**** Continued from previous chapter

Earlier in the present day:

Staring off in to the distance, Rayna was completely unaware of the hustle of Highway 65 going on outside her office door. Her mind was occupied elsewhere. Tonight was the opening of The Beverley, and she had told Deacon she would go with him tonight when he asked, she was now having second thoughts. Worrying her lip, she thought back to the moment Deacon asked her to accompany him. There had been an element of pleading in his tone. He knew that she still had concerns about the bar. Her heart clenched as she looked in his eyes. The level of uncertainty reflected back at her, resulted in her automatically answering that she would be there. With a bit of time and distance she was now rethinking her decision.

Rayna was still lost in thought was Bucky walked into her office. A look of concern washed over his face as he sat down. It was rare that Rayna allowed her vulnerability to show in her place of work, especially in the office where she wasn't necessarily surrounded by people who were looking out for her. Clearing his throat, he gave Rayna a gentle smile as she snapped out of her contemplation.

"You okay Ray?" he asked with a concerned voice.

Rayna gave him a slight smile as she nodded, not quite trusting her voice. She busied herself flicking through the papers in front of her while she regained control over her emotions.

"I was thinking that we should try to get Gunner and Scarlett doing some small shows. You know, generate some buzz about them while they finalise their album."

Bucky nodded, while casting a knowing glance her way. He has been her manager since almost the beginning and has been a friend for almost as long. He knew when something was bothering her, and he also knew that if he gave her enough time and space she would eventually tell him what was worrying her.

"Yeah, think that is a good idea. They already have a small following from the time when Avery was with them, but I do think it would be good to get them out there and push them as a duo. I will call a few places and see if we can set up some sessions for next week. Have you heard how Layla is going?"

"Deacon bought a bar"

Frowning slightly at the sudden change in the conversation, Bucky looked over at his friend.

"You remember how he was?" her voice was full of pain.

"Yeah I do" Bucky sadly acknowledged.

"The idea of him in a bar is a nightmare to me."

Bucky nodded,

"Yeah, but I also know how he is now and I know how you two are together."

Rayna gave Bucky a sad smile, before continuing

"Yeah, we have come so far. I don't want to screw that up."

Bucky's heart broke watching Rayna struggling to control the panic that was coursing through her.

"I think, if there is two people who can deal with something like this, it's you and Deacon."

Bucky, sensing that Rayna needed some time, pushed his chair back and made his way out of her office.

"Thanks Buck"

Rayna spun her chair round as she heard Bucky close the door behind him. She laid her head back on the chair as she gathered the courage to call Deacon and tell him that she couldn't make it tonight.

Later in the afternoon:

Rayna threw her bag on the couch as she entered the living room. Ever since talking to Bucky, her thoughts had been flicking back and forward trying to make a decision about tonight. She wanted to show Deacon that she supported him, but she knew deep in her heart that she didn't feel comfortable doing so. She could hear him moving around in the studio. Running her thumb nail over the seam of the couch, she chewed on her bottom lip as she tried to gather her courage. She knew her decision would hurt him. She hoped against hope that he would understand, but she knew ultimately she was going to hurt him. Slowly walking towards the studio, she took some deep calming breathes in. Her heart was pounding in her chest loudly, and her hand shook slightly as she pushed open the door.

"Hey,"

Deacon's eyes glanced up at her as she walked in. Sensing that something was wrong, he stopped what he was doing. His eyes, full of concerned, asked her what was wrong.

"Hey, thought you were too busy to come tonight."

Rayna, worried her bottom lip, as her eyes full of sorrow sought his out.

"I don't think I can come tonight babe."

"That's ok. I mean, plenty of other nights you know."

"I don't think I'm ever going to be able to go into that bar."

"What are you talking about?"

He could feel himself getting angry at her words. She knew, more than anyone else how important The Beverley was to him. While he understood her not being able to come tonight due to work commitment, he sensed that her words were trying to paint a bigger picture he wasn't prepared to deal with. What he knew was that everything that had ever been important to him, was now standing in front of him trying to tell him something.

"Deacon, you're an alcoholic and you have been fighting this disease your whole life…"

"Listen to me, my sister died giving me her liver…" his hands wrapped around hers, stopping her from wringing them together. "… do you honestly think I am ever going to drink another drop again? Cause I am not…. okay" His eyes implored her to have confidence in him.

Rayna's breath caught in her throat as she saw the hurt she had caused reflected in his eyes.

"You know that's not how it works. It's one day at a time."

Releasing her hands, Deacon returned his focus to packing for tonight's performance.

"Can't you just have a little faith in me? That I know what I'm doing Rayna," his voice was full of equal parts hurt and anger.

"Of course I have faith in you," Rayna's eyes filled with tears upon hearing the underlying hurt in his voice.

Deacon, turned his back on her as he slammed shut his guitar case.

"Listen, this is me doing something to honour Beverley and right now there is a bar with her name on it, full of people just waiting for me to show up and play. So whatever we do, I've gotta go right now."

Grabbing his jacket and guitar, Deacon walked out of the room with a heart full of hurt and eyes full of tears.

Rayna watched as he walked away from her, tears silently careening down her face. Her heart was breaking, knowing that she had caused the man she loved with her entire being, so much hurt. Crumpling down on the ground, she hugged her knees to her chest as she laid her cheek against her legs. Deacon's words played through her mind, interlaced with Bucky's observations. She wanted so badly to believe those words, but she was terrified.

Present moment:

Rayna took one final breath before she pushed open the bar door. The combined noise and heat from the crowd overwhelmed her for a moment, as she frantically searched faces wanting nothing more to see Deacon's blue eyes shining with love for her. Deacon looked up from where he was talking to some old friends, sensing someone looking at him. He felt that familiar tingle in the base of his spine whenever Rayna was nearby. His eyes flicked over the faces before him before finally settling on the one face that was as familiar as his own. Walking slowly towards her, he felt the noise of the crowd dull along with all the hurt and pain from earlier fade away.

"Hey"

"Hi"

Folding her into his arms, he burrowed his noise in her hair breathing in the comfort associated with it. Pulling back, he cupped her face while whispering,

"Oh babe, it scares you… I get that."

Rubbing her cheek against his warm hand, Rayna smiled slightly at his words.

"Scares the hell out of me, but I've never let a little fear get in my way and nothing is ever going to keep me away from you. If this is what you want… I'm going to do everything I can to support you."

Deacon kissed her before hugging her tightly. He could feel her whole body shaking slightly from fear, but her arms clung tightly to him as they both gained strength from each other.