DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS. THEY ARE THE PROPERTY OF ITV.
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MID-DECEMBER
(CHAPTER 27/30)
xx
"I am happy with the progress that he is making...he is still quiet and very withdrawn in to himself, that is only natural for what he's been through...but there are some very worrying aspects that have some course for concern..."
Stu's Mum and Dad were in the consultants office at the hospital. Stu had woken up from his coma a couple of nights before. He hadn't said much, but he was clearly happy to see his parents at his bedside.
"What concerns? What do you mean...you said there might be some brain damage, but as far as I can see he seems to know what I am saying to him", worried his father.
The consultant leaned back in his chair and looked at them, "I'm not talking about pyschological concerns, I'm talking about more physical worries...as you know, now he is stronger and can be moved, we took him in for a couple of body scans. It's routine, but some of the medical staff did pick up a few things when he was first admitted to hospital..."
Stus' Mother leaned forward, "what things? I don't understand"
"look...can I call you Marjorie?" she nodded, "Marjorie, we at the hospital think that your son suffered MORE than just a beating"
The two parents glanced at one another, as the doctor went on; "we DO think that he did suffer a beating, but other injuries that are present around his body are more associated to that of a fall...and the scans have given strength to those concerns"
Mother was trying to reason it out, "maybe he fell...when he was done over"
"His notes state that he was found on the grass...the fractures he sustained from a fall would mean that he fell from a greater height..."
Mum and Dad looked at eachother...both bewildered.
XXX
Aaron looked at his phone as it rang again. The third time. He knew who it was, it was the boss from Bristol wanting an answer to his job offer.
He had managed to put it off for the best part of a week, but time was running out now.
From where he sat in the Woolie, he looked up to see Nick come in through the doors.
"Hey...I was wondering as I was driving over...why is it, that in this village there is a million people? Where do they all live? As I parked up at the garage, I saw this right old rough family coming out a house on the corner...real chavvy types"
Aaron sighed as he watched him sit, "what? Oh them...you probably saw Ali and Ruby and that"
"How can THEY afford to live here? I was looking for a place once in the country...there was NO WAY I could even afford it, and here they are all practically on the dole"
"I will be soon if I don't make me mind up"
Nick looked at him, "Is this about that job offer? Haven't you not got back to him yet? OH AARON!"
Aaron screwed is face up, "Our Cain knows...he told him I was offered a job...now he's gone all funny on me"
"Have you STILL not told Ed?"
Aaron leaned back and watched the fire burn in the fireplace, "he's coming over here tonight...I'm gonna tell him then"
"good...because it needs sorting...pint is it?"
XXX
Nathan swaggered into the nurse station with a big smile across his face when he saw who was standing on the other end of the desk.
Sat at the terminal was his old colleage, Jill.
She looked up and gasped, "Nate! What are YOU doing here?"
"What am I doing here? I'M YOUR NEW AGENCY NURSE if you don't mind!"
Jill came out from the counter and they hugged, "Oh, it's so good to see you! What have you been up to? Private work was it? Are you and Jackson still together...that James guy, the doctor you were seeing has been struck off"
"I know...but yeah...I'm getting there...Jackson's gone on holiday and we are sort of seeing eachother...infact when he gets back, we are hoping to give our marriage another go..."
Jill cooed, "Awwwwww, that's so sweet! I'm glad it's all happy ever after for you"
"Are you still with hubby Paul?"
Jill laughed, "yeah he's just fine...ALWAYS working out at the gym as per...I sometimes wonder what he gets up to"
Nathan smirked, the times he had sucked her husbands cock off when she used to be on shift...but that was the past...
"Right...I best get up to speed what's going on...", told Nathan, now acting all professional and joining her at the patient database. The first thing to do was...look up Stu's case notes.
XXX
Nick looked at his phone, "It's THAT the time! I'm gonna have to shoot off...I said I'd take me mother shopping"
Aaron knocked back his pint and they both stood and pulled on their jackets, "cheers Mate...I know you are right...It's just, I don't know how Eds gonna take it...we've been getting on so well and now I might be leaving"
Nick tapped his arm, "It's YOU who only can decide that...but do it tonight, he'll be wondering why you've kept it so quiet and that"
They headed outside, Nick put on his scarf, "i'll call you later..."
