Thank you for the reviews x

Back Into The Madhouse

It was only later that night when Rachel and Eddie found a moment to themselves. Michael was sound asleep in the spare room, whilst the girls - for now - were the same in their moses baskets.

She knew that Eddie felt the desire to discuss her earlier declaration of them being properly together again. Rachel guessed it was why he got into bed beside her, choosing to sit up rather than lay down as he turned to face her.

"Well that was quite a day," he commented with a huff, choosing those words to break the oddly serene silence which had formed.

"You were brilliant with Michael," Rachel returned with a smile, knowing that Eddie appreciated the compliment from the way a light dusting of colour appeared across his cheeks.

"It was great to be a proper dad to him again. Even if Alison is picking him up first thing tomorrow."

"Where I'm sure we can discuss when is next best to have Michael," she spoke softly, stretching a hand out to Eddie's which was resting in between them.

There was a moment where the pair of them simply glanced down at their fingers entwined: both thinking about how everything they did was better tackled together. Then that thought again - why did they ever let one another go?

It was the smirk on Eddie's face as Rachel finally raised her eyes to his that broke the reverie.

"So."

"So?" She retorted with humour.

"We are 'back together' are we?"

Eddie couldn't stop the grin as he asked this and neither could Rachel. In fact, they didn't want to. The parallels to a previous conversation about their relationship status were already staggering: even more so now they were faced directly with one another's facial expressions and feelings.

"Well, I was going to respond with 'yeah,' but would that bring too many memories back for you too?"

Eddie adored the light in Rachel's eyes as he chuckled, him too being transported back to the way she'd stretched out to fix his collar in the corridor that day, "what, English or American? And 'Tom Clarkson isn't the head of this school, Eddie' ?"

She gasped jokingly at his impression of her, flashing him a mock glare as she let go of his hand to swat his arm gently.

"Something like that, yes. Apart from that we don't have the added issue of staff prying this time. Although I do think I can answer your first question," she tilted her head.

Hope sparked within Eddie's chest. It had already been present long before this conversation, even more so following on from the way Rachel had answered Alison's question earlier. But now… now Eddie was sure his heart could be heard beating out of his rib cage.

"You can?"

"Yes," she whispered as she trailed a hand up to cup his neck, shifting so that she was resting on her knees, face just centimetres away, "it was never going to be anything but English. There is no one but you."

By now Rachel had leant forwards so that her lips were against Eddie's, snatching any breath he'd gained to respond. Instead, he chose to put all of his feelings, all of his effort and love into the kiss they shared - hoping that Rachel knew he most certainly felt the same.

That desire to show Rachel just how much he loved her was the reason why his hands curled around her hips, dragging her body onto his. Yes, Eddie thought as Rachel ducked to place a kiss on his jaw, he really did hope she knew how much he loved her.

….

"Rach, you have to go back at some point."

Three days later was where they found themselves - Wednesday afternoon and also the afternoon before Rachel was supposed to be returning to work. Something which she was reluctant to do, Eddie realised. And as much as his heart warmed that she was putting him at the top of her priorities - he also knew that she put her heart and soul into Waterloo Road just as much as she did him.

With Philip paying a visit to his sisters, he was currently entertaining Isabelle as Natasha slept, giving Rachel the perfect opportunity to express her worries.

"And, Eddie, I've told you. You are my main priority and responsibility. As much as you're doing wonderfully, the last thing I want to do is push you too far before you're ready for it."

Her tone was exasperated, and Eddie knew that tears were close to springing from her eyes. It just showed how much she cared, and it shattered his heart. At the end of the day though, this wasn't just a normal Waterloo Road Rachel had to think about. No way in hell did Eddie want her receiving more stick from Max Tyler as a result of her having more days off work. Or perhaps worse, him causing even more havoc at the school - which Eddie was sure he'd be doing.

Yet Rachel's compassionate expression was what made Eddie cross the room, taking both of her hands in his and placing a long kiss on her forehead. He heard her sigh in contentment, body instantly relaxed as all tension flooded out.

"And the last thing I want to do," he spoke as he pulled back, "is cause you even more hassle with Mr Max Tyler. That's just what you need."

