Lie To Me

Disclaimer - Emmerdale & its characters do not belong to me, they belong to ITV

A/N - Sorry for the delay...blame Emmerdale

Lie of why you're leavin' early
Deny that you're in any hurry
Cry and tell me not to worry
Cause what I don't know, is never gonna hurt me

Four weeks. That's how long it had been since the night in Bar West. Since the night Aaron had gone home with Jackson. Four weeks since the officially became a couple and things were going...they were going alright. They had their ups and their downs but putting their difficulties aside they were happy. Aaron was becoming less and less bothered by his sexuality which pleased Jackson to no end but he was a patient guy, he could wait as long as he had to. He had it bad for the mechanic.

He had finished University months ago but as of yet he still hadn't figured out what he was going to do. He didn't know what he was going to do, part of him didn't want to waste the money his parents spent on his education but now, now he wasn't so sure he wanted to be an architect, he missed building. He had continued to build during the summer when he wasn't as University. Building was what he did best. He was beyond confused but he knew he had to make a decision soon, he was fast running out of funds.

Stepping outside the back door Jackson crossed over to the garage. He hadn't seen Aaron since the night before. They rarely slept apart these days but last night was one of those rare nights. After quickly scanning the garage he couldn't see him, it was empty. That was until he spotted his legs sticking out from under a car bonnet.

"Oi!" he says, kicking his leg softly to get his attention. With a grunt Aaron pulls himself from under the car, squinting against the sun to see his boyfriend "what do you want?"

"Nice to see you too"

Aaron rolls his eyes and stands up "Just cause you have nothing better to do with you day, I do have work to do you know"

"Want me to go?" Jackson asks, a smirk firmly in place as he already knows Aaron's answer "Cause if I'm bothering you..." he takes a step to the side, only to be grabbed by the top to stop him going anywhere.

"Shut up" Aaron says, pulling his boyfriend close. Jackson wonders for split second if Aaron is going to kiss him but the thought quickly leaves his mind. Aaron isn't that comfortable with his sexuality yet.

"I've got to finish this car" Aaron says, breaking the silence that was between them "But after that I'm all yours unless someone comes in or Cain comes back"

"Want a Coffee?" Jackson asks, wanting to make himself useful, he could make them something to drink "Yeah" Aaron nods "I'll be finished this in a few minutes" he adds before bending back down and disappearing under the car.

He can hear Aaron talking to him from outside but he can't make out what he's saying. Leaving the kettle boiling he steps back out, to hear him "What are you going on about?" He hears Aaron sigh before saying "I was saying, I thought we could go see a film tonight and then...you can stay over at mine if you want to"

"Are you going to make me sit through some film about cars?" Jackson asks, closing his eyes and taking deep breath at the thought. Aaron's taste in films wasn't the best

"I'm paying so I decide what we see" was Aaron's reply which Jackson took to mean yes.

Ten minutes later they were sat opposite each other at the desk inside the garage with mugs in their hands. Neither of them is saying anything but they don't have to, they're comfortable in each other's company. With no one around Jackson's hand slides along over the desk and cups Aaron's and Aaron doesn't pull away or look around, mostly because he knows no one is around and he'd hear them before he could see them.

"Missed you last night" Aaron mumbles, he mumbles that quietly that Jackson wasn't completely sure he'd heard him correctly.

"You could have come to mine, or text me" Jackson reminds him "I was stuck up there with all the Dingles until gone two. It was doing my head in"

Jackson laughed, he had been invited up to the party the Dingle's were having but he had politely declined. He didn't want questions about him and Aaron. He knew Aaron wouldn't want them either.

"You've got me all to yourself tonight" Jackson promises. Silence reigns once more only this time Jackson gets the feeling Aaron has something he either wants to say or ask because he keeps looking at him, taking a breath then looking away.

"What's up?" Jackson finally asks

"What?" Aaron says, his head snapping up

"You look like you have something you wanna ask me" Jackson informs him and Aaron smiles slightly "I heard your Mum trying to tell you about your Dad, when was the last time you spoke to him?"

