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Chapter 14: Need You Tonight

It seemed that twenty four hours later, the guilt stemming from not relaying everything to Rachel was eating away at Eddie. From the vote of no confidence to Stuart and Melissa, he was at a loss with where to begin.

Rachel herself has picked up on Eddie's inconspicuous moods - for once, she couldn't read him; not fully, and she couldn't deny that it was unnerving her.

From trailing off mid sentence, to staring into empty spaces, the natural worrier within Rachel was beginning to fill in the gaps for her.

She chewed on her lip as she studied Eddie, who, to an outsider would seem perfectly fine. With touches to her hand and light kisses to her hair every so often, Rachel had to remind herself of the actions which had been out of the ordinary before her mind became convinced she'd imagined the abnormalities.

"Eddie. Are you okay?"

There. She'd said it, sitting forwards in her bed as much as possible, glad when her words captured Eddie's attention within an instant.

He himself sighed, cursing the signs of zoning out he'd so obviously portrayed, whilst simultaneously exploring every possible way of telling all to Rachel.

"There's a few things you need to know."

Rachel's heart plummeted, landing with a thump as she pulled Eddie's statement apart. Maybe the worst case scenario, irrational part of her brain had hit the nail on the head this time.

Internally wincing as Rachel's facial expressions played out, Eddie made an attempt at reassuring her with another gentle touch to her hand, knowing deep down that there was no simple way of saying everything.

"The good news is that one of these things is sorted. And I wasn't lying when I said the job you love is ready and waiting for you. But I…"

Rachel gathered Eddie was at a loose end, struggling to spill the words out; yet she herself felt her own muscles did themselves of tension as a few scenarios her groundless mind had painted were abolished.

"You wanted to protect me from something that would, in essence, worry me?"

Eddie had known it before of course, yet that seemed to emphasise that Rachel knew him just as well as he knew her.

His nod said it all, emotion swelling in her chest as she once more struggled to comprehend the amount of care Eddie so obviously had for her.

"The governors' meeting I mentioned. Rachel, there was a vote of no confidence, majorly brought about by the new chair, Ralph Mellor."

He hated how Rachel's face dropped, hand running through her hair before burying her head in her hands. Eddie knew he had to act fast, knew that Rachel's thought process would be reverting back to resigning. He had to prove the truth to her, show her just how much she was wanted, needed, at Waterloo Road.

"I think, my words and…" Eddie reached into his pocket, "and this did the trick."

Rachel's mind was clouded as the words rang round in her ears. Vote of no confidence. No confidence. It was the only explanation drawn as to why her vision simply couldn't focus on the sheet of paper Eddie was handing her, at least not until he ran a thumb across her jawline, assuring her of his presence in the best way possible.

"What is it?" Rachel almost whispered, her shaky tone and stutter all too familiar to the way Stuart Hordley had made her feel. She shuddered at the thought, having no desire to wonder about the man, yet powerless to stop her mind from spiralling out of control.

"Candice Smillie came knocking on my door with it. It's a petition, brought about by Bolton, signed by most of the kids. They respect you a hell of a lot Rachel, know that."

She was powerless to stop the sharp inhalation of breathing, in utter awe towards Bolton and everyone involved with this gesture. These were the pupils which made up the student body of Waterloo Road, the school she loved wholeheartedly.

"I don't quite know what to say."

Eddie huffed a laugh, amused with the similarities between his own reaction to the petition, and Rachel's in that moment. He distinctly remembered uttering something along those lines to Candice at the time.

"Just know that when you're ready," he paused, sharing a knowing look with Rachel - he was all too aware that she'd want to be back at work the minute the school year began; injuries or no, "and I mean, when you're ready. The job it's… waiting for you."

She held his hand fully now, realising it was something she'd found herself doing constantly since waking up - needing the support Eddie gave and not being afraid to accept it.

"And I'm sure that… you played a part in all of this as well."

"I spoke nothing but the truth."

Eddie melted into Rachel's embrace as she brought her hand around the back of his neck, cherishing these moments more now than ever before. It was hard not to when he had come so close to losing her.

Yet even as he breathed in the scent of her hair, placed a kiss on the side of her neck, Eddie knew exactly what was coming next.

"What was… what were the other things?"

