Sorry for the long wait but I wanted to wait for this latest episode to come before I continue this story. Now that it came and past I will continue this and I apologize for the long hiatus. Enjoy!

Chicago

The tour hits Chicago for a two day gig there with the tour. But, on the flight to Chicago, Rayna's mind kept going to why Deacon joined Juliette's band. It has been playing around in her mind the moment Deacon aboarded the plane. She honestly doesn't know what to make of his motives. Does he just need a job? Or is it something else? Who knows why Deacon came on the tour with them but right now she can't concentrate on him when they are almost in Chicago.

The get off the plane only 5 minutes later and nobody was talking to anyone it was complete silence from everyone. A look at Juliette, Juliette looking at her, Rayna glancing over at Deacon getting his guitar from the luggage compartment. She wondered what the hell he's doing and on the ride over to the hotel her mind kept playing tricks on her. One minute she fine and letting herself think that Deacon is there just for Juliette's band. And, the next minute her mind goes to crazy thoughts about him and suddenly she can't get him out of her head. They arrive at the hotel soon after leaving the airport and again everybody was silent. Rayna kept quiet but then blurts out "What the hell is Deacon doing?" her manager looks at her, the car driver looks at her but neither one said anything they just gave each other a look with a raised eyebrow and then looked on the road and out the window avoiding Rayna's out burst.

At the hotel everyone gets out and is instantly mobbed by fans outside. Rayna put on a brave face and happy smile then started to go over and sign autographs for her fans. Deacon took his stuff from the car

and put them on the luggage cart before heading inside to check in. Juliette and Rayna kept signing autographs and taking pictures with fans before finally getting to go inside themselves to sign in. Rayna, was beat from the ride to Chicago and wanted to get some rest before dinner this evening with all the people who put this tour together.

Rayna signs in and goes straight up stairs but not before running into Deacon in the elevator. Man that was awkward to say the least, she still doesn't understand what he's doing and why he's ignoring her but whatever that's his problem. Right now, she just needs some peace and quiet and some rest before dinner and that's what she's going to do. Deacon being here is not going to ruin this tour for her.

The 3 hour nap did her well, when she woke she felt better and rested ready to go down stairs to meet everyone to thank them for putting on the Chicago shows. She had this blue dress that she is going to wear tonight and it did look amazing on her Deacon would love it. Damn, no this isn't the time to be thinking about Deacon when she has a speech to give. Okay, she's calm and ready to go down stairs without any interruption.

The ballroom was already packed with everyone already there. Hey, what's wrong with being a little late? Making a grand entrance is fun and it gets everyone's attention right?. Rayna arrives just as the doors were about to close on anyone else coming side the room. She puts on a nice smile and enters the room, as she enters everyone stands and applauds her and Juliette on a great tour so far and she thanks them kindly and smiles gratefully at everyone before she takes her seat for the event to begin.

On the next table Juliette's band was there and Deacon was sitting right next to Rayna. Rayna's band was also there but at the next table over. All Rayna could do is keep quiet without asking anything questions on why Deacon's doing this tour with them. At the other table Deacon can't stop staring at her, Rayna does looks especially sexy in that blue dress and all he can think about since deciding to join Juliette's band is Rayna. The whole flight to Chicago was silent but all he did was think about her and the real reason why he took Juliette's offer to join her band. It wasn't about money, it wasn't cause he needed a job or needed to keep clean. It was because all he's ever thought about since their last encounter is her. That fight they had, it just keeps playing on repeat on his mind ever since. He regretted fighting with her instantly after and the reason he came on tour is because he desperately wanted to see her and this was the only option he's have since this tour is a long one and she won't be back for another month.

A half hour into the dinner party Rayna had to give a speech about how grateful she is that all the people that are there this night put this tour together and talked about having a great time even though Juliette bugs the shit out of her. Later, the dinner was over and everyone went their separate ways until Rayna once again ran into Deacon and again it was in the elevator. Ugh, all the luck she has and the happy smile she had vanished then and now it's awkward again. This tension between them, him not talking to her and her asking why he's there on tour and not getting an answer. Deacon leaves the elevator with no words not even a look but once he does and he's safely in his room all he wants to do is go back to the elevator and kiss her. Kiss Rayna like she hasn't been kissed by anyone before, all he wants is to feel her on his lips again every thought he's had for so long for all these years are all thoughts of her.

Deacon collapses on the bed and kicks off his shoes lying down his mind starts thinking and his heart starts raising and then he starts to shake a little. Crossing his arms over his chest and closing his eyes, he hoped that maybe getting some rest will whip all images of Rayna off his mind and later maybe he won't feel like needing a drug or alcohol to clear his thoughts of Rayna.

The next day, was the first day of the tour. Rayna woke up fully rested and ready to do this tour date tonight. She hoped that for everyone's sake and her own that everything will be better today and she also hoped that Deacon would talk to her at some point. Until then, she will get dressed and head out for breakfast and she hoped/prayed even that Deacon wasn't anywhere around the breakfast room or she'll just maybe flip on him. She didn't want to freak out over him but if it means him talking to her than so be it.

Another encounter the next night in the elevator and once again Rayna was desperate for some answers. Why is Deacon here? This is still not answered by him so she asked again and again he didn't say anything instead Deacon was done talking. Talking between them has never been on the same page they have always been so bad when it came to communicating to each other.

After the dinner party the night before Deacon did some thinking. He tried sleeping but his mind just kept going back to that argument between him and Rayna and the reason why he came on this tour. It wasn't because he was desperate for money or needed a job it was because he wanted to be near her again. Everything he's done most of his life has been for her, he quit his drug habit, he got clean by going to rehab, he wanted to make their relationship work but she didn't bother to give him the time of day where he's concerned. But, after all this time and after all the thinking he's done over the years it's always somehow went back to Rayna and the reasons why he does the things he does.

Sometimes, Deacon wonders why he even cares about Rayna at all but than the moment he's near her or talking to her he's reminded that he does care. He cares about her so much and always has, he loves her even though she dumped him and ran to Teddy. He, still wants to be with her and that's why he came on this tour. The night before she looked so beautiful in her blue gown and her hair castigating down to her shoulders. She looked gorgeous under the dim lights of the dinner hall and when she got up to give her speech there wasn't one second that his smile went away from his face. He is so proud of her, making this comeback was the best thing she's ever done and doing this tour was the best decision she's ever made. Smiling while she's giving her brief but really well written speech he couldn't help but get a little teary eyed over it, the moment the speech ended he was the first one to stand and applaud her.

So, that night all he thought about was her and how wonderful she is. And, in the morning he woke with a plan, a plan that he hoped would go smoothly but he can't think about that now. Now, however he needs to get ready for the second night of this Chicago leg of the tour and than he can maybe talk to her. Actually, no scratch that he is DONE talking he's going for it. He just wants her, he wants to kiss her and feel her lips on his again. God, it's been so long since they kissed it almost feels like he's forgotten how her kisses make him feel. So, tonight if fate would have it. He's going to kiss her, if it's the last thing he does he will kiss her. He hoped that she would kiss him back with no regrets. Yes, she's trying to work things out with Teddy but he can't think about that right now.

Getting dressed and heading to meet Juliette for another sound check for tonight's show is all he can think about right now and later he will deal with whatever happens between him and Rayna.