When the front door crashed open, Jackson hadn't realised that it could get any worse. They were now all there. Every player, from the main all the way down to the support. Before the door opened, Sarah had been standing directly in front of him, pleading for his understanding. Because she hadn't realised, she hadn't recognised that she'd let slip to an unknowing Dean. Behind her, Cain was walking backwards and forwards. His frustrated grunts sounded. His phone calls alternated. He didn't care who he got hold of as long as it was one of them. No call was answered. This stopped just before the door opened. Adam was all business. All calm. This wasn't the first time, he was reasoning. It had happened before and they'd dealt with it. They'd deal with it now. He was completely prepared to search, not caring that he wasn't sure where to start, just like they'd had to do before. This ended before the door opened. The only one to remain silent was Joe. His eyes scanned Jackson. The worry rolled off him, offering a blanket of support. His attention was diverted when the door opened.

So when the door opened, that was it. They were all there, just like in those epic films that spend hours setting up for the big conclusion. The introduction of the characters, the themes, and all those carefully navigated plot twists, they'd all amalgamated to form this big budget, sleek production. The only problem was that no one wanted to see it, especially not Jackson. Maybe he should just keep his head down and scoff popcorn. Maybe he should take a toilet break. Maybe he could stage a walkout on the grounds that the film was truly terrible. And it was, Jackson's life really was like a terrible movie. How many showdowns can happen in one film? Surely there should only be one. Or maybe just several little ones leading to the big apex. Had everything that had happened already been only minor? The thought scared Jackson, because if all this was just the ground work for the grand finale, then what was to come would be truly terrifying.

That door opened and people spilled through it. It wasn't a surprise. Voices could be heard outside. Pleas for calm carried into the house. When that door opened, everyone had already stopped. Jackson felt the panic and he knew his heart was beating faster. That door opened and four more people entered. Aaron, Chastity, Paddy, and Jackson's eyes squeezed shut when lastly Dean followed.

Aaron marched straight towards him. A book waved frantically in his hand, "Jackson, what is this?" He didn't keep it still long enough for Jackson to look at the cover, but that didn't matter. Sarah had already informed him about her mistake. What he couldn't understand though, was what Aaron was asking. Why was he asking about a book that he already knew about? Shouldn't Dean be the one looming over him? Paddy called out an explanation, "he's got your book, Jackson, he's confused by it."

"What is this?" The book was pulled open only inches from his face and Jackson had to lean his head back. Behind him he could hear Sarah gasping. "What is this?" he repeated desperately. Aaron's eyes were large, they were the epicentre of his face. They darted around, closed, blinked and then stared. His tongue snaked out and swiped at his lip. He twitched and jerked. His arms unsteadily held the book out. His hair was wet as if he'd just showered, he had a loose top and jeans on and Jackson numbly noticed that he wasn't wearing any shoes. Jackson felt like he was missing an entire chapter. What had happened in the last forty minutes? How had Aaron's manic state increased to such an extent? How was he meant to respond if he didn't have all the information? Chastity approached from behind, she tried to gently wrap her hands around Aaron's frame. "Why don't you..."

"Leave me alone!" She'd been trying to get him to sit down. Aaron's scream had been so sharp and sudden that she dropped her arms in shock. None of the spectators reacted, the only one who continued to speak was Aaron with his intense plea, "Jackson, what is this?" The agitation and confusion that he was witnessing, froze Jackson. It was Paddy's turn to placate now. He took one step forward and gently smiled, his words poured smoothly like honey. "Aaron, if you sit down, then we can all talk." It was said with a softness reserved only for a child. It caught Aaron off guard, seemed to wind him down and he became aware of himself. He turned, slowly, suddenly conscious that there were others in the room. "Why are you all here?" His eyes search each person's face, they lingered on Dean the longest, "why are you all here?"

