AARON & JACKSON

-1912-

"The Sting"

Aaron woke the next morning to an overwhelming sick feeling and he got out of bed quickly and leaned over the sink that was close to the beds and vomited badly. Adam was woken by Aaron and he leaned up quickly and saw what was happening and as quickly as he could he got down from the top bunk and was behind him rubbing his back, he let out a deep sigh, Aaron didn't deserve this.

Jackson was sat around the breakfast table in the dining saloon with his mum and Samantha. His mood however was not a happy one. The women were looking over the menu; Jackson was not interested in the slightest. He let out a sigh. "What's the date?" he asked.

Hazel frowned and looked across at him. "April fourteenth why?" she asked.

Jackson shrugged. "Just wondering, not long till we get to New York now"

"No it shouldn't be, I overheard Captain Smith talking to Mr. Ismay"

Jackson's eyebrows propped up, now interested. Ismay was the managing director of the ship building company he worked for.

"The captain has apparently ordered the last boilers to be lit"

Confusion stuck him. "Is he serious?" Jackson asked.

"Why?" Hazel replied.

"I overheard something about ice warnings that's all" he responded.

"Are you sure it came from a reputable source? For all you know son it could be rumour, and anyway this ship is unsinkable"

"Hmm..." Jackson sounded. "It's only steel mother"

Samantha rolled her eyes at her fiancés technical reply one that only a ship builder would say. "Excuse me" She told them as she got up and left the table leaving Hazel and Jackson alone.

The atmosphere now changed and it could be cut with a knife. "So..." Hazel began.

Jackson just looked at her as if she was something he had stepped in. "What now?"

"Let's talk about Aaron"

Jackson sighed. "I don't think I want to discuss him with you, I love him and even you can't ruin that"

Hazel just smirked and backed off.

"I'm not marrying Samantha mum, and I won't be joining you in New York either"

"Excuse me?" she asked sharply.

"Oh come on you knew that already, obviously I will be in New York, but not with you two, and don't worry mother" he smiled. "Your reputation will be intact; no one will have to know that your only child is gay"

Hazel sat still, her expression unwavering. "No they won't but if you do this, you'll be dead to me"

Jackson scoffed. "And to me, you already are. You are not what a mother should be and I feel sorry for you I really do, now" he pushed his chair back harshly and stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I have better things to be doing with my day than spending it with people I'd rather not be around"

"Jackson, if you..."

"Yeah, I know if I do this you just said...I'll see you later"

/

"Aaron mate..." Adam sighed as he rubbed his forehead. "You have to report this"

Aaron began to chuckle as he lowered himself down into the chair. "And they'll find him will they? I doubt it Adam...there are thousands on board this ship"

Adam sighed. "I-I'm just trying to help mate"

"Yeah I know you are"

"Have you made the connection yet?"

Aaron frowned. "Connection?"

Adam nodded. "Yeah last night you said the guy said something about money...come on even I know who is behind this, you love the son of a first class bitch who is marrying a woman, she doesn't like that, hates the idea..."

Aaron sighed. "I tried not to think about it but it had to be Hazel I mean...she has a motive to do it and right now I don't blame her"

"Are you serious?" Adam asked with a raised voice.

"J-Just listen...I don't blame her because I'm ruining her family, he's her only child Adam, and I'd be making it impossible for them to be around each other, like you said she hates the thought of two men...and I don't blame her cause I deserved it, marching up to lunch what the hell was I trying to do? It just made me feel worse but she got what she wanted because I'm not going there, and he hasn't told Samantha yet, I don't think he would have either"

"I' am sorry Aaron" absolute sympathy poured from Adam.

Aaron shrugged. "Don't be" he smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

"A bit sore, it's not as bad as it looks"

Adam chuckled. "You're not a very good liar are ya?"

Aaron smirked and shook his head. "It hurts like hell actually" he replied now giving an honest answer.

"It will for a while" Adam told him as they were interrupted by the cabin door being knocked.

"Who'll that be?" Aaron asked quietly. "No one ever knocks on here"

Adam was equally as confused as Aaron was. He shrugged and went to answer it. As he pulled the door open Aaron turned away and rested his swollen eyes for a minute or two, well that was the plan until he heard that voice but he didn't turn around.

"Is he in there?" Jackson asked.

"What do you care?" Adam spat angrily.

Jackson frowned. "What do you mean? Of course I care"

"Obviously" he sighed.

"Look, I need to see him...he might have given up but I haven't"

Adam scoffed; he didn't believe a word he said. "When I first saw you, I told you he was a good lad and he really, really is...its very rare these days if you ask me and your lot try and ruin him!"

Jackson's frown deepened in complete confusion. "He's more than good, let me in I need to see him" he told him as he tried pushing his way in.

"Adam!" Aaron called out. "Let him in"

"You sure?"

"Yes, go and make yourself scarce"

"Alright" Adam backed down and grabbed his jacket and opened the door wider and walked out, allowing Jackson entry.

