– AARON & JACKSON –

– BORN AGAIN–

"7th June"

This fanfic follows on THREE MONTHS after Confliction

Characters belong to ITV

...

A lot had changed for the boys in three months, Aaron was back to his usual self, no confusion, everything was normal and he couldn't have been happier. Aaron and Jackson had been married now for six months, time had gone by so fast but their love only just grew stronger.

Jackson's business was back up and running thanks to Declan for investing into the business, Jackson knew he wouldn't have done it for just anyone, but he and Declan had always had a mutual trust when it came to business and a friendship that kept growing.

Aaron had changed jobs too, the days and nights of juggling the pub and bar west began to take its toll and he had to make a decision on what to do; he decided to leave the pub and ask Cain if he could work for him again, he started doing small jobs and he was still learning, but now he managed the garage and bar west with perfect ease.

Ever since they got married the boys always did something on their anniversary every month, but with Jackson's work schedule as booked up it was until the middle of the next month, they had plans for that night, 7th June 2011, weeks ahead of their anniversary but the only time they'd be able to fit anything in. Aaron was looking forward to it, a romantic meal in town with his husband then probably a few drinks in bar west.

"You not gone yet or what?" Cain distracted him from his thoughts.

"No not yet, I will be in a minute" Aaron rolled his eyes as Carl walked up to them. Aaron sighed.

"Cain about?" Carl asked.

"Cain!" Aaron yelled while keeping his eyes on Carl.

Carl frowned. "What you looking at you nancy?"

Aaron scowled at him and shook his head. "Fuck you Carl" he told him as he walked off. "Right so where am I going again?" he asked Cain.

"Hotten to pick up those parts we need, the info is on the sheet - here" he said handing him the keys and the sheet of paper.

"Cheers Cain, I know it was a risk for you to take me back on"

"Yeah" Cain looked away, then back at him. "Something like that"

"Well I want you to know that I appreciate it, you've helped a lot"

Cain flashed a smile that even Aaron saw. "I know lad, go on"

Aaron smiled as he stepped back. "Not too bad really are ya?" he spoke with genuine kindness before he turned and headed to the car. He drove away from the garage seconds later and stopped at the side of the street when he saw Jackson walking up the village. "How you doing hot stuff?" Aaron winked when Jackson turned to him. He just laughed and so did Aaron.

"Yeah not bad gorgeous, what you doing driving anyway?" he asked with a look of concern on his face.

"Got to go pick up some parts, I feel like I'm ready now"

Jackson nodded. "Good" he smiled. "Don't forget we're booked for seven alright"

"Come off it, how could I forget?" he rolled his eyes.

"Because I know what you're like Mister Livesy" Jackson teased.

"Yeah yeah yeah" he said as he leaned his head out the window and Jackson leaned down to him too and their lips connected softly then with each second the passion intensified and Aaron had to pull away, his breathing was fast as he looked into Jackson's warm brown eyes. "I love you Mister Livesy, I'll see you when I get home" Aaron told him.

Jackson nodded as he stood up and stepped away from the car. "Love you too"

Aaron drove off up the village and Jackson carried on up to the pub for some lunch.

...

A few hours later Aaron had picked up the parts Cain had asked him to get and he'd stopped for some lunch on the way and did a little shop around town while he had the time too, just to get Jackson a little something for their anniversary, he knew it was early but the man he loved deserved to be treated.

He headed back to the village and instead of taking the usual route back he decided to take the scenic route back along the country roads, the road was quiet only a few cars passed him, he was taking it easy, he didn't see the need to rush. As he drove Aaron noted the crossroads sign and slowed down just that little more, when he reached it he had no idea what had happened, all he could hear was the scrunching of metal and the smashing of glass in his right ear. A car driving faster than the speed limit didn't slow down at the junction with the intention of waiting to see if it was clear to carry on down the road ahead. His car smashed into the passenger side of Aaron's and the car spun quickly a few yards down the road the other driver intended on heading down. Seconds later Aaron's car landed up right but not before the car had been smashed in, scraped and the windows all broken. But the one thing that was hurt the most, a life - One unique special life.

...

Jackson had finished work for the day and pulled up outside of the house and walked to the pub for a cheeky pint before he started to get ready. He saw Cain on his way up. "Where's Aaron?"

Cain shrugged his shoulders. "No idea mate, hasn't been back since I sent him off to get parts, if you see him before I do tell him he better have a bloody good excuse!"