"We're here to help you." Adam cautiously stepped forward, he held out his hands appearing as non-threatening as possible, "I'm you're mate, Aaron," he smiled, "I just want to look out for you, like I always have." Aaron was completely bewildered, he touched his finger tips to his temple and giggled, "I'm fine." He stepped from foot to foot and rocked slightly, "I'm great, you don't have to worry about me." Aaron executed a strange little twirl and made a bow. Everyone in the room looked at each other, no doubt the sight of Aaron performing was a little shocking. "We talked about this, remember?" said Paddy, as Aaron giggled again, "we think something's gone wrong with your medication." Jackson was staring throughout this exchanged, he didn't think he could handle this now, didn't think he could help. He blinked though, at Paddy's words, realising that the other man didn't have the whole picture. Cain obviously realised the same thing and spoke up, "Aaron told Jackson that he'd stopped taking his medication." Both Paddy and Chastity exchanged glances and then turned to Jackson, who confirmed with a nod. Fear marred their features. Chas held her head in her hand, "oh god."

"Aaron, how long?" There was no answer. When Paddy asked the second time, he tried to keep his voice just as calm, it didn't have the desired effect. Aaron shuffled away from Paddy, resting even closer to Jackson's chair. He rocked on his heels slightly and stared out of the corners of his eyes. No one missed the returned agitation. "It's OK, will talk about it later," Paddy's words did nothing to pacify. Instead Aaron raised a slender, shaky hand towards Chastity and pointed, "she made me do it." Everyone froze for a second as comprehension took its time to arrive, "she made me do it."

"What?" Chastity's confusion was tangible.

"You made me do it." She took a step closer and Aaron retreated further, his frame was so close to Jackson that it almost obscured his view. "I don't understand."

"That doctor," Aaron pulled a hand down his face, it elongated his features. "That doctor said I could change my medication. You wouldn't let me." He pointed again, "you wouldn't let me."

"No, I…" she looked around the room, stuttering, trying to find her words. Everyone was watching her. "I just didn't want you stuck in the UK for weeks," her voice dropped feebly, "I thought you'd miss..." She stopped. Her eyes paused on Dean, who had barely moved since entering the room. She shut up. Her mouth tightly pursed together as tears splurged from her eyes. Her hand clasped her mouth and she shook her head, she was muted.

"We should call a doctor," Cain said quietly. It was almost comical how he was standing. His whole body was rigid, slightly posed, ready to pounce or run, and he spoke out of the corner of his mouth. There may as well have been an escaped tiger in the room, not his nephew. Paddy was quick to respond, his stance matched Cain's, "We've called an ambulance, they shouldn't be long."

Jackson watch Aaron react to their battle readiness. He jerked straighter as Adam stepped forward, and Joe and even Dean. "I don't need an ambulance." Aaron's eyes widened, and in his distressed state, took another step back, this time colliding with Jackson chair. He flailed slightly, but stopped himself from falling. He turned and Jackson stared at the man he didn't recognise. "Aaron," Joe warned delicately, "you need to be careful of Jackson." Aaron's breathing grew ragged. At some point, as Jackson blinked, they'd all encroached and formed a circle. Aaron's panic increased and everyone backed off, it was as if they hadn't realised that they were becoming dangerously close. "It's alright," promised Adam. This didn't make a difference.

"Jackson," Aaron begged, but it wasn't clear what he was asking. All Jackson could do was look up into his eyes. His pupils rolled around in their diluted state. He gnawed on the inside of his mouth. Aaron towered over him. The book, seemingly forgotten, was held at his side. "Jackson, I don't need an ambulance." Jackson couldn't find any words. What was meant to happen now? An ambulance was on its way. Was their job to stay put until it arrived? Create no sudden movements, keep every breath as quiet as possible? Nothing made sense despite the clarity that had been cast on the situation. Aaron was bipolar. He was not in control of his actions. Every word, gesture and look were not his own. Everything that had happened was the result of an imbalance. Any reconciliation was paper thin and translucent. Jackson had no claim over the man staring down at him. This man, who rampantly sucked in his cheeks and repeated his name. Jackson wanted to respond, wanted him close, he wanted to shush him and tell him that everything would be OK. But he couldn't because he didn't know the rules anymore, didn't know if he had the right. No one else moved as Aaron trembled out Jackson's name. It killed Jackson to hear the raw emotion in his voice. His knees bent, barely holding up his weight and his head lulled. "Jackson." He twitched where he stood, swallowing hard. It made Jackson sick.

Jackson spoke tentatively, "It's OK," his voice caught in his throat and struggled to form the words. "It's OK," he repeated, stronger now. Aaron's face scrunched up before him. His eyes glazed with unshed tears. He knelt down in front of the chair and rubbed his hands up and down Jackson's arm, "I don't need an ambulance," Aaron whispered, "make it go away."

