instantly knew that he was thinking about his traumatising childhood so he rubbed Aaron's back and kissed him on the head.

"I'm fine mum" Aaron said.

"How can you be fine? You're a mess Aaron. You're covered in cuts and bruises" Chas stated.

"I've had worse. I'll be alright. I'm made of tough stuff" Aaron answered.

"My brave baby boy. You're still so beautiful to me" Chas hugged Aaron tighter.

Aaron closed his eyes tight when Chas hugged him tighter because he felt her arms press against some of the cuts and bruises on his back "Ah! Mum you're hugging me too tight. You're arms are pressing on the cuts and bruises that are on my back" Aaron winced.

Chas quickly loosened her hug with her son "I'm sorry sweetheart. I didn't mean to hurt you".

"It's alright. Can you just be gentle when you hug me please?" Aaron asked. Chas took more caution as she hugged Aaron because of the fear that she might hurt him.

"So that's what she meant when she said that you'd get hurt" Andy said.

"I didn't back off of Robert so I got punished" Aaron said.

Everyone looked at Andy with complete shock plastered on their faces. "You knew that Chrissie threatened him and you said nothing?" Debbie asked.

"It was weeks ago. Chrissie and Lachlan kicked him and said that it was a warning" Andy answered.

"My son was threatened and you didn't think to tell me!" Chas pulled away from her hug with her son and looked at Andy.

"I told him not to tell anyone, don't blame him. I told Robert that night" Aaron admitted.

Chas turned back to her son "You should've told me! Never mind about Robert, I care about you more!" Chas shouted.

"I love Aaron more than my own life. I'd do anything for him!" Robert raised his voice "You know what kills me about all of this? It breaks my heart that Aaron was tortured like that! I know how he feels because something very similar happened to me last year. I had to hold back floods of tears when I found him in those woods! I had to comfort him when he had a breakdown last night! I'm the one who had to tell him that everything was gonna be ok. I had to hold him as he cried last night, because of the fear and the pain that he is going through! I would change places with him in an instant if it meant that he'd be safe. I would die for him! He's everything to me. I would do anything for him!" Robert shouted.

Aaron turned around, he hugged Robert and started to cry into his husband's chest "Everything hurts. I want it to stop" he sobbed.

Robert hugged Aaron and kissed his shoulder "I know baby, I know. It will stop" he whispered.

"I'm gonna kill that bitch" Debbie said as she walked out the front door. Chas then followed after Debbie.

"Wait mum! Mum!" Aaron said as he grabbed his hoodie and did the zip up before running out of the house with Robert next to him.

Everyone came outside and saw Chrissie walking down the road with Lachlan and Lawrence. Debbie and Chas were soon joined by Moira and Victoria as they angrily walked up to Chrissie. Everyone else ran after Debbie, Chas, Moira and Victoria but they had already stopped in front of the Whites'.

Chrissie looked up and saw the angry faces of the four furious women starring at her "What's happened?" Chrissie asked.

Debbie balled her fist and swung at Chrissie, causing her to spin around and fall onto the ground "You bitch!" Debbie shouted.

"What the hell did you do that for?" Chrissie whined.

"You threatened my son!" Chas shouted at the snivelling woman on the ground.

"What?" Chrissie asked. She knew that she had been found out and then she saw Aaron stood with Robert. Her anger began to fill her mind with hatred for Aaron.

"You sent three men to teach him a lesson for not leaving his husband!" Victoria shouted down at Chrissie.

"I don't know what you are talking about" Chrissie tried to act innocent.

"Don't you dare play dumb with us! You paid some men to beat up Aaron!" Moira shouted.

"I'm sure that this is just a misunderstanding" Lawrence said.

"He does that just fine on his own" Chrissie snarled.

"Chrissie!" Lawrence scolded.

Debbie lunged at Chrissie but Chas held her back "Aaron! Come over here sweetheart!" Chas called. Aaron and Robert walked over and stood next to Chas. "Tell them" Chas said as she glared at Chrissie.

"Chrissie and Lachlan threatened that I'd get hurt a few weeks ago if I didn't back off of Robert. I was waiting for Robert to pick me up yesterday when three blokes put a bag over my head and tied me up. They locked me in the boot of their car and drove me to the woods where they beat me up and left me there" Aaron explained as his family starred angrily at the Whites.

"You could have done that to yourself" Lachlan pointed at Aaron's face.

Aaron unzipped his hoodie and showed all of the bruises and scratches that covered his chest, stomach and back "I also remember you and your mum kicking me when I was leaving work and then saying that it was a warning" Aaron said as he put his hoodie back on.

"It must have been provoked" Lawrence suggested.