Aaron watched his mate go and then turned back towards the pub...Ed would be here soon...best start rehearsing what to say...
XXX
Nathan walked up the corridor with the drugs trolley. He looked around. Made sure the trolley was locked up. Parked it to one side, then slipped in through the double doors to intensive care.
Stu was still there. He was hooked up to the heart moniter, but he was in a sitting postion and looked pretty much vacant and bruised.
Nate took in a deep breath, and then went striding over to him, "Hello Stu! Fancy seeing YOU here!"
Stu looked at him, the heart moniter raced abit.
Nathan continued to smile, "I see you are recovering nicely. That's good to see...depending how you look at it, i'm sure"
Stu breathed heavy.
"Now then...lets see how you are doing, shall we", he went to the base of the bed and picked up the clipboard chart, "ohhhh you ARE doing well I see..."
Of course Nathan could understand everything bit of jargon that was written on the chart. If nothing else, Nathan was shit hot with his medical knowledge.
"Oh...looks like you have been through the wars, don't it? Done over was you?"
Stu's eyes were all wide and staring at him. There was a whimper.
Nathan came forward as he put back the chart, "what was that? I didn't quite get that?"
Stu met his stare. Nathan's eyes lowered to the cabinet and saw the chain on the side, "Oh? What's this...Jackson's chain? HE GAVE THIS TO YOU! Parting gift was it, before he abandoned you...such a crying shame to you that...poor old Stu, left in the lurch again...he must of thought alot of you to leave this with you...well...I can't have that...so I'll just take it for myself"
He pocketed the chain, Stu watched him and whimpered.
"Still can't talk? Throat painful or sommit...doesn't say much about a sore throat on your medical chart...maybe you are faking it, like I'm faking the HIV...needs must and all that"
Stu swallowed.
Then Jill came in, "hiya...how are you getting on?", she breezed.
Nathan turned, "Oh fine...me and Stuart here go back a long way..."
Jill looked apalled, "Oh...wasn't it terrible what happened to him...they said it was a homophobic attack in the paper"
"Probably was...it's rife up my way, and HE was found just out the back of mine...", he stared at Stu as he said it...his look saying 'keep quiet or else'
Stu started to whimper loudly.
Jill came forward, "hey, are you alright...?"
"Hmm...Him...him...Hmmm"
"Calm down...", she looked at the heart moniter, it was going like the clappers, "I think he might need a seditive...looks like he's having a panic attack or something"
Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'll sort it...you go for your break, I'm sure you are due one"
"Yes I am...thanks...it's SO good to have you back..."
With a parting smile at Stu, she headed on her way. Nathan's smile faded and turned to Stu, "Now then...what are we going to do with you, eh? A seditive...maybe two or three...but if I did that, then THEY would know...so it looks like it's gonna have to be the good old smothering treatment..."
XXX
Aaron was sat in the back of the pub watching TV when Chas came through with a big smile on her face. Infact it was beaming.
"guess whos here!"
Aaron jumped up and swallowed when he saw Ed come through the door smiling at him.
"I came early to beat the traffic...is that alright?"
Aaron shook his head. Chas rolled her eyes at her son and said, "Well! Aren't you going to buy Ed a pint or something!"
Aaron scowled at her interference and she got the message and sloped off. Ed came over to Aaron and kissed him on the lips awkwardly.
"Sorry...that were abit lame, weren't it?"
Aaron half smiled and took Eds hand and they headed to the staircase, "Sod that pint...I think I can find something more interesting then that to do, don't you"
There was a teasing tone to his words. Ed was liking it and followed him up the creaky stairs. Aaron pulled him into his bedroom and before he closed the door the words 'I have to tell him' came to mind.
Maybe after...
XXX
At the hospital, Nathan reached over and picked up a pillow from the empty bed nearby, then came forward.
"I'm sorry Stu...I wish there was another way...but there isn't...I can't let you blab...and you will because you are weak...I'm sorry, but this is how it has to be, i'm afraid"
He lifted the pillow over Stu's face...
XXXX
Will Stu die? Will Nathan get caught? Will he escape? And how does Ed react when Aaron finally tells him about the job offer? Not too long to wait.