N.B. I APOLOGISE FOR THE TEMPORARY DISAPPEARING ACT OF LATE...I thought a hiatus was appropriate, especially after LITTLE VOICE being my first piece...thank you for your paitence. For readers who are waiting for the LITTLE VOICE follow up...this is NOT it...it will be coming soon, most likely after this piece (I'm still not happy with how it looks and I don't want you to bother reading nonsense)..A friend put the idea for BRAVE FACE in my head and I was immediately drawn to it, completely sold on the challenge of writing this. So for the next little while, if people like it, I will continue. PLEASE PLEASE READ, REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK...It is because of you dear reader that I am writing at all and it's not nearly as enjoyable taking this journey by myself...I'm going to stop rambling and just let you read...I'm so excited to share it with y'all...


DISCLAIMER: Characters are copyright of NASHVILLE. I own nothing.


CHAPTER ONE

Rayna threw her head back against the headrest in frustration as she sat in the passenger seat. She had stayed this way for a few good moments, unable to force herself to move. A sharp knock on the glass window rudely interrupted her thoughts and she swore. The last place she had expected Tandy to bring her had been the Country Club. Sneaking a look out of the corner of her eye she stifled a giggle as her sister stood impatiently, still knocking.

"Seriously? Rayna get out of the car."

Accepting defeat she complied, hesitantly unbuckling her seatbelt before she opened the door.

"See?...not that hard to do."

"Tandy the last place I wanna be right now is here." She replied, waving her hand in the direction of the main entrance as they began to make their way towards the building.

"Oh please, stop whinging."

"I'm not-"

"-The tabloids aren't causing nearly as much grief, the girls are settling and the tours been picking up…But somehow you manage to never get out of that damn house when you're home."

"What'd you mean?! I do too get out." Rayna defended, her eyes shooting in Tandy's direction. She returned an unconvincing look.

"Sweetie, you don't."

"I-" She started.

"-Name one time that hasn't been work related, mommy duty or a trip to the supermarket to stock up on comfort food." Tandy smirked, checking her phone as they walked. Rayna remained silent. "That's what I thought."

"You know what my life's been like lately. The tour, the girls, my new record...hell the divorce, Deac-" Rayna replied sensitively, clearing her throat as she stopped mid sentence and slowed her stride.

"I'm not denying any of that, but I am saying that you're not gonna get past any of it if you stay at home alone getting all dark and twisted inside." Tandy smiled, opening the door for Rayna. "That's just not healthy."

"I know that, I'm not stupid."

"Rayna all I'm asking for is lunch."

Rayna nodded, crossing her arms instinctively as she took in her surroundings. Her sister wasn't going to budge so arguing any further would be a mute point. These past few months had been an emotional whirlwind. Outwardly she appeared to be resolute and collected, inwardly it was a whole other story. The divorce and all the media attention had silently taken its toll, shredding her to pieces as she aimlessly tried to put it all back together. She wasn't even quite sure what needed fixing, but she knew that the way she was now was not how she wanted to stay. Suddenly aware that she had slipped out of conversation, Rayna refocused her attention.

"Wait here, I have to have a talk with those women at reception…if they think they can get away with not returning my calls...they have another thing coming…I won't be a minute." Tandy said as she walked away leaving Rayna alone in the foyer.

"Seriously? And you wonder why I hate this." She hissed, her eyes holding a steady glare.

Rayna began fiddling with the scarf she was wearing, ignoring the stares of onlookers as they passed by. She would kill Tandy for dragging her here only to leave her stranded once they'd arrived. Suddenly a laugh pierced the air and she froze, recognition catching her off guard. There was only one person who laughed like that. Deacon. Panic set in, where was he? Why was he here? Was she imagining it? Rayna began to spin, ears straining to listen as she moved.

Since Deacon's birthday she had been the one to keep the distance between them. Even when they spent most days together on the road, leaving unsaid unspoken had seemed to drive them further apart to a point where they weren't speaking at all, Avoiding him had not been her intention but it had been easier than unravelling the things they had both needed to hear, especially unravelling things in the mess she'd already managed to make. However, this healthy silence had started to catch up to her, running circles around the quiet resolve she had collected. The distance was beginning to agitate her and all she craved was his company. Deacon relentlessly invaded her thoughts and it scared her to admit that he was the only thing that seemed to be on her mind. Pride stopped her from picking up the phone to call him and admit she needed him, even when she seemed to talk about him every chance she got. It wasn't the calling him that was the problem. She was terrified that maybe after everything, she was the only one that felt this way. Pulled from her thoughts Rayna jumped when Tandy appeared next to her.

"Ok I get it we can leave if you want…clearly you're gonna be no fun if we stay." Tandy said, taking in Rayna's frazzled state. Quickly, Rayna shook her head as she fumbled for the right words.

"No, you said lunch so we're doing lunch."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"You're sure?" Tandy asked, studying her face.

"Come on." Rayna answered, impulsively dragging her by the hand as she headed towards the restaurant.

Country Club or not, if Deacon was here she was going to find him. This silent distance was overrated.

- NASHVILLE -

"You've hardly touched that." Tandy commented, looking at Rayna's plate.

"I'm not really as hungry as I thought I was." She replied, distracted by her surroundings.

"Mmhmm."

"What?"

"Nothing…you just seem distracted." Tandy answered, tilting her head as spoke. Rayna scoffed, shoving a forkful of salad into her mouth to shut her sister up.

