A/N: Sorry about the delay in updating this chapter. No excuses, just sorry. Anyway, the next part, Aaron and Jackson 'need to talk' to Adam! Enjoy!

Walking toward Jackson's van Aaron began to get nervous. He knew what he wanted and who he wanted to be with but he wasn't sure if just going to Adam and telling him straight out was the best idea he'd ever had. A if Jackson sensed what was going on in Aaron's mind he simply put his hand on Aaron's arm telling him quietly that they didn't have to do it right now if he was unsure. Knowing that if he put it off any further Aaron would chicken out. Pulling Jackson toward the van he simply smiled.

'It's now or never isn't it, eh?' Aaron said more to himself then to Jackson. 'I need to do this for myself too, I don't want to be someone's bit on the side and with you I think we can have something. At least, I'm willing to give it a shot'

Nodding Jackson got into the van and headed toward Emmerdale village.

'So where are we doing this? Maybe out in the open might be a bit mean to him since you said he's in a relationship and all.'

'Why are you being nice about him, he tried to break us up before we actually got together properly. He threatened me, friends aren't supposed to do that. Why should I be nice to him now cos he sure as shit didn't care about my feelings when he went to you' Aaron replied anger dripping from his voice.

'Yeah but Aaron you can be the bigger man if you do it in private. Talk to him, maybe one to one and then I can come in later when you're finished talking' Jackson offered.

'No, I want you beside me when we see him. I want him to know that I've chosen you. Do you mind?' Aaron asked suddenly doubting whether Jackson actually wanted him.

'I'll be beside you Aaron. If that's what you want. So, where we going?'

'Paddy's, he's out for the night so we can talk there. I'll text Adam and ask him to come over. At least we can talk properly there.'

'Sounds good' was all Jackson said.

oOo

Sitting waiting for Adam to turn up Aaron started to jiggle his leg up and down, up and down. It was beginning to annoy Jackson. Placing a stilling hand on Aaron's thigh Jackson stalled the movement.

'Stop fretting, Aaron, he'll be here soon. Don't worry.'

Aaron turned to Jackson and gently placed a callused hand on his bearded cheek. Moving closer until they were breathing the same air, lips finally collided. The kiss deepened relaxing Aaron enough for him to totally forget about what he was going to do when Adam finally arrived.

Hands roaming over each others bodies, enjoying the feeling of wanting and being wanted consumed both men. The kiss became more and more intense as hands moved lower and bodies became entwined, both men completely forgetting that they were waiting for a third party to arrive.

oOo

Pulling up outside Smithy cottage Adam hopped off his quad bike and walked toward the main front door. He figured Aaron would be in the kitchen waiting for him. smiling to himself slyly he couldn't wait to have Aaron back to himself. Jackson was definitely out of the picture now considering the warning he'd been given. By the look on Jackson's face Adam knew that he was not one to be someone's bit on the side and he was also pretty sure that Aaron was in for a bollocking once they talked. He imagined Jackson wouldn't be happy being used either. He figured Jackson wouldn't say anything about what he'd said.

Opening the door he walked in to the kitchen but Aaron was not waiting for him as expected. Walking through the kitchen and into the sitting room he was accosted by something he had not considered, Aaron was sitting on the sofa totally engrossed in Jackson. The kiss was passionate and even though Adam could only see their faces from the noises both men were making he figured their hands were roaming under clothes.

'What the fuck!' Adam exclaimed causing the two men on the couch to break apart and turned to face the voice.

Pulling back slightly Aaron looked to Adam and then Jackson then back.

'It's exactly what it looks like Adam. We need to talk, will you sit down'

Adam's face was a picture of scorn and hatred all directed to Jackson even though he was not who it should have been directed to.

Adam moved around the sofa to take a place on the other sofa facing the 'happy couple'. Seeing their hands entwined caused Adam's gut to twist. He never thought that Aaron would want to be out but it seemed that his threat to Jackson hadn't worked out as he'd planned.

'So, what's this about' Adam asked gesturing at their hands.

'We've decided to give it a go.' Aaron replied looking at Jackson as he finished his sentence and smiled at Jackson, his eyes lighting as he did.

Looking at Aaron Adam had never seen him look as happy even when they had started doing whatever it was they were doing.

