In the store aisle as Madison picked out the paper she needed Aaron couldn't help but stroke her beautiful, long black hair. Unfortunately for Aaron and Madison, JJ was also there that night picking up supplies for her first grader. She noticed Aaron being affectionate toward Madison in a way that appeared a bit off. She snuck closer to be in ear shot yet not to be seen.

"Tonight was truly amazing." Aaron whispered softly into her ear.

Madison couldn't help but giggle from the playful attention she was getting from her older lover. JJ couldn't hear what they were talking about; but, she couldn't help but feel they were much too close to one another for her liking. Aaron looked around and didn't see anyone, he truly was only thinking with his "small head." He moved his hand over her bottom and squeezed it. It was all the evidence JJ needed to know that he and Madison had an inappropriate relationship. She stepped out of her hiding spot and made herself known.

"Hello Aaron."

Chapter 17

Caught red handed

Aaron stepped a good foot away from Madison as both realized they had been caught.

"JJ, didn't see you there." Aaron said stupidly and very out-of-character from his usual, professional self.

JJ could care less that this was her boss. She now saw him in a way she found unethical.

"I'm sure you didn't as you were too busy putting your hands all over Maddy. Aaron, how could you? She's only 16!" JJ asked in a loud whisper.

"Sixteen is a legal adult in this state, you know this." Aaron retorted.

"Really Hoss? Really? Okay, so "legally" she's an adult; but ethically…morally, we ALL know it's just wrong. You are literally old enough to be her father."

"JJ please don't tell on us." Madison interrupted as tears began to stream down her face. "Please don't be mad at Aaron, I started it, it's my fault."

JJ's face of anger and disappointment while looking at Aaron turned to a face of motherly concern.

"Maddy, it's not your fault. Yes, you are legally an adult but I'm sorry; to me, and to most, you are still just a kid. You need to date boys your own age."

"I did try that JJ, remember? It didn't exactly go very well, you know, being abused and all." Madison said angrily.

"That was one rotten boy Maddy. Most boys are not like that."

"K, fine, whatever; but, I love Aaron and he loves me. If you tell, my dad will make us break up, they won't be friends anymore and I'll never get to see him again." Madison pleaded and finished off her sentence with sobbing.

Aaron hesitated only a moment to put his arm around Madison in front of JJ. It wasn't sexual, she needed comfort and that is what he was going to give her. He held her close and hugged her for a moment before moving her away from him and looking at her directly. He wiped a few tears away.

"Look, nothing is going to be decided this very second. JJ and I will talk when things are a bit calmer. No one is telling anyone anything tonight." Aaron said assuredly then looked over at the long, blond haired woman. "Can we at least agree on that JJ, please?"

As upset as JJ was at Aaron, she had no doubt in her mind that for Madison at least, she believed it was true love. JJ sighed.

"Yes, I can agree, for tonight, until Aaron and I talk further, I won't say a word to anyone."

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A few days had passed before JJ and Aaron got together for a very long discussion. They arrived at a decision that would be most difficult for both Aaron and Madison; but, workable.

Later that day sitting on a park bench…

"College!? We can't date until I'm in college!" Madison cried after Aaron explained the terms JJ had given him.

"Sweetheart, I know that seems like a long way; but really, it's only two years. In two years you will be in college and away from home. JJ felt that if you still want to be with me in two years, well, she will truly know it's not just a crush and we have her blessing."

"Who made her judge and jury of our love life?" Madison asked, again, in fury.

"She just wants to give you a chance. She feels I may be taking advantage of you because you're so young."

"But you aren't! She's such a bitch!"

"Hey hey now, I need you to breathe. JJ loves you very much; she just wants the best for you."

"Why are you so calm!? Don't you care!?"

"Baby girl, of course I care. Yes, I was very upset; but, we have to think rationally about this."

"Screw you! You don't care! You never really loved me! If you did you would NEVER have agreed! You would fight for me!"

"I did fight for you. This is the only way, please, Maddy…please try to see this as a good thing."

Madison stood up as tears poured quickly down her cheeks and her eyes spoke volumes of how she felt, heartbroken and betrayed.

"You know what!? Forget college, we're done. We are done now! I don't want to ever, ever see you again. I hate you!" Madison yelled before she literally ran off.

She didn't mean what she said, not one word; but, she was young and hurt. She felt her lover wasn't displaying heartache like he should have. She only wanted him to feel the pain she was feeling. Unbeknownst to Madison, he was. Aaron loved her with every ounce of his heart and soul. Two years to him was worth the sacrifice if it meant the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately, due to the differences in their ages and life experience only Aaron could see that. He quickly got up and started to chase after her. He couldn't let it end like this. He needed to help her understand.

Aaron was a fast runner; but, Madison already had a bit of time on her side. He wasn't far behind, but not quite close enough. He called out to her several times to stop. She ignored him and simply kept running as tears continued to fall and blur her vision. Her mind was racing and her heart was aching, she wasn't in a state of coherency. She ran out of the park, off the curb and quickly into the street.

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A gurney is being wheeled through the corridors in the hospital. Blood is displayed all over her tear stained face and her body unconscious.

"We are losing her people, move it, move it, move it!" The doctor ordered as they wheeled the young girl into the O.R.

Aaron was by her side the whole way until they reached the last of the swinging doors before the operation room. A nurse stepped aside and got a hold of Aaron's attention.

"Sir, is this your daughter?"

"Umm what..oh, umm no, she..she is my friend's daughter. Her name is Maddy." He said with eyes filling up with tears.

"Alright sir, please wait in the waiting room. Someone will be out shortly to get more information."

Aaron simply nodded mechanically and it was enough for the nurse to know she could leave him. She quickly scurried to catch up with the others in order to help her team save the young girls life. Aaron somehow made his way to the waiting room and pulled out his phone to call her father, his friend, Dave. He looked down at the phone and noticed his blood stained hands. The blood belonged to Madison as Aaron had did his very best to perform CPR while they waited for an ambulance. He almost lost his composure at that moment but stopped. He knew he had to make that call.

Ring…ring…ring…"hello?"

"Dave…there's been an accident."

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