Eddie opened the door slowly and the sight that he encountered before him was more heartbreaking than the previous evening. Eddie made his way cautiously towards the shower,taking his shirt off,he opened the glass shower door and sitting next to Rachel,who didn't even batter an eyelid at his appearance. The cold water washed over the two figures as Eddie watched her intently,her eyes were clods facing the ceiling,trying to take some comfort from the cascading water. "Speak to me,"he whispered softly into her ear. The gentility made Rachel want to crumble and she may as well get the explaining over and done with. "What do you want to know?" The question and the tone of her voice was blunt and cold, matching the feel of the water streaming from the shower head, but Eddie understood. "Why are you telling me all of a sudden?" He stayed calm,he knew this was a touchy subject and that he had to tread carefully,otherwise he would put his foot in it. "Because...I know it'll come out. It always does and I'd rather tell you personally than you find out,"there was no indication of any emotion present in her voice,it was like he was trying to have a conversation with a robot, who was programmed to say these things. "How do you know?"
"I just do Eddie,"she snapped back unintentionally. The first glimpse if emotion straining through. "Please tell me Rach, I may be able to help,"Eddie replied pleadingly almost and with a hint if desperation present. "Ben," was the simple answer Rachel gave,her reply was strained as sounded exasperated as she stared at the drainpipe, not daring to look at Eddie in the eyes'. "Ben? As in Ben Jones? Science teacher?" Rachel nodded her head as Eddie looked at her in disbelief. Before Eddie was able to open his mouth to ask her another question she answered,"he used to run the agency. He was the one who took me in. He..he...um used to use me a lot,because I was the youngest. He never got caught by the police,"the rest of the story just came babbling out her mouth uncontrollably. Eddie shifted closer to her and pulled her in close,"oh Rach ,we'll get through this together. I'm your best friend remember?" He quoted from the time that Rachel and Eddie were in the pub just idly chatting when Rachel said that. He managed to stifle a giggle out of her,"yeah I remember...there's something else as well." Rachel added hesitantly.
"What is it?" Eddie said gliding his hand through her wet hair.
"He's blackmailed me...he said if I don't run the school the way he wants it then my secret comes out. I don't want to lose my job Eddie,"Rachel started to cry again at the prospect of this. Eddie stood up,pulling Rachel with him. They were now standing opposite each other with the water still pouring between them,"I promise you Rach,we will not let you lose your job,"determination was prominent in his voice as he held her hands . Eddie pulled Rachel towards him again, so she was now embracing him,"I promise you that."Eddie kissed her forehead as they stood there in each others embrace.
Tell me what you all think...later on in the fic it will become a lot less angsty and more fluffly.