Stalker

Part 12

He just couldn't believe his luck! It seemed Baz couldn't either, he was grinning at him, obviously pleased to see him and not just because it meant help had arrived.

"I'm gonna have to breakdown more often if it's you that comes to the rescue!"

He frowned openly at the comment, the older man had said it in a teasing tone but he didn't find it funny, it just made him uncomfortably. The thing was he wasn't sure what to make of it, of what to make of Baz. He could be so naive at times! Was Baz just a harmless flirt, and there were plenty of them about, men and women, or did he really fancy his chances? He wished he knew for sure, he might know how best to deal with the man then.

Deciding it best to just get on with what he'd come to do he gestured at the car's open bonnet and asked, "What's the problem?"

All Baz could tell him was the car had lost power then slowly died on him, as he leaned over the engine to look for all the obvious causes, Baz moved to stand alongside of him, again way too close for his liking. It made him really nervous, why though? It wasn't like Baz would dare try and get touchy feely with him... would he? He'd hit the deck quicker than the speed of light if he did. God he was being ridiculous now! It was time to rein in his imagination and get to work.

He'd eventually found the problem, at least he thought he had, it had proved a bit of a mystery, he knew he couldn't fix it on the roadside, he was going to have to haul the car back to Emmerdale, He'd told Baz he could either drop him off somewhere and he could pick the car up tomorrow or he could accompany him to the garage and drive the car away later that afternoon. Baz had opted for the latter much to his dismay. Not only was he going to have Baz's company all the way back to the village but probably for however long it took him to fix the car.

Baz had of course done most of the talking on the journey. It hadn't been too bad though, not as bad as he'd expected to be. He could be quite funny, well he'd managed to make him laugh anyway and considering his mood the last few days that was quite an achievement. By the time they were rounding the corner into the village he'd actually started to relax in the older man's company, and had decided he was alright really... in small doses!

"What's going on there?"

Baz had seen the police car parked outside the Smithy, it wasn't something you could miss. He shrugged, pretending he didn't know, he still didn't think it was something he should share with a relative stranger.

Cain had been waiting for him to return, the call he'd been expecting had like he'd been hoping, turned up trumps. He had first choice of bankrupt stock, and he was wanting to go to look at the cars there and then. His uncle had told him he wouldn't be back until late, and that he was to lock up when he'd finished. No problem there, he'd make sure he finished early and get back to Jackson.

With Cain gone it left just him and Baz, the other man just standing there watching him work. He hated having an audience, it didn't matter who it was. Then he'd had an idea, it had taken him long enough! "There's a cafe up the road, hot drinks, snacks, you could wait there if you want, I'll come tell you when it's ready." Baz hadn't needed any persuading and as he'd watched him make his way up the hill, he thought he'd got rid of him for an hour or so, but before he knew it, he was back, a take away mug of tea in each hand, smiling at him as he said...

"Three sugars, just how you like it!,

He'd eyed him questioningly, how'd he know how many sugar's he took.

"I told the woman behind the counter it was for you, she heaped the sugar in!"

"Thanks." He reached for the cup, now resigned to Baz's company. Leaning against the car he stared off across the road, at nothing in particular, he was just trying to avoid making eye contact with the other man. He was looking at him again, and for once he was quiet but when he did speak he took him completely by surprise.

"Why didn't you tell me about Jackson?"

"What?" His eyes were locked on the other man now.

"I wasn't just told how sweet you like your tea. Aaron I know why the police are parked outside your door."

Brenda! Why was she discussing what had happened with strangers? She was gossiping that's why, she was good at that, all she was good at. He'd more or less lied to Baz at the hospital and he was aware of that now, that made him feel guilty and want to explain, "It's not something you can just drop into everyday conversation is it?"

"No, I suppose not, but it's got to be something you need to talk about? If you do, if you need a friendly ear... well I'm a good listener."

He could see understanding in the grey eyes, hear it in the older man's voice, not something he'd expected from him but then he'd not really given him a chance had he. He'd not taken him seriously as a person. He hadn't wanted or liked the interest he'd shown in him, it had meant only one thing and he already had that with Jackson.

Jackson had a lot of gay friends but he didn't have any, he hadn't made any attempt to make any, maybe he should. Knowing about Jackson maybe all Baz wanted from him was friendship?

TBC