Ransom 15

Robert forced himself to meet Aaron's questioning gaze. He could so easily resort to lying, untruths came so naturally to him, or had done. He was trying to be a better person these days, doing things the right way, and being open and honest in the process. He'd actually started to like himself, and his conscience was no longer keeping him awake at night.

But then yesterday had seen him lie so easily to Chas, he'd been trying to protect her... but he'd been trying to protect himself from the fallout too... how easy it had been to go back to his old ways!

He'd promised Aaron, and himself for that matter, that he wouldn't lie to him ever again, and he would honour that promise. But just how did he start to explain himself? "I'm sorry." The apology tumbled off his lips, he knew how inadequate his words were, still they needed saying.

"Sorry?" Aaron shook his head. The apology meant Robert had something to be sorry for. A sense of unease flooded him but he wasn't ready to believe the worst yet, he'd been wrong about Robert so very recently, "What for? What did you do? What did you hire him to do?"

"Chas was threatening to tell all unless I kept away from you. I thought I was going to lose everything and I panicked." Robert paused, he was struggling with the memory, horrified at just how close he'd come to having someone killed, someone Aaron loved dearly. "I wasn't thinking straight, I just wanted the complication that was Chas to go away and not come between us..."

"Go away?" Robert had made it sound like he was sending his mother on a world cruise, so what had he been planning? "What did you hire him to do?" Aaron demanded.

Shields decided the truth was taking a little too long to come out, "He hired me to put a bullet in her head."

Aaron couldn't believe what he'd just heard, but Robert wasn't denying it, he was just standing looking at him. Guilt was written all over Robert's face and what looked to be shame clouded his eyes. "You were going to have her killed?" Aaron needed to hear Robert admit to it before he could accept it.

Robert had watched the colour drain from Aaron's face, he didn't want to cause him any more anguish but knew he had to continue,"Like I said I panicked, I didn't know what to do and the idea suddenly popped into my head. I didn't think it through I just acted on it, but I was soon regretting it. When I started thinking clearly, when I came to my senses ... " Actually there was more to it than that but Robert decided not to go there, that it was best he was economical with the truth in this instance, ..."I couldn't believe I'd done such a thing, I realised I'd gone too far and put a stop to it. I hated myself."

Aaron shook his head in horror. Why was Robert saying this, he had to be lying, he just had to be. But then why would he make such stuff up? It didn't make sense and if something didn't make sense then it couldn't be true... or was it that he just didn't want it to be true. Now that did make sense.

Aaron tasted bile, his stomach churned and threatened to empty itself. The nausea was soon swamped with an emotion he'd never been able to control...anger.

In the time it took Aaron to absorb and react to his words Robert had formulated a plan. When an enraged Aaron suddenly lunged at him he was ready and hit out at him with a clenched fist. His aim was true and was delivered with just enough force to send Aaron reeling backwards before crumpling unconscious to the floor. Now all he had to worry about was Shields!

"Just when it was starting to get interesting." Shields said as he gestured for Robert to move away from Aaron's prone form.

"It's going to get even more interesting when you tell Chrissie it's time to call her rottweiler off."

"I don't think so."

"It's Chrissie's decision to make not yours. Now tell the bitch it's over, that it ends here and now." Shields was still eyeing him coldly still not convinced it was time to back down. Robert knew he was going to have to persuade him some more, he was going to have to twist the truth a little, "Aaron is Cain Dingle's nephew..."

"Am I supposed to be scared?"

Robert knew a man like Shields feared nothing but if he could just give him enough reason to be wary of his actions then maybe he could turn the situation around. "If anything happens to Aaron then yeah, Cain knows everything and if his one and only nephew doesn't return safely back to the Dingle fold then he'll be out for revenge. Chrissie will face his wrath along with that son of her's... and you'll have signed your own death warrant. Now phone Chrissie, tell her I'm offering her a deal. We go free and that'll be the end of it. There'll be no retaliation no acts of revenge."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Look, this can end badly for all concerned or we all walk away and go on with our lives like nothing happened. Call Chrissie and give her the choice... I'm pretty sure of what her answer will be."

...

