Feeling lighter than she had in a while, Rachel took a long route back to her office so she could simply walk the corridors of her school with a smile on her face. It had been a while since she'd simply appreciated how far she'd come, how much she enjoyed running the school and admiring the fact she was able to do so. With all Stuart's attempts to out her past, she found herself reflecting on the fact that she wasn't as ashamed of it as she first thought she was. Of course, she didn't want it to be public knowledge to her entire staff team and every student in the school. But it was also something to be quite proud of. She'd been in an awful place, an awful position and making choices that no child should ever have to make. But she got herself out of that, fought back stronger and not only got herself an education, but also fought her way to the top. There was a reason she was one of the countries youngest head teachers, and that was because she worked bloody hard to get that position. Plus, not everyone had such a negative reaction to her past. Some actually accepted it, and even loved her for it. Sure, they hadn't said those words to each other yet. But Rachel thought that she just might let them slip soon as she snuck a glance in at Eddie in full teacher mode as he got stuck into a lesson with year 9s on triangles.

She was enjoying her peaceful walk far too much to notice a presence behind her, until it was entirely too late and she found Steph following her into her office just seconds after she walked into it herself. "Can't I get a minutes peace?" But her words held no venom, refusing to drop her good mood even as she turned to face the blonde woman who at least had the decency to look sheepish.

Steph had noticed Rachel's smile, which is why she'd kept her distance instead of calling out to her in the corridor. She didn't want to be the one to break the spell she was under, but also couldn't leave it. "You've really done it this time Rachel, he's furious." There was no use sugarcoating it, so she simply laid it on the table. Truthfully, she was still slightly shaken after the conversation she'd had with Stuart over the phone.

"Does nobody in this school ever actually teach?" Rachel took off her coat and sat in her seat, gesturing for Steph to take one too as she was sure this wasn't going to be a short conversation.

"Save the hysterics for Eddie."

Rachel decided to ignore that little joke, rolling her eyes as she pointed out the obvious. "Isn't that what we wanted anyway? Stuart furious?"

"Well yeah." Steph stated the obvious, but didn't quite know how to survey the way Stuart had spoken to her. He was furious, an anger she'd never heard present in anyone else's voice as he described exactly how he was planning to ruin her bosses life. Even if she wasn't secretly helping Rachel, Steph definitely wouldn't feel comfortable with hearing anyone so gleeful about causing so much hurt and upset. "But he's upped his game. He's coming into school, tomorrow. He wants everyone to know."

"Do you know what Steph? Let him."

"Excuse me?" Steph's mouth dropped open, eyes blinking comically as she shook her head to clear her ears and hopefully would hear Rachel right the next time she spoke.

"You heard me, let him come. Because I'll have an army waiting for him when he arrives. If he's coming tomorrow then I'm going to be prepared."

"What are you going to do?"

Rachel shook her shoulders casually, a small smirk on her face as her eyes sparked with mischief. This was the moment she'd been waiting for, her confidence fully restored and the old Rachel truly back on top form. "Win."

Steph was baffled as Rachel picked up the phone, that same determined look on her face. "Colin? It's Rachel Mason. I realised I never actually spoke to you about what I originally called for this morning. It is important."

Steph's eyes widened as she realised exactly what the headteacher was planning. She slipped from the office, poked her head into Eddie's classroom. There was a half dozen sixth-formers in there, and she quickly waved Eddie out. "What's wrong?"

"You need to go talk to your girlfriend."

He raised an eyebrow. "Why, what's she done?"

She told him, and his eyes widened slightly. She crossed her arms unhappily. "She's moving too fast," she said, "she's panicking."

"I'll talk to her. Watch that lot for me."

She spluttered, but he was already striding away down the corridor. "What do I know about maths?" she muttered, but went into the classroom anyway.

When Eddie walked into her office, Rachel had already hung up the phone. She quirked an eyebrow at him as he entered, resisting the urge to sigh. "I'm beginning to feel like a child who's tattled on every time she does something," she commented.

He smiled faintly, flopped into a chair. "Are you sure?" he asked simply. She looked taken aback for a moment, before nodding.

"I am. This has gone on long enough. Even if this ends up in the worst possible scenario… at least it will have been on my terms and not Stuart bloody Hordley's."

He gave her a nod. "Okay. So- just how good was his expression when he saw you?"

She grinned. "Picture perfect."

Steph expected Eddie to return to say he'd sorted it, but he simply shrugged his shoulders in response. "She's a big girl Steph, she makes her decisions and I support what she wants." He settled his class with one look from behind the door, having taken Steph into the empty corridor to give them some privacy.

"You mean you're whipped." Steph quipped, smirking at him as she teased him gently. In all honestly she longed for what they had, the undeniable support and the way they protected one another through whatever it was they needed to face. Steph had her suspicions about the two of them for a while, knew pretty much as soon as Eddie arrived that he was off limits. Even after Matt found out he was single and begged her to try her luck, she saw the looks that passed between the two and knew her trying would be pretty pointless.

Eddie couldn't deny it, had been caught red handed. "Maybe so."

"Have you told her yet?" Steph probed, knowing that by his reaction that he probably hadn't.

"Told her what?"

"That you're in love with her."

Eddie practically choked on air, spluttering his words and shaking his head. "I have a class to teach, goodbye Steph." He began to walk away, done with the conversation now.

"You should tell her."

He heard her call out after him, but didn't stop as he walked back into his classroom and away form Steph's questions. With some miracle, he managed to continue his class as normal and got his year 13s back on track to complete the much needed revision before their exams. He answered any questions or worries they had before sending them on their way to the common room. He said it was so they could revise what they wished, but it was partly because he needed some time alone. He'd come to say those three words a few times to Rachel over past weeks, but stopped himself each time. He didn't want to scare her away, didn't want to come on too strong and give her reason to run. But Steph's words ran through his mind repeatedly, what if that was something she needed to hear? What if she was holding back for the same reasons, and didn't want to share her own thoughts through fear of rejection. Suddenly, he felt like he had a very bold statement to make and with 10 minutes until his next class, just the right amount of time to do it. He wasn't one for grand gestures, neither of them were. Rachel wouldn't appreciate the suspense of a romantic meal and a long winded speech. So he set off towards her office and only just stopped himself from barging in once more. Bridget told him she was alone, so he slipped into the room and was grateful she wasn't on the phone. She just about looked up from her screen and gave him a smile.

"Just the person. Colin is coming tomorrow morning, and I've got Steph to push Stuart off until after lunch so there's plenty of time." She whittled off all she'd been planning proudly, not aware that Eddie was barely listening until he was stood right in front of her. "Are you listening to me?" She teased gently, noticing the serious look on his face and wondering if something else was the matter.

"Do you know I'm in love with you?" He asked, completely out of the blue and not giving anyone a chance to mishear him as he took hold of her hands and pulled her up to stand with him.

But Rachel still shook her head as if to clear her ears, her eyes large as she blinked multiple times in confusion. "What?" She'd heard him perfectly well, just wanted to hear it one more time to be sure.

Eddie smiled softly, knowing she'd need more than that. "Rachel Mason, are you aware that I am hopelessly, head over heels in love with you?"