Emmerdale and it's charactors belong to ITV, not me!

'To the world you are but one person, but to one person you are the world.'

30th December

His heart nearly broke when he saw Jackson with machines all around him and a drip next to the bed. A single tear escaped his eye as he slowly walked over to Jackson's side. Looking down at the face of his beloved boyfriend he could only smile and silently thank Nathan for giving the police the lead they needed to bring Jackson back to him. All he wanted to do now was grab hold of him and pull Jackson to him and never let him go again.

Pulling a chair up he sat down and reached out for Jackson's hand and looked at it, he had been so scared that he would never be able to feel Jackson, to talk to him, to love him ever again. He hadn't admitted it to Hazel or Paddy, he wouldn't, but he really thought he had lost Jackson this time and he didn't know what he would do if he did.

He'd been sat with Jackson for only a few minutes when Jackson's eye's started to flutter open. "Hey gorgeous," said Aaron as he stood up and sat on the side of the bed, never letting go of Jackson's hand.

Jackson looked at him as if he wasn't really there. "Aaron?"

Aaron smiled through his tears. "Yeah, it's me babe."

"I thought I'd never see you again," Jackson said as he reached his hand up to touch Aaron's face. Aaron closed his eye's at the feel of Jackson's hand and moved his own hand to cover it.

"I honestly thought I'd lost you," said Aaron. They were both crying now as Aaron leaned in and captured Jackson's lips in a tender kiss. "Don't ever leave me," said Aaron as he looked into Jackson's eye's

"I won't," Jackson whispered as he pulled Aaron towards him again and hugged him tightly. It felt so good to be in each other's arms again and they stayed that way for what seemed like hours, neither one of them wanting to let go, but Aaron knew that two more people outside wanted to see Jackson as well, he started to get up.

"We're you going?" asked Jackson grabbing hold of Aaron's arm.

"Your mum and my dad are waiting in the family room, they want to see you as well."

"Not yet," said Jackson, "I just want to be with you for a little while longer." Aaron smiled and sat back down and took Jackson's hand once again.

"How did you find me?"

"It was Nathan."

"Nathan?"

"Yeah, the police contacted him because I thought he might know something about Tony. He told them about the farm that his parents had, and that's where they found you." Aaron gently stroked Jackson's hand.

Jackson swallowed. "I really thought that I was going to die," he said as Aaron brushed his hand on Jackson's face lightly, "I was so cold and it was dark, I couldn't see anything…and then the r..rats, they were biting me Aaron, it hurt so much."

"Ssshhh," said Aaron as he leaned down and pulled Jackson into an embrace. "I'm so sorry Jackson."

"It's not your fault," he said as he buried his head into Aaron's chest, "you know what kept me going?"

"What," said Aaron as he pulled back.

Jackson looked into the beautiful blue eye's of the man he loved. "You," he said as he lightly brushed his finger over Aaron's lips, "every time I closed my eye's…I saw you…I love you so much."

Aaron wiped the tears from Jackson's eye's. "You're my world Jackson Walsh, and don't you forget it." They both smiled as they kissed again. "I'd better get your mum or she will be knocking the door down any minute."

"Aaron, before you go and get them will you promise to stay with me tonight. I don't want to be on my own."

Aaron felt a wave of love move through him. "You didn't have to ask me, I wasn't planning on going anywhere. You know I don't sleep well without you."

"Thanks." Aaron smiled and left Jackson alone with his thoughts.

He was so glad that everything had turned out alright, he still didn't feel too good and his legs and wrists still hurt , but he was safe and back in the loving arms of his family. Aaron hadn't mentioned if Tony had been found or if he was still out there, the last thought frightened him. He had to ask the question when they came back. He was looking around the room as he was thinking, taking in his surroundings, he didn't like hospitals, it brought back the memory of Aaron been in here after the accident and Jackson praying for him to wake up. He wanted to go home, to sleep in his own bed next to the man he loved.

He looked towards the door as he heard it open and saw his mum and Paddy enter followed by Aaron.

"Oh my beautiful boy," Hazel cried as she quickly made her way to her son's side and hugged him like he'd been gone for years. "Are you alright?" she asked as she pulled back and looked at Jackson.

"I'm still getting pain from my wrist and legs," he said as lifted his wrist's to show his mum, "but the doctor told me that I'm doing as well as can be expected."

"Hey son," said Paddy as he squeezed Jackson's arm, "were so glad to have you back with us."

"Thanks Paddy."

For the next ten minutes it was all small talk. Aaron, Hazel and Paddy didn't ask him anything about what had happened to him. Jackson knew they were avoiding the subject of Tony, but he had to know. He had Aaron and Hazel sat on either side of the bed and Paddy had perched himself carefully on the bed itself.

He looked at Aaron. "Where's Tony?"

Aaron looked at Hazel and his dad. "Tell me," said Jackson

"We don't know love," said Hazel, Jackson turned to look at her.

"So he's still out there?"

Aaron squeezed Jackson's arm. "He's not gonna come back now Jackson, he wouldn't dare."

Jackson shook his head. "Do you know what he said to me before he left me to die. He said if he couldn't have me, no one can."