Rachel hadn't wanted to ask, hadn't wanted to break this bliss which seemed to encompass them. Their little bubble. Though at the same time, she couldn't not know - Rachel had a habit of allowing the unknown to eat away at her.

"Melissa… turned up the day after the fire."

"What?"

The effect was instant, Eddie realised, the previous happiness that had graced Rachel's expression long gone, erased and replaced with an uncertainty which had his heart shattering all over again.

"Stuart's alive, Rach."

She could do nothing but swallow the lump which had formed in her throat, the relief which would usually come with someone's life being preserved absent. Rachel's mind began to wonder if this was truly the end, if Stuart would truly put a stop to his cruel acts now that her past was out in the open.

But before she could even comprehend this, Eddie was speaking again, eyes wide as he started to relay everything he'd discovered.

"There's not really an easy way of saying this, but. Melissa knew. She knew about the fire, about what Stuart was planning. He was blackmailing her."

Rachel's world caved in on her, imploding even as she fought against it - telling herself that Melissa hadn't been a part of her life for fifteen years now, so it didn't matter. But, of course it mattered. Melissa was her younger sister, someone who was supposed to love her and care about her. Not willingly put her life in danger.

And then there was Stuart, a man who's speciality seemed to be blackmail. Blackmail. What did he have against Melissa? Another instance representing just how long she and her sister had spent apart.

Eddie sensed Rachel's mind in overdrive, knew that she was in no state to ask the questions she longed to. He held her as close as possible, meeting her eyes as she blinked rapidly, holding back the wave of emotion.

"She's a bigamist. That's what Stuart's got against her."

Rachel's hand went to her head in an instant, wanting nothing more than to bury herself away from the world, "oh god, Melissa. I really don't know her at all, do I?"

Eddie leant down, levelling his head with hers as he whispered affirmations, not stopping until she leant back, evidently searching for something in his eyes.

"And was that it? Did Melissa just disappear?"

"I haven't seen her since."

"Just when I'd been considering rekindling with her. And oh Eddie, Philip too…"

"Hey," Eddie lowered his tone, brushing a lock of hair back from Rachel's face as he did so, "there's nothing to say you can't still meet him. He's what, fifteen? I'm sure he's capable of making decisions on his own accord."

Rachel felt herself nod, almost an accustomed response, a way of snapping out of this whirlwind of emotions she found herself caught up in, "you're right, you're right. But, Eddie, whether I meet Philip or not, this doesn't seem like the end does it?"

"I may have… had a word with Stuart. Told him to stay away. He won't be coming near you again, not if I can help it."

Eddie himself took comfort from the way Rachel's face dropped forwards, the skin on skin contact of their foreheads calming his own irrational side more than he ever thought possible.

"What did I do to deserve you? To deserve you looking after me?"

The warmth of her breath brushing against his skin, the way her lips brushed his with every word - all of it melting Eddie's resolve, causing the world around him to disappear, leaving only Rachel.

Tantalizingly slowly, he bridged the miniscule gap between them, delighted to bring forth the slightest twitch of the lips from Rachel as they shared a tender kiss.

Eddie pulled back, ensuring her eyes were level with his, "I think a better question would be what did I do to deserve you."

….

"You've been awake for two weeks, in hospital for four. I think we could look at letting you go home, as long as there's… someone to look after you."

"I live on my own, so that… won't be - ''

"Rachel," Eddie spoke softly, glancing towards the doctor before settling his gaze on her, "don't be daft. I'm right here."

The doctor remained silent, giving Rachel time to process Eddie's words. Yet her heart just seemed to thump louder, mind spinning faster. How could she suppose that of him? Suppose that of anyone?

"Eddie… I can't expect you to…"

"You aren't. I'm asking, let me look after you, Rachel."

The doctor put his hand out, recognising the private matter as it played out, "myself or a colleague will return later to discharge you."

Eddie sat forwards as Rachel turned to him fully, prepared to show her just how willing he was to take care of her, prepared to shift her point of view.

Yet she simply smiled and tilted her head - and Eddie recognised that look. Knowing someone so well meant that he could practically envisage the cogs turning, telling him that Rachel may not be entirely adverse to letting him in.

"I can stay at yours, or you can stay at mine. Whatever you need."

Rachel couldn't explain it, didn't know what it was, yet it seemed as though following on from waking up, the slightest thing set her off. She was powerless to hold back the tears as they pooled in her eyes.