Jackson rolled his eyes and sighed. "Yeah I will do"

Back on the country road Paddy was driving along after being out on appointments, he sang along to whatever was on the radio with his window down taking in the fresh air. He drove past the same crossroad that Aaron was and he quickly put his brakes on and stopped as something caught his eyes, two cars positioned very unsafely on the road. He took his keys out of the ignition and ran to see if everything was alright, but the closer he got back up to the junction the clear it became that not all was alright, glass crunched beneath his feet, it was all over the road. He checked the first car that didn't seemed to be too damaged, just a very badly dented bumper. No one was in the car. He sighed and ran to the other and looked through the empty space where the passenger side window should have been.

His car keys fell to the floor, his heart quickened and adrenaline surged through his body. It was Aaron. Paddy wanted to fall to his knees but he couldn't, he needed him. "A-A" he stuttered. "Aaron!" he called out despite the lump in his throat. He ran round to the driver side door and opened it and Aaron began to lurch out of the vehicle the only thing stopping him was his seatbelt.

Paddy cried out loud as he held him and reached across him to remove the seatbelt; when released Aaron began to fall quicker but Paddy had him in his arms instantly and slowly lowered him out of it and onto the ground "Oh jesus" Paddy breathed, blood had covered the right side of his face and he was pale. Paddy shook himself, he couldn't touch him but he knew he had too. "Aaron" he cried, his voice cracking as the emotion and pain overwhelmed him, he shut his eyes tight and sobbed, his shoulders jerking up and down. When he opened his eyes again he took a deep breath and leaned over him to see if he was breathing – there was nothing. He placed his fingers on his wrist and there was no pulse either. Paddy cried silently, the pain so very clear to see and he rested his head on Aaron's chest as he cried. It took him a few minutes but he lifted up off from Aaron and took out his phone and called an ambulance.

...

Paddy could hear the ambulance in the distance. This would probably be the last time he would get to be with Aaron. He took his hand in his and lifted it up and kissed it. "You beautiful, beautiful boy, you're too young" Paddy shook his head as he cried. "Too young" he sobbed. "I love you so, so much" Paddy didn't realise that the ambulance had pulled up and he jumped when one of the paramedics placed their hands on his shoulders. Paddy turned to them. "I-I can't leave him"

"You have too, what's his name?" the man asked.

"It's Aaron" he nodded.

"Alright and yours?"

"Paddy, Paddy Kirk"

"Alright Paddy I'm gunna need you to go with my colleague for a second while I take a look at him"

Paddy frowned and nodded; his legs felt like led weights as he stood to his feet but with the help of the female paramedic Paddy was moved to the side of the road.

The female paramedic watched her colleague as she checked the young boy; seconds later he looked up at her and shook his head.

"I'm sorry Mr. Kirk...but he's dead"

Paddy nodded and placed his hands over his mouth and cried.

"Did, did you know him?" she asked.

Paddy nodded. "He was a son to me"

The paramedic didn't say anything further and looked to her colleague. "There's no one in the other car, we better get the police involved" she told him to which he nodded and took out his radio to call for them.

"Do you want us to call anyone for you?" she asked.

Paddy shook his head. "No, no I'll be alright, just need to get home"

"I'm sorry Mr. Kirk but I can't let you drive home in the state you're in I have to call someone for you"

Paddy nodded, he understood that. He wiped his eyes and took out his phone and handed it to the paramedic. "Look for Chas, she's his mum, I can't tell her...will you?"

She simply nodded, it wasn't usually done over the phone but under these circumstances she would. Paddy walked back over to Aaron and watched him. He looked peaceful.

...

"Paddy!" Chas screeched down the phone. "Hang on I can't hear" Chas moved into the corridor leading to the back room of the pub. "There that's better, go on"

"Is this Chas?" a woman's voice came on the other end.

Chas frowned. "Yes who is this?"

"My name's Laura I'm a paramedic, we were called by a Mr Paddy Kirk...are you Aaron's mum?"

"Yes..." her tone changed. "What-what's happened?" She asked as she swallowed hard.

"I'm afraid your son has been involved in an accident"

"W-w-well is he alright?" she asked, her voice quiet.

"I'm afraid not, your son has died" the paramedic broke the news; it was always the worst part of the job. Chas listened to the details of where Paddy was, and then she dropped the phone smashing it on the floor.

Jackson heard the noise and moved within sight of the corridor. "You alright Chas?" he asked.

Chas turned and slowly walked out into the bar. She looked around at all the happy drinkers and all the conversations and laughter going on. "Erm, my keys...I need my keys..." she began to panic.

Alicia and Jackson looked at her worried now as did a few regulars. "Chas you're scaring me now" Jackson told him.

"Aaron's dead" she let out in a gasp as she broke down crying. She placed her hand over her mouth to try and stop it. She shook her head repeatedly. "He's dead" she was shaking.

TBC...