Of all the situations Eddie had envisioned for tonight, laying with Rachel in his arms as they both absently watched whatever programme was on TV wasn't one of them. Especially not after earlier that day, but he had a feeling he was going to have to get used to the unexpected around Rachel.

"I'm sorry about today." Rachel spoke suddenly, voice soft as she tilted her head to look up at him from where she was tucked against his side. "I was awful to you."

"Not awful…" Eddie tapped his finger against his chin, and she let out a small laugh, resting her head back against his shoulder.

"I'm still sorry."

"It's okay." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "I'm just glad you told me."

Rachel swallowed thickly, blinking rapidly. "I don't even know his name."

He didn't have to ask who she was talking about. "Rachel, you're going to drive yourself insane." She didn't reply, and somehow that was worse. He tightened his grip, erasing any space left between them. "It's going to be alright."

"How can you say that?"

He smiled faintly. "That's seems to be how this works. You're the worrier and I'm the optimist."

She lifted her head again, looked at him. "Does anything ever faze you?"

He chuckled. "Of course I am. I just don't overthink everything." But instead of laughing, she was silent. Eddie frowned, glanced down at her worriedly. "Rach?"

"I don't do this, Eddie."

"What?"

"This." She sat up, away from him, and gestured between them. "Not ever. The last guy I dated was just that- dates. I never even went to his house. And now you and I..."

"Rachel." He shifted his weight, sitting up straight and reaching for her hand. "It's okay. We'll take it as slow as you need to."

"Don't you see, that's just it!" She wrung her hands together, looking upset. "I don't care with you! I've always taken things at a snail's pace before but now... now this isn't bothering me at all and I don't understand why!"

Eddie blinked. "You're bothered about that fact you aren't bothered?" he checked, fighting to keep the amusement from his voice and she looked disgruntled, almost pouting.

"Don't laugh at me."

"I wouldn't dream of it," he promised, and was almost certain he'd prevented his lips from twitching. She huffed, dropping back to lean against the sofa.

"I know it doesn't make much sense."

He risked reaching out, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and had to tamper down the surge of triumph that rushed through him when she willingly leant into him. "It does make sense," he assured her. "I just also think you're overthinking it. If you're happy, and comfortable, then what does it matter?"

"I suppose so."

"Rachel." He looked at her with narrowed eyes. "If you're not, tell me now."

"No, I am, of course I am." Her fingertips grazed his jaw, her lip caught between her teeth. "I just... you know, part of me wishes I'd never come to Waterloo Road. And the other part of me is so glad I did."

"Well for the record- I'm glad you did too."

"Even if this all goes sideways and I throw the entire reputation of the school into disrepute?"

He shrugged, mouth crooking into a grin. "I'm not sure there was much of a reputation to begin with." Silently, he thought that she'd probably ensured that wasn't going to happen, but he wasn't about to say that aloud.

Rachel went to say something else, but was cut off by the ringing of Eddie's phone. They both jumped at the sound. They'd been on their own little world, her living room turning into a bubble where only the two of them existed but now the ringer was a harsh reminder of life outside, and it was like being plunged into ice water. Eddie scrambled for his mobile, grimacing. "Sorry."

Rachel waved him off but had already pulled away, reaching for her wine and he could practically see her closing herself off again, shoulders tightening. He scowled, then blanched as he glanced down at the caller ID. "I have to take this." He shot her an apologetic glance, hastily retreating from the room before he lifted the phone to his ear and Rachel frowned. That was out of character, and just plain odd. She could hear the murmur of his voice and didn't even realise she'd stood and drifted into the hallway until she was already staring at his back through the sliver of a gap. He'd tried to close the kitchen door behind him but the catch was sticky and had a trick to it that he didn't know about- it had fallen open and now she could hear every word he was saying.

"Really? Nothing at all? Not even his business?"

Now that was a strange comment. She moved closer, waiting as Eddie listened to something.