"Aaron never provoked Chrissie to slap him when I married him, he never asked her or Lachlan to kick him the day after I married him. He never asked to be tied up and beaten in the woods and then left there to die. Once those thugs had driven away he actually called me and told me where he was and that he had been attacked. I found him tied up on the ground next to a tree, bloodied and bruised. He was so shaken up when I found him that he didn't realise that it was me. He could barely walk yesterday I had to carry him to my car. He didn't deserve to be hurt, he didn't back off of me because he loves me and I love him. You should take that into account next time you try to seduce me Chrissie. So get it into your sick head that I'm not leaving my husband and I don't want you!" Robert shouted as he put one arm around Aaron and pulled him close.

"Is this true Chrissie?" Lawrence asked.

"He got what he deserved!" Chrissie snapped.

"He deserved more than just a beating" Lachlan snarled.

Chas slapped Chrissie "I'd rather have a son you loves a man than a son who is sick in the head" she snarled.

"Well at least my son did not lie to me for most of his life. At least I did not marry a paedophile!" Chrissie scoffed.

"At least I have a family and a husband that loves me" Aaron interrupted.

"Oh please, he'll throw you to the side once he gets bored of you" Chrissie scoffed.

"Why would I do that when he's my true love?" Robert said as he and Aaron walked back to their house.

Everyone else walked back to the pub as Chrissie stood in to road with Lachlan and Lawrence as they argued over the fact that Chrissie had gone too far.

Aaron and Robert walked back into their house and shut the front door. Robert locked the door and walked up behind Aaron, he wrapped his arms around his husband's waist and started to kiss his neck "I think that you deserve a reward for being so brave" he whispered into Aaron's skin.

"Mm, I agree" Aaron smiled.

"Do you want me to be in control or do you?" Robert asked.

Aaron spun around and pulled Robert close "Me" he said before he kissed his husband fiercely.

Robert and Aaron ran up stairs and into their bedroom, Aaron took of Robert's top and Robert unfastened the belt on Aaron's jeans. Robert let Aaron push him onto the bed and his husband started to kiss his neck. Robert groaned as his husband kissed him, Aaron sat on top of his husband and he pulled his jeans down. Robert gripped the pillow as the younger man planted soft kisses on the pecks on his chest and on his neck.

"Are you sure that you can? I don't want you to get hurt" Robert said.

"I want to. I'll be alright" Aaron said as he kissed Robert's skin.

"You sure? I won't be angry if you can't" Robert said.

Aaron lifted his head and looked at Robert "I'm sure. Are you?" Aaron asked.

Robert nodded "Yeah. I want you so badly" he said as he placed his hand on Aaron's waist.

Aaron smiled "Ok then" he said before he kissed Robert on the lips.

Robert slipped his hands under Aaron's shirt and caressed his skin. He did think about the fact that Aaron may not want his injuries on show so he did not pull off his husband's shirt. Aaron felt comfortable with keeping his shirt on because he did not want Robert to see the cuts and bruises. Robert understood that Aaron was very self-conscious so he did not bring up the fact that he kept his shirt on.

After a while they were just lying in bed holding each other, they were panting and their legs were tangled together. "Whoa" Robert exclaimed. He had one arm around his husband and the other one under his head.

Aaron looked up at Robert "What?" Aaron asked.

"You were on fire just now" Robert smiled.

Aaron smiled "So I did good then?"

Robert looked at Aaron "You did way better than good" Robert then kissed Aaron on the lips and looked into his eyes when their lips separated.

Aaron smile nervously "What?" he asked.

"You have very beautiful eyes" Robert answered. Aaron smiled and blushed at Robert compliment, "And the most amazing smile that I have ever seen" Robert stroked his husband's cheek.

"Even when I'm like this?" Aaron asked.

"I'd still love you no matter what you looked like" Robert smiled and kissed Aaron again before hugging him "My beautiful Aaron" he said softly as Aaron snuggled into him. After a while of just hugging they got out of bed and got dressed, Robert walked over to Aaron and ran his hand through his husband's hair. "I want you to stay home for a few days, just so that I know that you're safe, okay?"

Aaron nodded "Ok, I wasn't planning on going back to work today anyway" he said as he rested his head on Robert's shoulder.

Robert wrapped his arms around Aaron's waist and gently hugged him "I'm sorry for not coming to the scrap yard yesterday. I should've been there to protect you".

"It's not your fault Rob. They were big guys, neither of us would've stood a chance against them" Aaron said as he placed his hands on his husband's hands.

"I would've been there to fight to protect you though. I could've prevented you from being hurt" Robert said as he kissed Aaron's shoulder.

"I'd rather be attacked by those blokes then you being attacked by them. They would've done the same to you" Aaron said as a single tear rolled down his cheek.

Robert turned his husband around and wiped away Aaron's tears with his thumb before he hugged him. "I'd do anything to protect you, I would've fought to protect you yesterday" Robert said as he placed and hand on the back of Aaron's head and kissed the side of his head.

