AARON & JACKSON

-1912: The Aftermath-

"Under The Wings Of Grace"

Jackson and Chas walked into the house, except from Jackson's sobs an eerie silence filled the place. Chas turned and closed the front door, her mascara had run from her eyes, she had been crying. Now they were simply full of tears, unable to fall free for the moment anyway. She turned back to face Jackson, she was at a loss; she did not know what to do with herself.

Jackson stood still staring down at the set of keys in his hand; his body was shuddering as he cried.

Chas stepped forward to go and comfort him but she abruptly stopped when Jackson lashed out with a scream as he flung the set of keys towards the closed kitchen door, the impact on the door echoed in the hall and then they dropped to the wooden floor and the loud noise from that caused her to jump.

Jackson's head was in his hands as he cried harder and much louder now; his pain if not known before was evident now.

Chas marched over and hugged him tightly just as her own tears began to fall again. Jackson fell against her as he sobbed but she couldn't hold him up, as he started to fall to the floor, she went with him desperate not too lose her hold on him. She rubbed his back slowly and hushed him softly.

Jackson tried to calm down, he felt her hand on his back and heard her soothing him but he couldn't, the pain was too much and the events of the last twelve hours replayed in his mind…

Jackson swam deeper feeling around for him, he couldn't all he could feel was the force of the water coming his way from Adam forcing himself further down.

Aaron was falling slowly, it was dark, he couldn't see anything and the further down he went, the colder it became. He was unaware of actually how close his boyfriend and best mate were. That was a good thing he wouldn't panic and try to quicken what he intended to do if he knew. He closed his eyes and smiled, he could feel the ability to hold his breath draining. He let go. He blew the air out, sending massive amounts of bubbles above, in the boys' path.

Aaron was drowning, his lungs were quickly filling with water and suddenly a dreading panic came over him in the last seconds before he lost consciousness but before he did, Jackson's hand's grabbed Aaron by the shoulders and pulled him up while Adam swam by his feet, and although blinded in the darkness he managed to untie the brick, that could sink; Aaron however couldn't. Jackson felt the weight on his boyfriend ease up and he kicked for the surface, dragging Aaron with him. He wouldn't have been able to do that without help, Jackson was grateful.

When they got to the surface they were close to the shore of the lake and they swam with all of the strength they could muster, a minute or so later they were out of the water. Jackson was on his knees by Aaron's side, desperately and in a panic he unzipped Aaron's jacket and pushed each side away, giving him better access to his chest. Beneath Aaron's jacket the blood soaked cut on his stomach was still bleeding, polluting the wetness and running down his side.

"JESUS JACKSON! Do something!" Adam shouted breathlessly.

Jackson nodded and he placed one hand over his other and placed it over his chest. "Go and get help, an ambulance preferably!" Jackson told him and began the vital pumps onto Aaron's chest as Adam ran off. Jackson was counting them in his head, then stopped, pinched Aaron's nose with his fingers and pulled open his mouth and locked his own on it and blew his own air into Aaron, he had to give him life again he just had too!

Jackson blinked away the tears as he continued the pumps to Aaron's chest, all the while looking down at him. His face was pale and the worst thing was that he looked peaceful that's what upset Jackson the most. "Come on…" he urgently whispered. "Come on babe, don't do this" he stopped and leaned down again and gave him more air. It was no good. "I love you and I'm not just saying it" he began as he started pumping his chest again. "I mean this Aaron, y-you are going to be alright, and whatever happens I'm not going anywhere" his tone became frustrated and he stopped. He raised his fist. "Just wake up!" he growled as he whacked his chest hard with the side of his hand.

Aaron's body jerked instantly and he began to cough out water. Jackson's eyes widened and he quickly grabbed Aaron and cradled him in his arms. When Aaron became aware of what was going on and who was holding him, he remembered and he let out a heartfelt cry and clung to Jackson.

Jackson stroked his wet hair and held him tightly with one arm and placed pressure on his cut with the other. "Shh, hey…it's alright…you're going to be alright I promise you"

…

As the ambulance took him away he had a violent outburst toward the paramedics, so bad they had to restrain him. Adam physically and emotionally could not let himself go in the ambulance to the hospital with Jackson. He was too distraught after the events of the night and needed to get his head around it all, after of course informing Chas. Now into the hours of the early morning Aaron was sedated in a psychiatric ward at the local hospital being monitored every half hour. Someone attempting to take their own life was cause for concern at any time but adding the violence and hysteria, it caused the doctors to evoke such an action, for Aaron's own sake.

