Hi everyone - thank you so much for the reviews and support.

If you are enjoying this story, i have posted the first chapter of my new fic 'Its not that easy' (Reddie of course!) so please check that out:) x

I hope you enjoy this chapter, i found it a little bit difficult to write - i hope i have got everyones emotions etc across okay. Anyway, enjoy & please let me know what you think x

Not for the first time, it crossed Rachel's mind that she should've listened to Eddie. The uncertainty in his voice when he spoke her name had told her everything she needed to know: he knew deep down that she would do something rash, something life threatening. Too right he was. She didn't have any other ideas in that moment; that moment she watched Gary's plans become unveiled in front of her. Now though, as she saw him attempt to set the van up in flames, she found herself wishing she had fought for a better option.

What else was she supposed to have done?

As soon as Rachel had sensed a sniff of what was going on, she had barged her way back into the caravan. She had discarded any logic, any sensible plans. Her duty of care towards the pupils of Waterloo road were far superior to any logistics.

She had to save Bianka. It was do or die really.

That's what she had told herself at the time. Rachel used it as a mechanism to get herself through; not once thinking it would become a reality. As she clung onto Bianka's left arm, she knew it was now or never. Gary Vale certainly wouldn't wait forever to send this place up in flames.

….

Eddie couldn't believe his eyes. After spending several minutes searching for his boss, he caught a glimpse of her features in the window. He should've known. What was she playing at going back into the caravan on her own? He knew that something must have happened to trigger a response like that. Though her decisions were impulsive, she wouldn't just shove herself back in there for the sake of it. No, something bad had happened. Something catastrophic and life threatening. Why was this nightmare spiraling totally out of his control? Despite his current negative mindset, Eddie knew he had to get a grip - for Rachel's sake at least. He had to regain control.

I love you.

He couldn't and wouldn't let it be the second time they said that alongside goodbye.

….

An unusual wave of nausea suddenly engulfed Rachel's body. Perhaps this was her time to die, maybe it was all over now. She thought about Eddie for what felt like forever. Not only that, she pondered on her sister Melissa. The last time they spoke they argued severely. Would those be their last words to one another? Melissa was also a painful reminder of the niece she would never meet. The niece she would never watch grow up. Eddie's child.

Now was not the time. Bianka's life was at risk here too. 'Make him stop,' the girl muttered. Rachel truly hoped that she could.

A sudden sharp movement from Gary found Rachel jumping out of her seat dramatically. Despite being terrified, she saw an unmissable window for opportunity.

An opportunity to escape. To live. To save Bianka. It had to be grasped.

She clung onto Bianka for dear life, not wanting to let the girl go. Three. Two. One. Now. The woman charged past Gary, she had timed it perfectly. Flustered, he turned just as Rachel and Bianka were slipping past. This gave Rachel just the right amount of time to shove her right knee deep in his groin. That definitely wasn't the first time her trusty knee had come in handy. One movement and Gary was crippled - now was their chance.

Rachel lunged for the door and automatically steadied herself on the handle.

It was locked. Of course he would have locked it.

She really needed a miracle now, it wouldn't be long before Gary was back up on his feet. Before Rachel could think of her next move, her ears were filled with an almighty crash from behind her. Given the circumstances, she didn't dare to turn around. Was it Gary?

'Rachel!'

That voice was too familiar for Gary Vale. No, Rachel realised that the man in question was still sprawled out on the floor. This voice was different, it was calmer and more loving - it was Eddie. He had smashed the window, he had acknowledged that there was no time to lose. Should've thought of that really.

On instinct, Rachel passed out Bianka to her deputy first, at least she would be safe. By now, the man to her left had risen to his feet; he was scrambling around for his lighter. She had to move now. Almost rolling out of the window, Eddie caught her without a second thought, he didn't want to let her go. All Rachel wanted to do was bury herself deep in his coat and cry - cry until it all went away. That would wait, Gary would have found the lighter by now. Once she was steady on two feet, Rachel grabbed Bianka and Eddie and they ran for their lives.

It was only when the trio lunged to the floor, that Eddie saw the presence of the police. His thoughts were quickly blown away, by a noise that couldn't be described as anything other than the caravan going up in flames.

Gary Vale had just killed himself. That was all Rachel could think about. She lay numb on the ground, she didn't move a muscle. He was prepared to kill his own daughter. They could've died.

From then on, it was all a blur. Eddie sensed that Rachel was in obvious shock; so he did nothing but steady her to the car. He placed her gently down in the passenger seat - he knew that she was in no fit state to drive.

She really wasn't okay.

'Rachel,' he spoke and placed a hand on her thigh. To his dismay, she flinched and darted her head round in his direction. The concerned expression etched across her face instantly melted when she saw the man stood next to her. Every part of her body told her that it was Gary.

'I … I thought…' she began, but couldn't continue before the sobs overcame her. They acted like a barrier between her words and the outer world.

'Shhh it's okay…' Eddie whispered, marginally close to tears himself, 'oh come here,' he wrapped his arms around Rachel - she would need all the support in the world from him. Despite the initial anger Eddie had felt when he first realised she had gone back in; he knew that's not what she needed right now. So he took a deep breath and pushed the anger deep within him, and watched this broken woman that he loved so deeply, utterly break down.