Tandy began talking about a couple sitting to their left but Rayna tuned out, preoccupied with finding Deacon in the overcrowded room. Amongst the low hum of conversation and laughter that surrounded them she began to think she'd been imagining things. Disheartened she began tapping her fork, nodding as she listened to her sister talk. The tour started up again tomorrow which meant she only had to wait one more day and she'd put things right with Deacon, she'd tell him how she really felt.

"Don't you think?...Rayna?" Tandy asked.

"Hmm?"

Out of nowhere she suddenly spotted him in the distance, smile wide and eyes bright as he spoke. Rayna froze, the air ripped from her lungs. He was here. Deacon was really here. She swore, cursing the fact that she'd become a nervous wreck. Slowly he stood, lazily wandering in the direction of the restrooms. Before Rayna knew what she was doing she was making excuses and following after him.

- NASHVILLE -

Leaning against the wall opposite the entrance to the men's restroom, Rayna fidgeted, tugging at her sleeves. The anticipation alone was killing her and no amount of fiddling or rehearsing her words was easing the burning sensation inside. What had it been? 15 days? 3 weeks? She couldn't remember. With that Rayna looked up, catching Deacon's gaze as he walked out, stalling his step as he saw her.

"Hi." She whispered, gracelessly pushing off the wall.

"Hi." He replied, surprise heavy on his face as he stepped towards her.

"I thought you hated the Country Club."

"I thought you hated it too."

"I do."

"Is this something new you're trying? Harassing people outside of toilets?" Deacon joked, crossing his arms as he smiled.

"It's just something I'm trying out today."

"I'm sure." He mused, accepting her answer. They both laughed.

"What's wrong with you?" Rayna asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes as she took in his cheerful demeanour.

"What'd you mean what's wrong with me?"

"Something's different….you seem different." She answered, promptly brushing the front of his hair as she sized him up. He reflexively pushed her hand away making her smile.

"Hardly…I took a shower this morning so that-" Deacon scoffed, amused at her comment.

"-No…that's not it…you just...seem different." She replied, grinning as she watched him get frustrated.

"Well people tend to look different when you don't see them for a while." He countered, immediately regretting his choice of words. Rayna looked the other way, smiling awkwardly as a man sidestepped them and walked back into the restaurant.

"Look I shouldn't have said-" He tried.

"-No you're right…"

Struggling for the right way to go about the conversation, both Deacon and Rayna found their eyes focusing on anything but one another.

"I'm sorry….about everything. Deacon I am." She hoarsely offered, still avoiding his gaze as she spoke.

"So am I." He replied, struggling to keep an even tone.

"There just needed to be space…I never…we needed space you know?"

"I know that…I just thought that when-" He answered, cutting himself off mid-sentence. "Ray I get it, you wanted space and I guess you got it…it's ok...I'm just glad that you aren't ignore-."

"I wasn't, I wasn't ignoring you."

"Well I'm glad…we're talking again."

Rayna was relieved to hear those words come out of his mouth, warmth returning within as she looked up at him. She had fully prepared herself for the words he rightly deserved to hurdle in her direction. Instead he had kept his heart covered and offered moving on in return. Rayna didn't understand it but there was no way she was going to argue his point. She cleared her throat, shaking the heaviness of the moment.

"You have no idea how relieved I am that that is over." She laughed nervously, flipping a loose strand of hair out of her eyes. Deacon nodded, acknowledging that he agreed as she continued. "I've hated this."

"So have I."

"Hey you never did tell me why you're here you know."

"You didn't ask…you just stalked me and waited out here...I mean who does that?" He replied, smiling sheepishly as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"I've done crazier things."

"Oh I know you have." He agreed, smiling unconsciously as she blushed.

"Deacon why are you here? You hate this place." She laughed.

"I like the food." He lied, leaning against the wall beside her as he watched her.

"You're such a liar." She exclaimed, whacking his arm. Deacon chuckled.

"You know what Ray, I think I best be going." He replied, slowly edging towards the door that led out to the restaurant.

"Oh no you don't." She countered, stepping towards him.

"Yes I do."

"Deacon come on, you're killing me!"

"Tour starts up again tomorrow yes?" He asked, diverting the conversation as he continued to step backwards. Rayna looked at him confused. "Well yeah, we fly out tomorrow and then have the Katie interview the day after remember?"

"Of course I remember."

"Mmhmm."

He grinned, quickly opening the door and stepping out before she could ask any more questions. Exasperated, Rayna ran her hands through her hair and collected herself before she moved to follow him out. Turning the corner Rayna nearly tripped over her feet as her eyes caught sight of what was ahead. At the restaurant entrance Deacon stood smiling as he pulled a blonde haired woman into his arms, his lips meeting hers as they embraced. The woman giggled, pushing him away as she grabbed his hand and led him out of the restaurant.

Rayna stood soundlessly, open-mouthed and gripped by surprise. The crashing of plates brought her back to reality as she looked around the restaurant. Aware that she held the attention of those seated around her she smiled uneasily, clenching her hands together as she pieced together what she had just seen. In a state of confusion she steadied herself and spun on her heel. Swiftly she retraced her steps, pushing one door after another until she finally sat alone in a toilet cubicle. Silence filled the stall and her hope crumbled as memories clouded her vision. Each one becoming a ruthless reminder, repeating and replaying themselves without giving her any say. The distance, the sleepless nights, the longing, the unspoken conversations, the months past without him, the way he had smiled at her just moments before and the kiss he gave somebody else that brought her undone.

"What the hell was that?" Rayna whispered, her voice wavering as she began to shake.