DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS. THEY ARE THE PROPERTY OF ITV.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

LATE-SEPTEMBER

"Here we are lad, popcorn and cola" Ed said. He had the most irritating grin across his face.

Aaron took them and went to pull his own wallet out, but the rugby player was already leading the way to screen 4. Aaron saw this as two mates out together seeing a film. A film they both enjoyed because it was action, and Aaron LOVED action films and so did Ed.

Of course it was Ed's idea to go out to the flicks. Aaron sort of just got talked into it, but he had been meaning to see the movie anyway, so what was the harm in it.

Ed led the way down the aisle and nodded to the back row, Aaron shook his head sternly and nodded at a row that was about halfway towards the front. There was certainly not going to be any wandering hands tonight, thought Aaron.

Ed looked disappointed of course, but did as instructed and led the way to the row of seats and they pushed passed the line of legs to the vacant seats.

Once sat down, Ed handed Aaron his popcorn and coke. Poor Ed had balanced everything on one of them polycarton trays they gave you.

As the main lights dimmed, Ed stole a chance to give Aaron a once over. The lad was smartly dressed up in a dark sweater and light blue jeans that had zips and pockets all over the design.

Ed looked down at himself. It was same as per for him, jeans and a rugby top. Jeez Aaron must think him boring.

Aaron crunched some of the popcorn as the trailers started. Ed sucked through the straw of his coke and side glanced at Aaron again...all he was getting from the expression on the young lads face was;

The screens over there mate...!

XXX

Jackson sat in bar west with a foot up on the table. A pint glass was in his hand and he watched the drag show going off on stage.

In full drag himself, Stu came prancing over in what looked like platform shoes and a blonde wig, "Jackson! Is Nathan with you?"

The builder gave him a playful wolfwhistle, and with a lustful grin, he patted his lap, "Come stick that tight arse on this..." he teased him.

Stu didn't, he sat on the next stall, "Nooooo, I'm serious, he texted me to say he was gonna come...but Danny said he's not turned up"

Jackson sighed and rolled his eyes at him, "I went and saw him the other night...he's abit low to be honest...I told him i'd take him out, but he wasn't interested"

Stu's eyes, they were garnished with false eyelashes, widened, "What? He turned YOU down...but he still...well, likes you"

Jackson shrugged and leaned forward, "well he wasn't keen...trouble is, you can't MAKE him go out...he has to do that for himself, all you can do is invite him"

Stu was keying in Nate's number on his mobile in his false nails, he shook his head as the dialling tone went on and on and on, "...he's not picking up..."

XXX

The movie had finished, and after suffering a bit of cramp in the leg, Ed led the way out to the aisle.

"What a smash of a film!" Ed said all over-excited and it sounded like it was for all Aaron's benefit.

Aaron shrugged it off, "It was alright I suppose, not what I expected...those reviews in THX are crap!"

Ed turned to him as they walked out into the brighter light of the corridor, "so you didn't like it?"

Aaron tossed his crushed coke carton and screwn up popcorn bag into the litter bin that propped open the screenroom door, "As I said...it were alright...but I won't bother going to see it with Nick, IF I like a film I like to see it twice...that one? Nahhh"

Ed felt disappointed. He was sure that Aaron would like it.

"and all that crap about him having the gun all the time when that helicopter lopped that mans head off...come on! It wasn't five minutes before when we saw his headless body stuffed in that chest freezer"

Ed pushed their way into the busy foyer, "Yeah but that wasn't him right?"

"It was...just plain weird! Talk about a head fucker" summed up Aaron and stood on the curb outside looking for a taxi. Ed could see this so he shook his head, " I picked you up remember...I can take you home inall...unless you want to go on to a club or sommit" suggested Ed.

"With you?"

Ed nodded and laughed, "I DO go to night clubs too, you know"

"Even if you've got a big match the next day"

Ed lead the way to the car park, " yeah...we EVEN can have sex and everything"

Aaron stopped dead in his tracks. Talk about the look of 'the rabbit in the headlights' in his expression.

