Face to Face

Part 12

The Accident and Emergency Sister had tried to prepare him. She had warned him about the bruising and the dressings. She had patiently explained about the tubes, wires and the machines that bleeped endlessly. She had explained about the blood and the other fluids that would be dripping slowly into Paddy's arm. And she had done her best to reassure him about the injury that had almost claimed his life. That could still claim his life.

But as he'd entered the Intensive Care Unit he had had to fight the urge to run. As a nurse led him and Marlon to Paddy's bedside he'd had to force his feet forward, every step an effort. And when he finally set eyes on Paddy, all he'd wanted to do was shout, 'No!' And tell them that they had made a mistake. That it wasn't Paddy laying there so still and so very ill.

Marlon had wrapped his arm around his shoulders, steadying him, comforting him. He understood how much it hurt to see Paddy like that because he loved him too.

Then Marlon was gone, the place an all too painful reminder of what he had already lost. But he hadn't been alone for long, Jackson was beside him in minutes. Sitting him down, Saying all the right things. All the things he needed to hear. Helping him find the strength to get through the nightmare that lay ahead.

The nurse had encouraged him to talk to Paddy, to let him know he was there. He'd felt foolish, especially with an audience but the more he did it the easy it got. There were some things he couldn't say, no matter how much he wanted to. So he'd promised himself he would tell him when he was better, face to face, man to man.

That had been twelve long hours ago. And with the morning had come a meeting with the doctors, an update on Paddy's condition. Although they had managed to repair the tear in Paddy's liver they had feared that should it start to bleed again, they would not be as successful a second time. But with all tests indicating things were going well they had decided to reduce the sedation, and allow him to come round. He would be on enforced bed rest for a few days but would hopefully over a period of months gradually return to his previous rude health. But Aaron wasn't going to let himself believe it just yet, not until he saw the Paddy he knew laying in that bed.

While the nursing staff were doing some procedure or other he and Jackson had left the unit and made their way to its Family Room. It was bigger than the Relatives Room downstairs, it contained more chairs and even a pullout bed and of course a drinks machine. There were also shower and toilet facilities for those spending endless days and nights there.

The room was for once empty. While Jackson phoned a close friend, Aaron phoned Marlon, filling him in on what the doctor had said. He'd been walking Clyde at the time and had told Aaron he was keeping him at his place. He'd promised to pass on the good news to all concerned and that he'd be in just as soon as he could. Then as Aaron was tucking his phone back into his pocket, Jackson had given him a stern look.

"Hey, not so quick."

"What?"

"Phone your mum."

"Marlon will."

"You should do it!"

"No!"

Jackson stepped closer to Aaron, "Would it hurt you to make an effort where she's concerned?"

Aaron wanted to say yes! Yes it would because she'd let him down so many times he couldn't trust her not to do it again, but instead he just snapped, "Why? What's it to you anyway?"

Leaning in closer, deliberately invading Aaron's personal space Jackson asked in a challenging tone, "Don't you know by now?"

Of course he knew! But how did he convince Jackson of that now?

The kiss had been long and tender, a warm and gentle exchange of truths. Aaron had reluctantly pulled away and just like the first time unconsciously licked his lips.

A slow satisfied smile crept across Jackson's face, "I guess you do!"

Marlon had arrived with clean clothes for Aaron and some of Paddy's things. With Paddy still sleeping Aaron had taken a quick shower While Jackson took his turn in the shower, Aaron hurried back to the ICU, disappointed to find Paddy was still showing no signs of opening his eyes.

Marlon waited until Jackson returned and then left for work. Half an hour later Paddy finally began to stir.

The nurse had said he would be groggy and maybe even a little confused at first and she'd been right! But even though Paddy wasn't making much sense Aaron was overjoyed to hear his voice.

The doctor blamed the confusion on the drugs Paddy was having but assured Aaron that it would pass. And it did but not until late that evening. He'd slept for an hour and when he opened his eyes this time they actually focused on Aaron's face.

"Hey feller!"

"Paddy! How you doing pal?" Aaron gripped the older man's hand and squeezed it tightly.

The older man looked around him, at the monitor and drips, "Is it as bad as it looks?"

"No!" Aaron forced a smile. "You're on the mend. You'll be home before you know it."

"To a sink full of dirty dishes no doubt!"

"No!" Aaron knew Paddy was teasing but then he had been guilty many times of that very crime.

Paddy's gaze travelled to Jackson, "I'm still trying to house train him!"

"Teenagers!" Jackson grinned

Paddy rolled his eyes, "Yes, the terrible teens!"

"Alright I get the message." Aaron laughed, the Paddy he knew and loved was back!

"You..." Paddy gestured with his finger at Aaron, "...look exhausted, it's time you went home."

"No!" Aaron was having none of that.

"How longs he been here?"

"All night and all day." Jackson said ignoring the warning look from Aaron.

"You'll take him home?"

"Paddy!"

"Please Aaron; for once will you just do as I say."

"No, not yet..."

"Now Aaron! I'm fine but you won't be if you don't get some rest."

"Alright." Aaron reluctantly got to his feet, "But I'll be back first thing tomorrow."

"I'll be here"

"You better had be!" A little wary of the tubes and wires, Aaron leaned in to hug Paddy. As the older man wrapped his one free arm around him, Aaron remembered his promise. His voice thick with emotion he looked Paddy in the eye and said what he knew to be long overdue, "I love you."

It was gone eleven when Jackson pulled up outside Smithy Cottage. He was more than a little relieved to finally switch off the engine, his eyes burned with fatigue and he'd been worried about falling asleep at the wheel.

He'd have a coffee and then drive home unless...no maybe not he didn't want Aaron to think he was making a move he wasn't ready for!

"I'll just check every where's locked up." Aaron said as he walked through the cottage into the surgery. It was something Paddy did every night, regular as clockwork. In all the time he'd been there he'd never once offered to do it. There were a lot of things he hadn't done for Paddy. He'd make more of an effort when he came home.

He found Jackson in the kitchen, making two coffees.

"I'll have this and then I'll be off."

"No!" Aaron responded just a little too quickly for his own liking. "Stay the night, there's plenty of room."

"The sofa will do me."

"No, you can't sleep there; you can have my bed,"

"Your bed?" Jackson asked suggestively, he just couldn't resist teasing the younger man.

Aaron tried to hide his discomfort, "Yeah. I'll go to Paddy's!"

"Sounds like a plan" Jackson grinned, handing Aaron his coffee he said, "Lead the way."

They were all too soon standing outside Aaron's room, he'd never felt more uncomfortable in his life. He motioned to the door, "In there."

"Right!" Jackson remained where he was, "And you'll be?"

"Just there!"

"Right. Good night then."

"Yeah, good night." Aaron squirmed realising just how pathetic he was being.

Taking a step nearer to Aaron, Jackson leant in for a kiss, the kiss quickly deepening. Aaron pulled away, scared it would lead to something more.

"It's ok," Jackson soothed, as much as he wanted Aaron he knew he couldn't rush him, and considering the circumstances it wasn't really the time.

An hour later Aaron was still awake. Tossing, turning and willing his rebellious thoughts to let him be.

He couldn't forget Paddy was lying in a hospital bed, and he couldn't forget about the man asleep in his bed, just across the hallway!

Rolling onto his side he stared through the open doorway. Throwing back the duvet he got out of bed and after a few minutes more contemplation stepped out of the room.

TBC