"I know you would" Aaron said as he hugged Robert.

They then heard a knock at the front door "I'll get it" Robert said as he pulled back from his hug with Aaron.

Aaron started to panic when another knock came at the front "What if it's them? What if they've come back to finish the job?"

Robert kissed Aaron and cradled his face with his hands "I won't let anyone close enough to hurt you. It's not those men, I'll make sure that you're safe again" Robert said as he stroked Aaron's cheek with his thumb.

"Okay" Aaron breathed as he started to relax.

Robert kissed Aaron on the lips before he walked out of the room and downstairs, and up to the front door... he opened the door and was greeted by two police officers stood on his door step "Hello, how can I help you?" Robert asked.

"Aaron Dingle?" one of the officers asked.

"He's my husband. How can I help you" Robert asked.

"Can we come in?" the officer asked.

Robert opened the door and the two officers walked in "Can I ask what this is about" Robert said as he shut the door.

"We've had a report of a threat against a Miss White" The officer said.

"What? What threat?" Robert asked.

"Miss White has accused your husband of threatening her and her son" the officer said.

"You've got this completely the wrong way round it was Chrissie White that paid for my husband to be attacked!" Robert explained.

"Who is it Rob?" Aaron asked as he walked downstairs.

"Aaron, it's alright I'll sort this. Go back upstairs babe" Robert said as he looked at his husband.

"We've had a report of a threat. Care to explain Mr Dingle?" the officer asked.

"I haven't threatened anyone" Aaron said calmly.

"I have to ask you to come down to the station to answer a few questions" The officer said.

"But he hasn't done anything wrong! He's the one who was beaten up and left to die yesterday!" Robert exclaimed but Aaron put a hand on his chest.

"It's okay Robert. I can handle this" Aaron said in a calm tone. He then turned back to the police officers "I'm not guilty of anything. So I'll come to the station and answer whatever questions you have".

"Aaron?" Robert looked at his husband.

"It's alright Robert. I'll be back before dinner" Aaron said before he walked out of the house with the police.

Robert walked to the door and watched as Aaron was put into the back of the squad car before it drove. Robert went back inside and sat on the sofa and thought about what Aaron had been accused of. After two hours of worrying about his husband, the front door opened and Aaron walked in. Robert stood up and hurried around the sofa to his husband "Aaron" he said as he hugged his husband.

Aaron hugged his husband back "Hey, I'm fine. Okay? I told the police that I was beaten up and that I never threatened anyone. They dropped the charges against me" Aaron reassured.

"I was worried that they wouldn't believe you" Robert said as he tightened his hug with Aaron but still remained gentle so that he did not hurt him.

"Jason saw me there and explained to them that I wouldn't threaten anyone. I need to thank him" Aaron said as he pulled back from Robert and smiled at him.

"I owe him a pint for getting you back to me" Robert said as he kissed Aaron. The rest of the day was spent by watching TV and laughing at Robert's jokes. Aaron also tried to teach Robert how to shuffle cards better... but he was terrible at it. Aaron did ask if Robert wanted to go out for a bit on his own because he did not want more people to see his injuries. However Robert declined his offer and said that he wanted to stay at home with Aaron. They got into their pyjamas, had dinner before watching Predator. Robert had always been very house proud so the dirty plates were annoying him "I'm sorry babe, but those plates are irritating the life out of me" Robert sighed. Aaron had started to dose off so he was still in a sleepy state as he slowly sat up so that Robert could get off of the sofa. Robert stood up but then he saw the look of pain and discomfort on Aaron's face "I'm sorry baby" Robert slowly helped Aaron lie down and he stroked his hair "I'm sorry for making you sit up" Robert said in a soft voice. He then held his husband's hand and "Are you in a lot of pain?" Aaron looked at Robert and nodded. "Alright, just rest then. We'll go to bed in a bit" Robert said before he kissed Aaron before straightening up and walking into the kitchen with the plates. After he had washed up Robert walked into the living room and saw that Aaron had fallen asleep whilst watching TV. Robert smiled at how peaceful Aaron looked; his eyelashes flickered as he dreamed the lines on his forehead relaxed and his chest slowly rising and dropping. Robert walked over to the sofa and watched his husband for a moment. He hesitated but he gently shook his shoulder a bit until he woke up.

"Robert?" Aaron asked as he opened his eyes.

"Hey beautiful. I think it's time for bed" Robert smiled.

Aaron was still partly asleep so he nodded slowly "Okay" he agreed.

Robert smiled fondly at his husband and stroked his hair "Alright sleepyhead" he said as he scooped Aaron up into his arms "Let's get you up to bed" he said as he walked up the stairs carrying Aaron. He walked into their room and gently lowered Aaron onto the bed and pulled the duvet over him. He then crouched down and kissed his husband on the head, when he broke the kiss a smile grew on Aaron's face as he slept "I love you more than anything in the whole world" he whispered. Robert then straightened up, walked over to his side of the bed and he climbed in. "Good night Aaron".

