CHAPTER 12: Please read and review. I appreciate feedback/constructive criticism.

So here is the next chapter. During this horrible break I have been re-watching bits of old episodes. I noticed in the conversation between Rayna and Deacon on the bridge that they referenced the wild old days. I feel like Rayna would have partied at least a little, particularly as Deacon ended up with a drinking problem. I felt like they would have been drinking together in the beginning. My version of Rayna started out pretty focused, innocent and vanilla so that is about to change. I hope you like it. Please read and review, I enjoy hearing your thoughts or any feedback you may have.

P.S. The song they wrote I just made up. We haven't been given the names of too many and I feel like it is too soon for 'No One Will Ever Love You.'

Mood Music Whilst Writing:

Artist: The Temper Trap

Album: Conditions


Rayna sat in the passenger seat and looked fondly at the cabin in the rear view mirror. She heard a clunk as Deacon loaded the final bag in the back and his footsteps approaching the driver's side.

"Ready to hit the road?" he asked with a smile as he clambered in, swinging the door shut behind him.

"Back to reality?" she asked, wincing slightly.

"If reality is us then it can't be all that bad can't it?" he winked.

"No of course not!" she said, giving him a chaste kiss on the lips. "I just meant all the stress; the tour, the paparazzi, my father…"

Deacon cut her off with a kiss. "Lets…not…worry…about…that…now," he breathed in between kisses.

"Alright, alright," she said, leaning back. "Enough of that or we won't be driving anywhere this afternoon."

"As you wish," Deacon said, putting his hands up in defeat before turning back to the road.

They drove home in a comfortable silence. Deacon squeezed her thigh occasionally and leaned over to brush hair out of her face when they were stopped in traffic. They exchanged meaningful looks and jokingly sang along to the radio. Rayna felt truly relaxed and at peace.


"It's great, it's really really great," said Bucky, smiling warmly.

"You think so?" said Rayna. She and Deacon had just finished performing a demo song for him entitled 'The Winter Before Spring.' They had started it during their tumultuous fights on tour. They finished it after their shower session at the cabin.

"I do," Bucky said. "I must admit I was concerned about how it would be with you two together at first. I mean we work in very close quarters. You're performing together, writing together, romantically together. But if this is what you're coming up with then…"

"Thanks Buck, that means a lot," Deacon said, slapping him lightly on the back.

"I think we should set up a meeting with Watty," Bucky added.

"Watty White?" said Rayna. "Really?"

"Absolutely. You've got the three demo songs done and your tour is underway. If we want to strike whilst the iron is hot then now is the time to get the ball rolling on some new music.

If you're headin' in this musical direction then Watty is the guy to make than happen. I'm thinkin' we could release the single as a teaser. If it goes well we can do some more recordin' during the next tour break. What do you say?"

"Yes," said Rayna and Deacon in unison.

"Great," said Bucky. "I'll make the call."

After he walked away Deacon and Rayna beamed at each other. Deacon pulled her in for a celebratory embrace.


"Are you ready to get back out on the road?" Deacon murmured, nuzzling her neck.

"Yeah I think so. The break has been great but I love tourin'," she whispered back. "There's nothin' like it."

"Ain't that the truth. I kinda love seein' you out there doin' your thing. You light up on stage," he smiled.

"Aww thanks babe," she said, kissing him lightly.

"I will miss all the alone time though," he added, kissing her neck.

"Me too, me too," she said.

"But there is always your hotel room, my hotel room. Backstage. The tour bus," Deacon smirked.

"I like the way you think," she said, laughing.

"Hey," he said suddenly. "I think I hear our song. Where's the radio?" He leaned over to his bedside table and cranked up the volume knob.

Deacon was right. It was their song, 'The Winter Before Spring.' Rayna smiled softly the song filled the room; her voice, Deacon's melodic strumming and the lyrics they wrote together.

"Wow," she breathed. "It sounds great."

"It sure does," he agreed. Rayna rested her head on his chest as they listened to the chorus together.

The winter before spring

It was cold and grey

The snow was falling

Twas no sunshine for days

But when we connected

I felt something begin

And you kept me so warm

That winter before spring

Just as the song was finishing the announcer cut to fade and spoke out over the top.

"Yes ladies and gentlemen you heard it here first. That was fledging country sensation Rayna Jaymes' new single 'The Winter Before Spring.' As critics have already noted the song takes Rayna in a different musical direction, and one that is decidedly less country, than her debut album. Interestingly enough Rayna's lead guitar player and rumoured lover has received a joint writing credit on the track. Rayna is said to be dating Deacon Claybourne although neither have publicly addressed the rumours. Regardless it remains to be seen that these two have been making sweet sweet music together whilst on tour. And if the lyrics of this track are anything to go by Deacon has been keeping Rayna warm in more ways that one. Do you like Rayna's new song or is it too great a leap from the first album we know and love? What do you think of Rayna and Deacon as a couple? Phone in and tell us. We'll be taking calls after the break."

After the cut to commercial Rayna just shook her head. The initial joy at hearing their song on the radio had disappeared after hearing the announcer's comments. Apparently critics were saying she was moving away from her country roots. And then there was the blush-worthy speculation about her and Deacon. She hated this part of the music business.

"Hey Ray," Deacon murmured. "The song sounds great. Don't worry about what anyone says."

"Yeah," she said feebly. "I just don't know if I'll ever get used to this part of it. Being a public figure."

"Well it is being a public figure that got you all those fans and the tour. This is the trade off. You have to take the good with the bad," he summated.

"Well aren't you wise today?" she laughed curtly.

"Someone's gotta keep your head from getting too big. There is no time for pity parties coz you have it pretty damn good," he answered.

