Just a short piece to tie up those pesky loose ends, how could I have left them dangling ;-)

Pride

Epilogue

As soon as Chris had been wrestled from the courtroom, whoops of elation had filled the air around Aaron. He'd found himself in one congratulatory hug after another. But he knew it wasn't just about him, Jackson and Lee had cause to celebrate too, so he'd wrapped his arms around both men, the group hug brief but symbolic.

They had all remembered where they were then, and realising that the entire court's attentions was on them, including the Judge's, they'd quickly resumed their seats.

The indulgent Judge had then thanked the jury for a swift and most satisfactory outcome then announced that the sentencing for Christopher John Davies would take place in one week's time.

They'd left the courtroom on a wave of euphoria, David Smith waiting for them by the door. He was beaming, just as delighted as they at the verdict. Paddy had been the first to shake his hand, thanking him profusely. Smith had shaken hands with each one of them before telling them to go home and celebrate and the idea once born had soon taken flight.

A night out had been organised before they'd even reached the main doors. Taking place that night, the six of them, Lee's boyfriend Jamie and hopefully rounding off the numbers, Chas. Up for anything as always she had readily agreed.

It had been a rollickingly good night too. First a curry challenge at an Indian restaurant in town. Paul had won that although it had left him with an insatiable thirst for water all night. Then on to a club, the 'oldies' proving they had as much stamina as the younger members of the group. The Emmerdale lot had piled out of a taxi at some unearthly hour of the morning and made their way none too quietly in through their respective front doors. For Aaron and Jackson celebrations had continued long after going to bed.

They'd made a late appearance at breakfast, hung-over but happy. Paddy the same, he had a pig of a headache and was already on his third cup of coffee, needing fortification to face the long busy day ahead.

A week had passed before they knew it, there was work to catch up on. Jackson had lost two days graft at Declan's, and had been working late each evening in an effort to catch up. Aaron doing what he could to help.

Tuesday arrived and news of Chris' sentence was just a matter of hours and a phone call away. Paddy had taken the call, David Smith informing him that the Judge had handed down a sentence of five years, Smith had been pleased with that, but a life term wouldn't have been long enough where the vet was concerned. Davies had threatened Aaron; he was worried the man would want some sort of revenge when he got out of prison. It was a fear he kept to himself but he was sure he wasn't the only one to have it at the back of the mind.

Leaving Rhona at the helm he'd hurried down to the garage, Cain hadn't been there and while the cat was away the mice were making the most of his absence. Aaron and Jackson were sitting side by side on his desk drinking tea.

"Five years!" Jackson had nodded appreciatively before looking at Aaron awaiting his reaction.

Aaron had just shrugged he wasn't sure what to say to that.

Seeing the disquiet in the younger man's eyes Paddy had given Jackson a meaningful look and then made his exit. He knew Jackson would get the younger man to open up.

They'd followed Paddy out into the early autumn sunshine, and when he was out of earshot Jackson had turned his concerned gaze on Aaron, "What? Did you expect him to get longer?" They'd not talked about Davies since leaving court so he had no idea how Aaron felt.

"No. Five years though? What's he going to be like when he comes out?" He'd feared what a prison sentence would turn him into, now he found himself wondering what it would do to Chris. He'd wanted him locked up but hadn't given any thought to after he'd served his time. Would Chris come out having learned a lesson or would he have helped create a monster?

"He should get some help in there." Jackson reasoned, he was in dire need of it.

"Yeah." He could only hope that he did otherwise he had a feeling he'd be seeing Chris Davies again!

End