After a few minutes, Aaron started to twitch and he moaned in his sleep as he turned over onto his other side. "Robert" Aaron moaned.

Robert moved closer to his husband and put an arm around him "It's okay babe. I'm here" he said in a soft voice.

"Please don't leave me Robert. I'll fight back next time, please don't leave me" Aaron begged as he slept, he then started to cry in his sleep "Robert please stay".

"Sshh I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here with you" Robert cooed. Somehow Aaron seemed to hear Robert, he calmed down and went back to sleeping peacefully. Robert then fell asleep. The next day Robert woke up and saw that Aaron was still asleep. He smiled at how Aaron was calmly sleeping, however he was pulled out of his trance when his alarm started to go off. He flipped onto his side and tried to turn the alarm off because he wanted Aaron to have some decent sleep "Shut up" Robert growled as he proceeded to bang the button to stop the alarm. Once he had silenced the alarm he sighed as he placed it back on his bedside table.

"You do know that It's not the alarms fault that it is set to go off at seven o'clock?" asked soft voice.

Robert snapped his head to his side and saw that Aaron was awake and looking at him with his big blue eyes "I know, I just wanted you to get some decent sleep for once" Robert said as he turned onto his side to face his husband.

"I'm okay you know? I slept last night so that's something" Aaron smiled softly at Robert.

"Do you remember anything about last night?" Robert asked.

"I only remember watching TV on the sofa. How did I actually get up here?" Aaron asked as he stretched.

"I carried you up" Robert smiled.

"Really? I don't remember that" Aaron said as he rubbed his eyes.

"You were kind of awake but still asleep when I brought you up" Robert giggled as he sat up "You looked so cute. You look adorable when you're asleep"

"Ugh, there goes my reputation for being the village bad boy" Aaron sighed.

Robert smiled "Aww, you're so cute".

"Stop saying I'm cute, it sounds like you're comparing me to a puppy or something" Aaron scoffed.

"Well..." Robert moved closer to Aaron and grinned "you're the most ticklish puppy that I've ever seen".

Aaron noticed the mischievous look in Robert's eyes "Oh don't you dare" He smiled.

"What do you think I'm gonna do?" Robert leaned over Aaron and smirked.

"Don't you even dare try and tickle me" Aaron grabbed hold of the duvet and slowly pulled it up.

"Too late!" Robert said excitedly.

"AAHH!" Aaron yelped as he pulled the duvet over his head as Robert started to tickle him.

"You can't get away from me now!" Robert laughed as he tickled Aaron through the covers.

"You're a flaming nuisance!" Aaron laughed as he squirmed around under the covers.

"Is that so?" Robert laughed.

"The biggest nuisance going!" Aaron answered.

"Maybe I should show you how much of nuisance I can be" Robert said as he dove under the duvet and continued to tickle his husband "I've got ya now!".

"Aahh! Robert!" Aaron laughed as he squirmed around.

"You didn't see that coming did ya?" Robert asked.

"I never do!" Aaron laughed.

Robert continued to laugh and tickle Aaron until his husband managed to flip him over onto his back and started to tickle him "Oi you! Gerroff!" Robert laughed.

"And the village bad boy returns!" Aaron laughed.

"Why you little!" Robert giggled.

"What was that?" Aaron asked as he tickled Robert under the arms.

"GREASE MONKEY!" Robert laughed.

Aaron smiled and stopped tickling Robert, he just looked at his husband. He loved it when Robert called him grease monkey. It was a nickname that reminded him of the first time he met Robert. They had come very far since then, they had been through so much together; they had stuck together through thick and thin. Aaron held the thought of Robert standing by him in his mind, and it made the smile on his face grow.

"What are you so happy about?" Robert asked.

"You and me, always together. Just the way I want it to be" Aaron answered.

"Always together never apart" Robert smiled.

"You said that to me on our wedding night. Do you remember?" Aaron asked.

"I remember everything about that day. It was the best day of my life" Robert smiled and sat up slightly, he used his elbows to prop himself up.

"It was the best day of my life too" Aaron smiled at Robert.

"You're the most amazing Grease monkey ever" Robert said as he placed one hand on the side of his husband's face.

"I love it when you call me that" Aaron said softly.

"My Aaron, my sexy grease monkey" Robert said when he saw the joy in Aaron's eyes.

"Did you mean it when you said that you loved me a year ago, at Wylie's farm?" Aaron asked.

"Every word. I've meant every I love you that I have ever said to you. My love for you keeps growing and growing. I love waking up and seeing you in my arms, I like watching you sleep at night, knowing that you are safe and that I can protect you" Robert said as he stroked Aaron's cheek with his thumb.