As awareness returned Aaron winced, his jaw ached miserably. He forced his eyes open, and on seeing his surroundings a sense of despair overwhelmed him. He was still trapped in the nightmare... or was he? Where was Robert? Shields?

As he tried to move he realised he was tied up, that his hands and feet were bound with rope. Shields had to have got the better of Robert! He was suddenly scared something awful had happened to him, and as panic rose in his chest he tried to call out his name, only then did he realise his mouth was covered with tape.

He was right back to square one, and once again he didn't have a clue as to what was going on. Despite what Robert had admitted to doing he was terrified Shields had killed him. Why? He'd been all set to beat him to a pulp earlier, now he just wanted him to be safe. It had been so easy to hate him when he thought he was responsible for his kidnapping, and when he'd admitted to wanting his mother killed... but now when he thought he could be dead he felt the physical pain of grief. He closed his eyes, determined to stop any tears forming, he couldn't give in to his emotions...

He'd just heard a door... there was someone in the next room ... and it sounded like they were making their way to him. It had to be Shields, he'd got rid of Robert and had come back to finish him... well he wouldn't make it easy for him no matter the punishment he dealt out.

Aaron stared anxiously at the door...

Robert! Aaron felt an immense sense of relief on seeing him safe, but that was quickly eclipsed with anger. What the hell was going on?

Robert steeled himself for the conversation he was about to have. He had to get through it somehow. Hardening his heart and forcing some calm into his voice Robert gestured at Aaron's mouth. "That tape's going to have to stay put for now." He didn't want Aaron calling out and attracting any unwanted attention and more importantly he didn't want to give him the opportunity to respond to what he was about to say. "I've done a deal with Chrissie. We go free and...well in return she gets away with what she's done. No one is to know she was behind this. You can't tell anyone, especially not Cain. I've told him it was someone with a grudge against me, he already suspected it was, so he's not going to question it. And anyway it's as close to the truth as it could be."

Aaron nodded his understanding, he hated the idea of Chrissie getting off Scott free but he could live with it if it meant he had his life back.

Robert felt the need to press home the point, "It won't be easy seeing her everyday, but better that than Cain retaliating in some way and he would should he know she was responsible. Someone would end up getting hurt or worse. So like i said it's over, it has to be.

No it wouldn't be easy, but yes better that than all out war between the two families. It was the last thing Aaron wanted, he knew someone would end up dead that way.

"As for you and me... I accept that we're over. It's not what I want but I do know it's for the best. I love you Aaron and I always will. I want you to please remember that and know that's the reason I'm leaving Emmerdale. I can't hurt you if I'm not here so I'm going away, heading off to sunnier climes."

Aaron could only stare up at Robert, he wasn't sure how he felt about him leaving. Did he want him to go? Did he want him to stay? Maybe it was a good thing he was trussed up like he was or he might just try and stop Robert, then again he might beat the crap out of him. He really didn't know what he felt or what he wanted right now.

Robert had no idea what was going through Aaron's mind, he'd just seen something flash in his blue eyes but it had been so fleeting an emotion he couldn't read it, dismissing it he quickly continued, "I've told Cain where to find you..." He'd filled him in on his departure too. "I wouldn't leave you like this if I didn't know help was on its way. It's just a precaution, you hate me right now and ... well it wont be for long."

Aaron started to fight against the ropes binding him, he couldn't believe Robert planned on leaving him like that.

Robert briefly watched Aaron's futile attempts to free himself before saying, "I want to be gone before Cain gets here so..." His resolve was fading now, his emotions starting to break through his defences. What was making it even harder was knowing Aaron had another emotional upheaval to face when he got home. He'd wanted to help him through it but that wasn't going to happen now. "Look after yourself, and don't be scared to let your family in, they're there for you no matter what." At least he knew Aaron had a loving family to support him, he would get through it without him. There was so much more he wanted to say but he had told himself to keep things short and to the point, he didn't want to drag the agony out. And he couldn't bear to see the anger now shinning in Aaron's eyes. "Bye Aaron." Robert forced himself to turn around and walk out through the door. It was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do.

...

Aaron lay on his bed, staring into the darkness. It was late, gone one in the morning but despite being exhausted sleep just wouldn't come. His mind refused to switch off, the last couple of days continued to haunt him. Despite his determined efforts not to, all he could think about was Robert. His mind kept playing their last meeting over and over again. He kept hearing his words and seeing him turn his back on him.

