I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT 'S CHARACTERS...THEY BELONG TO ITV1

Xxx thanks for the reviews!..

EARLY JULY 2015

Jerry Walsh was glued to the living room bay window. He had been all morning. No sign of Jackson yet.

Eileen came in from the kitchen with a brew for him, " Jerry, didn't he say he'd call first...?"

Jerry shook his head, " No, he just said he was on his way up...THERE!", he practically chucked the brew back at her, and was rushing to open the front door. Jackson was walking up the drive way. He paused when Jerry opened the door.

Their eyes met, and then there was a rush forward from both of them, that ended in a tight hug, "SON! THANK GOD...THANK YOU GOD!"

Jackson was getting upset and pulled out of the embrace, "I'm SO sorry dad...I NEVER EVER wanted you to go through all that!"

Jerry was pulling him to the door, "Come in Son...come in and...just come in"

Jackson nodded and stepped into the hall, he looked abit of a wreck. God knows how long he had been wearing them combat trousers, or the muddy laceless boots, but the white Tshirt looked fairly new. His hair was cropped short and there was about a weeks stubble on his face.

"Is Jack not here?"

Jackson was already searching the living room with his eyes. Jerry closed the door, " No son...Aaron and that Lee bloke have taken him to the funfair this morning...I'll go get him in a little while"

Eileen came into the living room, and put on a smile, " Well...all the trouble YOU'VE caused...and here you are...like not a care in the world", she was polite, but there was an edge to it, and Jackson could sense the stress that he had caused over the past 2 weeks or so.

"I'm really sorry Eileen...", he turned his head to his dad, "...and you dad...I'm really sorry"

Jerry came forward, " Are you alright son? You look fine, but..."

Jackson was shaking his head getting all upset, " Dad, physically I'm fine...IT'S UP HERE THAT'S COMPLETED MESSED UP! ", he stuck a finger to his head, " I'M SO SCREWED UP DAD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING NO MORE...YOU'VE GOTTA HELP ME DAD, YOU'VE GOTTA HELP ME...PLEASSSE DAD!", he begged, screwing up his face.

Jerry pulled his son into a hug again, " I'm just glad you are safe son...I'm just glad you are safe..."

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"So has he said anything about this new job of is at all?"

Cain asked this as he stood up at the bar with his pint. Chas raised an eyebrowe, "I didn't think you were interested in his new job"

Cain shrugged, "Now I never said that! It was just a shock that he managed to grab the get up and go in him to GET HIMSELF another job..."

Chas laughed as she twiddled a finger through a stand of her air, " Yeah, I thought that when he first said about it, but I think Lee had a hand in it, so we're have to thank him...he's really good for Aaron"

Cain shrugged again, " If you say so"

Chas frowned, " What do you mean by that? Lee's helped Aaron alot over the last few weeks. He's got himself a good lad there..."

"He's abit...self righteous...don't you think? With all that running and that"

Chas served Edna as she replied, " There's nothing wrong in that! He just wants to be fit, does Lee...and he's good for Aaron"

Cain sighed, " But Aaron...running?..."

They both turned to see Jerry Walsh come through the doors. Chas's face was an instant scowl at the pure sight of him, " Ohh, what does HE want?" she hissed under her breath.

Jerry came over to the bar, " Is'erm...Aaron in?"

Chas put her tongue to the side of her mouth, " Nope..."

Cain downed his pint and turned, " He's NOT HERE mate...so I suggest you go"

Jerry glared at him, " I'm NOT going anywhere..."

Chas stepped forward waving an arm out, " Oi oi oi...I don't want any trouble"

Jerry looked at her, " I'm not here to cause any, love...I just need to talk to Aaron...it's about my Son..."

Chas's face turned to concern, " Ohhh know...they've not found him...", she trailed off.

Jerry didn't take kindly to that. He threw a glare at her, " DO YOU THINK I'LL BE GASSING IN HERE TO YOU, IF THEY'D FOUND ME SON DEAD!"

