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Chapter 22: Caught in the Act

Rachel just had to get away from it all. To get some fresh air at the very least. She was sure that Eddie would have noticed but he had been busy at the bar getting a round of drinks in. So maybe Rachel would have a few moments to gather her thoughts.

She allowed her back to hit the wall outside of the pub with an audible thumb as the conversations so far that evening washed over her. Rachel couldn't decide what was worse - Christopher's comments said deliberately to wind Eddie up, or Adam's constant flirting towards her. Which was obviously getting to Eddie too.

It was weird how Rachel was actually glad of all the questions from the staff about Eddie's presence. For once she felt like thanking Steph and Grantley for their prying. From asking if she and Eddie were back together, to questioning how it had happened, anything was better than giving Christopher and Adam the attention they wanted.

Even as Rachel and Eddie had been sat with their sides pressed together, his arm draped around her shoulders, Adam still had the nerve to throw constant advances her way. Rachel knew that Eddie had been biting his tongue on several occasions, and did comment once or twice. She couldn't help but think that his reaction would have been far more substantial than it was if she hadn't consistently been placing a hand on his arm or leg. Anything to stop him lashing out. Because that would only make Christopher and Adam think that they'd gotten through to them.

As Rachel heard the door to the pub open and close, she presumed that it would be Eddie. But as she turned, Rachel was somewhat surprised to see Kim standing there, giving her a sympathetic smile. Rachel had almost forgotten, amongst everything, that Kim knew pretty much all of what had gone on.

"That's your brother in there, isn't it?"

Rachel pushed herself up off of the wall, a faint smile at Kim was all she could muster, "I'm… afraid so Kim, yes."

"God. He's worse than Adam. I mean… with me being sat close to you, I heard pretty much all of what was said."

Rachel lifted her hand up to her head, sighing, "don't tell me the rest of the staff heard?"

"Oh, no! Well, they didn't say anything. And I think Steph… or Grantley definitely would have. Maybe Chris heard but I think he'd rather stay out of it."

Rachel nodded, accepting Kim's answer, "you know, I'm weirdly thankful for their prying this evening."

Kim frowned in confusion, tilting her head, "the questions about Eddie?"

Rachel raised her eyebrows, "yeah," she huffed out a laugh, almost in disbelief at herself, "at least it caused a distraction from… you know…"

"Rachel, if there's anything I can do."

She smiled in response, genuinely now, "thanks Kim."

Kim pointed her thumb back towards the pub entrance, angling her head, "are you coming back in? Eddie wanted to come out when he'd noticed you were gone, but I said I would."

Once again Rachel smiled, partly at Eddie's consideration and partly in thanks to Kim.

"You go on in. I'll be right behind you in a moment."

"Okay, if you're sure," Kim commented as she reached the door, before sharing one last smile with Rachel and entering.

Rachel's back hit the wall for a second time as she sighed. No doubt Eddie would be out soon, worrying about if she was okay. Rachel felt a lump form in her throat at the thought - no one had ever cared about her to the extent that Eddie did. He would always have her back.

Part of Rachel wanted to go back on what she said to Kim and wait until Eddie undoubtedly showed his face. She felt as though she needed a couple of moments alone with him.

Rachel was just toying with the idea when she heard the pub door open and close once more - but this time it was the side entrance. She frowned slightly as she pushed herself up off of the wall, still expecting it to be Eddie but wondering why he hadn't come out of the main door.

But it wasn't Eddie. That was made completely clear as the light from the lamp shone down to reveal Adam.

Rachel turned towards the door, intending to make her way back in, but Adam was fast, and he was by her side within an instant.

The fact that he'd had a lot to drink worried Rachel. He was far more likely to do something stupid. He had always been like that as a teenager, even before Christopher manipulated him.

So it was but wasn't a shock when he grabbed Rachel's blouse, bunching it up in his hand before shoving her against the wall.

His other hand went to her throat and Rachel wasn't even sure if her feet were touching the ground.

Her eyes kept flicking towards the door as Adam's hand tightened around her throat, praying that Eddie would make an appearance.

Rachel turned her eyes back to Adam's at some point, not liking the mixture of determination and anger she found there.

"Stop… this. Adam…" she managed to wheeze out whilst gasping for breath.

Strangely, he listened to some extent, letting go of her neck but shoving his other hand back into her chest to keep her against the wall.

"Tell me why you don't love me. Tell me why you've never loved me."

Rachel could smell the alcohol on Adam's breath, whiskey - she guessed, and almost gagged at the scent.

That was soon forgotten though as Adam grabbed at her blouse again, pulling at it and ripping one of the buttons off in the process. She whimpered, hating this hold he now had over her. Adam shoved his body into hers, face millimetres away from her own as he smirked.

Rachel just wanted someone to come out of that door, it didn't have to be Eddie now, just anyone. Anyone to stop this from going any further.

Rachel shut her eyes, not wanting to believe this was happening as she continued to breath heavily. The hand that had previously been wrapped around her throat, travelled down her body and went to her hip. Adam dug his fingers into her skin, no doubt bruising her with the pressure.

It was then that Rachel finally got her breath back, and was just about to call out for help when the pub doors swung open, smashing against the wall to reveal Eddie.

He had stormed over within seconds, grabbing hold of Adam's shoulders and shoving him off of Rachel. Instantly he stood in between them both.