Chas and Jackson sat in a waiting room with the doctor, he had just entered and they were nervous and scared for what might be said. "Ms Livesy?"

Chas frowned, it wasn't her surname but she wasn't going to get into the details to correct him. "Yes, I'm his mum, this is his brother, Jackson…he got him out of the water" Chas told them and realised how weird saying brother was; she never had to until now.

"Yes, the nurses brought me up to speed on events…I'm sorry it's taken so long to get round to you but before we sedated him I spoke to him, attempted to psychologically evaluate"

Chas scoffed and rubbed her face in despair. "I'm sorry…with all due respect doctor but surely you can see he isn't right even without an evaluation"

"Yes of course…he told me about the murder back in the UK"

Chas nodded as she lowered her head. "I thought he was fine…when he left for this country he was excited, wanted a new life…well that's what he told me…" she said with a sigh.

"You think he was running away? Thought maybe it would make him forget?"

Chas nodded. "It's possible yes"

"I'm going to have to suggest we keep him here, isolated from the world for a while"

Jackson dropped his head and bit his lip, fighting the tears, he knew it was a likely outcome but he lied and was now the one betraying him, he told him he wouldn't do this but he did know it was in Aaron's best interests to remain; still however it didn't make him feel any better. Jackson looked up at the doctor. "I told him, I promised him that wouldn't happen"

The doctor sympathised with the family's situation. "I understand how hard this is for both of you but this is the best thing we can possibly do for Aaron at the moment"

"I-I know" Jackson replied as Chas placed her arm around him.

"How long doctor?" Chas asked with tear filled eyes.

"It depends on the patient, we'll counsel him, give him medication, when he's doing well we'll slowly wean him off them and if we're satisfied he'll be allowed to go home, all of this can…" he sighed. "…well it could take a few weeks, a month, two…six months a-and then there's the possibility of no recovery, I understand that's not the answer you want to hear but you have to prepare in case he doesn't"

Chas and Jackson nodded, stunned at that possibility. "Can we see him?" Chas asked.

"Of course, the sedatives wore off half an hour ago, I thought I'd see you while he came around…but I ask only one at a time?"

Chas and Jackson nodded. The doctor smiled and got to his feet, as did they and they followed him out.

Standing outside Aaron's room, Jackson was apprehensive. "Go on" Chas said softly.

Jackson pinched his lower lip between his fingers "I-I can't…y-you go first"

Chas nodded. "Okay love…"

"Be prepared Ms Livesy, he's quite vacant…if there is an outburst do not worry I'll be on hand"

"Thank you doctor" she said with a smile and pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Aaron was blankly staring but he was aware of someone entering the room, his head swayed lazily in the direction and he saw her, no expression formed on his face.

Chas smiled as her tears ran freely. "Hiya love, it's me…your mum" she said with a weak smile as she walked around the side of his bed and just looked at him as he looked up at her. "God you're so lost" she said helplessly and she covered her mouth as her crying worsened. She stopped herself and took a deep breath and reached out for his hand and held it. "D-Do you know who I am?"

Aaron's face was still expressionless and he simply looked ahead.

"Aaron?" she asked as her breathing was shaky, his 'response' was not the one she wanted. "Talk to me?"

Aaron lowered his head and frowned, then shook his head slowly. "I…I don't want too"

"B-But I'm your mum" she sobbed out.

"And I hurt you. Y-you loved Carl…"

"Yes" she nodded. "Yes I did, but Aaron, I forgave you…in time, and I wouldn't be here otherwise. You are my flesh and blood and I love you more than I will any man, my behaviour towards you lately is something I can't apologise for because it was all out of love because I knew what you could be like and I could see you hurting Jackson and I didn't want that to happen. I'm never going to give up on you, I love you and it's time you start believing that, I don't know what's gone on in your mind kid but despite what you've done, I still do"

Aaron turned and looked back up at his mother; she could see the sadness and the tears starting. "I'm sorry" Aaron said in a whispery tone as the lump in his throat restricted him a lot.

"It's alright" she smiled through her tears and stroked his face. "Listen love, I'm going to let Jackson come in now, so…" she stopped and blew out a breath, this was the worst part. "I'll see you soon ok?"

Aaron nodded, but he felt that something was wrong. "Okay"

Chas reached down and kissed him on his forehead before turning and leaving without looking back. When she exited the room she walked a little way down the corridor and burst into tears, her crying harsh and loud. Jackson was prepared to see Aaron now so he walked in, giving Chas some space.

Jackson smiled at him as he approached the side of the bed. "Hey"

"Hi"

"How are you feeling?" Jackson asked.