"You're so good to me" Aaron smiled.

"Every bad boy needs someone to be good to him" Robert said as he kissed Aaron on the lips.

They then got up and got dressed before they walked downstairs and had breakfast. Aaron then got a call on his phone and answered it "Hey Adam... why do I have to go to work? I'm a mess. I'm still covered in cuts and bruises... are you joking me?... you've got a drinking problem... okay just chill out... keep the windows open, I don't think that Robert would appreciate it if you killed Vic with your gas... you owe me... okay see ya" Aaron then hung up the phone and grabbed his car keys.

"Uh where do you think you're going Mr Aaron Dingle?" Robert said as he leaned against the wall.

"Adam got drunk last night and has been sick. I have to go to work" Aaron sighed.

"Ah uh no way" Robert shook his head.

"I'll be fine Rob" Aaron reassured.

"I'm not leaving you. I'm coming too" Robert said as he grabbed his jacket.

"I can look after myself" Aaron raised one eyebrow.

"Don't give me that. I'm coming, no arguments" Robert said firmly as he walked out of the house and drove to the scrap yard.

"Robert, I don't need you to look after me when I'm at work" Aaron said as they pulled up at the scrap yard.

"I said no arguments. I just have a feeling that I should be with you" Robert said with a stern look in his eyes.

Aaron smiled fondly at his husband "Fine, I'll shut up then".

"I never said shut up. I love hearing your voice" Robert smiled.

"I'll keep talking then" Aaron leaned into kiss Robert. He then smiled "I have to go to work so I'll give you a treat later" Aaron said before turning away and getting out of the car.

Robert also got out of the car and jogged over to Aaron "Sneaky little grease monkey",

"And proud of it" Aaron smiled before he went to unlock the door to portercabin. "Hold on" Aaron said as he looked at the lock.

"What?" Robert asked.

Aaron opened the door "It's already open" he said before walking in. Robert stepped in and found Aaron with his hands on his hips looking at Adam "You're feeling better then?" Aaron stated.

"Hi mate. Are you feeling better?" Adam asked as he looked up at Aaron.

"Never mind about me. What are you doing here?" Aaron asked firmly.

"Vic was going on about how Chrissie called the police on you" Adam answered.

Aaron turned around and walked over to his desk "Who else knows?"

"Everyone in the village. Vic freaked out when she saw those officers put you in a police car" Adam explained.

"I got brought down to the station because I was accused of making threats against Chrissie" Aaron said as he started to bite his nails.

"The charges were dropped. Thank god, I was worried sick" Robert sad as he stood by Aaron's chair and placed a hand on his husband's shoulder.

"Well at least you're not sick like me" Adam smiled "Oops, sorry" Adam said as he started to creep towards a door.

Aaron sniffed at the air "Farmlad!" He shouted as he quickly stood up "Robert run!" he grabbed Robert's hand and they ran towards the door and jumped out.

Robert hunched over and gagged "Jesus Christ that stunk".

"And I'm the one who has to work with that" Aaron rolled his eyes.

"How are we still alive?" Robert straightened up and looked at Aaron.

"I smelt it and made you run" Aaron answered.

"It's a good job that you're a fast runner" Robert smirked.

"It's a good job that you listen to me" Aaron smiled.

"So I'm hoping that you're not going to kill me" Adam laughed.

Aaron and Robert looked at Adam and then at each other. Aaron saw the look in Robert's eyes that said he had a plan. They nodded at each other before they ran at the door and shut it.

"Revenge!" Robert shouted as Aaron locked the door.

"Dingle lad let me out!" Adam shouted, he then smelt the unholy stench "Shit that stinks!"

Robert and Aaron let Adam out after a few minutes and he went home in a sulk. They did some work for a few hours, but Robert noticed that Aaron still seemed to be in pain "You alright?"He asked.

Aaron looked up at Robert "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"You're in pain" Robert stated.

"Yes I'm still in pain, but I'm alright" Aaron smiled.

"You sure? I don't want you to suffer in silence" Robert said, the concern was laced in his voice.

"I'm fine Robert. We can go home now anyway" Aaron smiled. He tried to stand up but the pain of all of his injuries hit him all at once. "Ah!" he hissed in pain.

"Babe!" Robert rushed over to his husband.

"I'm fine" Aaron winced.

"But you're not fine are you?" Robert said as he stroked his husband's arm.

Aaron looked at Robert "No, they're hurting again" he sighed.

"Alright, come on" Robert said as he helped Aaron stand. Aaron grabbed Robert's arm and bit the skin below his bottom lip when he felt pain. Once he was standing the pain faded until it seemed like it had never existed "You alright?" Robert asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay now" Aaron nodded.

