A/N: For this fic, the Kelly family have been at Waterloo Road since series three. I apologise for the delay, life is crazy. A huge thank you to everyone still sticking this out and a massive thank you to Mrs Carmichael, RachelMasonFan39, LittleH12, deppsterr, fayeftvanity and hannah5240 for the reviews!

Please enjoy.

Burning under your control

Chapter eighteen

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

Free.

Monday. A tedious amount of hours had passed since she'd seen him. The desperation soaring through her as she waited patiently in her office, eyes locked on the window. For once, she wished he would have been early. She had a desire to phone him and question his whereabouts, however that was desperate and crazy, two things that she was not. Pondering whether a staff briefing was completely necessary, she decided that she needed to face all questions head on. It would have been easier to have dismissed the weekly updates and just leave it for tomorrow, but that wouldn't have been her.

She steadily pushed open the staff room door, and she was a little saddened that his presence wasn't there either. She didn't have much time to think however before the staff made themselves comfortable.

'So, I see your sister has a job in the canteen?', Steph questioned as she smirked.

'Yes', Rachel replied, as she looked over her agenda scribbled on a piece of scrap paper. It was unusual for her to have been so disorganised, but her weekend had been so preoccupied with Eddie, and that had been far more important. That was however until he was late. Her thoughts were distracted by Steph continuing with her comments.

'I see Rose Kelly went for it too', there was an underlying tone to Steph's comment and Rachel came to realise that she wouldn't give up. There had always been a strained tension between the pair and this conversation would be no different.

'And your point is?', Rachel bit back. She hadn't meant for it to sound as strong as it did, but she was hardly in the mood.

'Well, I just hope that there wasn't-', Steph began as she cast her eyes sideways at Matt. He slowly lifted the paper over his eyes, shielding the smile omitting from his lips. There was an awkward tension accumulating and before it became unbearable, Rachel defended herself.

'Okay, let me stop you there. Melissa had the position because she was the best fit and not only that, Rose also had the job too. Next time Miss Haydock, don't jump to conclusions. I do things fairly', Rachel shot back quickly. She persevered with the rest of her announcements and swiftly left.

It had been all of ten seconds after she'd left the brief before she could hear someone calling her name. The tone was familiar, and she knew exactly who it was. There was a niggling feeling to give him a row for his punctuality.

'Rachel!', he shouted, quickly attempting to catch up with her. He knew he had been running late and her expression showed that she hadn't been best pleased. He rather hoped that he'd be able to diffuse the situation before she became furious.

'Staff briefing?', she questioned. He watched as she glared at him, waiting for his excuse. Her anger, however, portrayed a rather sexy side of her, but he knew better to wind her up even more.

'I know, I'm sorry. Look-', he began. She cut him off abruptly.

'I expect you there next time.'

He nodded slowly and apologetically. His eyes remained on her as she calmly waited for his reasonings.

'Rach ..', he mumbled.

'What?', she sounded sharply. Her annoyance clear as she glared at him.

'I need to speak to you', he muttered. Her heart sank a little, and she questioned every reason he'd want to speak to her. There had been one reason that she hoped it wouldn't be, and within that moment, he clarified her fear.

'In private.'

They'd taken an excruciating journey back to her office, and she purposely walked a few footsteps in front of him. She wanted to make this as less painful as possible and distancing herself would be the best option.

'What is it?', she asked as they reached her office. She marched around to the other side of her desk and created a barrier between them both.

'Eddie', she addressed him once more eagerly awaiting his answer.

'It's Stuart's funeral today', he admitted. Rachel didn't know whether to breathe a sigh of relief at the fact he wasn't regretting their weekend together, or whether to lose herself in a world that nearly swallowed her.

'Oh.'

'I wasn't going to say anything-', he started before she shook her head.

'I'm glad you did', she interrupted as she gave him a small smile. She never wanted Eddie to think she couldn't handle anything. Her weakness had caused vulnerability, and she didn't want that anymore.

'You are?', he questioned. She nodded in response and drew her eyes to the window. She knew he wouldn't like what she was to say next, and she couldn't bear the thought of him thinking she was completely and utterly crazy.

'I'm going to lay some flowers, after the funeral ...', she revealed. She watched as he flew his arms around in rage and there was a part of her that wanted to argue, but she understood his anger.

'Rachel!', he cried in disbelief. He shook his head and glared at her. Realising that she was avoiding him, he turned on his feet and made his way to her office door.

'Eddie, please?', she begged. The sadness in her eyes caught him, and he couldn't release himself. He hesitated and after a short time, he took his hand from the handle. If only Eddie would have continued, he would have bumped into a rather stunned and shell shocked Phillip.

Phillip took the long way around to the canteen from his aunts office. The constant reminder of Eddie's words ringing over and over. His hands trembled and his legs forced him to take a seat on the steps. His breathing became tight, and he finally let the emotions surrender him. Realising that it was finally over, he came to see that his fears would be abolished. He quickly made his way to the canteen, and caused Melissa, Candice and Rose to abruptly stop their conversation.

'What is it, love?', Melissa questioned, resting her arm on Phillip's arm as she ushered him away from Candice and Rose.

'I .. I went to Rach's office .. and she- .. Stuart', Phil stumbled, whilst his nerves controlling his speech.

'Phil love, what? You're not making sense'. Concern now clear, Melissa sat him down on one of the canteen chairs, and awaited him to calm down. Her eyes desperately scanning the room, watching to ensure nobody had been listening.

'Stuart .. he's dead. We're free, mum .. we're free.'