"Hey," she said, shoving him. His words had stung her.

"Oh c'mon Ray don't take offence. I just don't see why you are so sensitive bout every lil thing anyone says about you. You just gotta let it roll off your back like water. I mean, who cares what they think?" he said, a little roughly.

"It's not that easy," she said shrilly.

"It is," Deacon argued. "Let's just chill and relax. Your song is on the radio, our song. Who cares if some disk jockey makes an offhanded comment?"

"Fine," she said huffily, rolling over to the other side of the bed and staring out window.

"Oh don't be like that," Deacon said, trying to pull her back over. She resisted but he continued. "Hey, c'mon. It's our last evening together before the tour. You know I think you are amazin' I just wish you had more confidence in yourself. I feel like I need to build you up all the time. I wish you could see what I see in you."

"Oh," she mumbled. "What's that?"

"Well," said Deacon, rolling her back towards him and shifting so he hovered above her. "I see a sexy, gorgeous woman who is a very talented singer, performer and songwriter. And so self conscious is she has no idea the effect she has on me."

Rayna had no words so she kissed him. He didn't hesitate in kissing her back and they enjoyed their last blissful afternoon in Nashville together.


Rayna lay back on the bed in her Los Angeles hotel suite. She was agitated and couldn't concentrate on any one thing. Deacon had been in the shower for little more than five minutes and she had already flicked through every television channel, paced the room, looked out the window and angrily discarded several magazines on the floor.

She hadn't been sleeping lately. Even after she and Deacon were intimate she lay awake long after the snores rang out from his side of the bed. She was stressed out and really feeling the pressure. Her song had received mixed reviews from critics. The label had been pressuring her over her the new tracks she had cut and whether it was the right step. There was also the constant speculation over her and Deacon. And then there were the groupies.

She had never publicly staked her claim on Deacon, nor had he on her. As a result Deacon was constantly being bombarded by hoards of adoring female fans. They had signs at the concert, tried to sneak backstage and followed the crew to any bar they attended. She hated watching them throw themselves at him. And whilst she didn't believe for a second that Deacon would cheat on her she could tell he was basking in the attention. He was an attractive and charismatic ladies man after all, or at least he was before he met her. The pangs of jealousy rose within her constantly.

And Deacon too had shown increasingly jealous behaviour whenever men paid her any attention. Most of the time it was innocent enough, a fan saying hello or someone offering to buy her a drink. It wasn't like she ever courted their affections, they just appeared out of nowhere. It was all completely innocent but it took next to nothing for Deacon to fly off the handle, threatening people for no reason or wanting to fight them. He usually overreacted, particularly when he was drinking. Which was more and more these days.

Not that she could chastise him over his drinking because she had become rather fond of it herself. Deacon drank often and she wanted to accompany him when he did. Secretly it was to make sure none of those girls got too close. But it was also nice to feel relaxed, fuzzy and out of it. She enjoyed the first drink after the show particularly. It warmed her throat going down and then slowly spread out across her body, numbing her senses and calming her. After a few more it was bliss.

She had even taken to smoking more than the occasional cigarette, which she had picked up from Deacon. He smoked pretty regularly and she had been curious to see what all the fuss was about. Having no previous desire to smoke she found the first one particularly unpleasant. But soon the cravings niggled at her. She enjoyed the fact that this tiny thing could relax her; it gave her something to focus on. And the notion that it was unhealthy egged her on further; she was feeling self-destructive lately.

Suddenly Deacon appeared in the doorway of the bathroom clad in only a towel. She looked up and admired his physique, her agitation fading only a little.

"So," he said quizzically. "What do you want to do tonight? Do you want to get some dinner?"

"Nah, I'm in no mood for food. Let's hit the bars," she said daringly.

"Alright I'm down, I'll just get changed and we can go. I think the others are heading to The Viper Room."


As they sat in the cab Rayna was silent and distant. She wasn't annoyed at Deacon per se she just irritated in general. So much so that everything he did and said annoyed her.

Once they pulled up outside the bar she hopped out and left him to pay, slamming the door. He caught up with her just as she was stepping past the bouncer.

"Hey, wait up," he said, grabbing her arm.

"Yeah yeah," she said. "Let's go to the bar."

"Alright."

"Two shots of Jack please," she said firmly to the bartender. When he returned with the shots Deacon went to grab one. "Hey," she said to him. "These are mine, order your own."

"Are you serious?" Deacon asked, incredulous. Rayna didn't answer she just downed both of the shots and turned to look at him.

"I'll have another one when you order," she said seriously.

"Jesus," muttered Deacon, shaking his head. "You're something else tonight."

After a few more shots Rayna decided she wasn't annoyed at Deacon anymore. She wasn't annoyed at anyone and she felt great. All she wanted to do was dance, sing out loud and kiss Deacon. And grope him.

Rayna noticed one of their band mates Lou come up and murmur in Deacon's ear. Then she heard him say, "No no, she'd never go for it."

"Excuse me," she slurred, hitting Deacon hard on the chest. "What wouldn't I go for?"

"Shush Ray, be quiet," Deacon muttered.

"No! You tell me what you're talking about," she ordered.

Deacon grabbed her arm sharply and pressed his face next to hers so he could whisper in her ear.

"They've got some gear in the VIP room and were wondering if we wanted in," he said.

"Gear?" she asked.

"Coke Ray. They've got coke," he said quietly.

"Oh," she said, processing what he had told her.

"See," said Deacon to Lou. "I told you she wouldn't…"

Rayna cut Deacon off by grabbing his arm. She looked at him firmly before turning away to address Lou.

"Let's go," she said.