It was dinner time and Jackson had noticed that Aaron hadn't stepped foot anywhere other than the kitchen and lounge. He hadn't ventured up the stairs or either near them. It concerned Jackson to say the least. He knew it was violating, having your own safe surroundings invaded by a man who was low enough to attack a teenage boy. He just hoped that Aaron could somehow get over it. He wondered how that evening was going to plan out when it came everyone going to bed to sleep. Would Aaron be able to go upstairs or would he be adamant to stay downstairs and sleep on the sofa. He couldn't do that, he needed rest and a bed. He was only just out of hospital.

"Aaron, do you want to come upstairs and watch a movie?" Jackson asked trying to be subtle on his approach. He didn't want Aaron cottoning on that he figured that the teen couldn't go anywhere near the stairs. It wasn't the only thing he had noticed. He was even more jumpy. The young mechanic now jumped at the smallest of noises and constantly looked around himself, as if he was on edge.

Aaron shook his head. "Nah, you're alright." Aaron answered him, not removing his eyes from the TV in the lounge. He'd been watching a drama series with Paddy while Jackson and Hazel cleaned up after Dinner.

"You sure? I rented your favourite movie." Jackson tried to persuade. He had in fact popped into the local block busters on the way to the hospital to pick Aaron up to rent a few of Aaron's favourites, he knew the teen wouldn't been going far in the next few days.

"I want to watch this." Aaron told Jackson, as he unconsciously ran his hands through Clyde's fur. Aaron's dog had been following him everywhere, or rather Aaron had been following him some of the time. He wouldn't let the dog out of his sight. It was as thought Aaron was using Clyde as some sort of protection. The beloved Alsatian was sprawled out on the sofa beside Aaron.

"After then." Jackson pushed. He knew it was mean to make Aaron face things he didn't want to. But if he wanted to get over it, it was now or never. Although everyone had taken quite a knock back from the incident other than Aaron but not as extreme. Hazel and Paddy now made sure they locked every window and door when they weren't in Smithy. Gone were the days when they left the front door unlocked for family and friends just to walk in.

"Whatever." Aaron snapped.

Jackson took Aaron's answer and left it at that. He gestured to Clyde to move up to make room for him but the stubborn dog only looked at him briefly before focusing all his attention on his owner once more as he stroked his brown fur. Jackson rolled his eyes and took the only other available seat next to Paddy on the other sofa. It didn't seem to bother Aaron either. He looked as though he preferred Clyde's company.

The credits of the Drama series Aaron had been so intent on watching were rolling on the screen as all four of them now sat around watching. Jackson was soon to his feet, eager to make Aaron face what he knew he feared.

"Ready?"

"What?" Aaron said confused.

"DVD. Upstairs?" Jackson explained. "Come on."

He didn't wait for Aaron as he walked through the kitchen already with one foot on the stairs while Aaron was only just coming through the kitchen, Clyde at his heel.

"He's not coming upstairs." Jackson told him. Clyde always slept downstairs, he was a light sleeper and woke up countless times during the night.

"He's not staying down here!" Aaron snapped.

"Aaron. . ." Jackson sighed. Then if Aaron felt safer with Clyde then it was better all round if the Alsatian stayed with his owner. ". . . Fine, bring him with you then. But your the one answerable to Paddy"

He expected Aaron to smirk or something at his win on the argument, but nothing. He looked almost deflated as though he was expecting more of a fight. Jackson thought it was what he wanted. Aaron wanted Clyde upstairs with them. So why wasn't he happy about it? Or even triumphant? It was often rare that Aaron one any sort of disagreement with Jackson.

Jackson turned back round again to catch Aaron hesitating by the kitchen table with Clyde at his heel.

"Come on Clyde!" Jackson called over. The Alsatian bounded over to the excitable voice and flew up the stairs when pointed to. Paddy rarely let the dog upstairs. The builder had thought Aaron would follow suit.

