A/N: First, I can't believe how many people have taken interest in this fic already! I really do thank you for reading and a big thank you to RachelMasonFan39, LittleH12, fayeftvanity, Mrs Carmichael, Lynny, hannah5240 and the two guests for the reviews!

In this fic, nobody yet knows of Rachel's past and so it's all still to happen. Also, I've taken inspiration from a scene in series three for this chapter!
Please enjoy.

Burning under your control

Chapter two.

Controlling someone is having the ability to influence and dominate a vulnerable human being.

Helpless.

The atmosphere held a thick and uneasy tension. A thousand questions swarmed their minds, and they were desperate to seek answers. She'd allowed him into her house on his request and hoped that he'd respect her boundaries and not cross that line, again. Eddie watched as she flicked the kettle and turned her back. Classic. She was desperate to avoid all eye contact. He wondered how he'd approach this.

'You left. This morning, you just left', he quizzed as he took a seat on one of her stools. He carefully let his eyes wander to her again and eagerly awaited her to answer.

She, however, unbeknown to him closed her eyes and took a long deep breath composing herself. She added the three sugars to his coffee-just how he liked it-and slowly forced her body to turn, greeting his presence.

'Paperwork. I er, I had paperwork-', she lied. She didn't dare to meet his gaze as she was certain that he'd crack her.

'Rachel', he interrupted as he brought his hands to his head in frustration.

'There's that meeting this week, and I-', Rachel began again.

'Rachel, stop it!', his voice heightened, and she sensed his anger. She became cautious to lie any longer. The room became quiet, and she didn't know whether to set her cup on the counter. She gave him a few moments to calm himself before she bravely carried on with her words.

'It was a mistake'. Her words cut him like a thousand knives and he almost knocked his coffee in anger. He stood and made his way to her kitchen door before turning to her.

'It wasn't a mistake to me, Rachel. Last night was more than just a one-night thing and you know that. I'll see you tomorrow.'

Eddie wandered the corridors before facing the dreaded meeting that awaited him. He couldn't think of anything worse than sitting next to her, knowing that she'd rejected him. He really thought she'd open up and trust him. He'd been wrong, and that had truly hurt him. Her words were a constant reminder that he was just a 'mistake', and she was damn sure to keep that going.

His hands brushed along her office door, and he sighed before opening it. He watched as she was oblivious to his presence. She was busy flying through paperwork, almost too engrossed to focus on anything else. He watched the way her pen stroked gently at the paper, how her hair fell and framed her face delicately and how she crinkled her brow at the odd thing that she did not understand. He was completely and utterly in love with her, and it frightened him. They were both brought crashing down as two voices filled the room, and she gave Eddie a small smile before inviting the staff in.

The senior staff meeting had always been interesting. With Steph, Tom, Eddie and Rachel gathered around a rather small table confined to a small space, well, it was bound to get claustrophobic. It really wasn't ideal. The last twenty-five minutes had been torturous. Steph, as usual, had picked up on the existing tension and couldn't help but cause a stir between her colleagues.

'The year eleven work experience, now I was thinking of shifting it a week earlier-', Rachel began looking between Steph and Tom, deliberately leaving Eddie out of view. Eddie, however, was more than eager to have his input and with that, he interrupted.

'No.', Eddie scolded. She felt his eyes on her, and within a split second she reciprocated.

'Excuse me?', Rachel demanded.

'It's the week we'd planned for the first set of mock exams. Mock exams are important', he explained annoyance etching in his tone.

'So is work experience, Eddie. These kids need to get out and experience-', Rachel argued, but just like clockwork, she was interrupted again.

'Exams get them jobs, Rachel', Eddie grunted whilst he looked to Tom for help.

'Look, er Rachel, there's a week after we get back from half term, why don't we do it then? At least the kids will be less likely to skive at the beginning of term', Tom tried to diffuse the disagreement from escalating any further. He looked to Steph who raised her eyebrows and folded her arms over.

'So, did you two stay long after me the other night?', Steph quizzed with a wry smile. Her question disturbed their disagreement and a heavy awkwardness surrounded them.

'We left after you, Steph', Eddie replied as he fiddled with his pen. A distraction was exactly what he needed to deter himself away from this conversation.

'Taxi home together was it?'. The words escaped her mouth and before she knew it, Rachel's eyes darted to her own and she knew she'd feel the headmistress' wrath.

'Steph, your role as a teacher here requires you to have an understanding of the business of the pupils. Mr Lawson and I however have no reason to share our business. Now please, do your job-'. Before Rachel could finish, there was a light knock at the door, and Bridget appeared with an announcement.

'Sorry Rachel, Mr Hordley is here to see you. I don't remember him being scheduled in?', Steph was glad for the interruption and spent no time at all making her quick escape from the office.

'I've got you the contract Stuart now please just leave', Rachel demanded as she glared at him. She watched as he started to jot something onto a piece of paper, and her heart thumped so quickly that she thought it might jump out from her skin.

'I need more from you', he calmly muttered before handing her the sheet of paper. Her eyes scanned his scribble, and she began to sweat.

'No Stuart, I won't do it.' Worry echoed in her tone and she began to panic.

'I will need more workers for this school, and you will supply me with some of them.', he explained rising to his feet ready to leave. He watched as she took a seat in her chair and studied the piece of paper.

'You already have Bolton. This isn't right Stuart!', she shouted. She felt sick to her stomach, and there was a sense of helplessness.

'Three workers and your secret stays safe for longer.'

