Those 72 hours were the worst of Aaron's life, the paramedics had got Jackson's heart started again before moving him to hospital only for it to stop a further twice whilst the surgeon had battled to save his life and now Aaron was sat beside his boyfriend who was in a coma the beep, beep of the machines keeping him alive.

Anna had arrived in the early hours of the morning folding a distressed Aaron into her arms and gently rocking him as the sobs increased, he'd been holding himself together, just, but as he looked into the eyes of the woman in front of him, he broke down completely, she whispered what she hoped were soothing words as the younger man cried on her shoulder.

The surgeon had arrived with news that Jackson had survived the surgery to remove the bullet it had nicked his heart which had caused it to stop he'd gone on to say that they'd had to restart his heart a further two times during the surgery and that he'd slipped into a coma and that the next 72 hours would be critical, Aaron hadn't left Jackson's side since they'd moved him into intensive care.

The hospital staff, Adam and Paddy had all been to the hospital trying to persuade Aaron to come home and take a rest but he was stubborn and refused to move, he said he couldn't leave Jackson alone even though he was sleeping, he kept vigil beside his boyfriends bed listening to the beeps knowing each one was keeping Jackson alive.

He'd slept with his head on Jackson's hand each time he woke up he prayed that his boyfriend would be awake, so far he'd been disappointed, the surgeon had been to see his patient, read his notes and commented that he appeared to be getting stronger but that he'd hoped he'd have woken up by now, this worried Aaron until he'd gone on to reassure him that everyone was different he was certain that Jackson would wake up when he was ready.

The beeps of the machines had been changing for a few hours now, they'd slow down and then speed up, this panicked Aaron but staff seemed satisfied so he tried to keep in anxiety in check, he'd not even given Brett a second thought, that was until the police has turned up at hospital requesting an interview with the mechanic, he'd lost his temper at that, especially when he'd been told it was the same sergeant that had been involved on the previous occasions the Brett had struck.

The evening of that third day saw a change in Jackson's condition he'd started to breath on his own so staff had removed his breathing tube, his room now quiet without the constant sound alerting Aaron to any changes, he'd sat holding the builders hand when he was sure he'd felt a small squeeze, a few minutes later another stronger one, he felt his heart lift, he believed now that he'd get Jackson back and no matter what he would love him.

Hours later Aaron couldn't keep his eyes open any longer so he'd slept, he'd slunk down in his chair and propped his feet on the bottom of Jackson bed found a spare pillow and slept, he'd found since being at the hospital that no matter how uncomfortable those chairs were he could sleep on them probably because he was so exhausted both physically and emotionally.

The hospital room was dark when Aaron woke up he stretched and slid his feet off the bed before standing and rubbing the base of his back he ached from sleeping in that damn chair, he looked at his sleeping boyfriend, only he wasn't sleeping, his eyes were open and watching him.

"Jackson"

Jackson had opened his eyes and quickly shut them again, it hurt, he lay slowly breathing plucking up the courage to try again, this time the room swam so he closed them for a second time, why did he hurt?, why was the room swimming?, he hadn't drank that much at the Restaurant opening had he?, he took a deep breath but that hurt so much he opted for smaller breaths, he opened his eyes once again and slowly looked around, he wasn't at home so where was he?, he looked over and saw Aaron sleeping, why was he sleeping in a chair and not in the bed beside him?, he couldn't cope with all these questions so instead just laid looking at his sleeping boyfriend.

He'd been awake for a little while when the door opened and a pretty girl in a nurses uniform came in she noticed Jackson looking, she'd walked over to him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, she'd gently told him that he'd been shot, that he was going to be okay and that she go and get the doctor to check him over, it was as she left that Aaron had started to stir.

Aaron couldn't believe his eyes after hoping to find his boyfriend awake so many times before, now he was, he just stood looking at him, he saw a weak smile cross Jackson's lips as he tried to speak.

Jackson's throat was so dry that when he tried to speak nothing came out, he could do with a drink, he looked at the water hoping Aaron would understand and he did, he moved to fill a glass and held it to the builders lips as he drank thirstily

"Hey, hey slow down you'll choke" Aaron spoke softly as he held Jackson, he was just happy that his boyfriend had woke up.

That one small action had exhausted Jackson and as he laid back on his pillow the door to his room opened again and the nurse and a doctor walked in, he asked Aaron to wait outside, but he'd refused there was no way he was leaving now that Jackson was awake.

The doctor had asked Jackson a series of questions, took his temperature, blood pressure and checked his pulse before being satisfied, he'd patted Jackson before leaving advising that he would feel rough for a few more days and that lots of rest were the doctors orders, for both of them.

Once they were alone again they looked at each other

"I thought I'd lost you" Aaron was fighting his emotions, at last he felt he could relax Jackson was awake and with a lot of rest he was going to be as good as new.

"You will never lose Me, I'm yours for life, but I can't remember, did we get engaged yet?"

Aaron sat on the side of Jackson's bed before swinging his legs up so he was laid facing his partner

"You were just about to make the announcement when" Aaron broke off he didn't want to say the words

It all slipped into place in Jackson's brain, he remembered being on stage, he'd looked out into the crowd all the faces so familiar to him, he'd looked at the door and he'd seen Brett raising the gun and pointing it at him.

Aaron heard the sob rising in Jackson's chest as he spoke

"Brett did this to Me didn't he?"

"Yeah he did" Aaron carefully wrapped his arms around Jackson and waited for him to speak again.

"He said he loved Me, so how could he do this to Me?" the builder was struggling to understand why this had happened

"He's sick in the head, but the good news is that he has been sectioned this time so he won't be able to hurt you again" he looked into the tired eyes of his boyfriend "Now close your eyes and go to sleep" he whispered

"Will you be here when a wake up?" the builder snuggled down into Aaron's arms

"You bet!, I'm not leaving you, Ever!"

Aaron watched as his boyfriend struggled to stay awake before giving in and slipping into unconsciousness, he closed his eyes and slept too, for the first time since Jackson was injured that sleep was peaceful and undisturbed.