'Look Adam, I think we need to go back to how we were before all this stuff happened. It wasn't good for either of us. You're with Scarlett and I want to see where this goes with Jackson. Paddy knows I'm gay and we're going to see where it goes. I won't be saying anything to Scarlett about what happened between us so you don't need to worry. I don't want you to go near Jackson again. It's not his fault that we're no more. I want what you can't give me and he can.' Aaron said gesturing at Jackson. 'I know it's only early days with us but please don't try to ruin it for me Adam'

Adam turned from Aaron tears and anger in his eyes. He knew what he should do, but what he should do and what he wanted to do were very different things. It was obvious that Aaron really didn't want him anymore. He wasn't even looking at him, he'd stopped looking at him that way the night he'd first met Jackson and that hurt. He thought that Aaron would always be his but

Getting up with a huff Adam stormed out of the house slamming the door behind him as he went.

'Well that went well Jackson, don't you think?' Aaron said with a smile.

'I think you need to go after him, talk things through. I know what he did, tell me stuff to try to scare me off was shit but he's obviously hurt. Just talk to him. I'll wait here for you.' Jackson said leaning forward to kiss Aaron softly before chivvying him out the door.

Running after Adam Aaron shouted after him. Standing at the quad bike Adam smiled to himself thinking Aaron had changed his mind and wanted to continue as they had been. Turning to face him, he knew this was not the case.

'What do you want Aaron, I won't say anything so you don't need to threaten me or anything.'

'I just need you to know that I do care about you, just not the way I thought it was. I thought I loved you, if I'm being honest. You were the first person I truly wanted who returned any type of affection for me. I needed that, I needed you. It helped for a while; it made me see who I am and what I want. And Adam, what I want is someone who wants me back. I was always just an experiment for you and I know that. It was never going to work though was it?' Aaron asked not really expecting an answer.

Looking at each other the enormity of it all just kinda sank in, both men knowing that what they had had was truly over. Neither really understanding when it fizzled. Could the previous passion turn back to friendship?

'No, it wasn't. I'm sorry. Really.' Adam replied 'any chance we can do like you said and go back to being mates?'

'Yeah, that'd be good.' Aaron replied smiling slightly 'jut don't go hitting on my fella right?' he added jokingly.

'Fine, I'll try!' Adam replied sarcastically. 'we good?' he queried

'Yeah, we're good.' Came the reply. 'Better get back into Jackson, he'll be wondering if we've killed each other.

'Yeah, see ya' turning Adam hopped on his quad bike and roared off down the village mind whirling with all that had happened in the last twenty minutes. All his thoughts and plans had crumbled but for some reason he felt relief tinged with sadness. He knew Aaron was right and they never would have worked. It was obvious that Aaron and Jackson had way more chemistry then he and Aaron ever did but still it felt odd. It was kinda like jealously but not cos he wasn't wanted as a lover but more the thought that he might be replaced as one of the most important people in Aaron's life. He supposed he'd just have to deal with it cos from the looks between the lads, it looked like Jackson might be sticking around for the foreseeable.

oOo

Walking away with the sound of the quad bike still in his ears Aaron walked slowly towards his new life. Jackson was waiting for him and only him. He wasn't second best or the booby prize. Jackson wanted him and wasn't afraid to show it. It wasn't love yet, but it was definitely going in that direction. Even the thought of Jackson caused a grin to break out on his face. Walking to the door he pushed it open. As he walked through the door Jackson turned and smiled and in that smile he saw all the possibilities for them and he knew he had made the right decision, for once.

'Did ya miss me?' he asked smile dimpling his cheeks as he looked into the deep chocolate pools of his boyfriend's eyes.

'You have no idea' came the warm reply, smile tugging the corners of Jackson's supple mouth. Causing Aaron's eyes to be drawn to those lips. Moving over to the sofa he sat down close to Jackson grasping his hand in the process.

'so, where were we before we got rudely interrupted?' Aaron asked a gleam in his eye giving Jackson no doubt to his feelings.

'Well, I think we were somewhere around here' Jackson replied moving to straddle his boyfriends lap while putting his hands around Aaron' neck.

'Mmmm, yeah, that's about right' came the softly whispered reply.

Moving to capture Jackson's lips with his the kiss started off with the same fire their last kiss had ended with. Both knew here this night was going and neither wanted it to end.

The were so wrapped up in each other, neither heard Paddy and Rhona come in from the surgery. Noticing what was going on Rhona turned and pushed Paddy backwards.

'Eh I think they need some alone time. Let's go to the pub' she said quietly smiling to herself as she pushed her partner back the way they came.

Looking over her shoulder to Aaron and Jackson it was obvious that they had eyes for no one else as the continued what they had being doing neither realising they'd been seen.