A/N: This chapter is a little filler for the next one. The italics are from when Rachel met Holly. Many thanks to everyone still reading, and a special thanks to hannah5240, Mrs Carmichael, Lynny, RachelMasonFan39 and fayeftvanity.

The collateral damage of love

Time.

They say time heals you.

They sat, just like many times before and awaited the many questions that the Dr had for them. It had been a whirlwind since they had last met him. She hadn't been ready to talk before and insisted that she needed a few days to recollect her thoughts. And so, on a Thursday afternoon, here they were again. Rachel, Eddie and Dr Williams.

Dr Williams began the session, aware of what had happened after having a one on one with Eddie.

'Eddie came to see me, he said you've met ...'. He took a long pause and wondered how he would approach such a troublesome topic. He gave it a while before testing her.

'Holly'.

After bringing himself to name the little girl, he searched her for a reaction. She winced, but not as much as he might have thought. To convince both Eddie and the Dr, she made it clear how she felt.

'I'm okay. I think I can talk about it', she said watching both men as they looked at her.

Dr Williams thought about questioning her honesty, but he gave her the benefit of the doubt and let her continue in her own time.

'I've been selfish. I .. I put my own feelings first, and that was wrong', she stuttered unable to hide the guilt that ran deeply within her.

'That's not true, Rachel. You needed time', Eddie objected as he looked for confirmation from the Dr. A slight nod from him was enough to give Eddie the confidence that his statement was true.

'It was wrong of me. I've denied her of an auntie because I couldn't handle it. I was weak'. She had never liked to admit that she were wrong, but, she knew she had been.

'Rachel, I think-', Eddie began before Dr Williams decided that now was the time to address the situation.

'Do you remember what we spoke about? About fixing yourself? That's what you needed to do, Rachel. There would have been major repercussions if you would have built a relationship in that state'.

. . .

The small child awaited her auntie to follow her to the living room. She was eager to show her the countless toys that had accumulated on the carpet.

It had hit Rachel just how much she had missed. She was completely transfixed by the scene unfolding in front of her. Looking over to Eddie, she found him observing her. She blushed at the thought of him watching her. Leaning her body against the frame of the door, she smiled.

'She's beautiful Eddie. She looks just like you', she whispered.

'You think?', he asked gently. He knew that at any moment it may get too much and she wouldn't be able to cope.

'Yes'.

'Do you want a coffee, or something a little stronger?', he questioned.

'A coffee will be fine, thank you,' she answered. On watching him leave the room, she was unsure whether to follow him or remain with Holly. Naturally, she didn't want to leave her unsupervised.

'She'll be okay', Eddie called out to her on noticing that she remained unsure what to do.

. . .

Dr Williams cleared his throat before adverting his eyes back to her.

'Do you think you'd like to see her again?', he quizzed.

'I think it's important that I do', Rachel replied as she looked to him. Deep down, she knew exactly what she had to do.

'I'd like you to see her again, Rach. But only if you're sure'. She knew that Eddie craved for her to build a relationship, and in all honesty, she owed him that at least.

'I think I've realised that Holly was never a- ...a replacement'.

. . .

She stood at the door of his kitchen, watching as he made them both a coffee. She'd thought many things but one thing had played upon her. He was the most beautiful father. She had known this from experience with Michael, but taking on the role of Holly's main parental carer had really tested him, and by God, he was doing a brilliant job. She brought herself closer to him by edging slowly into the kitchen. Watching as he noticed her presence, she told him exactly where her thoughts had wandered to.

'It suits you Eddie, you know, being a father'. Her statement made his heart warm, and he handed her the cup of coffee.

'Thanks. I guess I'm lucky this time around and not like with Michael-..', he halted. He had crossed the line. He brought the gap between them closer in hope to save her from running.

'I didn't mean-', Eddie started before he found her eyes focusing on him. A deep pool of sadness engulfing them.

'And because you didn't get to have the chance with our baby?', she asked him quietly. Quickly, he brought the palm of his hand to her cheek, and gently kissed the top of her head.

'I didn't have the chance, no. I would have loved our child, Rachel'.

. . .

Eddie had given her the comfort that she had badly craved for all these years. The countless sessions with Dr William's had helped for sure, but this was different.
Admitting that she needed help was only the beginning. Confronting her fears would save her and it would lead her to find peace within herself.

Little did she know that Eddie craved so much more than for her to just fix herself. He wanted her all to himself. Selfish? It may have been just that.

Eddie wanted her to be his wife, and to some, the revelation had been absurd.