Aaron walked home from Adele's house warming party, still shell shocked from the evening's events. First Holly has stolen Scarlett's purse and then when he had come clean to Adam, his best mate had gone off at him for not grassing her up sooner.

When did all this become my fault, Aaron asked himself. He trudged up the road back towards Smithy Cottage. Jackson had warned him to tell Adam and in hindsight, he was right. By not telling Adam about what had happened the week before, it had only made telling him about tonight even worse. He still couldn't figure out why he had felt the brunt of Adam's temper though.

Aaron wished Jackson had been there for his to talk it through with. It was a knack he had of stepping outside of a situation and seeing it from all sides. He'd been invited to the house warming but was already out on a mate's leaving do so couldn't make it. Besides, he said: "Just because we're together, we don't need to be in each other's pockets all the time. You go out with your mates and I'll go out with mine."

He pulled his mobile out of his pocket and looked at the screen, his thumb hovering over the keypad. Aaron wanted to ring him, to tell him what happened and to sound off. He knew that Jackson would then reason with him, discuss both sides of the story and show him the way forward.

Aaron put the phone back in his pocket. He wouldn't ring him; he didn't want to spoil his night. He'd have to deal with this one himself he decided. But just as he did, his phone rang and he smiled when he looked at the screen and saw who the incoming call was from. Jackson.

"Hiya, it's me, you ok? He asked. "How's the party?"

"Alright, erm… yeah I'm ok. I'm just on the way home."

"How come? Its only quarter past eight. Were you missing me that much?" he teased

"Yeah, right", Aaron responded.

"What's happened?" Jackson enquired. He could tell by Aaron's tone that something wasn't right.

"Nowt, don't worry about it" Aaron said not wanting to burden Jackson with his troubles.

"Aaron?" Jackson obviously concerned.

"I grassed up Holly to Adam 'cos she stole Scarlett's purse to buy some gear and he went off at me" Aaron blurted out, relieved to get it off his chest.

"What? If she's stealing to feed a habit than its worse than we thought, mate. Adam was really pissed then?"

"You could say that!"

"Well, I'm sure he'll calm down. He probably more angry at Holly than you but lashed out at you 'cos you're his mate," Jackson reasoned.

"I hope so."

"You and him have been through too much to fall out because you're both worried about Holly. I'm sure it will get sorted. Do you want to come into town to us?"

"Nah, I'm not in the mood. You have a good night and I'll see you tomorrow."

"You sure? OK well, do me a favour. Don't sit there brooding over this will you. It will be ok."

"I won't."

"Yeah, right! See you later" and with that Jackson hung up and Aaron continued his journey home.

Aaron got back to the cottage and slumped on the sofa, trying to get his head around the night's events and debating going into town. He didn't want to highjack Jackson's night but he really needed to see him. Come on Aaron, he scolded, sort yourself out!

The phone rang. It was Paddy.

"Hello it's me, just wanted to let you know that I won't be back till late. I've got a horse in foal."

"Ok, no worries."

"Everything alright? You sound fed up. You and Jackson haven't had a row have you?" the vet enquired.

"No, we're fine. He's in town on a leaving do. Just had a rubbish night, that's all."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Maybe tomorrow."

Paddy knew better than to push it. "Well, ring me on the moby if you need me" and with that he hung up.

Aaron sat there, lost in his own thoughts, for god knows how long but was brought back to reality by a knock at the front door.

Still in his own world, he opened the front door and was shocked to see Jackson standing there.

"What are you doing here", Aaron asked.

"I was bored so thought I'd stop by"

"Liar" Aaron replied

"I was worried about you. I could tell you were upset and I didn't want you to sit here mulling it over and making it ten times worse."

Aaron smiled. "Get in here", he said grabbing Jackson by the hand and pulling him in for a kiss.

"Do you want to talk about it or shall I order a takeaway while you pick a DVD?"

"Not sure there is anything more to say so a takeaway and DVD sounds good" Aaron decided. He watched Jackson as he took charge. "Thanks, he said suddenly.

"What for?" Jackson asked.

"Just stuff, Aaron replied, feeling embarrassed but so chuffed that Jackson was there.

Paddy came in late, shattered from his busy day.

He saw Jackson's van on the drive. I thought he said he was out on the town, he thought. Better make a discreet entrance he decided, chuckling to himself at his double entendre and then feeling guilty for thinking of a joke that could be disrespectful to Aaron.

Paddy opened the door and looked into the lounge. There were no lights on but the TV was still playing. He wondered what he would find, as he walked into the house not wanting to find the lads in a compromising position.

He looked at the sofa and smiled. Jackson was half sitting, half lying at the end of the sofa with Aaron leaning against his chest. Jackson had his arm wrapped across Aaron's chest protectively. Both were fast asleep.

Paddy looked at Aaron's face. He sounded stressed and down on the phone but now, asleep in his lover's arms, Paddy had never seen him look so peaceful. A lump came to Paddy's throat. After everything him and Aaron had been through, it was a relief to see that he had found someone that he felt comfortable with.

He switched the TV off and retreated out of the room. Why disturb them when they were obviously so comfortable in each other's arms.