"OK." The room was full, crowded with statues staring at them. No statue appeared to breath. "It won't come. It will be alright," he lied. Aaron's hands moved further along Jackson's arms. He reached up and stretched, wrapping himself around Jackson's neck. He circled him and pulled himself closer. Jackson felt Aaron's beard as it nuzzled him. They stayed like this. Jackson couldn't ignore the looks that settled on them. Dean's eyes in particular bore into him. He tried to ignore his gaze, tried to ignore the other man, but it was impossible.

Wrapped around him, Aaron readjusted himself, holding tighter and burrowing deeper and Jackson prayed for the ambulance to arrive. Jackson felt the heavy breaths collide against his cheek. He willed his arms to wrap around Aaron but they wouldn't move. This appeared to be the solution. No one made any attempt to change the situation. A general feeling emanated that as long as Aaron stayed like this, then things might be alright. It could be seen in the way they'd slightly relaxed. Cain pulled up a chair. Sarah let out a sigh. Chastity's tears had dried up. Paddy looked on with a strained thoughtfulness. Joe's eyes widened reassuringly. Only Dean stayed just as coiled as before. His arms were tightly folded.

They remained like this for long moments. The oven beeped, telling of a new hour. A muted thud could be heard outside, as if someone had dropped something noisily from some distance away. Dean let out a shuddering sigh and stared. No one even attempted idle conversation. But then Aaron loosened his grip and slid away slightly. The distance created enough space to enable him to stare down at Jackson's lap. The book had been dropped there and it seemed to re-catch his attention. "Jackson, what is this?" Immediately, the room came to attention again.

"It's my book." Confusion clouded Aaron's expression, "why am I in it?"

"It's about the accident and me getting better," he answered uneasily, he couldn't understand what he was being asked. Aaron started rubbing at his head. He'd jerked away and it made everyone on edge. "But this book is about you. Why am I in it?" Behind him, Jackson searched for reassurance, for guidance. Everyone was as confused as him. "Aaron?" Aaron started fumbling through the book. He turned the pages, he pulled the book close to his eyes and then moved it back. A page tore slightly from the force and Aaron stared at it, confounded for a second. He scraped his teeth across his lip. "I'm in it."

"I know you are." Aaron started clawing through the pages. His fingers moved clumsily. He scanned through the text rampantly. He was a few pages through when he stopped and started to cry. "Aaron," Chastity tried to move towards him but Aaron screamed at her. She stopped in her tracks. "I can't find it."

"What are you looking for?" Jackson implored. "I can't find it!" Aaron's tone turned frenzied. He pivoted, glaring at everyone. "I can't find it!"

"We can help you." But Aaron was ignoring Paddy. Instead, he marched over to Dean. The book was pushed into his hands. Dean shrank back, fearful. "Help me."

"What do you need?" His words came out deceptively calm, they didn't match the alarm on Dean's face. "That stuff," Aaron swallowed hard, "that stuff that you read earlier. Where is it?

"I…" Dean trailed off. Slowly he looked down at the pages. "You've got to help me, please."

"I don't know where it is, Aaron." Poor Dean. Jackson could only sit and watch as the other man looked into Aaron's eyes utterly powerless. Out of everyone here, he was the victim. Did he even know? Did he know about the last few days? About the loaded pauses and glances? About the kisses and hugs? About the sex? Did he know about the confessions and the plans? What thoughts had run through his mind as Aaron had been wrapped around Jackson's neck earlier? Jackson could only imagine. Aaron tore the book from Dean's grasp, "I know it's here somewhere!" he screamed loudly and shrill. He whirled around, clutching the book. His eyes contorted into an angry glare. "Where is it?"

"Aaron," Jackson pleaded. But Aaron wasn't listening, he tore into the book. Turning page after page. Dropping the book and then retrieving it. "I know I'm in here."

"Yes, you are!"

"Why?" Aaron was looming over him once again. His teeth clenched. He spat as he spoke.

"I told you that you were in it. Adam sent it over to you."

"I did, Aaron," Adam agreed, quickly and reassuringly, "you said it was OK." Aaron moved back and forward. His face had twisted. He was bright red. Sweat poured down his forehead. "The book is meant to be about you, not me!"

