Part 9

2 months without the support that I need, 62 days without the friendship that I relied on, 87 658.1277 minutes without the man that made my heart soar and 5 259 487.66 seconds without the man that my heart craves.

Sitting on the sofa in her office, Rachel was looking at the photo, waiting for the recent feeling of sickness to subside for another day. The colour that had been lacking in her face was returning due the memories that this picture held which was one reason why it had previously been placed on her desk, although for many weeks it had been held firmly in her thoughts and feelings. When did it all change…if only we could go back to this time where we wouldn't have spent 8 weeks not talking to one another and it seems the longer we have left it the harder we find it to hold a conversation any longer than a couple of minutes and it is never about anything other than work.

The photo was taken last year at the school play which had been a huge success despite all of Rachel's concerns it was at the end and the staff were having a few drinks to celebrate its success. Rachel wasn't even aware of it being taken as Steph had been let loose with the camera and Rachel was too busy listening to what Eddie was telling her; the light was reflected upon her face showing the radiant smile that was mirrored on Eddie's face with their bodies too close to one another to be colleagues although neither of them would let their barriers slip to allow anything more.

Rachel was broken from her thoughts with the sound of someone knocking on the door. I hope that this is Eddie because I will really try to repair the differences between us.

The disappointment on Rachel's face was evident when the intruder introduced themselves to the woman who was sitting with one finger stroking the image of the man in front of her and the other hand was rested on her stomach.

"Hi Miss Mason there is a Mr. Pearce to see you" Joyce questioned wondering whether Rachel knew about this visit to which she received her reply by the broad smile that was fixed on her face, "I'll send him in then" Joyce exclaimed as she walked out the room considering how Rachel know the man. Although I don't know what happened between her and Mr. Lawson I know that she has been struggling from it.

Eddie slammed the mug down on the kitchen work-surface causing his colleagues to question what had happened to him, resulting in the bad temper. "I think we can safely say he and the illustrious leader haven't resolved their differences" Grantly stated as he looked to Steph and Matt who were nodding in agreement.

Steph was actually starting to feel sorry for the pair of them as it was clear that they wanted to resolve their rift in the friendship but at every attempt they failed. I must admit I didn't think it would last for this long, it has been two months since the pair of them stopped in their companionship as now they only appear to talk about work and they never talk to one another as friends.

Steph placed her hand and immediately he lifted his head to observe the person who had offered such a gesture; Steph noticed the disappointed expression that was evident in his face when he realised that it was Steph rather than the women that he craved. "Eddie I'm actually quite a good listener do you want to talk about it?" Steph asked expecting Eddie to refuse especially as she was known as the school gossip however the slight confirming of the proposal was witnessed by Steph as she followed Eddie out of the staff-room to his classroom; the one place where the majority of his time seemed to be spent recently.

"Hi Rachel, are you feeling any better" he asked as he walked into the room shutting the office door with Rachel happy to allow him to accompany her in the one place which she considered her sanctity. Rachel stood up from the sofa and walked towards him being held in his embrace resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm better now that you are here" Rachel responded and the smile that where fixed on both of their faces told them that they had everything that they needed.

Eddie shut the door as he wondered what had possessed him to agree to talk to Steph; I wonder how long before this is spread around the staff-room but it's not as though I can express many of Rachel's feelings because I don't know them as it would involve her talking to be…something that doesn't feel like it has happened for a life-time never mind the 8 weeks that it has actually been.

"I don't know what I can do…I mean I've tried everything and it doesn't seem make the situation between us any better" Eddie said with the frustration being evident in his voice while the expression on his face showed the pain that he was feeling due to the distance which was apparent between Rachel and Eddie.

"Eddie…" Steph paused not quite knowing how to continue her statement due to the lack of knowledge that she had on the subject although she was aware of the challenge that Eddie had involving Rachel's barriers. Seeing the helpless expression on Eddie's face had caused her to get involved therefore she continued the statement knowing that it may be the opinion expressed by her that may solve the troubled relationship between them.

"Can you remember what you fell out about?" Steph enquired hoping that the pair of them would be able to unlock the mystery as to why they had fallen out in the first place, Eddie nodded and replied, "I asked her…"Eddie paused wondering whether it was a good idea to say the reason to Steph. Seeing the hesitation on Eddie's face, Steph stated, "don't worry whatever gets said in these four walls will stay between us". Although Eddie sometimes questioned her teaching ability they could never question her morals or ethics therefore he knew that he didn't have anything to lose, "I asked to go for a drink with me to which she accepted however when we were talking about the way our friendship had improved she kept brushing me off almost as if she was trying to deny that they were any feelings there other than friendship…I questioned her upon it and she said she wasn't ready for a relationship. Then Mel came" Eddie explained to which Steph was starting to realise that Eddie's feelings for Rachel ran deeper than she had first anticipated.

The pair of them were sitting on the sofa with Darren's arm wrapped around Rachel's shoulder while she had her head resting on his chest. "I've been waiting to tell everybody that I work with" Darren said while running his fingers through Rachel's hair. On recognition as to what he said caused Rachel to immediately lift her head from his chest to look into his eyes, "have you told anyone?" Rachel asked dreading what the answer was going to be. Darren smiled back at Rachel trying to relieve her fears, "no I promised you that I wouldn't say anything until next month" Darren responded which made Rachel look relieved, "thank you it's just that…" Rachel was paused by Darren placing a finger on her lips gently, "shush it doesn't matter I respect your opinion and I love you Rachel Mason".

Rachel smiled at the man she was leaning against and replied, "I love you too Darren Pearce".