Disclaimer: I dont own Waterloo Road or any of its characters.

Authors note: for the reviewer that asked about Nikki. Its just pure coincidence that I picked that name. Ive been working on this fic for years but only just got round to posting so apart from the main characters all others are mine and stay the same.

Rachel headed back to the school where she went up to the office. She took her coat off and hung it up with her bag on the rack; she checked her emails before going to Kim's office where she was sat up to the laptop. She knocked on the door and entered as Kim looked at her; she sat down as Kim handed her a piece of paper.

"What do you think?"

"It's brilliant, just what the school needs. Who designed it?"

"Ros and Chlo worked together."

"Wow; I am kinda surprised."

"I was too; I think they did it for Nikki more than anything."

"They're certainly good friends for Nikki, especially now."

"How is she?" Kim asked.

"Struggling a little bit; they've let them back into the house."

"What about her mom?"

"It's just a matter of time; she'll wake up when she's ready."

"That must be hard for her."

"It was emotional watching her at her moms beside"

"You've never had to deal with anything like this before; it's hard to knkw how to react."

"I just...wish I knew the right thing to say to her, that's all; I don't want her rushing back if she isn't ready."

"You would've said the right thing, you always do; Nikki will be fine."

"How's the preparations for the open day going?"

"Good; I've just got to get the flyers photocopied and handed out. Bridget's got the letter ready; she just needs your signature to get them out and all departments are starting to plan."

"Good; nice to know some things are going okay." She said before giving the flyer to Kim and heading to the door.

"Rachel, don't put yourself down; you are the best head this school has ever seen."

"Dont be so sure." She answered before leaving.

She went to her office and sat on the sofa as she stared aimlessly into this air; she could feel, for the first time ever, the tears rolling down her face. She hadn't felt like this in a long time; working at Waterloo Road was what she wanted to do. She tried to hide the tears as there was a knock on the door; Tom entered and shut the door. Seeing her so upset, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair as she snughled against him; she sighed and wiped away the tears as she looked up at him; henkissed her forehead before staring into her eyes.

"What's wrong? You haven't got this upset in months, not since your..."

"It's nothing." She answered, cutting him off.

"I know that's not true; I've seen the news about that girl. She the one you're worried about, isn't she?"

"It's my job."

"Not when what happened to your mom is exactly the same; you didnt take time out to grieve."

"She was attacked and died; I'm over it."

"You're not though, you know you're not."

"What are you doing here Tom?" She askdd as she walked over and sat at her desk.

"I just wanted to check you were okay? You were quiet at breakfast, barely said a word" he answered as he sat opposite her.

"I'm fine; there's just a lot going on here so go home; I'll see you later."

"How about I cook us something tonight?"

"Fine."

"Don't let it get to you; you're a good head."

She smiled and nodded as Tom kissed her and left; she pulled out a framed photo from her desk drawer and looked at him. Tom was rigbt; she hadn't took the time out to grieve; she just threw herself in her job. She stood the photo on her desk before turning to her laptop; she opened up her emails and sent a message to Kim, it read: 'can you come to the office when you have a minute? Need to ask something important'. She sighed and got started on all her planning for the rest of the week. A couple of hours later, she looked up as there was a knock on the door and Kim walked in; she sat opposite her as Rachel closed her laptop.

"Are you okay? You message sounded a little urgent and...?"

"I need you to take over as Head for the week; I need some emergency leave."

"Sure but why? Is everything okay?"

"Six months ago, just before we came back after the summer, I lost my mom; she was attacked...I threw myself into my work but I never gave myself any time to grieve. With everything that's happening with Nikki, it's just brought it all back..."

"I can imagaine; I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"I thought I could deal with it and I thought I had but obviously not; it's the six month anniversary on Wednesda think I need to be with Tom."

"Course; it sounds like you could do with it."

"Thanks; all the planning is done and in this folder. I know I can trust you to sort out the open day stuff; if you do need anything or approval for something, just let me know."

"This place will be fine; you concentrate on yourself for a while."

"Thanks Kim; I'm still going to check in with Nikki everyday. I think she needs a familiar face and probably somebody who understands what she is going through, you know?"

"Okay."

"I appreciate you doing this; im going to head off straightaway I think."

"Go on, you get off."

"Thanks."

Rachel put her coat on and picked up her laptop and handbag and leaving; she went home to the flat where Tom was in the kitchen. She put her bags down and struggled to fight back the tears; she ran into Tom's arms as he kissed her.

"It's gonna be okay; I'm here."

She sighed and cried against him.