"When was the last time you spoke to yours?" Jackson fires back, his tone harsh, harsher than it should have been at Aaron's simple question. Aaron lifts his eyebrows, not saying anything but giving Jackson a look.

"Not since I came out" he finally admits "He still can't handle it"

"Still?" Aaron repeats "Even I managed to come out in that time"

Jackson laughs out loud at that and grins "Yeah" he nods but before Aaron can say anything else, before they can talk about Jerry Walsh again Jackson's mobile rings, interrupting them.

Checking caller ID, Jackson gets up from the desk and walks away. Aaron frowns, why was he walking away? Why couldn't he take the call right in front of him? He would take a call right in front of Jackson. He had nothing to hide, did Jackson? He quickly shoved that thought away, telling himself that if Jackson didn't want him he wouldn't be with him. He didn't have to put up with all the crap he put him through.

He can only hear parts of Jackson's conversation, but the parts he can hear it sounds as if he's arranging a night out, no, a weekend away, starting today. By the time Jackson comes back inside Aaron is frowning "What's going on?"

"Hmmm?" Jackson answers, distracted by his phone call. It was a mate of his from University, telling him that there was an opening in the company he had started working in and that he had put in a good word for him. He wanted to meet him later that night, talk it over, he also said something about a weekend away with some of the guys from Uni. Jackson had agreed. Was it what he wanted?

"Just a mate from Uni" he says

"What did he want?"

"Wanted to meet up for a drink. He thinks he's found us a job"

"And you're meeting him tonight?" Aaron demands to know "Thought we were going out?"

"We can do that any time" Jackson says, meeting Aaron's eyes "It's just a film"

"Just a film?" Aaron repeats "No, it was just you and me going out, now your dropping me for some other guy?"

"He's straight Aaron"

"I don't give a crap what he is" Aaron states "We're going out"

"You can come with me"

Aaron scoffs and rolls his eyes "Yeah, cause I'm going to have lots in common with architects eh?"

Jackson shrugs, why wouldn't he? They were still people, they were just like him.

"Tell him you can't go"

Jackson shakes his head "No, I'm going and I'm going away for the weekend too. I thought you'd want to come, have a weekend away but clearly, if you have to share me with my mates, my mates that aren't Adam you don't want to do that"

"No" Aaron says "I just wouldn't dump you when you had arranged to take me out somewhere"

"It's a film"

"It's you choosing your Uni mates over me. You know what? Keep it up" with that said Aaron stands up, walks away from the desk and out into the fresh air. He has no idea why he blew up the way he did. Actually, that was a lie. He did know. He was scared, scared of Jackson becoming some fancy architect and realising he could do much better than him. He didn't want to lose him, but pushing him away because he was going to see someone about a job and hang out with his mates also made him in danger of losing him, didn't it?

Jackson lets Aaron walk out of the garage, his head falling into his hands as he sighs. Aaron was hard work, harder work than the he thought was worth it sometimes but he knew, he knew deep down he wouldn't give the mechanic up until he was utterly heartbroken, he just hoped it wouldn't come to that. Getting to his feet he walks outside, he spots Aaron leaning against a car. He has two options, option one he walks into Dale Head and lets whatever this is fester and turn into something serious or option two, he goes over and tries to make the peace. Decision made, he finds himself standing in front of Aaron "After meeting up with my mate about the job, we're meeting other guys, I want you to come" Jackson says simply "thought you were going away for the weekend?" Aaron mumbles without looking at him.