Rain scattered along the windows and she felt the urge to let a tear or two fall, but she knew that wouldn't help. This school needed her, but Stuart had a hold over her that could ruin her within seconds. She often wondered how she'd got herself into this state. She had been desperate for help. She looked to the piece of paper that Stuart had handed her. She knew she had to do something. These kids would be destroyed if he were to control them. She couldn't allow it. She was their protector. She had let everybody down, and the worst part? She'd let Eddie down. He'd put so much trust into her and she'd abused that. She was brought from her trance by the sound of her phone.

Nigel. It was hardly the time for her to put on a front and act professional and composed, but she was still the headteacher after all and she had a job to fulfil. Hovering over the accept button, she took a second before clicking. In an instant she felt her stomach wash over.

Nigel: Rachel, hi. Sorry to disturb you but I've had Stuart Hordley on the phone.

Rachel: He's been on the phone?

Nigel: He's had a great idea. He's willing to offer another 3 part-time jobs to some pupils from the school. Now I think there are a few details to run over-

Rachel: Nigel, I really don't think it's the best idea. I mean I think we should wait a little while and see how Bolton gets on.

Nigel: Well it's your decision Rachel, but I think it's a good idea. I'm down this week for that meeting, we can discuss it further then.

Rachel: Okay, I'll see you then. Goodbye Nigel.

Her mind spiraled into overdrive and she screamed inside desperate for help. She found her handbag and swiftly made her way to the front doors. She had absolutely no idea where her legs had been taking her, but she allowed them to take her away from danger. Her actions had been observed by a certain deputy and his curiosity wouldn't allow her to just escape.

The swilling of the crimson liquid transfixed her into a different zone. She'd completely ran away from the troubles of the day and found herself drunkenly engrossed in a world that numbed her; it felt rather good. She had left the school half an hour early and in a quick manner found the bottle of red standing on her kitchen counter. Precisely one hour later and the bottle found itself empty, and she found herself, well, she found herself rather drunk. Her house had found a comfortable silence, and she felt safe, secure and far away from the harsh realities.

She picked up the last remains in her glass and before she could finish, she heard a loud thud on her door. Her body stiffened and her legs found a jelly like feeling. She quietly rested the glass back on the counter before turning to face the front door. Step by step, and she still couldn't distinguish who it could have been. It was only as she stood a few inches away that she recognised who it was. Eddie. This was almost like déjà vu. Throwing her head back and sighing, she wondered how she'd hide this. Her car had been parked outside and so she couldn't even pretend that she wasn't home. Looking to the mirror, she sorted her hair and wiped the black from her eyes. Slowly unlocking the door, she pulled it back only by a fraction. He stood before her again, concerned.

'Can you let me in please? I think we need to have a proper chat, don't you?', he demanded. She really couldn't let him in as she knew he'd see the empty bottle. Showing him her vulnerability wouldn't be ideal for the current situation. She glanced at him before shaking her head.

'Eddie, I'm not very well, I need to lie down. I'll talk to you tomorrow', she lied as she continued to hide behind the door.

'Now, Rachel', his voice shook with anger and she knew better than to irritate him further. Her thoughts returned to the empty bottle, and she fled from behind the door to quickly return to the kitchen. She could hear him letting himself in and closing the door. He'd found her hiding something in a cupboard and in an instant he heard a smash.

He looked to the ground before looking back to her. She'd been drinking. Sweat formed upon his forehead and he quickly grabbed her hand as she reached for the glass.

'Don't Rachel, you'll hurt yourself. Please, just go sit down', he told her as he checked her hand over for any traces of blood. She followed his request and sat herself down on one of the stools. She watched as he began to sweep the broken glass and use a tea towel to soak up the liquid.

'How much have you had?', he questioned as he looked up at her, concern once again visible.

'I- .. I.. just the glass', she spoke quietly, her lips quivering. He shook his head and placed the dust pan and brush down. Stuffing his hands in his pocket, he continued to question her.

'Okay, next question ..', he paused wondering if the next question would trigger her. He had known that she'd probably drank the whole bottle, but this wasn't Rachel, and she wouldn't have just drank like that.

'Why did you leave school early?', he took a step closer before he could see her taking a deep breath. She had been shocked that he'd busted her.

'I told you, I .. I don't feel well', she answered as she got up off the stool making her way to the door. On making another step, she was stopped by him grabbing her arm. She could feel his pressure and knew he would not let her go on this one. He spun her gently to face him and for once, she didn't pull away.

'Please, no more lies Rachel. Just- .. I need to know what's going on', he whispered as she closed her eyes careful to not trap herself into letting him in.

'I can't, Eddie. I .. I can't drag you into this', she trembled as she felt herself starting to cry. He sensed this within seconds and pulled her close into him.

They sat for a little while in complete silence. Natural noises taking control and allowing them to comfort each other. They'd found their way to her living room, and she fell into the safety of her chair whilst he took comfort on her sofa. She knew he was there and at that very moment in time that's all she needed. It was only after ten minutes that she finally found her voice.

'I've been lying to you, Eddie', her voice was quiet, but it was steadily louder than the previous silence. She watched as his face washed over with confusion.

'Lying about what?', he asked gently. In all honesty, he felt a slight panic overwhelm him in fear that she was about to tell him something that he didn't want to hear.

There was, once again, a heavy silence, but he waited patiently. He wanted to give her the respect to tell him with as much dignity as she could.

'A few years ago, you know when I was young, I- .. I did something that I'm not proud of Eddie. I-', she took a heavy pause and wondered whether or not to continue. She felt a wave of sickness overcome her, and she knew he'd be angry, disappointed and many other things but she couldn't lie anymore. The lies were killing her, and he was the only one who could help her. She cleared her throat, and continued.

'I, well I .. I slept with men for money.'