Aaron took a shaky breath and determinedly stepped towards the stairs. He wasn't going to let Darrel take over another area of his life. He'd taken over his home, his body, his nerves and his own thoughts. He couldn't let the evil man do much more damage. He was surprised Jackson was still sticking around. When he reached the stairs, the other man held out a hand for him to hold.

"You okay?" He asked full of concern. He knew what a big deal it was to Aaron. It wasn't long ago that the young mechanic had been pushed down those very same stairs and left to die. It was bound to be hard for him to face them again let alone walk up them. But he hoped with him by his side, Aaron would be able to.

He kept shooting worried glances towards Aaron over his shoulder as the younger man followed him. Once in their room Aaron let out a breath he hadn't bee aware he'd been holding in and he shook as well. Clyde was already on their bed, stretched out on Jackson's side, allowing room only for his master. Aaron collapsed beside his dog and began to run his hands through his fur again. He tried not to look around the too much, frightened in case he caught sight of Darrel lurking in the shadows or reminded of what had gone on a day ago. He just hoped that the day would come when he wouldn't be frightened of shadows in his own room, like he was five years old again.

Jackson sent him a warm smile as he popped the DVD in and jumped onto the bed next to him, much to Clyde's dislike.

He must have drifted off while watching the movie Jackson had hired because the next thing he knew sunlight was gleaming through a gap in the curtains and he was underneath the duvet. He reached out a hand across the bed towards Jackson, but froze when he was reaching out at nothing but empty space. His heart began to pound. He was alone. He couldn't hear Jackson in the room, he couldn't even hear Clyde's heavy breathing as he slept by their bedroom door. He tried to keep calm, he really did. But last time he'd been alone upstairs he'd been attacked and he couldn't shake the horrible feeling.

"JACKSON!" Aaron shouted out, trying to sit up in bed. "JACKSON!"

There was no answer, he was alone. Keep calm, he kept telling himself. It didn't stop the feeling of helplessness over coming him. He struggled for a breath

"JACKSON!" He yelled again. Please Jackson, please, Aaron pleaded in his head.

A minute later he heard two sets off feet pounding up the stairs and Jackson's voice before he burst into the room.

"What Aaron? What is it?" Jackson asked worried as he ran towards the bed.

The older man didn't expected Aaron to fling his arms around him and hold on like there was no tomorrow. He could hear Aaron's heart pounding his own ears and feel his quick uneven breaths against his skin.

Paddy stood in the doorway, also worried for the younger man. Jackson had only been downstairs for a few minutes collecting tea and coffee for them selves to bring back up. They'd heard Aaron screaming out his name and instantly both men had ditched what they were doing and had come running. What they both saw now wasn't the Cheeky stubborn young man they'd known before, but a young vulnerable child.

Nothing was said anymore by Jackson or Aaron, they both sat on the bed holding onto each other, comforting. Aaron just wanted to know Jackson was there. He didn't want to be alone.

The older vet had crept back downstairs and continued making his breakfast in deep thought about how they were going to help Aaron through it all. It was going to be a lot harder than they all thought. He'd phoned the police the previous night telling them about Darrel being in their house and attacking Aaron yet again. He rarely got angry but Paddy had when he was on the phone to the police, telling them they needed to do a better job when it came to protecting Aaron and putting Darrel behind bars. They'd assured him Darrel had gone against bail conditions so would be behind bars soon. It wasn't good enough Paddy, he wanted the key thrown away as well. He was beyond livid that Darrel had been allowed to attack Aaron two times and nearly killed him on the third! He wasn't a bit surprise if his blood pressure was sky high fretting over Aaron.

His breakfast was soon interrupted again when Chas knocked on the front door before allowing herself in. She stepped into the kitchen, scanning the room for Aaron.

"No Aaron about?" Chas asked quietly as she rubbed her hands together.

"No, he's upstairs with Jackson." Paddy explained before treading carefully. "He panicked earlier. He doesn't like being left alone."

"What do you mean panicked?" Chas questioned pulling a face as she stepped closer to Paddy.

"Like I said, he was alone upstairs and just panicked."

"Patrick this is Aaron Livesy we're talking about ? My son?" Chas continued to question. She couldn't quite get her head around it all. "He loves being alone."