"Tomorrow" he says "And I'm only going until Monday, you can come with me then too, we'll crash at my mates place"

Aaron scowls, indicating he didn't like that idea, not one little bit "I'll come tonight" he finally agrees "but you can go wherever it is you're going tomorrow on your own. Pretty sure I won't die without you for a couple of days"

"Alright, I'll see you later"

Xxx

Just as Aaron expected, him and Jackson's friends did not get along, at all. In fact, Aaron spent most of the night getting drunk at the bar whilst Jackson laughed and joked with them all. Whilst alone at the bar, he was approached by more than one guy, asking if they could buy him a drink. Each one he turned down, telling them he had a boyfriend. Each one of them smiled and walked away. Aaron would have continued doing just that, if he hadn't turned to see Jackson getting a little too close to one of his mates. What was he playing at? Did he forget that Aaron was here? Was he trying to make him jealous? Sliding off the bar stool he made his way back towards Jackson and his group of mates. Jackson's mate, the one he was getting a little too close to noticed him first and informed Jackson he was coming. Jackson was on his feet and walking towards him two seconds later "Hey" he says, trying to press a kiss to Aaron's lip, only to have Aaron dodge him, looking over his shoulder Aaron scowled at the guy whose name he couldn't remember.

"He's my mate Aaron"

"Have you slept with him?" Aaron asks his eyes burning into Jackson's "What? Aaron" Jackson says, pushing against his chest, trying to push him away from his mates.

"You have haven't you?"

"I'm with you" Jackson says, once again avoiding answering the question "Me and you Aaron, remember? You're my boyfriend"

Aaron scoffs and looks away, he's letting his insecurities about their relationship get the better of him. He doesn't want to, taking a deep breath he says "Can we go home?" he asks, stepping closer to Jackson, trying to make his intentions clear. A pained expression crosses Jackson's features, he wants to say yes, go home with Aaron back to their bed and spent the rest of the night getting lost in each other but it was still early.

"You're going away with them tomorrow, I'll not get to see you for a few days"

Looking into those blue eyes of Aaron's, the blue eyes Jackson dreamt about looking into during his four years in University, he found himself unable to say no "Alright" he says, pressing a quick kiss to Aaron's lips "I'll just say goodbye"

Five minutes later Jackson joins Aaron outside of the bar "Did they bitch about me?" Aaron asks as they walk towards the taxi rank. Jackson rolls his eyes, they did but he wasn't about to tell Aaron that "Course not, they loved you"

"Ha!" Aaron barks "You're a terrible liar"

"Shut up and get in the taxi" Jackson demands opening the door to a taxi as they made it to the rank and realised they were the only ones there "I like it when you're bossy" Aaron says with a smirk.

Xxx

Without Jackson for the weekend Aaron was at a loss for something to do. Saturday, he'd said Goodbye to his boyfriend, Jackson told him he would call him later, and he had, only it had been in the early hours of Sunday morning and he was beyond drunk. Aaron had complained about being disturbed at such a time and told Jackson to go to bed before hanging up, now though, he wished he hadn't cause he wanted to hear the older man's voice.

Being without Jackson is the exact reason Aaron found himself standing where he was. He was outside Jerry Walsh's new place. He'd been thinking about it for a few days, ever since he had heard Hazel try to tell Jackson about him. He knew the two hadn't spoken in so long but he knew that Jackson would love to be in contact with his Dad again, he was here to see if he could make that happen.

Aaron had no idea of the reception he would get. He had no idea if Hazel had told Jerry about him or more importantly about him and Jackson. Taking a deep breath he knocks on the door, listeing as two voices bicker about who is going to open it, finally though, it opens and he is face to face with Jerry Walsh for the first time in a long time.

"Aaron?" he says, his eyebrows pulling together in surprise "what you doing here?" he asks but before Aaron can answer, Jerry's face drains of all colour as he asks, with a shaky breath "Is it Jackson?"

"It's about Jackson" Aaron answers

"He's alright?" Jerry asks quickly, needing to know. Aaron is quick to nod, feeling confident in the fact that the older man is so concerned by Jackson's welfare "He's fine. I just...I wanted to talk to you about him"

"What about?"

Aaron gives him a look and Jerry's eyes narrow but he steps back "Come in then" he says, allowing Aaron in before motioning for him to follow. A few minutes later and the two of them are sat at a dining table at opposite sides.

"Do you not miss him?" Aaron asks

"What are you doing here Aaron? What has me and Jackson got to do with you?" Aaron ignores that question, for now. He plans on telling Jerry about him and Jackson, just later on in the conversation.

