CHAPTER FOURTEEN

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Emmerdale or it's characters, they belong to ITV

A/N: 1, Thanks for all your kind reviews x

A/N: 2, The events in this chapter carry on immediately after the last one left off, at Bar West...

Aaron stared into Jackson's big brown pool like eyes, with a disappointed expression,

"Going way...where..." Aaron cried, a little taken back.

Jackson could see Aaron was unsettled, he leaned against him, " hey...it's only work...i'll be back Friday...it's just for a week, I know it's short notice, but i only got the call today..."

Aaron pushed his bottom lip out, which made Jackson smile warmly " you gonna miss me..." he teased.

Aaron looked at him, and placed his hand on Jackson's knee " Big time truth be told...I just thought...you know..."

Jackson pulled Aaron toward him with his arm " look...when I get back, were go out on a proper date...and..." Aaron gazed deeply into his eyes,

"...I want to now..." whispered Aaron, leaning in for a kiss, Jackson pulled back " Not a good idea with your newly made ex giving us evils..."

Aaron suddenly realised that Ben was stood at the bar with his mate Tom, Ben was staring right at him.

" I thought he'd gone home!" told Aaron a little surprised, " he's gonna think all sorts now..."

Jackson gently rubbed Aaron's shoulder reasuringly" Doesn't matter what he thinks...it's what we think that counts...now..." he reached for his wallet,"... I'll get us a pint..."

Ben watched Jackson head to the bar, his cold eyes staring right at him with contempt.

Tom put his hand upon Ben's shoulder " Look...maybe they're just catching up...as just mates like..."

Ben frowned harshly, and turned to him " bang on form I see...!, you really are as thick as they come...do they look like just mates..!"

Tom downed his beer quickly in one guzzle, " Look...I'm off...I hate it when are in this kind of mood...", Ben shot him a glare " Then go...I aint stopping yah!"

Tom shook his head, Ben really was impossible at times, he turned and headed off with out another word, leaving Ben seething with anger.

Jackson was then beside him, arm outstretched " No hard feelings mate..." Jackson uttered in a serious tone, Ben licked his lips, and asked " What..."

"Aaron...I think it's me...my fault I mean...that you guys didn't work out...I feel bad truth be told..."

Ben took Jackson's hand and shook it " It's okay...as I said to Aaron...I'm okay about it...", Jackson laughed out loud " Good...you didn't look it just now...I thought by the way you looked, I'll be in for a slap!"

Ben shook his head and cracked a smile " don't be soft...just hope things work out for him..."

Jackson paid for his drinks, and turned " join us if you want...or maybe that's kinda too wierd for yah at the minute..."

Ben shrugged " maybe later..." his smile was put on, masking the urge to deck Jackson into next week for having the nerve to even suggest joining them.

Jackson, cheerful as ever, nodded and walked back to his table where Aaron waited for him.

As the night wore on, Aaron and Jackson sat and drank more beer...played pool...and really enjoyed each others company, with plenty of the usual playful banter and laughs.

After finishing a game of pool, Aaron plonked himself down on a stool, Jackson next to him

" beat you again lucky Livesy!" laughed Jackson taking a big swig of his drink, both of then looked up to see Ben approach them from the bar, " Hey...mind if...I join yous" he asked politely.

Jackson looked at his watch " I'm gonna have to go...driving to Birmingham tomorrow, to start that job..."

Aaron felt bad for Ben, he really was a nice guy, " I'm staying, some of us can have a lay in in the morning..." he turned to face Ben " we can have a drink as mates, right..."

"Yeah, of course..." agreed Ben cheerfully, Jackson stood, and slipped on his leather jacket, and snatched up his wallet, " Need a pee before I go " he said out loud.

"Thanks for sharing..." Bantered Aaron with a smile, Ben watched Jackson head into the toilets " So...you and him...are you...getting back together..." he pryed.

" We ...we are gonna see how it goes...see what happens..." Aaron answered nervously, he didn't like talking about this with him, just yet.

Once Jackson was back, Aaron turned to Ben " Back in a mo...just gonna see Jackson out...get us a round in..." he cried with a smile.

Ben jumped to his feet like a coiled spring, " your wish is my command.."

Aaron felt really happy, he was so glad Ben had taken all this in his stride, he was glad they were gonna be mates...he didn't want to lose Ben completely...

Outside in the cold night air, Jackson and Aaron gazed into eachothers eyes deeply,

" Soooo..." Jackson began, "...I'll see you on Friday"

" Yeah...see yah..." Jackson took Aaron's face between his palms, and kissed him on the lips, the kiss lingered a few moments, before they both pulled away natuarlly.

" Text me..." told Aaron

"Everyday..." replied Jackson, he then pulled Aaron into a hug, Aaron's chin resting on Jackson's shoulder, " See yah, soon..."

Jackson then pulled away and headed up the street, Aaron bit his lip and called out,

" Jackson..." Jackson turned..." I...I..."

Jackson nodded " I know...tell me friday.. and get home safe yeah." he smiled, Aaron nodded, as Jackson walked off, no longer in sight.

In the club Ben paid for the Beers at the busy bar, he saw Aaron return to the table with a big smile planted on his mug that inferiated him...he stared at the beers, then looked toward Aaron... he discretely then slipped a hand into his pocket...

When Ben returned to the table, Aaron was in good spirits, that angered him further, Aaron had never been like this when they were going out... Ben handed the bottle to Aaron and he took a long swig. " Easy mate" Ben said..." you're give yourself wind..."

Aaron felt happy, and Ben rattled onto him about how glad he was that they could be good mates...it wasn't long before Aaron began to feel rather strange...he blinked his eyes a few times.

" Are you alright, Aaron..." asked Ben looking up to him, with a cautious outlook to anybody watching.

Aaron didn't know, he stood up, and the club seemed to tilt sideways, making him unsteady on his feet, and making him reach out and grab for the table to stop him from falling over.

Aaron then saw Ben's face in his " come on matie...I think it's time to go..."

Aaron felt panic...his heart raced, but he could feel Ben's hands tightly on him, pulling him through the crowded dancefloor towards the exit.

The music began to sound echoey to him, Aaron was rarely ever afraid...but he felt fear rising from within him...helplessness...he wanted Jackson...and called out for him in a slurred whisper.

Ben's voice told " what was that...Jackson...he's gone mate...he won't be back tonight..."

The music was suddenly far away...as Ben's voice said " he's drunk as a skunk mate...gets like it every time...cheers for the hand up with him..."

Aaron could feel the steps under his feet, " are you sure he's ok..." asked a female voice.

"Fine..." came Ben's reply, " I should know...he's me boyfriend"

Before Aaron could speak out , freezing cold air crashed into his face , and he was aware of traffic noise and glares of headlights...

...his legs felt like jelly...he couldn't move...he wanted to run...

...he couldn't, his vision blurring to darkness...

...and then...

... he knew nothing at all...

TBC

Reviews to this horrible chapter all welcome xxx