"I'm taking you home and you are going to bed" Robert said firmly as they walked out of the door and Aaron locked up.

"Do I get any say in that?" he asked knowing that he did not have any say in Robert's statement.

"Nope, you're getting some bed rest" Robert answered.

"If I have to spend the rest of the day in bed can you just lie with me? Otherwise I'll be lonely" Aaron turned to Robert.

Robert smiled, he grabbed Aaron by his belt and pulled him close "I'll do that then. I have no problem holding you close to me for a while. Mind you... I always seem get a very nice feeling downstairs when I'm in bed with you, Mr Aaron Dingle" he said as he placed his hands on Aaron's shoulders.

Aaron smirked "Is that so Mr Robert Sugden?" Aaron loosely clasped holds of Robert's upper arms.

"Oh yeah" He then kissed Aaron on the lips.

Not wanting to break their kiss Aaron placed one hand on the back of Robert's head and the other on his shoulder. He kissed him back as their kiss grew more and more passionate. "Mmmm, God I love you" Aaron moaned into the kiss.

"I love you too" Robert said as he let his hands slide down Aaron's back.

"How romantic. Snogging at work" A voice scoffed.

Robert broke the kiss and looked at the man that was walking towards him and his husband "We're closed for the rest of the day".

Aaron had already recognised the voice of the man so he looked to his side and saw the ringleader of the men who had attacked him. "Robert" Aaron squeezed Robert's upper arm.

Robert looked at his husband and saw the panic in his eyes "What is it babe?" he asked as he cupped Aaron's cheek with his hand.

"That's the leader of the men who attacked me" he said in a hushed tone.

Robert's eyes widened at Aaron's fearful confession, he looked back at the man and saw that he was getting closer to him and Aaron "We're a bit busy here so can you please leave" Robert pushed Aaron back so that he was standing behind him.

"I just came to pass on a message. I'm sure that you can spare a moment of your time" the man grinned.

Aaron remembered that smiled from when he had been beaten up. He started to panic that Robert would get hurt "Be careful, he's very strong and quick" Aaron whispered as he placed a hand on his husband's shoulder.

Robert raised his arm and held Aaron's hand "Just stay calm. I'm here this time" Robert whispered. He then looked back at the man "I have to ask you to leave, now".

"Miss White has informed me that one of you threatened her and her family" the man said.

"She's twisted in the head and so are you for attacking my husband" Robert said in a menacing voice.

"Robert don't!" Aaron said in a panicked tone.

"Looks like we didn't do a good job if he's still able to stand up" The man pointed at Aaron.

"Stay away from him. I'll kill you if you touch him" Robert raised his other arm behind his back so that he could shield Aaron.

"Is that a threat?" the man inched closer to Robert.

"It's a promise. If you hurt my Aaron again I'll beat the shit out of you myself" Robert snarled.

"Looks like pretty boy Robert Sugden is trying to protect his bloke" another man scoffed as he walked out from behind the portercabin.

Robert looked to his side and saw the man that had helped Gordon abduct him last year. "Aaron stay behind me. That's the guy that helped Gordon take me last year" Robert said and Aaron held onto Robert's upper arms.

Aaron looked at the two men who were getting closer to them so he looked around for an exit when he saw the third man that had attacked him "Robert that's the third guy who took me".

Robert looked to his other side and saw another man walking towards him "Stay away from us!" Robert shouted as the men closed in. "Aaron you need to unlock the portercabin and hide in it" Robert whispered.

"What about you?" Aaron said as he put his hand in his pocket and grabbed the key.

"I'll be okay, just lock yourself in and call the police" Robert answered in a hushed tone.

"I'm not leaving you out here to deal with these thugs. If I couldn't take them you don't stand a chance" Aaron slowly pulled his hand out of his pocket and positioned the key inbetween his fingers so that he could use it as a weapon.

"I'd rather you being safe and me getting beaten up rather than you getting hurt again. Just do as I say, okay?" Robert slowly stepped back with Aaron to buy him more time.

Aaron kissed Robert on the shoulder "Okay, but I don't want you to get hurt".

"I know. Just make sure that you get yourself inside. It'll be alright" Robert said as he braced himself.

"Looks like we're having some more fun boys. You grab Sugden, the rat behind him is mine" The leader said as he popped his knuckles.

"Over my dead body. Aaron go!" Robert shouted as the two men closed in and grabbed him.

"Robert!" Aaron yelled as Robert was pulled away from him. He quickly turned around and unlocked the door to the trailer but he was grabbed and pulled away from safety. "Let go of me!" Aaron shouted as he kicked and thrashed around.

"Aaron! Leave him alone!" Robert shouted as he thrashed around against the men who were restraining him; preventing him from helping his Aaron "Aaron!" He yelled.