"No, but I thought there'd be something. Even just in the rumour mill," Eddie was saying. "He's certainly not squeaky clean... no that's true. Oh really?"

She shouldn't be listening to this, Rachel knew, but it was as if her feet had become glued to the floor, incapable of moving away. There was just something, something that told her to keep listening and she couldn't ignore it even as guilt curled in her chest. Eddie hummed down the phone. "No, I don't think that's an option. The situation is complicated... I appreciate that, but it's just not possible. Besides, he'd never admit to blackmail and then it would be his word against hers."

A sinking feeling hit her. There was only one thing she could think that Eddie was talking about, but surely he wouldn't have told someone else?

"I'll try, but I wouldn't be hopeful. Thanks Andy. Yeah, absolutely. Sounds good. Take care."

She could have moved. Could have darted back to the sofa, pretended. But lead weights were attached to her feet and she stood still as Eddie hung up, turned around and visibly started at the sight of her stood just beyond the doorway. They stared at each other through the sliver of a gap, Rachel silent and fearful and Eddie like a rabbit in the headlights, wide eyed and guilty. "Rachel..."

"What was that?"

He'd started forwards, yanked open the door and could see her jumping to conclusions, the wrong conclusions and fear clogged his throat. "It's not what you think..."

"You told someone."

"No-,"

"Don't lie to me!" Her tone was unbearably harsh, and she stepped backwards, hand raising to cover her mouth before she turned, intending to flee. "You need to leave."

"No…" He surged forward, caught her by the upper arms. "Not like this. I didn't tell anyone, I swear. I wouldn't!"

"That's not what it sounded like!"

"I swear," he repeated, a little desperately. "On anything you like. I didn't tell him about you, only about Hordley."

She had stilled in his grasp, still doubtful but more willing to listen. "How does that even work?"

"Andy's in the police- we were at school together, I trust him." Eddie spoke quickly, terrified she'd stop listening. "I told him Hordley was threatening a friend of mine, he offered to look into him on the sly. That's it. I never told him what he was using as blackmail, I never even told him I work with you. I wouldn't do that, Rachel."

For a moment, the only sound was their breathing. When Rachel finally spoke, her voice was unsteady, throat clogging. "You made me feel awful for not being entirely honest. And then you turn around and do exactly the same."

His heart sank. "Rachel, no..."

"Yes!" she snapped, and yanked out of his hold. "You've spent weeks condemning me, how the hell is it any different?"

He opened his mouth to answer, but faltered. "It isn't."

That brought her up short. Eddie felt his stomach clench, and this time he was the one who stepped backwards. "It isn't," he repeated quietly. "I'm sorry, Rach."

She closed her eyes. "Tell me exactly what you told him."

So Eddie did. Their exact conversation, the best he could remember it, followed by the side of the phone conversation she hadn't been able to hear. "I'm sorry," he said again once he'd finished. "You're right, I should have told you."

"You shouldn't have done it in the first place!"

"Not without asking," he agreed. "But in my defence, it didn't come from a malicious place. I just wanted to help."

"I know." She sounded tired, her arms wrapped around herself and Eddie ached to go to her but didn't dare, not when she was still so wary.

"Rach? Are we okay?"

Her gaze flicked up to meet his. She was tired, and was this really worth fighting over? It was already done, and it hadn't caused any harm, not really and Rachel hadn't even decided to nod before she found herself doing so, immediate relief immediately flooding Eddie's expression. Now he stepped forward, tentatively enfolding her into an embrace and she leant into the warmth of him, relishing in it. "I am sorry," he murmured, and she closed her eyes.

"It's fine. It's not like either of us can change it now."

Guilt threatened to choke him. "I'm sorry."

"Eddie, it's fine. Stop apologising." She lifted her head to look at him. "And maybe don't do it again."

"Never," he promised instantly. "I really am so-,"

"If you apologise one more time I'm kicking you out!" She jabbed a finger at him, narrowing her eyes and his mouth clicked shut. She gave a nod. "Good decision."