"Not anymore." Paddy said matter-of-factly as he strode pass Chas.

"So where is he now?" Chas asked placing a hand on her hip.

"Upstairs with Jackson." Paddy repeated.

"Oh okay." Chas said. "Don't mind if I head up and have little word with him."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Paddy advised her kindly. He doubted that overcrowding Aaron would help the teenager either.

"Well what am I supposed to do Paddy?" She whined in defeat. She barely saw her son and it didn't help that she was continuously worrying for him but unable to know how to comfort him. None of them did. It was all trial and error to everyone.

"I don't know, Chas. I really don't know." Paddy admitted, rubbing a hand against his left temple. None of them knew what to do.

"Well in that case, I'll come back later." Chas sighed heading towards the front door. "Jai's going to do his head in if I take any more time off work."

"He'll understand." Paddy smiled.

"Let's hope so." She smirked before leaving.

Upstairs, Jackson was waiting for Aaron to come out of the shower after assuring him everything was okay. He'd never seen the young mechanic so distressed before. He'd thought they'd over come a little hurdle last night when Aaron had braved facing the stairs, but it had only made way for more problems to be thrown in their path. He was unsure how Aaron was going to get over being left alone. The teenager had once thrived on being left alone. He'd often be home alone when Jackson was still at work and Paddy was on a call out, as well as Hazel being out god knows where. Jackson had learned from Paddy and Adam that Aaron often used to go on walks by himself, trailing around the fields mindlessly for hours on end. Things had changed now and he doubted Aaron would ever feel safe again let alone on his own. He needed help. Help much bigger and professionally trained, unlike what Aaron's family and he could offer. But he doubted that Aaron would be up for that.

The teen walked back into his bedroom he shared with Jackson, fully clothed. Gone were the days he'd walk back from a shower with just a mere towel wrapped around his waist. He always took clothes into the bathroom to get changed into or dressed after a shower. He never got dressed in his bedroom anymore and especially not in front of Jackson. The builder couldn't remember the last time they'd shared an intermit moment. Yes, they had hugged, held hands and kissed lightly, but nothing passionate or hunger driven. He longed to kiss Aaron, pull him on to his lap and trail kisses along his neck, show his affection. Sadly he knew he couldn't do that. It would alarm the younger man no end. He didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

"What do you feel like doing today?" Jackson asked. He'd already called into to Declan and explained to him wasn't able to make into work that day. He wasn't leaving Aaron alone. Declan had been understanding and even offered Jackson to take the week off if needed, just as long as Dale head was finished by the date they agreed.

Aaron shrugged and ditched his damp towel in the wash basket by the window.

"Do you want to take Clyde for a walk?" Jackson suggested. Fresh air would be good. A change of scene.

Aaron shook his head. "Just want to play a bit of Xbox."

"Alright. What will it be then?" Jackson smiled as he headed for the stairs. "Forza motorsport 4, Bulletstorm or Crysis 2?"

"Forza Motorsport 4." Aaron told him in a matter-of-fact manner.

"Prepare to lose!" Jackson called over his shoulder as the teen followed him downstairs.

Aaron seemed fine for the rest of the day. They spent the majority of it playing Xbox, making their way through the new games Paddy had brought a few weeks back that they hadn't found time to play. Jackson ate his words when they played the game Aaron had chosen first. The young mechanic had won game after game against the older man, more knowledgeable in the game than he. Aaron didn't let slip that before Jackson came along he would often play the Xbox trying to master each game. He didn't get out much then.

A/N – Sorry guys this may wasn't what you expected or whatever. I'm trying to get back into it. This maybe shorter than the other updates but I promise to make it up to you guys in the future. So please, tell me what you think! If there's an error please bring me up on it, I had to quickly re read the past two chapters to get a gathering of where I was before I could start typing. I only had a short time to get this done, but I've received so many requests to update. I didn't want to let you down! So again, tell me what you think, love/hate it, ideas ect. . . Just tell me. I love hearing from you all. Enjoy!