Eddie's fist collided with Adam's face next, causing him to stumble backwards, "how very dare you?!" he bellowed as Adam picked himself up off the floor.

Adam began to walk off as he scoffed and it was then that Christopher appeared from the side entrance, joining Adam to walk away.

It was Christopher who turned, strolling backwards to give Rachel and Eddie a smirk simultaneously.

"Did you enjoy that sis? I'm sure Adam over here did."

Eddie lunged forwards, obviously intending to give Christopher the same treatment that he did Adam. But Rachel needed him and that was obviously emphasised for Eddie as she tugged on his arm.

Eddie spun around as soon as Christopher and Adam were out of sight, pulling her close to him straight away.

Rachel melted into his embrace gladly, allowing the sobs to come with the knowledge that Eddie was the only person she could ever truly be vulnerable in front of.

"Hey, I've got you now," Eddie spoke softly as he smoothed a hand up and down her back, placing a kiss on her temple, "I've got you now."

"I can't do it Eddie," she managed to get out, "I can't… be in the same building as him, I…"

Eddie pulled back just enough so that eye contact could be made and he brought a thumb up to brush Rachel's tears away gently.

"No one's expecting you to. That's not going to happen."

"But how Eddie? I love my job I…"

"Rachel," he spoke gently, keeping his hand at the side of her face, "you're going to have to report this. What he's just done to you. It's assault, Rachel."

"Oh and who's going to believe me Eddie?"

Rachel questioned this with the worst case scenario side of her brain, even as she realised that there would be CCTV outside of the pub, and no doubt bruises on her hip and marks on her chest and neck. Not to mention the fact that Kim had heard Christopher and Adam taunting them all evening.

Eddie had obviously seen the realisation sweep across Rachel's face, as he smiled faintly before confirming what she'd thought, "the police will be able to get the CCTV easy enough."

Rachel nodded, blinking back a fresh wave of tears, "it's not just that Eddie."

"What do you mean?" he tilted his head.

Rachel closed her eyes shut tightly, willing the images that were flashing across her eyes to stop. Images of Adam's face as he pinned her against the wall. The feel of his hand digging into her hip and the grip of his other hand on her throat. She just wanted them to go away.

"Rachel," Eddie whispered, obviously concerned after she had remained silent for some time.

She opened her eyes at the sound of his voice, comforted by that alone. Eddie was right, he had her now, he was here with her now. She just had to keep letting him in with this one. Because she most definitely needed him.

"Can we ring a taxi Eddie? To the police station. I'll… tell you what I mean on the way."

Eddie nodded, wrapping his arms around Rachel to once more bring her into an embrace.

"Of course we can. I'm here for you Rachel."

She pressed a soft kiss to the side of his neck, the only place she could currently reach.

"I know you are. I love you Eddie."

"I love you too."

….

Eddie didn't think that he had ever been so angry than what he was the moment he saw Rachel pinned up against the wall, Adam towering over her. He didn't think twice before colliding his fist with the man's face. But then he did, with Christopher, when it had dawned on him that Rachel needed his support. In the form of care, not in the form of punching her brother.

Eddie knew that his rage towards Adam and Christopher was still very much there as he had brought Rachel into his arms. But he had managed to push it down enough. Because Rachel was his first priority and the woman he loved. So it was more about how sheer upset and heartbreak had replaced the fury, upon seeing Rachel break down like she had.

Now, as they sat in the taxi, Rachel had her arms wrapped around him with her head resting against his chest, as if she never wanted to let go. Eddie had never seen her this vulnerable before. And of course he was glad that she was being so open with him, but at the same time, it broke Eddie's heart.

He found himself wondering what Rachel had meant when she'd said 'it's not just that.' Eddie knew that Rachel had said she would explain in the taxi, so he was more than willing to hold on until she was ready. But Eddie had noticed the way she'd flinched as his hand brushed over her hip. He felt the anger rising in him as he wondered if Adam had hurt her in more ways than shoving her body towards the wall.

As if somehow sensing his thoughts, Rachel looked up at Eddie, tears still swimming in her eyes as she obviously thought about what she was going to say.

"What I meant… when I said it's not just the CCTV," Rachel paused and Eddie reached a hand out to brush the hair back from her face, both lovingly and encouragingly, "Adam didn't just… shove me against the wall Eddie."

Eddie felt himself tense as his fears were confirmed. He let out a breath that he didn't realise he'd been holding as Rachel continued to speak.

"Yes I've… probably got marks… or bruises even, on my chest… from what you saw. From Adam… pushing me against the wall," she stopped again, swallowing thickly this time, "but before you… came. One of his hands went to my throat. And he… almost lifted me up off the ground whilst doing that. And then…"

"Rachel you… don't have to tell me this if you don't want to," Eddie spoke, blinking back the tears himself now.

"No Eddie I… I do," she took a few moments then, exhaling deeply whilst shutting her eyes, "his other hand travelled down my body and stopped at my hip… no doubt, bruising it."

Eddie didn't know what to do with himself. If he was alone there's no doubt he would have punched a wall or something by now. Just to let out the anger that was lingering within him. Instead he pulled Rachel closer to him, planting a kiss in her hair. He knew that she needed him more now than ever. And he wasn't about to let her down.