"You've got Michael to think of Eddie…"

"And we'll work around that. He loves you, he'll like having you around," Eddie spoke softly, wiping the salty residue away, "Alison's taking him away next week too. Just… I meant what I said. About wanting to look after you, be by your side."

It took him by surprise when Rachel swung her legs out of the bed, leaning forwards to fall into his arms. Eddie welcomed the embrace, just about registering the muffled 'thank you' which was so full of emotion he thought his own heart may explode.

….

The following evening found Eddie joining Rachel at her kitchen table, sharing coffee with her as she teased him about his plans to cook them dinner. They chatted as though nothing had changed, as though the fire hadn't happened, Stuart not potentially still on their case and Melissa's lies non-existent. Yet all those things remained of course, and Eddie knew that in due course, Rachel would open up to him once more. It was just reverting to a case of not pushing her too fast too quickly.

Rachel herself was sure that the smile hadn't left her face the entire time she'd been opposite Eddie. Letting him in was the best decision she'd ever made, and she frankly couldn't be more thankful to have him in her life. Especially now she seemed to have more to face than ever.

A shudder ran through her as she retreated to the living room, leaving Eddie to 'spruce together' a meal for them whilst she 'put her feet up' - as he'd called it. Rachel couldn't help but ponder how contrasting her current situation would be without him by her side. Dealing with the fire, Stuart, Melissa, not to mention the aftermath of all that would have been arduous at best, she knew.

Distracting her mind, Rachel curled her feet underneath herself, flicking on the television even as she couldn't stop her eyelids from flickering shut; body and mind succumbing to the unadulterated exhaustion which was controlling her.

Emerging from the kitchen with their pasta gently simmering away some fifteen minutes later, Eddie couldn't help but smile at the sight which greeted him.

Rachel was curled up on her sofa, head lulling against the arm rest. She must be depleted, Eddie considered, knowing that she hadn't slept well during her time at hospital, aware of the several nightmares she'd endured. Ones of the fire, of the school and the people within it not accepting Rachel, accepting her past.

There were a few moments where Eddie simply sat next to Rachel, unable to resist brushing the hair back from her face, breathing a sigh of light relief when the action didn't wake her.

She didn't look all that comfortable, neck strained in an awkward position whilst having her feet tucked up would lead to pins and needles, Eddie guessed. Foundations of an idea pooled in his mind, recognising that Rachel wouldn't necessarily approve, but longing to do anything in his power to ensure she had a peaceful sleep.

Standing, it was relatively easy to scoop an arm around her waist and under her legs, then following the path up to where he knew her bedroom to be.

Rachel hardly stirred, arm subconsciously trailing across his chest whilst remaining in his arms.

She was only half asleep as she reached for his hand once he turned to retreat, and Eddie had an urge to stay, just to make sure that Rachel was going to be okay, to hold her for that little while longer. Yet his mind retreated to their food, knowing he couldn't leave the oven still turned on beneath them, and knew that he could always poke his head around the door later.

Later was there before he knew it, yet not quite the way Eddie had envisaged. A muffled sound met his ears as he approached the room where Rachel lay, and his heart sunk upon recognising it for what it was - sobbing.

He was by Rachel's side in an instant, but the whimpers didn't stop as he reached for her, gathering her form to his own and allowing her to mould into him.

The guttural cries subsided some five minutes later, following on from spoken whispers and tender touches.

Rachel pulled back, knowing her eyes were likely to be red rimmed and swollen - always a result of such an episode. With Eddie though, those such matters weren't an issue, she would never not be comfortable around him, comforted by him.

Another thing more than certain was her need to simply forget, Rachel didn't have the energy nor desire to relay the thoughts circulating in her mind, the conjured up scenarios which had led to this outbreak.

Eddie seemed to sense this, he always did, choosing to lay beside her as they stretched out on the bed, faces opposite one another.

"I… I don't want to be alone Eddie. Can you just… can you hold me?"

The slight plea shattered Eddie's heart further, something which he hadn't thought possible upon feeling Rachel's frame shake with upset.

He did just that, not hesitating for one moment as he buried his face in her hair, whispering the words he knew Rachel needed to hear, "of course I will. I'm not going anywhere. Not ever."