Cain was in his hearhole, "I suggest you just tell us what this is all about...OR..close the door on the way out"

Jerry huffed and nodded, " alright...I best tell yah...Jackson called me, he called me last night...he's alive"

Chas and Cain glanced at one another...

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So, did you have a good time, mate?"

Jack jumped out of the car and had an excited grin on his face, "Yayyy...I love my new Waterjet gun!"

Aaron laughed as Jack fired at Lee as he locked up the car, " You cheeky monkey!" cried Lee trying to shield his face with his hands.

Aaron smiled. He loved it when Jack was happy, and at the moment he was. They had just come back from the fun fair that was visiting Hotten. It wasn't that big of a fair, and there wasn't that many rides, but Lee winning Aaron a waterjet gun was a plus.

It didn't bother Aaron or Lee getting wet, it had been such a hot morning, everytime Jack did launch an assault on them, and that was from the moment Lee had won it, because within seconds after giving it to Jack, he had disappeared into the public toilets to fill the thing up with a gallon of water!

They all strolled towards the pub, and Lee was mentioning something about ordering a pizza.

"Yayyyyyyy" cried Jack, he loved Pizza.

Lee paused and glanced at Aaron, " We can always run it off tomorrow, eh?"

Aaron shock his head, "Yeah we can...BUT...i'd rather lie in", he teased him. Lee wasn't sure about that, but possibly working it off with a big fat sex session could swing a yes.

Aaron pointed to the outside table and bench, " grab us that table yeah...i'll go in and get in a round"

Lee and Jack went off and grabbed the table, Jack was instantly poising the waterjet at him, Aaron half smiled and then went inside to get the drinks.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Aaron didn't see Jerry as he walked into the Woolie. He went straight to the bar with a; " A couple of pints and a lemonade please Mum...", and tapped his hands on the bar waiting.

Chas looked at him, then her eyes overted to her side. Aaron looked round to see Jerry standing up from where he was sat waiting for him.

Aaron swallowed and went over to him, his face ashen, " What's happened? Have you heard something..."

Jerry nodded towards the bar, " Is it alright to go into the back?"

Chas looked at Aaron as she came out from behind the bar, " You better go with him, love..."

Aaron could feel his heart starting race. He knew the signs. He was going to go into panic attack mode because Jerry was here with bad news.

Jerry led the way through, Aaron managed to breath out a; "Lee's outside with Jack...get them their drinks yeah...", to his mother.

Aaron tried to calm himself, then went into the back room with his hands cupped over his face, then taking in a deep breath, he came out with it, " so what is it? Is he dead, is that why you are here...have they found him...", his hands arms went over his head as he started to get stressed.

Jerry shook his head, " No Aaron...he's with Eileen and Josh...at home"

Aaron's mind suddenly went off into a whirl. He was taking in what Jerry had told him. Jackson was WITH Eileen and Josh...

"He's...He's alive?"

Jerry shook his head, " he's at home"

Aaron could feel the sense of relief in Jerry, and he felt it too, but he was instantly wanting answers, " What's he said then? Where's he been at? Where..."

Jerry raised an arm, " Reading between the lines, I think he's been staying in hostels...and a couple of nights on a beach...but he looks fine...abit shabby, but that's to be expected for what he's been through"

Aaron screwed his face up, " You what? WHAT HE'S BEEN THROUGH, ARE YOU TRYING TO BE FUNNY?"

"No I'm just SAYING...look, lad...It's not like that I had to do this...tell you...because HE doesn't want you to know he's back...he wanted me to just tell you, that he was alright..."

Aaron was really tense now, " OH GREAT! DOES HE KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN GOING OFF ME HEAD HERE!"

Lee was then stood in the doorway, " Hey what's going on? I could hear you from the bar"

Aaron nodded his head towards Jerry, " ask him...JACKSON'S at his"

Lee tried to be lite about it, " Ohhh right...that's GOOD news, int it?"

Aaron turned to him, the annoyance flashing across his eyes, " GOOD! YEAH IT IS FOR HIM" he pointed at Jerry, "BUT NOT ME...JACKSON DOESN'T EVEN WANT TO SEE ME!"

