CHAPTER 18 of 20

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

A/N: thanks for all your kind reviews, not long to the end now!

Aaron laid in Jackson's arms, it was the second night in a row Aaron had stayed over at Jackson's masonete in town, Hazel had gone down to Aunt Polly's for the week in London, so they had had the place to themselves.

Aaron hadn't really slept properly for days, but since sleeping with Jackson, with his head firmly on his chest, he finally had, because he finally felt safe.

But it was Jackson's turn not able to sleep, his anger building up gradually, since Aaron had tearfully told him about what had happened to him, since he'd been away, since the very night he'd left Aaron, that first night now more than a week ago.

Over the four day's Jackson had been back, Aaron told him about how Ben had spiked his drink, and tried to take him home, he also learned about Aaron's ordeal at the sexual health clinic all because of Ben's affair with some scumbag lowlife.

Jackson gazed down at Aaron, the boy's head laying on his chest and weakly smiled, he was going to keep him safe now...he had to...it was his duty...and also he blamed himself...for everything...if, back on that October night he hadn't over reacted...and drove off and ended it with Aaron...he would never of met Ben...that's just how he personally saw it at present.

Aaron opened his eyes, and Jackson could see his slightly frightened look, until he realised he was with Jackson, he was safe,

" Morning Mr sleepy, " whispered Jackson with a smile, and brushed Aaron's cheek with his fingers, soothing him, it was time to get up.

Aaron had showered and got dressed quickly, he was getting himself all worked up and anxious, the day had finally arrived to collect his test results from the clinic. When he came down stairs, he joined Jackson at the kitchen table where he had made a cooked breakfast for both of them.

Aaron stared at the cooked food " Jackson...I can't eat it..." Jackson smiled and placed his arms around Aaron's neck,

" Try...you've got to keep your strength up..." , he quickly kissed him on the lips, and as Aaron's stomach churned, he sat down, dreading the hospital looming...it was on his mind constantly.

Jackson sat opposite him " sooo...you slept sound last night" he said, peppering his food.

Aaron took a mouthful of bacon, " Yeah...i did...you...", he looked up as he asked, because Aaron knew that Jackson hadn't...he hadn't had a goodnights kip since he told him about Ben.

"Yeah good..." he lied, cracking into a smile, Aaron just nodded not wanting them to start a conversation about it, in case Ben's name came up...he didn't want to talk about Ben.

Jackson looked up, big brown eyes focusing on Aaron tentively, " hey...I've got a little surprize lined up with you..."

Aaron pulled a frown, "What..." he asked,

"You have to wait and see...later...after we go to the hospital for your results..." replied Jackson slurping his mug of tea.

Aaron stood up, not finishing his food " I've got to...get ready..."

Jackson smiled " not gonna eat that sausage..." he said it with a twinkle in his eye, but Aaron didn't want to play along " I need the bog...again..." he then sloped off upstairs.

Jackson really felt for his boyfriend...he had been through so much, and he hadn't been around to stop it...to protect him...

...but an emotion was starting to rise within him, one he wasn't acustomed too...a feeling for a certain ex boyfriend of Aaron's what scared him...a feeling new to him...hate.

At midday, they both sat in the waiting room of the sexual health clinic, Aaron was actually sitting in the very seat he had sat on, at his last visit.

Jackson sat beside him, both sitting in silence, and then the very thing Aaron dreaded to hear all morning sung out,

" Aaron Livesey..."

It was even the same nurse, Aaron felt better about that because he felt he could trust her.

Aaron stood and looked physically shaken, Jackson stood up immediately, and took Aaron's hand,

" hey it's gonna be alright...it will..." Jackson soothed.

Aaron wanted to believe Jackson, he so wanted for this whole nightmare to end, he nodded at the older lad with a hint of a nervous smile, and followed the nurse through to the practice room.

Aaron paused at the doorway, and turned with a tear streaming down his cheek, Jackson hurried forward closing the gap between them " hey...remember what we said...what ever the outcome...I will always stand by you...I promised you that...and I'll keep it"

Aaron held out his hand to his boyfriend " can you come in with me..." he sobbed.