"Jackson is back from Uni you know?" Aaron starts "He misses you, why haven't you spoken to him in four years? You still can't be pissed off that he's gay can you?"

"Did he ask you to come here?"

Aaron scoffs "do you remember anything about your son? He'll kill me when he finds out I came here, I came here because he's away with some Uni friends, I hate my Dad but Jackson doesn't hate you, not really. He's disappointed"

"So am i"

Aaron tilts his head, studying the older man "Disappointed that he's happy?"

Jerry scowls

"Because he is, you think if he had a choice he would be gay? He wouldn't. But he doesn't have a choice"

"You've changed your tune haven't you? I remember you not talking to him because of it"

Aaron quickly shakes his head "One, I'm not his Dad and two...that wasn't the reason I stopped talking to him"

"No?" Jerry asks surprised by the comment "what was it then?"

Aaron eyes move from Jerry's to the table, he doesn't know how to say this and if Jerry even thinks about lashing out at him like he did Jackson well, he'd floor him without a second thought.

"Because I was scared"

Jerry's eyebrows rise, waiting

"Scared of coming out" he says as confidently as he can, he isn't feeling very confident "I'm Gay" he adds, staring the older man straight in the eyes.

Jerry's mouth opened and closed a couple of times as he searched for words, as he searched for something to say, he finally settled on "You don't look gay"

Aaron scoffs "and Jackson does? Not everyone that's gay is a fairy you know" Aaron states for the older man "At least" he adds "me and Jackson aren't"

"You and Jackson?" Jerry says, jumping to the right conclusion and all Aaron can do is nod. He's still waiting on him kicking off; he's preparing himself for a fight. He just had no idea how he was going to explain the fight to Jackson.

"That's why your here?"

Aaron nods, surprised that the older man isn't kicking off "You're not kicking off?" he says

"Were you expecting me to?"

Aaron shrugs and nods all at the same time "You're not my son Aaron, what you do and who you do it with doesn't affect me"

"And Jackson? You weren't even at his graduation!"

"Were you?" Jerry counters and Aaron scowls "No" he says "But I'm not his Dad, the one that's meant to love him no matter what"

Jerry gets to his feet "I get why you came here and I respect it but...I'm never going to accept it. Jackson and I are better off the way we are"

Feeling his anger bubbling to the surface Aaron jumps to his feet, glaring "better hope your next kid isn't gay then eh? You never know, you could be carrying the gay gene!" with that he roughly pushes past the older man and storms out of the house. He's angry, he wants to punch something, no, he wants to punch Jerry. He knows how happy Jackson would be to have the older man back in his life but that wasn't going to happen. A dejected Aaron makes his way back to Emmerdale, deciding it would probably be best not to tell Jackson about going to see his Father.

Xxx

Early hours of Monday morning and Aaron's sleep was interrupted by someone stumbling in through his bedroom door. He sat up, rubbing his eyes and switching on the lamp to see a rather wet and rather tipsy Jackson in the middle of pulling off his clothes "Jackson?" Aaron asks, not believing him.

Jackson is staring at him with a lop sided grin, still pulling off his clothes and shuffling toward the bed "Yep" he answers as he crawls on top of the covers "thought you weren't back until Monday?"

"It is Monday" Jackson states, climbing his way up Aaron's body, until they're face to face. Aaron's eyes narrow "Ok, later then"

"Missed you" Jackson says and Aaron can feel his breath of his lips "How'd you get in?"

"You gave me keys remember" Jackson says "Are you ever going to shut up?" he adds "We can talk in the morning"

"I was sleeping" Aaron states, eyes wide as he realises just what it is Jackson is after. Jackson still has a grin on his face "I'll wake you up" he promises before bending down and capturing the younger man's lips. Any thoughts Aaron may have had flew right out of his head as he lost himself in his boyfriend.

A/N - LIKE IT? LOVE IT? HATE IT? STILL WANT MORE? LET ME KNOW! :)