Chas sat at the kitchen table of Smithy Cottage, mouth agape and staring wide eyed at Aaron. She had to have misheard him, he couldn't have said that. She composed herself slightly, taking a deep breath to control the rage bubbling inside her.

"Aaron love, you need to think this through! You can't rush into something like this, now without considering every possible outcome. Has something happened?"

Aaron rolled his eyes at his mum. She was endearing in her own loud, crass way, but she still knew how to rile him up. She had been tip toeing around him for 6 months; putting up with every mood swing, maniacal tirade, and break down...all of it. It annoyed him. Every time he made a decision for himself she always told him to think things through, even if it was something as simple as what to have for breakfast. She was doing his head in with all her second guessing.

She didn't trust him; no one did, not anymore. He was never alone, someone always shadowing his every movement. Always trying to lull him into some trivial conversation to prevent his mind from straying, but it did. Every second of everyday he was there, clouding every thought. He had to do this.

"Mum! I have thought about it...a lot. I'm going and nothing or no one will stop me. End of!"

"Son please, I'm begging you! I'll get down on my knees if I have to, just please stay away from him!" She reached out tentatively, taking Aaron's hand in her own, her eyes pleading with him. She saw the flash of anger in his eyes before he roughly pulled his hand away. Closing her eyes she heard the door slam shut and felt the watery sting of tears she become so accustomed to.

"Was that Aaron?" Paddy asked as he rushed in from the surgery. "What's happened?"

"Jackson is allowed visitors," Chas answered flatly. "Aaron is going to see him."

"What? Why?"

"Like he'd tell me. Oh Paddy, this is a mistake! He shouldn't be anywhere near him, not after what happened."

"I know, but you know what he's like. There is nothing we can do to stop him." Paddy let out an exasperated sigh. They had made progress the last few months, not a huge deal but for Aaron any amount was massive.

"What if nothing has changed? What if Jackson still feels the same way? What if he lures Aaron back in?'

"And breathe," Paddy laughed lightly. "We can't stop him, short of locking him in his room...NO!" Paddy added seeing the rise of Chas' eyebrows. "Maybe...maybe he needs this...for closure."

"If Jackson hurts him again, in any way, I'll kill him."

"He won't. Despite what happened Jackson loves him, you could see how hurt and upset he was. He blames himself for what happened with Aaron."

"As well he should! I know he wouldn't intentionally hurt him, and I know that he didn't see what was going on with Aaron, none of us did, but if he was like that once..."

"I know, but we'll have to let Aaron make his own decisions now. The counsellor said we had to make an effort too, not just Aaron. We have to start trusting him sometime."

"I know Paddy. It's just really hard right now."


The last 4 hours had been the longest of his life. In 10 minutes he would have visitors, for the first time in 6 months he would get to see people that weren't doctors or other patients. He knew his mum and dad would be here, but there was only one person he wanted to see. If he showed up today it would prove that they have a chance, a way to bridge the canyon sized gap between them. He needed to see him, apologise for putting him through...well everything. Apologise for breaking him down, for destroying his Aaron. He hoped he was better, that he too got some help, that he wasn't that broken little boy he saw on the bridge anymore. If someone asked him what his biggest regret was he wouldn't say getting in his van and driving away that night, he would tell them it was destroying the love of his life. He would give anything to change that, he knew he couldn't, but he still help out hope that they could work things out.

"Jackson?" He was caught unaware, completely lost in his thoughts. He looked up to see his mum and dad smiling down at him. A huge smile broke across his face at the sight of them, it faltered when he noticed Aaron was missing.

"I told him," Hazel said, knowing instantly what Jackson wanted. "I'm not sure if he's coming."

"Oh," Jackson replied disheartened. He plastered on a grin, the best he could muster right now, "At least you two came."

"Of course we did," Jerry added, his eyes glistening with tears that had yet to fall. "How've you been?"

Jackson started telling them about the last 6 months, about the counselling sessions and group therapy, the naff food in the cafeteria, the one guy that wakes up every night screaming about the killer clowns that tore off his arms.

"He still has both his arms; just his legs don't wo..." He stopped talking; his heart skipped a beat as he saw two piercing blue eyes staring at him through the blinds.

"Jack..." Hazel started before noticing Aaron stood outside. A small smile played across her lips as she nudged Jerry towards the door. "We'll just grab a coffee from the naff cafeteria."

"We only just got here," Jerry protested, earning him a deathly glare from Hazel. "Suppose a cup of coffee would be nice." He added with a sarcastic smile.

Jackson could only nod, words failing him as he lost himself in those beautiful blue eyes.

Hazel practically pushed Jerry out the door. She knew Aaron and Jackson needed time alone to talk, to try and fix their broken relationship. She gave Aaron a reassuring squeeze to the arm before dragging Jerry towards the caff. She was confident they would find their way back to each other.