Don't Break My Heart

A/N Set in the early 90's, this prequel is a follows Three Steps, but will be a standalone story. I wanted to gain an idea of Deacon's opinion towards Billy Ray Cyrus, and once there didn't reveal that he himself would win a CMA for co-writing This Time in the following century. Thanks for stopping by to read.

Morning sunlight, slightly diffused by frayed curtains hit on the face of Rayner Jaymes.

"You awake Deac?" she asked croakily.

"Am now."

She snuggled into the curve of his body, enjoying the warmth and feel of his skin.

"Will you be wanting breakfast any time soon?" he asked.

"Just a glass of water." Her mouth was parched and ridged, a victim of last night's liquor, which had lead to… Deacon leaned over to the bedside table, leaned over the naked, silk smooth body of the young country music starlet and turned on the radio.

"Tell your Aunt Louise, tell anything you please…" the music abruptly cut. Rayner giggled.

"Honest to God, you really hate that song."

"Damn right I do. It's awful, has absolutely no feeling, the melody is childish and the guy has a mullet that looks worse than Luke Wheeler's."

"And I bet you'll be humming it all day long."

"You know what," said Deacon as he climbed out of bed, "that's what I hate most about it."

Deacon's cooking stretched to eggs, orange juice and black coffee. There was no milk, no fruit and no change of clean clothes for Rayna. He idly tracked the skin tight jeans as she put the crockery away.

"Any plans today?"

"Back to the house, get a few things sorted, lunch with Tandy at her new apartment, then catch up with Bucky."

"Mmmn." Deacon over exaggerated stifling a yawn. "Or you could just stay here with me."

"I could… but I won't. There's a lot going on right now and that Edgehill contract extension won't sign itself."

"Which is why you have a manager, one you were oh so keen to promote up."

She sighed, he really didn't get this. Maybe that was why Deacon Clayborn was the monumentally talented but hired gun guitar picker, and she the diligent, conscientious performer. "We've been through this before. I 've a 5 album deal and my and 3rd and 4th have gone multi-platinum . I have to strike now, while hot."

"You're always hot to me darlin'." She ignored him.

"I am simply not letting this industry screw… push me around and make all the decisions, about my direction, or my music for me. Bucky understands that, but we work as a team. Anyway what about your plans? If you are calling today Beverly to check up, send her my love, she must be about to pop."

"Well if you say so, then I supposed I must."

"Has she decided on a name yet?"

"Scarlet or Clark. Not even my sister would lumber a boy with the name Rhett."

"Hmmm, Clark O'Conner. It's got a ring to it. Sounds like an outlaw guitar playing smoothie, like his uncle." On her way to the door Rayner dodged the cushion thrown at her. She got into her car and the radio crackled into life. This station was also playing "Achey Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus. Rayner blew a kiss from the open window and drove off singing along.

Rayner buzzed apartment 23, on the brushed steel panel, set into the smart brick wall of the brand new block, sitting on one of the most up and coming, trendy streets in central Nashville.

"Hello."

"Guess Who?"

"Sis! Come on up, sixth floor, Elevators on the left."

She stepped out, walked down an immaculate, minimalist landing and to Tandy's front door.

"Well look at this," she trilled, putting a bottle of wine and bunch of roses on the kitchen counter. "So you're finally out from under Daddy's feet. How can he cope?"

"Oh you know Daddy, It will be all night meetings and high stake poker games from now on."

They hugged and Rayner took a step back to appraise her older sibling. Tandy certainly looked more relaxed and while she was never going to break the close bond she had with Lamar, the breathing space was doing her good. Tandy clattered around the kitchen area fixing lunch, which mainly involved pouring pre packed salad onto plates, unwrapping pre-sliced ham and filling two glasses with chilled white. Rayner suspected that the gleaming kitchen equipment would see little use. Business always came first for Daddy's girl.

Rayner sat on the couch and from her handbag pulled out the unopened mail she'd picked up at her rented pad. One marked Edgehill Republic had fortuitously arrived by bike, during her brief stop-over. She opened that first and let out a low whistle

"Everything OK?" Tandy asked.

"Er, yes. It's a royalty cheque." She handed it to her sister.

"Oh my, that is a lot of zeros."

"I know, it's kind of embarrassing."