Jerry had had enough, " NOW YOU LISTEN TO ME YOU UNGRATEFUL PIECE OF SHIT, AS I'VE SAID I DIDN'T HAVE TO COME ROUND HERE...I COULD'VE EASILY JUST GONE ALONG WITH HIM AND LET HIM SEE JACK AND THEN LET HIM GO ALONG HIS WAY..."

Aaron snapped his neck round, " YOU WHAT...HE'S HERE TO SEE JACK? AND THEN GO AGAIN...HE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE...", he flew out the door, Jerry and Lee glanced at one another and pursued him through the bar to the exit, by the time they were out of the door and into the bright sunshine outside, Chas and Jack were in toe too.

Aaron was stood by Jerry's car, " WELL COME ON THEN! LETS GO!"

Jerry sighed at him, " Aaron, just listen to me...YOU will scare him off if he sees yah...is that what you want? Is it?"

Aaron was in two minds now, he was breathing heavily again, " I need a fag"

He pulled out his ciggys and lighter and immediately lit one up and started puffing away.

Jack looked up, " Is grandad here for the pizza?"

Jerry looked at his grandson, then up to Aaron, " Aaron please...just let me take him round there...it'll make him want to stay, wont it?"

Aaron didn't like this, being put on the spot. Lee came forward and put a hand onto his shoulder, " Come on Aaron, let Jack see his dad...you know how much he's missed him since he's 'been working away'" the last bit was for the benefit of Jack.

"Is dad back!", he squealed.

Jerry nodded, " Yes he is...He's round mine...do you want to see him?"

Jack was instantly wanting to get into the car, Aaron stood back, his blood was boiling, but he was managing to keep it in check. Jerry let Jack into his car, then turned to Aaron, " Thanks for this...I WANT MY SON TO STAY...Jack might be the only thing that'll swing it..."

Lee put an arm around Aaron as Jack was waving out the back window as Jerry drove off. Lee turned, " You've done the right thing mate...it's best"

Chas was shaking her head in complete agreement, " He's right love..."

Aaron shoved Lee's arm off him, " and what gives YOU the right to tell me what's best for Jack...I'M GOING ROUND THERE"

Lee screwed his face up and hurried after him, " But you just said you..."

"I DON'T CARE...I WANNA SEE HIM...AND IF YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT ME, YOU'LL DRIVE ME..."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx

Jackson sat on the doorstep at his fathers house. HIS HOUSE...the house he grew up in...the house with a thousand memories of himself, his dad...and mother.

He could still see her now in the kitchen at the cooker, making the tea...burnt offerings for the most part, bless her, but she was a good Mum.

If only she was here now, she'd understand...

Josh was then squeezing beside him and sat down, " You alright mate?" Jackson asked his younger brother.

"Yeah...IS jack coming round? I want him to tidy my room..."

Jackson frowned at him, " Can't you be tidying it yahself?"

Josh rolled his eyes, " Am I that much of a div? What's the point of doing that, when I can go and order my nephew around to do it, silly!"

Jackson managed a smile, " You're not dumb are yah...that'll be something I would've done when I was your age...just be careful that he doesn't smack you one...he's getting older now"

Josh pushed his bottom lip out, then asked, " Have you been working away? I told Dad I wanted to be a builder when I grow up..."

Jackson looked down at him with a sad smile, " Nah mate, you don't wanna be taking after me...you'll be better getting yourself a better job...be good at school, because I wasn't"

A car pulled up.

Josh stood up, " dads home look!"

Jackson nodded and swallowed. He was so nervous about seeing Jack again, it had been weeks and he wondered what he had been told. But his worries soon turned to relief when Jack made a beeline to him and they embraced eachother.

Jackson managed to look up at his dad with a teary eye, " Thanks for this dad..."

Jerry laughed, "Well, as I've been telling Jack while driving over here...you don't have to go no where for a couple of days...DO YAH"

And this had a forceful meaning...you're not.

Jackson straighened up and cleared his throat, " I don't know me plans at the minute, dad...I'll have to have a think"

Jerry was about to say something else, when all heads turned, including his, to another car screaching to a halt, and Aaron come flying over with the biggest scowl.