"Robert!" Aaron yelled as he was thrown onto the ground and kicked.

"No! leave him alone!" Robert protested but the men threw him to the ground and started to beat him.

Aaron cried out every time he was kicked and punched "Robert help!" he screamed as he curled himself into a ball to protect his stomach and face.

"Stop! Please leave him alone!" Robert begged as he was punched and kicked. "ARGH!" Robert cried out in pain.

Aaron heard Robert's cries of pain, he looked up and saw the other men beating his Robert "NO! Leave him out of this!" Aaron shouted.

Robert tried to curl up into a ball but his attackers were too quick and the beatings too hard and fast "Aaron!" Robert screamed.

"Stop! Please stop!" Aaron shouted when he saw that Robert was desperately trying to get away. He shut his eyes so that he did not have to see his Robert being hurt.

Robert opened his eyes and saw that Aaron lying on the ground, crying as he was kicked and punched "Aaron". Robert winced as he attackers stopped punching him for a moment. "Aaron look at me!" Robert shouted.

Aaron looked up and saw Robert, battered and bruised but still looking at him with his loving eyes "Rob, I'm sorry" Aaron winced.

Robert was crying as he reached out his hand and Aaron did the same. However they did not touch, they seemed so close together in distance but yet they were so far apart. "I love you Aaron" Robert sobbed.

"I love you too, Robert" Aaron sobbed.

The leader of the men then crouched down next to Aaron "Can't you reach pretty boy? Too bad" he taunted as he pulled a knife out of his pocket and grabbed Aaron's wrist. He slowly dragged the blade along Aaron's arm.

"AAHH!" Aaron screamed as he tried to pull his arm away from the man. "Robert!"

"You bastard!" Robert shouted.

The man stopped cutting Aaron's arm and he looked at Robert "I heard that Gordon Livesy did the same to you last year. I think that Aaron here is doing very well for the pain that he is in".

"It's not the worst pain I've had" Aaron hissed.

The man looked at Aaron and saw the anger in his eyes "Our boss told us what happened to you. And that you were too weak to fight back" The man then looked back at Robert "Why don't I hurt your pretty boy a bit more? You can share a hospital bed" the man scoffed.

"Let him go. He doesn't deserve this" Aaron said as he held his wrist to stop the bleeding.

The men kicked Robert again before they pulled him to his feet. Robert was dizzy but his eyes fixed on Aaron when his vision had cleared "Aaron..." Robert winced but one of the men punched him in the stomach.

"Leave him out of this. I'll do anything, just please don't hurt him anymore" Aaron sniffled.

A sinister smile grew on the man's face "How open are you to making love to a man that isn't your pretty boy?"

Robert's eyes widened when he heard the man's sinister question. He realised what the man wanted from Aaron so he started to thrash around and pull against the arms of the men that were restraining them "You touch him and you're dead!" Robert shouted.

"I'm not having sex with you. I don't give myself to anyone. The only person who has the right to touch me like that is my husband. Just let him go" Aaron winced as the man stomped on his wrist. Blood started to seep out of the cut as the man pressed down harder.

"What else would you do to protect him?" the man crouched down next to Aaron and moved his hand down Aaron's chest.

"Get your hand off of him!" Robert protested.

Aaron jerked his body to the side just before the man touched his intimate region "I'll do anything to protect him. But I will not be forced into anything!" Aaron snapped as he clenched his fist when he felt more pain in his arm.

Robert saw the large amount of blood leaking out of Aaron's wrist "Stop! He's losing too much blood!" Robert noticed that Aaron's movements seemed to slow down and he was breathing faster.

The man then leaned over Aaron and pulled up his shirt so that Aaron's stomach was on show "If you won't let me have you... I'll just have to punish you another way" the man grinned as he placed a hand on Aaron's stomach and worked his hand up to Aaron's chest.

Robert thrashed around "Get your hand away from him!" Robert protested as he tried to get to Aaron.

Aaron closed his eyes tightly as he felt the cold touch of a man that was not Robert. He got flashbacks of what his father did to him and it made him cry. "Don't touch me" Aaron said in a firm voice.

"Does it bring back memories? Can you feel your old man touching you? Can you feel his breathe on you? Can you feel him on top of you?" the man grinned.

"Stop it! Get away from him!" Robert shouted.

The man then lowered his head and started to kiss Aaron's neck "Please stop" Aaron begged as the tears streamed down his face.

"Get off him!" Robert shouted.

"No, stop!" Aaron started to kick and thrash around as the body of the man pressed down onto him "Get off me! Stop!" Aaron screamed.

"No! Please don't hurt him!" Robert sobbed.

"No. Robert! Stop him! ROBERT!" Aaron screamed as he cried.