"Don't be stupid. You've earned every cent, and the IRS will certainly want their cut. Actually if you need any advice on that I'm sure Daddy would…"

"Oh no." Rayner replied, "Daddy and I meet for birthdays, Thanks Giving and Christmas, and as long as we don't talk about business or country music, it works. I'd like to keep it that way."

"I understand. Maybe I can help. You're making some serious money Sis and it should be put to work. What about following my lead and getting into property. It's crazy you're still renting."

"I don't know, I've worked my ass off, but there is never time to put down roots. I'm not sure I even want to."

"Deacon's bought a place, even if it is on the wrong side of town."

Rayner laughed, "He likes it there, says he feel's comfortable."

"So, he traded location for square footage, I can appreciate that. But you don't have to Rayner. You could buy the penthouse of this block outright with that cheque."

Rainer flinched, while she enjoyed the expensive clothes, accessories and manicures that came with the country territory, she also enjoyed shedding the glamour and simply relaxing. "Can you really see me queening it in a penthouse?"

"Well it's not like Deacon's going to invite you to shack up permanently anytime soon." The shiver was more pronounced this time. Rayner averted her gaze. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." But both women knew it to be the truth. Despite ample opportunity Rayner's boyfriend had made no move towards commitment and responsibility.

"Anyway, what do you know about this penthouse?" Rayner asked, taking a gulp of chardonnay.

"That it's still held by the developers, they are using it to put clients up."

"Quite the Colombo aren't you?"

"Well one of the guys bought two doors down from me, off plan."

"I bet he never paid full price!"

"Of course not, he's not stupid about money. Unlike some I could mention. Apparently he's the youngest person ever to make his grade in the Company's history."

"Full of himself then."

"Actually no, confident would more accurate. If you met him you'd understand. His name is Teddy Conrad."

They finished eating and did the tour of Tandy's apartment, Rayner impressed by the walk in wardrobe, less so by the technicalities of the heating system. Before leaving Tandy made a suggestion.

"I'm having a welcome party next Saturday, can you make it? And Deacon if he wants to."

"Sure."

"Great, nothing fancy, just bring a bottle and that flash smile of yours, I may want to show off my super-star sister. You can meet Teddy and take a quick peak at that penthouse."

"Tandy!"

"I'm serious, it's silly not to and you never know you just may like it, and Teddy."
"Alright then, you win, as always."

Rayner put her stuff down in the nondescript hallway of her own place, picked up the phone and rung Bucky's home number. "How did it go with Edgehill?"

"Pretty good, they have agreed to all the contract changes we requested."
"That's wonderful."

"Just one thing, they are insisting your next album is produced by Chris Noon."

"What, Chris Noon who..."

"Has produced 2 platinum selling albums in the last quarter." Bucky finished for her.

"That man knows nothing about the heritage of country. Besides, my last album went double platinum."

"Yes, though it took twice as long to get there and spent half as much time at number 1 than the one before." Her manager responded.

"Buck, you're supposed to be on my side." Rayner could feel her morning's defiant words to Deacon melt in front of her very eyes.

"I am Rayna, honest. Chris Noon wouldn't be my choice for you, but he is hot stuff and the label are under pressure to keep momentum going."

"So what do we do?"

"As your manager I'd advise you to take what is a good deal. As your friend I think you should roll with this, see if this man can teach you anything new, then come back stronger with the next album."

After getting off the phone Rayner poured herself a cold fruit juice and slouched down on the beige couch in the magnolia sitting room. Johnny Cash's Sun period played from the smart black CD player as she wondered how things had ever become so complicated.

If Deacon had ever considered the concept of a comfort zone then he would have been feeling a long way out of it. Corporate suits was never his thing and Tandy's party was full of them, even if most had ditched the actual suit for designer smart casual. Deacon's concession to smartness had been to wear a pair of black Levis and a freshly ironed shirt. Ironed by Rayner, who he had to admit looked stunning in a dark red cocktail dress and killer heels. The two had become separated when Tandy pulled her trophy sister away to meet someone and Deacon had found himself wedged against the refrigerator, half listening to a conversation about NASACR which was at least more intelligible than the ins and outs of commercial tax laws. He couldn't even take refuge in his beer bottle, for fear of, fear of the shame of letting Rayner down. Looking over the shoulder of the man in front of him he spotted the back of Rayners head, her curls cascading onto pale skin, stray strands meeting the silky material of the dress. A young man was talking earnestly to her and Deacon could picture the friendly, but fake smile that would be adorning her face. The one usually reserved for journalists, media hosts and label executives. As it turned out he was wrong.

