Brothers In Arms

Part Eight

Jackson sat in silence and watched as Flat Company lined up, collecting their chutes and other equipment for the jump in France. He looked down at his now cold porridge and placed the bowl down beside his sleeping bag. He wasn't hungry anymore, the fear taking away his appetite.

Tomorrow morning he would be lining up like so many other young men for his first ever attempt at combat.

Tomorrow morning he would be committing suicide.

XO

Aaron watched as Paddy folded up his stethoscope and placed it in his travel bag. Paddy hummed a happy tune to himself, lost in the world of his own thoughts. Aaron cleared his throat and looked at the man uncertainly, afraid of seeming vulnerable.

'Do…do you have to go?' he croaked, pulling at the sheet beside him, averting his gaze quickly.

Paddy froze and gently sat down beside Aaron, his kind eyes searching Aaron's face.

'I think you already know the answer to that question.' He said softly, placing his hand over Aaron's knee.

Aaron nodded miserably, fighting desperately against the tears that were threatening to fall.

'I know.' he whispered, pulling his sleeves down over his hands and balling his fists. For the first time in months he felt like the lost eighteen year old that he was.

'I'll be back home, safe and sound before you know it.' Paddy said cheerfully, anxious to lift the heavy atmosphere that was smothering the two of them.

Aaron looked up at him for the first time since the conversation had begun, tears swimming in his eyes.

'Will you though? Paddy…I can't lose you, I have no one left.' He gasped, hot tears pouring down his cheeks.

Paddy felt his heart break and wrapped his arms around Aaron protectively.

'Listen to me lad, these are hard times that we are living in and I know that if the worst did happen that you'd be lonely for a while but Aaron you have to remember that we have a country to save. We can't let the dictators win.'

Aaron buried his head into Paddy's chest and snorted softly.

'I never really had you down for a patriot Pads.'

Paddy chuckled to himself and kissed the top of his head.

'I'm not really Aaron, I just want you and Rhona and my baby to have a chance at a better future.'

XO

Adam threw himself down beside Jackson and wrapped his blanket around himself tighter, an unhappy look on his face.

'What do you think are the chances of all the Nazis coming down with the flu or something and they have to forfeit the war?' he mumbled, his teeth chattering from the cold.

Jackson shook his head and tried to stop himself from shivering.

'I don't know but if they don't give us more blankets there wont be anyone for the bloody Nazi's to fight!' he snapped.

Adam chuckled and nodded in agreement, shifting closer to Jackson so that their shoulders were touching.

'What happened between you and Aaron?' he whispered so that none of the other men could hear.

Jackson turned to face Adam, shock written all over his face.

'Aaron told you?' he asked incredulously.

Adam nodded, a small grin on his face.

'Of course he did, I'm his best mate.'

Jackson blushed a little and looked away, unsure of whether he should talk to Adam about it or not.

Adam sighed, realizing that Jackson was going to stay silent about the whole affair.

'Fine, don't talk. I know it all anyway Jackson and I may as well tell you that you're an idiot to think that he doesn't love you. I know Aaron and he don't say things that he doesn't mean. Ever.'

XO

Aaron strolled around Emmerdale, looking around at the village that he knew like the back of his hand. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He loved it here; he loved the relaxation and the peacefulness of the place. He love the way that if he needed milk or sugar that every door in the village would open for him and whether they liked him personally or not, they would always share what they had.

He felt so safe and happy here that for a split second he allowed himself to forget about the fact that the man he loved and his best friend were jumping into the war today.

Just for a split second though.

XO

Jackson braced himself against the ferocious wind as the plane flew along the coast of France. Ryan shouted out numbers and soldiers dropped one by one. Finally it was Jackson's turn.

'SIX. GO. SIX!' Ryan roared, patting Jackson on the back.

Jackson squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath before launching himself from the moving plane. The wind deafened him and he desperately pulled the string of his chute, relieved when it opened.

His relief soon turned to terror as he saw some of his fellow soldiers being shot down.

This was it.

This was war.

XO

Cain watched his nephew push his dinner around his plate and sighed, putting down his book and glaring at the younger man.