Jackson took it and smiled eyes full of love " I thought you'd never ask...I just thought you wanted to do this yourself...come on..." he nodded his head toward the smiling nurse who waited patiently for them " let's face this together shall we..." Aaron tried to smile, but he couldn't, they both entered and shut the door gently behind them.

Aaron sat in Jackson's van crying...crying in sheer relief of the test results.

Aaron had been given the all clear...Jackson rubbed Aaron's shoulder " see...you are okay...you didn't have nowt to worry over...but I know that's easier said than done"

Aaron turned to him " but I have to have a second HIV test..." he started.

" yeah...in three months, and it's likely to be negative...she told you so...so stop worrying and give me a hug, you"

Aaron and Jackson embraced arkwardly in the van, and as Jackson pulled away, he kissed Aaron tentively and smiled " I'll tell you what...I'll take you back to the village..."

Aaron was busy staring at his test results, he replied " Why...I wanna go back to yours..."

Jackson turned the ignition key and started the vans engine, and turned " I've got that little surprize for you remember..."

As the Van drove into the village, Aaron could already see what his little surprize was, and by god, it wasn't little.

On the forecourt of the garage was his car...his beloved car Paddy had bought him for his birthday...the very car trashed by his pshyco Ex, Ben.

It was amazingly standing as good as new, with a complete new spray job...in the colours what Aaron had so wanted.

" My car...my car it's..." Aaron cried, and jumped out the van when it came to a stop, Jackson was hot after him.

" my car, I can't believe it...!" Cain came forward,

" So...there you are...I hope you are gonna turn in for work tomorrow ...Ryans called in sick!"

told Cain.

Aaron nodded staring at the car in a daze of disbelief, " yeah...yeah I will...but...this...this is gonna cost..."

Cain chewed his gum with a grin, and pointed to the brand new tyres sitting in the garage,

" and even more...cos they're got to be fitted yet...and if you are lucky sunshine, I'll might do it today..."

Aaron hurried toward the tyres, completely speechless..." but...it's the ones in that place in town...the ones i was saving up for..." he gasped, he turned toward his uncle,

" but how am I gonna pay for this...you take it out me wages...but then I won't have much left..." Aaron worried, trying to figure out just how long it would take for him to pay Cain back.

Cain shook his head, " no...it's all down to twinkle toes here...it's him you should thank..."

Cain had ment Jackson, Aaron turned to face him, his hands in his pockets, with a big sheepish smile on his face, " it was my bonus...i got...on that contract in Birmingham...well...i...i spent it all on you..." Cain decided to make him self scarce, just in case it got to mushy for him to stomach.

Aaron closed the gap between them " but why..."

Jackson rolled his eyes " why do you think!...just...be carefull in it yeah...because I'm not stepping foot in it when you're driving" he said in jest.

Aaron was now full of beans, as he started doing the once over on his car " So how much did all this cost..."

"never you mind...Now..." he took Aaron's arm and lead him back toward the van, " why don't we go back to mine...and we could celebtrate your news..."

Aaron smiled " yeah...but we can go out to..."

Jackson just laughed, " that's what I ment...what did you mean...anyway...how about we head to Bar West and..."

Aaron paused at the van, " No...not that place Jackson...please..."

Jackson and Aaron got in the van, and Jackson put an hand upon Aaron's knee" look you are gonna have to face it some time...it'll be okay"

"He might be there!" said Aaron, alittle anxious.

" and you mean Ben...look you're have to face him to...sooner or later...but I will be with yah...I will never let him hurt you again..." promised Jackson.

Aaron just nodded unsurely, he knew he'd have to face Ben again at some point...but he was dreading it...

dreading seeing that face again...

that face who know was in his nightmares...and won't go away...

and unknown to him...he was gonna meet him sooner than later...

TBC

All reviews welcome...xx

I hope every one is pleased Aaron is ok...I never intended him to be raped or be given some virus...it was just to emphaise how evil Ben is...hope i never upset anyone MARKAB xxx