"I was joking" Ed said almost too quickly. And laid a hand over the bonnet of his red sports car.

Aaron rubbed his cheek then pulled out his wallet and handed Ed a tenner, "take it"

The black man nodded, " no...I said I'd pay"

"But THIS isn't a date...and I want to make sure you know it's not" insisted Aaron sticking the tenner under Ed's nose just to make it plain.

Ed huffed and took the ten pound note, "It was meant to be MY treat" told Ed pushing the central locking.

The locks clicked and Aaron jumped into the passenger side.

Ed got in the drivers side and closed the door. For a few minutes they just sat there in silence, before Aaron turned his head, "aren't you gonna fire up the engine"

Ed was about to turn the key, then snapped his neck round to Aaron, "So what do you think then? About the car?"

Aaron swallowed down and faced front, "So the car is for MY benefit, is it...?"

XXX

Jackson pulled up the hand brake and jumped out the van. Stu was in hot pursuit. He was out of drag now, but there was a dark haze of miscara around his eyes.

They went up the appartment steps.

"He's NOT gonna be too happy about this..." informed Jackson, "...he can get right narky about folk interfering...I should know...he won't thank you for it"

Stu crossed the landing and went to the door, "he's not called AND he's not responded to my texts...and AS YOU SHOULD KNOW...Nathan NEVER switches off his phone"

Jackson knew that was true, Nathan was always afraid that he was missing out on sommit if he had his phone off, "true...well come on...push that bell"

Stu pressed.

No answer.

XXX

"So...don't you like the car? Is it because it's TOO flash? Mind you...I suppose it just looks like I'm showing off...I must look a right div" concluded Ed, hands gripping the steering wheel.

Aaron sighed, "Ed...you are a nice guy...it's just that..."

Ed met his gaze, "Is it because of HIM? The bloke you went to Spain with...do you still like him "

Aaron shook his head, "it's got nowt to do with him...but he made me realise that I wasn't ready for a full on relationship...and I ended up hurting him"

Ed raised his arm, "But I'm not after a long term relationship...everything is not all about hearts and flowers you know"

Aaron raised his eyebrowes, "Isn't it? Look...you are fit...and I'd probably would've given you a wank or sommit if I didn't know your name and we were in a layby...but...you'll always want more..."

Ed swallowed and broke eye contact, "I wouldn't want you as a one off...so yeah...you're right, blimey I must look like a right pratt now...talk about the hole getting bigger, I want to fall in it and hide"

"Don't be daft"

"Shall I just drop you off at Nicks?"

Aaron nodded and faced front, "yeah...he's dog sitting and Clydes probably licking him to death...but...", he turned to face him, "...WE could always be mates" he said.

Ed blew out a laugh, "well...if that's as good as I'm gonna get...why not" and with that he fired up the engine and drove off.

XXX

Stu and Jackson stood outside Nathan's appartment.

"He's NOT in..." told Jackson, as he leaned his back on the wall.

Stu came away from the door, "But where would he go...he barely LEAVES the flat"

Jackson shrugged, "I'm past caring mate...I've tried...I'VE REALLY TRIED...but you know what he's like"

Stu was digging out his keys and was searching for a key on the bunch, "What'a you up to now?" puzzled Jackson, "Don't tell me you've gotta key to HIS place"

Stu nodded, "I watered the cactus you two had in the bathroom"

Jackson grinned at him, "He were right mad at you...you KILLED the thing"

Stu hissed a 'yes' and put the key into the lock and opened up the door. They both pushed their way in, and Stu called out Nathan's name.

Jackson looked about the flat and went to the belcony, it was all locked up, "Maybe he's gone to his Mums" he suggested.

Stu shook his head and went into the bathroom.

"Jackson...JACKSON!"

XXX