Aaron shrugged. "Drugged up I think…not all there at the moment"

"No" Jackson said as he sat on the stool by the bed. "You're not, that's why you're here"

"In hospital I know, once I'm better I can come home"

Jackson smiled. "Yeah, course…" he replied quietly, then frowned. "A-Aaron…you do know where you are don't you?"

"Yeah" he frowned. "Hospital I just said"

"Well that's true but…the doctor has had a word with us…"

"Oh him…he was asking me weird questions"

"…to evaluate your…erm…" Jackson struggled, as it seemed that Aaron didn't know what was truly going on he couldn't keep him in the dark any longer. "…your mental state"

"Mental state?" Aaron scoffed.

"Aaron you're not well look what happened earlier"

Aaron averted his eyes and looked away, he vividly remembered everything.

"You're in a psychiatric ward Aaron, and you're going to be staying here until your well enough to come home"

Aaron shook his head slowly as his face scrunched and the tears fell. "Y-You…you said-"

Jackson nodded as he reached out for his hand but Aaron pulled it away quickly. Jackson pulled his hand back and looked at the floor. "I-I know what I said"

"You lied"

"I thought it would stop you doing what you actually ended up doing"

"YOU LIED!" Aaron shouted.

Jackson certainly could have bit back but he was bigger than that. "Yes, yeah I did"

"GET OUT!" Aaron screamed.

Jackson sighed. "Aaron I love you" he told him quietly. "I did this for you, w-we both did, me and your mum…this is the best place for you right now and y-you're still going to see us and Adam" he smiled but it wasn't rousing him. "Aaron! Please!"

"Go! Jackson! I hate you! I'm locked away now and you promised!" he raged as he pulled away tubes and wires from his body.

Jackson was quickly back on his feet trying to stop him but it was obviously too late, he had quickly removed all tubes. "GET OFF ME!" Aaron screamed and just as the doctors ran in, Aaron whacked Jackson in the eye with his fist which knocked him back.

Jackson winced as he regained his balance. He stood behind all the nurses who were struggling to calm him down. Aaron was kicking and screaming against their efforts. "A-Aaron, you'll still see us, we…we'll be here tomorrow"

"NO! I HATE YOU!"

The doctor who had spoken to them turned to Jackson and just nodded to him, Jackson quickly left the room, and upon entering the corridor he knew Chas had seen and heard all. "I-I'm sorry Chas"

Chas shook her head as she stared through the window of the door. "It's not your fault Jackson…this was to be expected…I-I don't want to leave him but there's nothing we can do here"

Jackson nodded in agreement.

"I think we should go home…that was quite a whack he gave you, are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah I'm fine…he didn't do it on purpose, he was lashing out"

Chas nodded and she put her arm around his and linked him and they began walking down the corridor.

Chas pulled away from Jackson put stayed in front of him and she reached out and wiped his tears away. "Come on, let's go in the lounge" she told him and she took both of his hands and helped him up off the floor of the hallway.

Jackson chuckled as he wiped his nose once he was standing. "I-I should be helping you"

Chas shook her head. "I'm alright…well you know" she smiled a little.

Jackson nodded as they walked through and they sat on the sofa. Chas looked at him and winced. "Think you're gunna get a shiner there love" she told him as she examined his eye.

Jackson shrugged. "Least of my problems right now"

Chas nodded. "I know love"

"H-he said he hates me"

"Oh Jackson…" she placed her arm around him again pulling him close. "He doesn't mean it"

"Doesn't he? Y-you didn't see the anger and disappointment in his eyes. I said this wouldn't happen"

"Ey…we've done it for him"

"And I told him that" Jackson answered with a shrug. "Didn't make a difference"

"It's only day one Jackson you have to be strong for him"

Jackson let out a shaky breath and nodded then turned and looked at Chas.

Chas could see the tears that had filled his eyes. "You can cry anytime you want love…just shows you have a heart…if men don't cry then…well they're not men at all…"

Jackson chuckled as the tears dropped from his eyes. "So can you, we can help each other through this, and we've got my mum and Adam too"

Chas smiled. "You better call her, let her know what's going on, a-and if you don't mind can you call Adam too, ask him to come over, I'd like to see him, he's affected to by all of this, I hate the thought of him alone dealing with it all"

"Yeah…sure" Jackson told her as he got to his feet and walked out to make the calls.

Chas looked towards the window, the sky was clear blue with no clouds and the sun was shining outside, it was warm too but she hadn't really noticed it on the way back from the hospital, who would after a night like that? She sighed and rubbed her face, she needed sleep and so did Jackson.

TBC…