Rachel waited and held her breath, too scared to make a single sound as she watched Colin take in the information she was sharing. He seemed frozen for a moment, no emotion passing over his face before he finally lifted his eyes back to her. "Did you just.. you were? .. I mean, really?" He didn't mean to insinuate she was lying, but this was never something Colin had considered. It wasn't a situation he was trained in when he'd taken his job with the LEA, so he really had no idea how to handle it.

But Rachel was prepared for it, knew she was handing out some hard to believe information and it would need a bit more to simply get some acceptance. So she began her story, in the same way she told Eddie.

"I was 17 and thing were bad at home, so I got the offer to make £1,000 a week. It took me 2 years to get out of it, and I got myself an education. That's why I'm here Colin. Because I care, because it saved me and I want to save others." She'd never receive the same support she had from Eddie, because she always had that anyway. They'd both harbored feelings for one another since they met, and he'd felt a sudden need to protect her from Stuart and his threats. But she hoped she had done the right thing in telling Colin, prayed that he wasn't going to force her to lay down and take whatever Stuart threw at her.

Colin had to take a large breath, digesting the information he was being given by a woman he had admired since she took over. He knew her beforehand, had helped her to get the headship when they knew Jack Rimmer was on his way out. So to hear this, to hear what she'd been through and how she'd come so far, was a lot to take in. Only it fueled his anger for Stuart, made him want to know exactly what it was they were facing and what they needed to do. "You were a child? And Stuart is using this to get his contract? What has he done?"

Quickly Rachel was filling Colin in on all Stuart had done and the threats he'd made. She included all about the dinners he'd forced her into and the way he'd used Bolton and other children as a way to get to her, knowing there was no point leaving anything out anymore. When she finished, she saw Colin still processing it but knew they didn't have much time left. "He's going to come here and tell my past to all the school. He doesn't care anymore, he just wants me out of a job. If I have to leave after this? Then fair enough, but the school and the kids shouldn't suffer for my mistakes." She finally sat upright, her posture strong as she spoke about her school, knowing it may not be hers for much longer. "What do we do then Colin? Do I have your support?"

The second it took him to answer seemed like an eternity. "You do. It's not going to be easy, mind you. And Rachel, I can't guarantee…"

"I'm not asking you to," she said hastily. "I just… need someone on my side."

His reply was instant. "You have that."

Her relief was instantaneous and written all over her face. "Thank you, Colin. Truly."

"I have some people to see." He stood, but paused before leaving, looking at her. On a whim, he reached out and took both her hands in his. "You had my deepest respect before this, Rachel. It has only grown."

Against her will, tears sprang into her eyes. It was hardly professional, but since she rather suspected that label was going to be difficult to keep over the next few days, she couldn't bring herself to worry over it. She managed to smile at him, her voice barely holding together. "Thank you."

Eddie paced up and down his classroom, too anxious to even attempt the begin the pile of marking he had on his desk, or to sit down, for that matter. Steph was perched on one of the desks, watching him. She had half a mind to say something sarcastic, or tease him about spending so much time with Rachel he was beginning to worry like her, only the words wouldn't quite come. She'd never admit it aloud, but her own anxiety swirled in her stomach, and she desperately wished she had a bottle of something strong to soothe her nerves.

The pair remained in silence, often glancing at the clock. It wasn't long before Eddie sat, fingers tapping against the desk. He changed position, crossed his legs. Uncrossed them. Surged back his feet, began to tidy up the room.

Steph didn't move. Eddie had piled up the books, stacked them on the shelves. Unstacked them, put them back more neatly. Glanced at the clock again.

"That's it, I'm going up there."

"No, you're not." Steph spoke for the first time. "If you attempt to swoop in, you'll undermine her. She has to do this by herself."

He hissed through his teeth, slumping against the desk. "I hate this."

"It won't be much longer," she said confidently, gaze flicking towards the clock. It had been too long already. Eddie stood up and began to pace once again.

He'd completed another six lengths when Rachel appeared, eyes pink but a smile on her face. "He's in," she announced when she was barely through the door, gripping Eddie's arm excitedly.

He took her into his arms immediately, picking her off the floor and swinging her around as she let out a gleeful cry. "What's next?" He asked as he set her down, gently sorting her hair from where it had stuck to her face during his antics. He noticed her expression then, realised she was finally smiling without holding back or feeling strained. He realised what a big deal this was for her, to have told somebody else and really put her life and her career on the line. She knew she had his support no matter what, but there really had been a chance that this was going to be her last day at Waterloo Road. He'd of fought tooth and nail for her, but he was so glad it wasn't coming to that.

Rachel took in the utter joy on Eddie's face and was overcome with emotion for him. He'd sat and waited for her, his support never wavering as she put her job and life on the line whilst telling Colin. He'd made it very clear that the outcome didn't matter, that even if she was thrown out on her ear, he'd still be there to pick her up. She found herself suddenly wondering why she'd never allowed herself to tell him her feelings, to openly share how much she truly did love him. She was just about to, when she heard a cough and realised they weren't alone in the room. As glanced over to Steph, her cheeks turning crimson as she seemingly had gotten lost in Eddie's eyes. She really was worse than the kids.

"Can we answer Eddie's question so I can leave?" Steph looked at her nails to emphasise her point, wanting to escape the love fest but also wanting to know what was happening next. "It's all cute and all, but I'm in for it when Stuart finds out."

Rachel paled at Steph's admission, knowing she was right. The embarrassment immediately faded and left worry in its wake. Steph had been her rock, always there by her side as an unlikely ally throughout this ordeal and she didn't want her to suffer for her own past actions. "He won't." Rachel spoke, her voice rising in volume and confidence as she stood taller. "You go to your classroom and pretend you haven't a clue what's been happening."

Steph was listening, but what Rachel was saying just wasn't adding up. "I can't pretend that Rachel, he'll expect more.. I'm not staying with him!" She practically shouted, enraged that Rachel was even suggesting such a thing.

Rachel shook her head softly, moving away from Eddie and taking a seat across from Steph as they both perched on desks. "Of course I'm not suggesting that. Just.. say you heard what he had done through whispers?"

"And say I don't want anything more to do with him?" Steph wondered out loud, thinking about if it could work. It's possible that he'd be too busy licking his wounds to worry about her, after all she had a feeling that he was only using her anyway. Well, he could add himself to the pile.

Eddie noticed Steph's mind was racing and he found himself walking towards them both, planting himself in between them and resting against his own desk. "He won't be allowed near the school Steph, and he won't do anything more. He's a lot of things, but he only does it for his own gain." He hoped his eyes were sincere, showing the promise he was making. "He won't hurt you."

Steph was somewhat pacified, and Rachel caught a look at the clock. "Colin is rounding up governors and members of the LEA. Pretty much, when Stuart gets here, he'll be greeted by a crowd of them with the knowledge that they already know." Only as she said it did she pale once more. "I just, have to convince a room to them to back me up against him."