"The police are looking for him, he won't come anywhere near you."

"You can't be sure of that Aaron, he was high on drugs, I could tell. If he find's out that his plan didn't work he might come back to finish me off."

"Don't talk like that," said Hazel.

"Why not, it's probably true. I'm still not safe no matter what you all say," he turned to look at Aaron, "I just want all this to be over so we can look forward to March."

Aaron got up from his seat and kissed Jackson. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you…I promise."

A&J

December 31st

He needed a fix, he dragged himself off the floor and staggered over to where his friend was zoned out on the sofa. He looked round to see if there was any stuff left from last night but he couldn't find anything. He felt frustrated and agitated, he need something and he wanted it soon. He rifled through his friends pockets and got enough cash to go and buy his next stash, leaving his friend asleep on the sofa he put on a coat and left.

He was walking down the street when a paper billboard caught his eye, he walked over to it and read the headline, 'local man found alive', he rushed into the shop and bought the paper. He was shaking with anger as he stared at the picture of Jackson as he walked out of the shop, he'd been found, how? The place had been so remote, who could know about it. His fix urge now forgotten, he stood and read the article. He smiled to himself when he read that Jackson was in Hotten General recovering, well he wouldn't be recovering for long.

Half an hour later he walked into Hotten General and upto the receptionist, he waited till he got her attention.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm looking for a friend of mine, his names Jackson Walsh," he had tidied himself up and had bought the cheapest bunch of flowers from the nearest supermarket and he was putting on a very nice voice.

The receptionist smiled at him. "I will check for you," Tony waited impatiently for her to look on the computer in front of her, "Jackson Walsh, yes, he's on ward ten room six."

"Thankyou," he said and walked towards the elevator.

A&J

Jackson had been awake for nearly an hour, Aaron was still asleep next to him, he had climbed onto the bed about one in the morning and carefully snuggled up next to Jackson because he was getting back ache sleeping on the chair. He had his head against Jackson's chest and Jackson was lightly running his fingers through Aaron's hair. He loved it when he woke up before Aaron, he loves watching him sleep. The peace was broken by the door opening and a nurse walking in.

"Morning."

"Morning Jackson, how are you feeling?" she asked as she set about looking at the monitors next to his bed.

"I feel good thanks, any chance of me getting out of here today?"

"Are you saying that you don't want to spend New Years Eve with us nurses."

Jackson smiled. "As much as that sounds tempting, I'd rather be home with him," he said nodding at Aaron.

She looked at the sleeping young man wrapped around Jackson. "He looks like he doesn't want to let you go."

"More like I don't want to let him go," he said as he kissed Aaron's forehead.

"How long have you two been together?" she asked as she prepared to take his blood pressure.

"Nearly two years, the best two years of my life…we're getting married in March."

The nurse looked at Aaron then Jackson. "Really, that's lovely. Did you get down on one knee?"

"I asked him actually," Aaron said before Jackson could open his mouth.

"Sleeping beauty's awake," said Jackson with a smile. Aaron rubbed his eyes and sat up.

"Well congratulations to you both," she said before she left them alone.

Aaron turned round to face Jackson. "Are you alright?"

"I feel okay, still abit sore though," he said as he lifted his hand's. Aaron started to get off the bed. "Hey," said Jackson, "don't I get a good morning kiss?" Aaron smiled and leaned in to kiss Jackson. The kiss lasted longer than their usual morning kisses because this one was special, they both thought that they wouldn't have another morning together. "Morning," Aaron said softly against the side of Jackson's mouth.

He got off the bed and straightened his clothes. "I slept like a baby once I was lying next to you," he said looking at Jackson who smiled. "Do you want anything?"

"Other than go home," Jackson said, "can you tell them that I'm alright, I don't want to stay in here another night."

Aaron sat back down on the bed. "Look, the doctor's know what they are doing. If they say you have to stay in you stay in."

Jackson looked disappointed, "but it's New Years Eve, I'm gonna miss the party."

Aaron laughed. "So will I, but we can have our own party here. The party is wherever you are."

Jackson looked at Aaron, he still found it amazing that they had found each other and stayed together, even though they were total opposites. "Can you go down and get me a couple of magazines, if I'm gonna be here for a bit longer I need something to read."

"No problem," said Aaron, "I could do with something to eat, I'll nip downstairs, they'll probably be here with your breakfast any minute."

"Yum yum," said Jackson sarcastically and Aaron laughed. "If your good I'll fetch you a take out for lunch."

"Thanks, you've saved my life, can't be doing with hospital food again." Jackson remembered the last time he was in, it was awful. "Can you just get rid of one of these pillows for me before you go." Aaron took one of the pillows from behind Jackson and put it on the chair. "Anything else?" "No, that's it, don't be too long though will ya."

"I'll just grab some brekkie and get you the mags and I'll be back," he lent down and kissed Jackson before leaving the room.

He walked off the ward and to the elevators but instead of waiting for the lift he decided to take the stairs. As he went through the doors to the stairway the lift bell dinged, the lift doors opened and out stepped Tony.

Sorry to leave it as I've done but I can't help it. Hope everyone has a great Christmas. Asa x

To be continued

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