Jackson was greeted by Aaron's back toward him. He stood still and waited to see if he'd turn, but it wasn't happening. He cleared his throat. "Yesterday at lunch, I-I know what it did to you Aaron and you have to know that I don't intend on living the life Samantha has planned"

"It doesn't matter Jackson"

"Yes it does because whether you like it right now or not, regardless of this fucked up situation I love you" he spoke quickly the words believable as they left his mouth.

Aaron listened and was taken aback by his choice of language. "I-I never heard you swear before"

"I'm quickly losing my grip here Aaron and this is going to blow up right in our faces...us, me and you god I want it I really do"

"Well tell your mother that again because she doesn't seem to be coping with it very well..."

"W-what?"

Aaron slowly turned revealing his facial injuries to Jackson. He stepped back in shock, swallowing hard as he hit the wall. "My god, m-my mother may be many thin-"

Aaron scowled and stood quickly. "What!" he demanded. "You don't think she's capable of this? Well Jackson she is! She didn't personally do this but I know for a fact the person who did this was given money"

Jackson sighed. "I-I can't believe this"

"Well I don't have any reason to lie, I don't have any enemies on this ship except her, she did this I know it"

"She wouldn't"

Aaron grabbed Jackson by the shoulders. "Look at my face Jackson" he urged through gritted teeth. "We aren't doing this anymore, I know now that you don't have the balls to tell Samantha, or you would have done it ages ago"

"No Aaron please"

"No, I didn't get involved with you to get these cuts and bruises from someone who was paid to do it by a woman who can't comprehend one of the simplest things, love. Whether it is man and a woman, two women or two men, like us...they're killing you Jackson, slowly very, very slowly and you will never be free unless you take the leap" he sighed.

"Aaron I-I love you...I..." he said as he reached to touch his face but stopped an inch or two away from the bruising. "I-I never meant for this to happen...I believe you I just never thought"

"She'd stoop so low?"

Jackson nodded. "Yeah"

"It's done now and you can leave"

"What? No...Aa-"

"Just go Jackson...this hurts as it is..."

"I don't want you to be hurting, I want you with me"

"You have a funny way of showing it!" Aaron barked.

"Okay..." Jackson's eyes widened, for the first time realising how close but yet so far away his dreams were. He had to do something. "I-I'll tell her" he quickly told him as he turned to the door. "I can't lose you; I'm telling her...you said we'd face it together..."

"And I meant it too" Aaron reiterated as he stood with folded arms just watching Jackson go off, he had no hopes of Jackson returning and he lowered himself down onto his bed and lay down.

A while later Jackson walked back into his cabin. He was alone and he walked over to the promenade area and stood looking out at the ocean. It was a bright sunny day, he hadn't been out on deck yet, so many things preoccupied him. He turned and reached for a bottle of champagne that was stood in the ice box, there was always one on hand, their steward made sure of it. He pulled out the cork and took a swig from the bottle. He let out a hefty sigh as the cold fizzy liquid was swallowed, he wiped his mouth and walked back into the lounge and sat on the sofa, now he just had to wait for Samantha to return. He was doing this, no matter how scared he was, his love for Aaron had to outweigh the fear and the prize at the end of it was something more precious, a man who had his love and the love was returned.

It felt like an eternity before Samantha returned. Jackson sat up on the edge of the sofa and watched her close the door behind her. "Hi" she smiled.

"Hi" Jackson replied bluntly.

"Those Turkish baths are amazing you have to try them" she complimented.

Jackson smiled. "Maybe, I err..."

"What is it Jackson?" she asked.

Jackson frowned; this was harder than he thought. "We need to...uhh..." He sighed.

"You're worrying me now" Samantha chuckled as she walked over and sat beside him.

Jackson turned and faced her. "We need to talk..."

"Okay, well out with it before your mother barges in" she smiled at him.

"I c-c...I can't marry you Samantha"

"Excuse me?" she laughed. "Is this some sort of a joke?"

Jackson shook his head. "Far from a joke actually..." he clasped his hands together, seemingly struggling with this. "I'm in love with someone else"

"No, this has to be a joke" she frowned as it began to sink in how serious Jackson was being.

"It's not" he shook his head. "I only met this person three days ago on this ship..."

"Who is it?"

"That doesn't matter"

Unknown to them Hazel had entered their cabin from another entrance and had heard them talking and she stopped in the adjacent room and listened.

"Oh I think it does" Samantha replied, her emotions began to show as tears filled her eyes.

"I'm really sorry"

"No! This can't be happening Jackson, we love each other"

"Yeah" Jackson nodded to her. "I do love you but not enough, and not in a special way either"

"What?" she spat. "In a friend's way"

"Yes"

"Well what we do in the bedroom Jackson..."

"Did..." he reminded.

"Oh yes of course how I could forget the sudden lack of attention..."

"I'm living a lie Sam..." he shrugged. "It's for the best..."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Who is it Jackson? Do I know her?" she wondered.

Jackson sighed as his mother walked into the room. "The question darling you should be asking is do you know him?"

Samantha's eyes darted between the both of them in sudden shock; she felt sick and he expressions contorted to one of disgust. "A MAN?" she raised her voice and Jackson sat nodding his head.

TBC...