"So what is it you do?" NASCAR man asked Deacon.

"Me, oh I'm a guitar player." Deacon responded, hoping it didn't make him out to be some sort of freeloading drop out.

"Really? That must be exciting in this town."

"It can be. But it also means a hell of a lot of waiting for the right moment to come along."

As much as she always hated admitting Tandy was right Rayner Jaymes found herself grateful for the intervention of Teddy Conrad. Roughly half the people at the party knew who she was and had wanted autographs and fan chats, the rest had no interest in her whatsoever. When Tandy had made the introduction of "Rayner, my famous little sister who's looking to invest in real estate." Teddy had been gracious, he was after all a salesman and good salesmen made no judgments on where the money came from. The apartment was stifling her and she happily followed Teddy out onto the corridor and then the elevator. From the small bunch of keys in his hand he inserted one into the elevator panel, which automatically took them to the exclusive top floor.

"You know," he said as they headed upwards, "I'm afraid I don't actually have any of your records."

Rayna twinkled. "That's alright, it's not compulsory to live in Nashville and adore country music. Though it should be."

The doors slid open and Teddy lead the way to the smoked glass entrance door. Once inside Rayner looked around at the vast expanse of wooden flooring, the open plan granite kitchen area, plush, fine leather sofas and state of the art entertainment equipment. "Well here we are," said Teddy "Large triple aspect living accommodation, there are 3 bedrooms to your right, the master with its own en-suit and a further family bathroom. Balconies on two sides, the property comes with 2 reserved spaces in the secure basement parking lot, all the white goods and electrical equipment are also included and I am sure we could come to an arrangement over the other furnishings if you so wished." Rayner was for once lost for words. She moved around the space, her heels clacking on the hard floor, before placing a hand gingerly on one of the dark wood dining chairs by a full length picture window. All that luxury and she could own it from that piece of paper that had sat in her bag for half a day.

"It's amazing." She said softy.

Teddy looked into her eyes, "But you don't like it?"

"I think it's a wonderful design and everything, but it's just not me."

He showed her the marbled bathroom and bedrooms with thick, fluffy carpet, king size bed and Egyptian cotton sheets. "You could make one of these into a music room?"

She laughed. "You're still trying to convince me. This apartment, it's like the most incredible hotel room I've ever known, but I see too many hotel rooms when I'm on the road."

"Come and look at this." He was standing by the large, un-blinded window, part of the city was laid out below them in the evening dusk. He pointed, "What do you see there, to the left of the Fire Depot."

"A hole in the ground where a bowling alley and movie theatre place used to be?"

"That is prime mixed retail and residential development and we are seeking partners to fulfil its true potential. I know I really can't sell you this place. But I would advise you to think about investing in something like Jackson Street, letting us do the hard work and you taking your share of the profits."

"You mean like Daddy?"

This time Teddy grinned, "Well you father is certainly a robust businessman. But I think this scheme is a bit small scale for Wyatt Industries. Which is why I think it would be perfect for you. Invest some of your money in that and I can also put some feelers out to my contacts, see if there is anything on the property market that would suit you more. A bit more homely maybe?"

"I don't know, I've never thought about investments like that before."

"Obviously you should never make a decision that quickly. Let me send your people some literature, and you let me know what you think."

After handing over Bucky's details Rayner retuned to the thinning out party.

"Wow, you two were gone some while." Tandy smirked. "When are you moving in?"
"I'm not! But it was interesting. I mean he could have been really pushy, but he wasn't." and Rayna explained about Jackson Street.

"See! Perhaps one day you will learn to trust you older, wiser and nearly as beautiful sister."

"Hmm, perhaps. Where's Deacon?"

"Oh he left when the cold beer ran out. Not good at networking that one. Said he see you for rehearsal tomorrow, downtown."

Shit, she'd let him down "Was he OK?"
"Oh Deacon's always Deacon, never happy without the weight of the world to bear." Rayna breathed with relief, at least he hadn't done anything stupid. Tandy knew that Deacon enjoyed a drink, just not what that sometimes lead to and Rayner knew she had to keep the excesses of her lover secret from the disapproval of her sister.