Hello everyone, thank you for the reviews.

What with the whole coronavirus outbreak, I am currently off college until further notice. I will be doing online classes etc but it will probably mean I have more time to write... so hopefully updates will be daily for the foreseeable future. Hope you all stay safe in this difficult time.

Please enjoy this chapter... x

Chapter 17: Respect

As the next few days ticked by, Rachel began to feel herself thinking less and less about the Melissa situation. Eddie's words from Sunday had fought down her initial trepidation and he had continuously expressed that in recent days. He had been able to sense whenever negative thoughts were playing with her mind. Rachel loved the way he gently broached the subject with her rather than pushing her for answers. With Eddie, she always felt willing to express her every thought and feeling. He was one of the very few people who had gotten behind Rachel's defence, and she didn't plan on letting him out any time soon.

Another thing which seemed to allow Rachel to feel relatively relaxed was the fact that Melissa hadn't left any more texts or phone calls. At least that's what Philip had been telling her. She knew it was a possibility that his mum had in fact been in touch once again, but Rachel tried not to dwell on that too much. She had no reason to not believe the boy, he had revealed other times when Melissa had been in contact - so why would that differ now?

Just as she was about to return her concentration to work life, she felt a weight on both of her shoulders. Decidedly hand shaped. Initially, Rachel felt her body tense. But she knew that warmth, and the shape of those hands, anywhere. Rachel tilted her head round slightly, and sure enough, was met with the sight of Eddie. How on earth did she not notice him walking in through the door? It just showed how utterly controlled Rachel felt by her thoughts. Thinking about it, Eddie's sudden appearance was another thing (besides the fact he could practically read her mind) that Rachel found almost baffling. Whenever Eddie was on her mind, or whenever she was missing him, he would appear. It was entirely a coincidence, yet Rachel wasn't about to complain.

"You look busy," Eddie commented, nodding towards the pile of paperwork on Rachel's desk.

"Hmm," she responded, swinging her chair round as Eddie took a slight step back so that she could face him, "it seems to have piled up over the past week."

Eddie laughed aloud, "and I wonder why that could be?"

"It couldn't possibly have something to do with a certain deputy."

Rachel stood up now, and their bodies and faces were inches away from one another.

"Maybe I should go then," Eddie began, inching his face that little bit closer to hers, "you won't be wanting any unnecessary distractions."

Even as he spoke the words, Eddie completely broke the gap between them now - kissing Rachel languidly before pulling away.

Almost instinctively, Rachel enveloped her arms around Eddie's neck, and pulled him towards her so that their mouths were almost touching, "hardly unnecessary."

Eddie smirked, equally delighted and surprised by her demeanour as she pressed into his waiting lips. It was unlike Rachel to mix their personal life with their professional one in such a way. Of course they had stolen moments in her office, but they were never catalysed by Rachel, and never quite as passionate as the kiss he was currently partaking in. Eddie was more than happy to follow along with this fervent edge, yet knew that it couldn't go much further in Rachel's office. With the way she pressed her body against his before pulling away, breathless, Eddie knew that this dance would be continued once they were entirely alone.

"Well, it's fair to say you've just made an afternoon teaching some of my worst behaved classes, away from you, even more unbearable. Not exactly going to be able to get you off my mind."

Rachel couldn't help but giggle, "I can relate."

"At least you don't have the likes of Bolton Smilie to deal with. I mean, I know he's turned a corner, but he still has to play class clown occasionally."

She raised her eyebrows, "I think that's something about Bolton that is not going to change, even if he is causing less problems for us."

"Even Philip is just as bad when in his company," Eddie commented as they moved towards the door, silently agreeing to go and get their lunch.

"Really?" Rachel furrowed her brow and scrunched up her nose as she turned round to face Eddie.

"Mmm, yesterday's comments consisted of 'maths is for saddos and geeks.'"

Rachel tried to suppress a smirk as she thought back to her comment about Eddie being a maths teacher on her first day. As she glanced across at him, she could tell from his facial expression that he was thinking exactly the same thing.

"I think everything's still very raw for him. He's still hurting but he won't show it. Playing up is probably his way of telling us."

"You could be onto something there."