"I know." Jackson couldn't keep up for what was happening. Aaron had read the book. He'd even OK'd it. "But you were such a big part of my life, of course I included you!" Aaron's frame froze. His agitation halted. He gasped loudly and clutched the book tightly, it was like something had just occurred to him. "Everyone knows about me!"

"What?"

"Since I've been back. Everyone knows. Betty, Alicia, Alan and others. They've all spoken to me. All said strange things." A sickly look consumed Aaron's face, "they've all read it, haven't they?"

Jackson's reply came out small, "Yes."

"And you, have you read it?" Suddenly Aaron was pointing at Sarah. Her eyes were red. She'd been quiet throughout. She looked around unsurely before answering, "yes." Aaron jerked backwards as if he'd been shot by a bullet, "oh no, no, no, no."

"Aaron, you knew!"

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't."

"You were sent it!"

"I never read it!" Every participant in the room paused. Only Aaron's cries sounded. He screeched out angrily at Jackson. "I didn't want anything to do with you. You broke my heart. I loved you more than anything in the world and you ripped it to shreds." His words competed with the huge wracking sobs that escaped his lips. His outstretched hand pointed accusingly. "I said yes because I wanted rid of you! I didn't know that I would be in it so much!" Aaron's eyes widened fiercely. He turned his anger to the book, tearing, trying to twist it. This failed to make an impact and so he ripped at the pages. No one stopped him. "You hurt me. I love you so much but you hurt me every time!" Pages scattered the air. "How could you do this to me?" Aaron howled through his tears. "I hate you!" He threw the book aimlessly and it thudded loudly against the wall, scarcely missing Jackson. I hate you!" This wasn't enough. Aaron was completely out of control. He reeled towards the dining table. Papers sat upon it. Aaron splayed his hands across the surface, knocking them all off. The screams that accompanied where guttural. Everyone in the room propelled forward, they reached for him but Aaron continued on his path of destruction. The shelves were next. They were covered in books and mementoes. Photographs were displayed and funny trinkets decorated the surface. Aaron pulled rampantly at the artefacts. Books thudded, glass shattered. Everyone was shouting. Jackson couldn't move, couldn't think. He was vaguely aware of Joe overriding his wheelchair control and pulling him back to safety. Cain had reached Aaron first. He wrapped his arms around his waist and with the help of Adam, wrestled him to the ground. "We need to hold him down!" shouted Cain and everyone grabbed at a limb. Arms held him fast but Aaron, in his feverish state, bucked and squirmed. He twisted and curled. He screamed and spat. Repeatedly, he cried out Jackson's name. His eyes bulged in panic. His desperate pleas lost their clarity. All Jackson could do was watch.

Exhaustion wouldn't overcome Aaron and everyone holding on was doing so on adrenaline. His gargled cries continued. The relentless screams assaulted the atmosphere. His arms and legs continued to flail. When the low ambulance sirens were heard in the distance, Chastity ran outside to redirect them to Dale Head. The scene that greeted the paramedics was one of chaos. Jackson watched their faces assess the situation. He heard the quick explanation from Chastity. Cain shouted that they couldn't control Aaron for much longer. A female paramedic called for something named 'Midazolam.' Then she was instructing everyone to hold him still as she pulled his trousers down to expose his thigh. Aaron's screams became demonic, more hysterical. They were noises that no one should ever hear. He screamed for Jackson. Tried to reach out for him but failed. An injection was given and Aaron's movements slacked. They lost their determination. He became calmer. His eyes relaxed. His head lulled. Gasps of relief sounded around the room as everyone loosened their grip.

Jackson just watched as everyone stepped back to give the paramedics room. He watched Sarah's shock. He watch Joe hold out a comforting hand to her. Paddy and Chas stared intently, holding their breath as the stretcher was brought in. Cain remained stoic as he leant against the wall and Adam just waited. At the very back was Dean, his eyes were thickened by tears. He'd folded his arms tightly and shook his head absently. Nobody said a word unless one of the paramedics spoke directly to them.

Aaron was still conscious. On the stretcher, he rolled his eyes towards Jackson. He made a last feeble attempt to reach out a hand but gave up. Then the paramedics took him away.