Her eyes swelled with warmth, a lump forming in her throat as she was faced with the extent with just how much Eddie cared, "what a pair we are," Rachel settled on.

He humphed, "I'd agree. But how about a compromise. You could do half days until the weekend, then that gives us a bit more time. Keeps Max a bit sweeter too. As for when you're not here, would you feel better if I contacted Kevin, my brother? He works from home so I'm sure he wouldn't be averse to helping out."

Rachel let go of his hands, resting her palms on his forearms instead. She chewed on her lip gently, a sure sign she was thinking over his words.

"Okay," Eddie hadn't been expecting her to agree so quickly. There again, he always could get through to her, "but only if you're sure."

"I'm absolutely sure," he reiterated.

Nothing could have stopped Eddie from wrapping his arms around Rachel, bringing her into a well needed hug - for both of them.

….

Spending an afternoon with Max Tyler breathing down her neck was as far from ideal as Rachel could possibly get. Whenever she'd had time off work previously - which was extremely rare - she'd been itching to get back, and once she was, Rachel always felt as though she slotted perfectly into place. Almost as if she was home. But that was never going to be the case with Max on the scene, was it? Especially when she'd been having such a wonderful few days spending time with Eddie and the girls.

Rachel figured that she would have been able to deal with the executive head - as she had been doing since September - if it wasn't for the lecture she got about how Waterloo Road was her top priority or how he'd now completely moved everything out of her office, saying that she was more than suited to share with Kim in pastoral care. Rachel barely even felt like the headteacher anymore: a thought that made her both want to scream and cry.

Waterloo Road had been everything to her for so long now. And it still was. But now Rachel found herself rethinking her position at the school. And perhaps if it was time for her to move on. But then she couldn't leave the place she loved so much to someone like Max, could she?

That was the thought that Kim found her with. Rachel really should have expected the Head of Pastoral Care's presence given that they were technically sharing an office now. But she did wish that she'd been left alone. The last thing Rachel needed now was for Kim to try and defend Max in any way shape or form. The two of them were as thick as thieves - something which had proved detrimental to Kim and Rachel's friendship.

It was the look of sympathy flashed her way that made Rachel realise Kim was about to speak. Maybe to try and condone Max's actions.

"Look, Rachel. I'm not trying to… agree with what Max is doing."

"Then don't?" she couldn't help but add.

Kim sighed, "I just think… maybe it's not such a bad thing," the woman must have seen Rachel's expression because she was quick to expand and explain herself, "what I mean is, you and Max have been at each other's throats almost constantly. Maybe some time apart, a bit of space is what you need to put things into perspective."

"I appreciate your opinion Kim, but I… Max has essentially taken over my office! He's supposed to be an executive head, overseeing at a handful of schools rather than taking control here every minute of every day."

"You and him should sort out your differences."

Rachel almost choked on the water that she'd taken a sip of, "and how do you propose I do that? He doesn't agree with what I stand for Kim. His entire belief is based on exam results and performance. You know that's not something that I can get behind," she paused, taking in Kim's defeated features. Perhaps she was finally realising that no amount of talking was going to make Rachel and Max work well together, "you know, perhaps you should speak to Max. I think that you'll be far better at getting through to him than I would."

Kim frowned, blushing slightly. Rachel realised that maybe now was the moment she would have to reveal what she knew about her and Max's relationship. Another thing which would undoubtedly put a large dent in their friendship. Extend a gulf which only seemed to be getting more prominent by the day.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kim finally found her voice.

"I know, Kim. About you and Max. I saw the pair of you together, last week after school."

"I see. It's not going to… affect things between us professionally, is it?"

Rachel had to hold back the scoff with the lack of 'personally' mentioned, "no, no. Of course not. Just as long as he makes you happy."

That brought a smile to her face. Something which oddly broke the tension that seemed to surround them, "he does."

"Good. Good."

They shared a strained smile which marked the end of their conversation for now. Rachel couldn't help the way her mind drifted off to Eddie as Kim settled down at her desk. She couldn't wait to get home and fall into his arms.