Wow, this chapter certainly was a long time coming. Real life can be a pain in the butt sometimes. Not sure if anyone is still following this story, hopefully they are. While it might take me a while to post new chapters, rest assure l am committed to finishing this story. Anyway, hope you enjoy... up next the aftermath of Marcus' move on Rayna!

Rayna's eyes watered as she yawned widely, momentarily obscuring the object of her focus. Smothering another yawn, she fumbled for the house keys while testing the door. Finding it unlocked she sent a silent pray of thanks to Deacon, as she let herself into the dimly lit kitchen. Tossing her bag onto the bench she slowly made her way across the room, flicking the lights off as she went. She was bone weary, the last couple of days had left her more tired than she had even been. Juggling raising two young children and performing arena shows nightly felt like a walk in the park compared to managing not only Markus but organising an album release.

Her phone buzzing in her jean pocket, halted her slow shuffle towards the stairs. Pausing at the bottom of the stairs, she sank down on the steps.

"Hey Buck. Yeah, I just got home."

Closing her eyes, she lent her head against the wall as she listened to Bucky, making the occasional agreeable grunt to show she was listening.

Rubbing her eyes, she yawned loudly down the receiver causing Bucky to warmly chuckle in her ear.

"Rayna, we can talk about this in the morning, tonight was a big night for Highway 65 and an even bigger night for you. Go catch up on some sleep."

"Thanks Buck. You're a good man, night."

Pushing herself up off the step, she continued her slow climb upwards. Her mind skipped over the events of the day, threatening to keep her awake. Gently opening the bedroom door, she paused for a moment to absorb the sight before her. Even now she had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Deacon was fast asleep in her bed, his arm flung across where she normally slept. Scattered music charts and scribbled lyrics lay on the floor beside the bed, where they had slid off at some point during the night. Her heart swelled with love as she watched his peaceful slumber. Quietly, so as not to wake him, she made her way into the bathroom. Flicking the light on, she winced at the sudden brightness and held her breath, praying it hadn't woken him. At the sound of the soft snore from the other room, she released her breath, unaware that she had been holding it.

She would love nothing better to share the excitement and accomplishment of Highway 65 with the love of her life, but he would also sense that she was hiding something from him. Something she herself wasn't ready to deal with. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she wondered at the situation she found herself in and prayed that it was just fall out as the result of emotions running high after such a hugely successful night. Rolling her eyes at herself, she knew that wasn't the case. She could feel herself getting irritated once again as she thought about it. Grabbing at her make up wipes, she angrily tried to wipe away the later part of the evening along with her make up. Sighing to herself as she took in her weary expression starting back at her in the mirror. Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, she tried to stop the images flashing through her mind as she finished brushing her teeth. Willing her mind to focus on happy moments of the album launch, she lowered herself onto the closed toilet lid. Rubbing her eyes, she knew she was over tired, but her mind just wouldn't slow down enough for her to rest. Her eyes slowly shut, heavy with want of sleep, only to open again. Groaning out loud, she flicked her eyes towards the digital read out of the clock. The numbers flickered tauntingly at her. Leaning backwards her breathing slowed, her eyelids sluggishly fluttered closed, as her body was suddenly drained of energy.

Murmuring in response to a noise, she struggled to open her eyes as she felt her cheek being caressed. Her voice fuzzy with the want of sleep, whispered "Deacon?"

A warm smile played over his lips as Rayna in her dozy state, rubbed her cheek against his palm.

"Ray..."

"Hmmm"

"Come on babe, lets get you to bed"

"No, I'm okay. You go back to bed, sorry for waking you" her voice was heavy and slurred with sleep as her eyes slid shut.

"Rayna"

"Yeah"

"You can't stay here"

Forcing her eyes open, Rayna squinted against the harsh bathroom light as she took in Deacon's concerned look. Smiling sheepishly at him, her head fell forward against his stomach as she gave a barely perceivable nod.

Deacon wrapped his arms under hers, lifting her off the toilet. Tucking her snug against him, he guided her towards their bedroom. Slumped against him, he could feel her warm breath against his neck. Her arm gripped the back of his t-shirt firmly, while her head sagged against his shoulder. Caressing her hair, he placed a kiss on the top of her head. The trust she placed in him, to guide her safely to bed swelled his heart. He knew without looking that her eyes were closed as she hovered close to sleep.