"You know it's his birthday on Friday?" Rachel turned to Eddie as they made their way down the corridor.

Eddie raised his eyebrow, he knew that Rachel was about to continue but perhaps was unsure of herself. He wanted to give her the chance to do so. He had become an expert at knowing when something was on her mind.

"And you're worried Melissa will be on the scene?"

It was Rachel's turn to raise her eyebrows now. Eddie never failed to read her mind. Which was rather beneficial when sometimes she couldn't quite find the words.

"Rach… I think it would be worse… if she didn't send Philip a card or a text. Just as long as she doesn't show her face."

"That's what I was thinking. I'm… more worried that no greeting from Melissa will only hurt Philip more. I just don't want her turning up, like you say."

"I'd like to say she will definitely send a card, but this is Melissa we are talking about. She can be selfish at the best of times."

Eddie studied Rachel's features as they reached the canteen. He knew that the opinion he had just voiced wouldn't necessarily be the reassurance Rachel required. Yet as her mouth broke out into a slight smile, Eddie found that she maybe just needed a touch of level headedness with the reality laid out on the table. Even so, he saw the flicker of trepidation in her eyes as she chewed her bottom lip. A sure sign that there was more to this situation.

"There's something else."

"Sorry?" Rachel queried light heartedly.

Even as she spoke the word, she knew it was useless to pretend in front of Eddie. Rachel was well aware that he could see through her well built up facade.

"There's something else on your mind. Are you forgetting that I can read you like a book?"

Rachel couldn't help but smile as Eddie gave her a look, and the backs of his fingers brushed her own. In such a pupil based environment, they had to be extremely subtle, yet it was enough for Rachel to feel reassured and relaxed in Eddie's presence.

"No… I just…"

Rachel smiled again as Eddie completely stopped what he was doing. He was entirely focused on her and what she was saying. Rachel was about to continue when she clocked Philip, Bolton and co sat on a nearby table. Perhaps now wasn't the time.

"Look, it probably won't surprise you… but you're right. There is something else on my mind. So let's get back up to my office and you can see what a natural worrier I'm being."

The pair collected their sandwiches and began to walk out of the room. Once again Eddie allowed the backs of their hands to brush, and once out in the fairly empty corridor, he leant slightly further down to her ear.

"You've always been a natural worrier."

….

"So come on then," Eddie smiled as Rachel began to open her sandwich, "what is it?"

"It's not even a big deal. Just… an idea that I'm not so sure about," Eddie leant forward slightly as Rachel spoke, his own lunch forgotten for now, "Philip… he's asked to have a party round mine, Friday night."

Both of Eddie's eyebrows shot up slightly, it hadn't been what he was expecting. And he could certainly understand why the natural worrier within Rachel was coming into play. A party consisting of pupils at their head teacher's house, wasn't something to happen every day.

"What have you said to him so far?"

"That I would think about it. Eddie… I want him to have the birthday that he deserves. God knows... especially after everything he has been through…"

"But the idea of fifty plus pupils in your house doesn't exactly appeal to you?"

Rachel nodded, confirming Eddie's suggestion.

"Rachel, think about it like this. I know that the pupils here can be disruptive and all the rest of it. But something else I do know, is that they respect you. A hell of a lot. In particular Bolton and his little crew. I'm sure if one of us had a word he would make sure that everything stays under control."

Rachel looked up at him from where her gaze had been fixed on her sandwich. She offered a smile, no doubt centered towards Eddie's comment about respect. It all linked back to what he said the day her past was revealed. That she deserved everyone's respect. Rachel supposed that this was Eddie's way now of still expressing that.

"I think you might be onto something there, i.e. Bolton."

He shrugged a shoulder, "I think it could work. Maybe just threaten him with lifelong cooler confinement."

Rachel couldn't resist laughing now. She loved how Eddie would always bring out the best in her, even in her moments of confusion and worry. Perhaps his calming words had influenced her decision for Philip's party. His idea about Bolton was certainly a credible one. Following on from her conversation with the boy just over a week ago, Rachel was willing to put a significant amount of trust in him. Ultimately, Bolton was one of the main reasons why she hadn't ended up resigning. Maybe Eddie was right to say that the teenager had an awful amount of respect for her. She would just have to see how Friday played out.