'What are you moping about now?' he demanded, a hint of concern within the depths of his dark, brown eyes.

Aaron shrugged and pushed his plate away, a bored look on his face.

'Nothing. Just sick of beans.'

Cain chuckled and shook his head.

'What kind of a fool do you take me for? Yer sulking over that Barton boy, aren't you? He'll be fine Aaron.'

Aaron stared at his uncle in disbelief.

'You don't know that Cain. He might be dead now for all we know.'

Cain snorted and regarded his nephew coolly.

'And you might choke on your peas. Or I might fall and hit my head. If Barton is meant to live, he'll live. If not, well, he was a lovely lad.'

Aaron kicked back his chair and jumped to his feet, a furious look on his face.

'You have no idea, do you know that?'

Cain looked up, suddenly interested.

'Have no idea about what?'

Aaron stared him down for a minute before answering.

'What it's like to love someone.'

Cain grinned and something flashed in his brown eyes dangerously.

'Careful lad, you might give people the wrong idea.'

XO

Jackson picked his way through the debris carefully, his gun cocked and ready by his side. He tried not to look at the bodies, tried to avoid searching the faces to see if they were someone he knew.

'All right Jackson?'

Jackson spun around and nearly cried with relief when he saw Ryan and Adam marching towards him. Well, Adam was marching, Ryan was hobbling.

'You okay mate?' Jackson asked Ryan.

Ryan nodded bravely.

'I'm fine.'

Adam snorted and elbowed him playfully.

'Aw mate, after all your bull about being the best jumper in our battalion what happens on your very first jump? You twist your ankle! It's priceless!'

Ryan blushed and grinned lopsidedly.

'Shut it…I'll be fine once I rest it for a while.'

Jackson nodded encouragingly.

'Of course you will. As long as you can shoot at Nazis. That's all we need you for really.'

'That and your charm and wit of course.' Adam added mockingly.

XO

Nathan Wylde and Declan Maccey made their way across the Emmerdale camp, counting the battalions and the new recruits. Declan sighed and looked at Nathan anxiously.

'They need more soldiers urgently.'

Nathan nodded.

'I know, I was told. But these men need at least a month. We cant send them in with no know how or anything.' He argued.

Declan shook his head and looked down at his notes.

'I agree but we at least have to move them earlier. They're thinking of moving our base to France. Just outside Paris I believe. That way we're closer and we're quicker to get there.'

Nathan watched Aaron jog alongside his men, shouting and encouraging them.

'Maybe it's time we sent our Captains into war. They are supposedly our best trained men.'

Declan followed Nathan's gaze and his eyes landed on Aaron's racing figure.

'Not a chance Wylde, Dingle would never allow it. Ever.'

Nathan shrugged, a smug smile on his face.

'He'd have to just deal with it at the end of the day though. I'm his superior Maccey.'

XO

Jackson,

I was an idote to tink tat I could convinse you to beleave tat I don't love you. Because I do mate. Do your best and pleas don't die.

Love Aaron x

XO

Aaron,

Yesterday I did my first ever jump and I may aswell tell you that I was scared shitless. Never in my life have I experienced something as exhilarating nor as terrifying. I mean, as I soared through the air (or dropped to the ground, whichever you prefer), all I could think was that these men were shooting at me, ME. Jackson Walsh. Crazy, eh?

I don't know how long it will take to get this letter to you, so I don't know, maybe you'll have moved on or whatever. Or maybe this letter will get lost in the mail. Who knows, eh? I'm going to be honest mate, because I might just die.

I love you Aaron Livesy. I love your stupid haircut and your moody face. I love everything about you, even your childish antics. Please don't give up on me, Aaron.

Love always,

Jackson x x

XO

Ryan,

I love you

Adam

XO

Adam,

You are such a creep. I don't love you.

Ryan

XO

So sorry for the delay you guys! And I know that this one is short but get this, my best friends boyfriend CAME Out…!

Like, oh my God, no one was expecting that! And then I felt weird writing slash for a couple of days cause I was just kind of like Jesus… It was all very strange lads! But thanks for your patience anyway! Means a lot! Love you all. nxmxn