Gently sitting her onto the bed, Deacon brushed the hair back off her face, his finger brushing her cheek. Humming in response to his caress, Rayna gave him a gentle smile. Deacon laughed softly at the sight before him. Rayna's eyes had remained firmly shut even as she nuzzled against the warmth of his caress. Squatting down in front of her, Deacon gently removed her boots and socks. Standing, he pulled the bedding back before returning to Rayna. She had opened her eyes to watch him. Deacon's heart skipped a beat as he took in the love shining from her blue eyes. Taking his hand in hers, she placed a soft kiss on his palm before tugging him closer to her. Her lips replicated the soft kiss against his lips. Pulling back, her eyes twinkled with moisture, as she struggled to contain her immense love for this man.

Whispering, "thank you", her hand caressed his face.

Staring deep into his eyes, her breath caught as the waves of his love washed over her. She had never felt as cared for as she did right now. No one had ever taken such tender care of her before. Sure, Teddy had helped put her to bed before; after the birth of the girls or when she had had one too many drinks at an awards night, but it had felt like something he had to do, like a chore.

Smiling softly, Deacon placed a quick kiss on her lips "you are welcome".

Time slowed down as they both lost themselves in each other eyes. As Rayna's eyes grew heavier she struggled to keep them open. Chuckling softly, Deacon gave Rayna one final kiss, before helping her to stand up, her eyes remaining closed. Swaying slightly on her feet, Deacon placed a hand on her lower back to steady her before placing her hands on his shoulders. Undoing the button on her jeans, he pushed them down her over her buttocks. Squatting, he gently lifted her legs as he completely removed them. Standing, he guided her a couple of steps towards the head of the bed.

"Ray?"

"Hmmmm"

"Ray, I need you to climb into bed"

"Hmmm"

"Come on Ray", he steered her onto the bed.

Undoing the buttons of her shirt, he reached around her and skilfully undid her bra. Grabbing one of his t-shirts, which he knew she was fond of sleeping in, he slid the t-shirt over her head and fed her arms into the sleeves. Picking her legs up, he swung them up and under the covers before guiding her backwards onto the pillows. Flicking the lights off as he walked around his side of the bed, he slowly crawled into the bed, not wanting to disturb her. She murmured in her sleep as she rolled towards him.

Propping himself up on his elbow, he watched as she slept. Tucking her hair back off her face he still couldn't believe how lucky he was to be able to lay next to this woman. If anyone had asked him two years ago, he would have said that she was lost to him. Even though he knew Luke was the wrong man for her, he had also seen how she had been changed by association with him. She had lost herself and seemed unaware of her path. He could see it, but Rayna being stubborn refused to listen to not only himself but to herself. The selling of their story to Rolling Stones cemented it for him, he had lost her.

Laying his head on the pillow, he could feel Rayna's warm breathe on his skin. The moonlight bathed her in a gentle light, sighing in her sleep she rubbed her face against her pillow. Her eyes flickered open and she gave Deacon a sleepy smile before wrapping her arms around his chest. Smoothing his hand over her hair, Deacon kissed her head as her breath deepen indicating she had fallen back asleep. She had snaked her hand up under his shirt, her palm rested above his heart cradling the engagement ring she had once thrown back at him. He had carried it with him all these years as a touchstone to remind himself what he had lost because of his drinking. The second time he had given it to her, she refused to accept it. He had once again allowed alcohol to remove any hope he had of being in her life. His heart had shattered all over again on that dark night. He admitted he was struggling to understand why she had hid the truth about Maddie from him. He knew their love was strong enough for them to resolve their issues, but Rayna knew she couldn't go through that viscous cycle of him drinking and then struggling to get sober. He had broken her heart so many times in the past, that she had to let him go. She had to protect herself and their daughter. He thought he had lost her forever that night. In disgust at himself, he had thrown it among the decaying flowers, left in tribute for their car accident.

Deacon smothered a sob that threated to escape. Every time he thought about how close he had come to permanently losing Rayna that night, it reinforced his commitment to his sobriety. He knew what it felt like not being able to wrap his arms around her, the years she had been married to Teddy had taught him that. But that dark night when his drinking had almost ripped her away from him permanently had left him with a fear so deep that it terrified him sometimes. He knew firsthand the level of darkness that had descended upon him as he laid in that prison cell, convinced he had killed her. He knew then, that if she had died, he would have died alongside her. He had returned to the accident site and begun hunting through the decaying flowers, trying to find it after he had thrown it there. He wore it on a chain around his neck to remind him to walk the line, to remind him of what he would lose if he was to ever drink again.

Rayna crawling upon him, bought him out of his dark thoughts. She laid half on him, her face snug against his neck, her lips caressed his skin every time she breathed. Her leg had tangled with his as she draped herself along his length, flush with his body. Sighing his name, she relaxed her body even further against him, while her hand remained over his heart, cradling the ring.