How could he just walk away like that? Would he come back? Would he turn up like a bad penny when the dust settled... or was he gone for good. Did he actually care? The tears welling up in his eyes told Aaron he did. Despite everything he still loved Robert. Love was such a powerful emotion it wasn't something you could just snuff out.

Aaron sighed miserably, the nightmare had ended but it had left intense heartache in its wake. And if that wasn't enough to deal with...

His mum had made such a fuss of him when he'd got home. She'd hugged him so tight he hadn't been able to breathe. He'd expected such a welcome so too the barrage of questions she'd wanted answering, but still he'd known she was holding something back, keeping something from him. He could see it in her eyes, he was safe now so what had her tied up in knots? "What aren't you telling me?" He'd demanded thinking it had something to do with Paddy. Chas had been dismissive of his concern but Cain had spoken up and said the sooner he was told the better. That had really unnerved him and he'd insisted she tell him what was wrong there and then.

He'd felt a little shocked on hearing Gordon Livesy was dead. Like you would be on hearing anyone you knew had died unexpectedly. That shock had worn off quickly and he'd heard himself say 'good'. His mum had looked a little taken aback but had quickly recovered going on to say they didn't know how yet. He hadn't cared how, he really hadn't. He had so much going on in his head the last thing he had time to dwell on was someone who meant nothing to him.

When his mother started to try and coax him into talking about it he quickly shut her down. He didn't want to talk about the bastard, why would he? Gordon was dead. End of! He hadn't wanted to talk about Robert either and so had headed upstairs for a much needed bath.

He'd lathered himself up, scrubbed himself clean, then emptied and refiled the bath. He'd planned on having a long soak, just lying in the hot water and letting it soothe his sore and aching body. It had felt so good but as he'd started to relax his emotions had begun to get the better of him.. and he'd let them.

His tears had fallen ... for Robert... for what they had... for what they could have had.

Then he'd started to feel anger. His father was supposed to serve a prison sentence, he was supposed to be punished for what he'd done to him. Unless he was burning in the fires of hell he'd got away with it! He'd slowly calmed down and told himself that at least now he wouldn't have to face the day the sicko was released from prison. It had been a long way off but he'd been dreading that day and the days after.

By the time he'd got out of the bath his mind was on Liv, on how she would take the news of her father's death. He'd not given his sister much thought during his ordeal. He'd kept her right at the back of his mind. Well he knew she was safe and loved and that no matter what happened to him she always would be. In truth his obsession with Robert had left him little time to dwell on anyone else. All these hours later he was still uppermost in his thoughts.

The fact was he needed Robert. How was he going to get through the next few days, months... years without him? How?

He didn't think he could. But then ... he didn't think he could go on when Jackson died. He hadn't wanted to and everything had been such a mess, one huge agony filled mess and was for the longest time. But there had been light at the end of that black torment filled tunnel.

He was just going to have to look for that light now.

...

Robert stared out of the plane window, at the lights below. He was leaving England and everyone he loved behind him. He was travelling light, no baggage just a ton of regrets. It was for the best though wasn't it! Yes of course it was, now wasn't the time to be having doubts, it was too late for that. Aaron was better off with out him not that he'd want anything to do with him ever again. There was no way he would ever forgive him for what he'd had planned for his mother. He could never forgive himself for that dreadful deed.

Aaron had said their relationship was unhealthy and he was right, but accepting that truth didn't stop his heart aching for Aaron. He loved him so very much, but that love was so badly tainted. Lies, hurt, anger and violence had all served to make their relationship toxic. Someone had to call time, pull the plug, end it for good.

How many times had they done that? More than he could remember now. But this time there was no going back, it really was over. He had only himself to blame, his insecurities, his fears, his actions... it was all down to him, if only he'd... no he wasn't going there, it wouldn't help, it would just make him hate himself even more. No he couldn't let himself look back, it was onward and upward from here on. It would be so much easier with thousands of miles and a vast ocean separating him and Aaron. They wouldn't be bumping into each other, setting eyes on each other every day. Yes it would be so much easier to move on now. Life would go on.

END