It was at that moment that Moira's jeep pulled up and she got out with Cain. However when Cain looked up he saw two men holding Robert back and another man on top of Aaron. "Oi! What the hell are you doing!" Cain said as he and Moira started to run over to Aaron and Robert.

Aaron's attacker looked up and saw Cain running at him. "Bloody hell! Lets get out of here!" the man shouted as he got off of Aaron and the other two men dropped Robert.

The men ran away as Robert fell onto the ground, Cain chased after a men as Moira ran over to Robert. "Are you ok Robert?" Moira asked.

"Aaron" Robert winced but then he looked up and saw Aaron lying on the ground "Aaron!" Robert quickly got up and ran over to his husband. He kneeled down next to Aaron, straightened up his shirt. "Oh my God. Baby?" Robert said as he stroked back Aaron's hair and scooped him up.

"I can feel it all again. I can feel the cold hands on me. I can feel the breathe on my neck" Aaron was breathing fast as he curled up in Robert's arms.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Aaron" Robert cried as he kissed Aaron's head and stroked his hair. "It'll be alright" Robert cooed.

"I've lost them" Cain said as he ran back over to where Aaron and Robert were found.

"What happened to you two?" Moira asked.

"It almost happened again" Aaron then burst into tears and cried into Robert's chest.

"Sshh it's okay. You're okay. I'm here, I've got you" Robert cried.

"I'm sorry. It's all my fault" Aaron sobbed.

"It's not your fault. I'm staying right here, I've got you" Robert said as he started to cry.

Cain realised what he had just seen and it made his blood run cold "He didn't?" Cain looked at Robert.

Robert looked up at Cain "He tried to" Robert answered as he rocked Aaron back and forth.

"I'm sorry Robert" Aaron sobbed into Robert's chest.

"Sshh it's gonna be alright" Robert cooed. He had just witnessed Aaron being attacked when he was at his most vulnerable and it killed his when he heard the fear in his husband's voice.

"Let's get you two home. I'll get the others to keep a look out for those men" Cain said as he held back tears.

"Okay. Come one babe" Robert said as he stood up holding Aaron.

They drove back home and Moira went into the house with Aaron and Robert. Robert laid his husband down on the sofa and put a blanket over him. Moira walked into the kitchen to put the kettle on and Robert went to follow but Aaron grabbed his wrist.

"Please don't leave me" He said as he let go of Robert's wrist.

Robert sat down on the floor and looked at Aaron "I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be here" He said as he stroked Aaron's hair.

After a few minutes Moira walked back in and saw Robert sat on the floor stroking Aaron's hair. Robert knew that this would calm Aaron down so he just sat with him for a while. Cain, Chas and Paddy then ran in and saw that the two men were covered in bruises and scratches.

"Aaron?" Chas hurried around the sofa and kneeled down "What happened to you two?" she asked.

"Those men came back" Robert answered.

"Why has Aaron been crying?" Chas asked.

Robert looked back at Aaron "Bad memories came back" Robert started to cry as he continued to slowly stroke his husband's hair.

Chas started to cry "Where were you?" she asked.

"At the scrap yard, being beaten up. I tried to get to him" Robert said as he held Aaron's hand "I couldn't protect him" Robert covered his mouth with his other hand to muffle his crying.

Andy then ran in with Victoria and Adam. They saw Robert crying and Andy walked over to his brother. "Come on Rob" he said as he offered his hand.

Robert looked at Andy and then back at Aaron "I'm so sorry baby" He sobbed as he kissed Aaron's hand and stood up.

Andy and Robert walked into the kitchen and shut the door behind them. Andy pulled his brother into a hug and held him there "He'll be alright".

"I watched as a man touched my Aaron. I couldn't protect my husband" Robert sobbed.

"You did your best. You're not a superhero Rob, you can't do everything" Andy pulled back and looked at his brother.

"All I want to do is protect him. He deserves to be kept safe". Robert cried for a few more minutes until the door opened and Aaron walked in.

"It wasn't your fault. You tried your best" Aaron said as he looked at Robert.

Robert sniffled and wiped away his tears "I'm so sorry Aaron"

Aaron walked over to Robert and hugged him "Don't be. We're alright that's the main thing".

Robert hugged Aaron and cried "I love you so much" Robert sobbed.

"I love you too. Don't blame yourself, I don't like seeing you cry" Aaron said as he began to cry.

"I don't want you to be hurt. Chrissie's won hasn't she?" Robert wept.

Aaron pulled back and cradled Robert's face with his hands "The only way that bitch could win is if you left me or if I left you. And I can tell you for a fact... I'm not going anywhere".

"Neither am I" Robert smiled before he kissed Aaron. When they broke the kiss Robert looked into Aaron's eyes "I'm never leaving you for anyone or anything". After a while everyone went home, Aaron and Robert ate the quiche that Marlon had made before they went to bed and fell asleep holding each other.