Jackson's gaze instantly landed on his dad, " WHY DAD? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO TELL HIM FOR! HAVN'T YOU NOT BEEN LISTENING TO A WORD I SAID TO YAH THIS MORNING...HAVEN'T YAH?"

Jerry didn't have time to answer, because Aaron was already approaching pointing his finger, " SO YOU'RE BACK THEN? WHEN WAS YOU GONNA BE PLANNING TO TELL ME THEN, EH? NEXT WEEK? NEXT MONTH? NEXT YEAR? NEVER..?"

Jackson sighed at him, " Ohhh Aaron...please don't do this..."

Lee pressed the central locking to the car and was hurrying his way over, he had barely stepped onto the breaks when Aaron had bolted out of the car.

Aaron was giving Jackson evils as they stood there looking at eachother, Aaron was fit to burst at any minute. Jerry came inbetween them, and looked over to Eileen, " Love, can you be taking Jack in and get him a pop or something..."

Eileen could sense there was trouble brewing. She held out her hand and called to Jack, he hurried over, and disappeared indoors with her.

Lee crossed the road and fixed his eyes on Jackson. He couldn't believe he was just standing there large as life after having put everyone through the mill. How dare he come crawling back like nothing had happened.

Jackson didn't have time for any introductions, because as soon as Lee was in spitting distance, the life guards fist was in Jackson's face. The builder went flying to the concrete drive way.

Jerry lept into action and pulled Lee back. Aaron just stood there, not quite believing what had just happened...at first he thought it had been HIM who pulled the punch, because he had balled his fists and that was what he was thinking...

Lee was angry and red faced, he pointed his finger to Jackson as the builder rubbed his jaw, there was blood at the corner of his mouth, " That's for WHAT you put Aaron through, you selfish unthoughtful big peace of crap!"

Jackson shook his head, " Yeah, I deserved that...", he managed to murmur out. His jaw was numb.

Aaron was silent. He watched as Jackson dabbed his fingers to his mouth and look at the blood on his fingertips.

Lee turned to Aaron, " Come on Aaron...HE'S SAFE...now we can get ON with our day...", he glared at Jackson again, "...YOU DO REALISE YOU'VE RUINED JACKS DAY! HE WAS GONNA NE HAVING PIZZA AND EVERYTHING..."

Jackson swallowed, " He still can if he wants..." he said quietly.

Aaron shook himself back to reality and turned to face Lee dead on, " Look...you best go back...I'll call you later"

Lee was wide eyed in disbelief, " What! YOU are staying here with HIM!", he pointed in Jackson general direction, letting know he was insignificant.

"I SAID I'LL CALL YAH!" Aaron said, this time raising his voice, because he was getting stressed now. Jerry turned, " You heard him...run along sunshine"

Lee wasn't happy. Why was HE being given the marching orders for? YES Jackson was back...but WHAT had THAT got to do with Aaron?

Lee relented on an arguement, "Alright...a couple of hours mind...THEN, i'll be calling you...WE have a life to lead"

And then went up to him and kissed him passionately, and looking at Jackson as he did it...an 'he's mine now' look.

All ignored Jerrys distastefull glare...and the fact that this was in the middle of his driveway.

And then he was heading back to the car, the click click of the central locking echoing around them.

Jerry went indoors and told Eileen that she and him were taking Josh and Jack to the park.

"But I've got dinner to prepare...", she protested, she hated the park ever since Josh had trod dog shit all around the house after being there.

"WE'LL STICK SOMMIT IN THE MICROWAVE...WE'RE GOING!" he said with a knowing nod towards Jackson and Aaron...

Eileen took the hint and called the boys. And no sooner they were all out of the house...

... Aaron and Jackson were alone...

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MORE SOON!

HAHA...'SHOUTING MATCH' AARON AND JERRY...PUNCH, LEE AND JACKSON...PASSIONATE KISS, LEE AND AARON.

Oh dear, I know you all wanted it to be Aaron and Jackson...but the next chapter will ONLY FEATURE THEM!