Wow! This chapter was pretty much finished before my holiday but I wasn't completely happy with it, so delayed posting...little did l know it would take me so long to get it right! But I am pretty happy with the way it turned out, it is designed to add some background to Deacon and Rayna's history. Next chapter will continue with National Naked Day ;-)

As usual, thank you for taking the time to read my story, and for leaving encouraging feedback, you have no idea how much I appreciate it. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter.

Rayna gave Deacon a gentle smile as he hummed softly along with the radio. She sent out a blessing that Deacon was by her side, and that they get to spend the day travelling down to Austin. The sun was shining and the warmth through the window was making her sleepy. Yawning, she turned her attention to the passing landscape, she was drawn to how familiar it felt. Her and Deacon had crisscrossed these roads in the early days of her career, playing at any two-bit dive that would agree to let them play. Longing to feel the lingering Fall warmth on her skin, she wound her window down. The rush of the crisp air flowing over her extended hand, sent shivers through her. The bitter bite of winter was slowly creeping closer to them, though Fall was stubbornly refusing to give way. A slight worried frown creased her brow as she thought about the potential for rain to ruin her wedding day. While it was still a few weeks away, she sent a silent prayer to the heavens that the winter rains held off for a while longer. She had her heart set upon an outside wedding along the banks of the Cumberland. The waters and the nearby banks had featured strongly in the early days of their romance. She used to sneak out from her room and make her way down to the banks to meet up with Deacon. Those early days were filled with an innocence as their relationship blossomed firstly professionally, then romantically. They slowly learnt about each other over time, both the good as well as the darkness they had hidden deep inside.

He had gripped her hand tightly when she has slipped hers in his, offering him her silent support as he told her about all the times his father had come home drunk and laid into his mother. A scared and angry young sixteen-year-old Deacon, had gathered all his courage one night and stood between his parents. When his father had taken a swing at him, he had acted on instinct and ducked out of reach of his punch. Instinct took over as he shot his arm out and landed a punch on his father jaw, sending him reeling backwards onto the kitchen floor. Scared beyond belief at the look of murderous contempt in his father's eyes, Deacon ran out of the house. It was the last time he would spend the night in his childhood home. Years later he would come back to try and convince Beverly to leave with him for Nashville, but the destructive tentacles of growing up in an abusive household had wrapped around Beverly, trapping her in that familiar cycle. Little did he know then, just how far those poisonous threads would stretch, and just how a destructive impact his father's behaviour would have on him and those he loved beyond belief.

Sitting next to each other, the warmth of Deacon's thigh sending sparks through her where it brushed against hers. The sound of the water lapping broke the silence that had settled over them. Brushing away the tears that careened down her cheeks, she risked a quick glance at him, unsure how he would react to her revelation. She had carried the guilt of being responsible for her mother's death all these years. She had never shared that darkness with anyone, not even Tandy. But after he had opened up and told her about how his father was physically and emotionally abusive towards his family, she felt that he would understand.

Tipping his head slightly to the side, he wordless watched as tears spilled from her blue eyes. Her bottom lip trembled as she struggled to reign her emotions in. It hurt to see her so heart broken, that she thought that she had killed her mother. Wrapping his arm hesitantly around her shoulder, he pulled her gently towards him, wanting the strength of his body to shield her from any further hurt. Sniffing as her tears slowed, she buried her face in his shoulder and welcomed the solid feel of his arms around her. Running his hand over her curls, he made soothing noises, placing soft kisses on the top of her head. He knew that she had nothing to do with her mother's death. He also knew better than most, that people say the worse things in anger, especially when arguing with loved ones. Deacon could feel his own anger rising as he thought about what Rayna's father had accused her of. He would never be able to forgive Lamar for placing the blame for his wife's death at the feet of his youngest daughter.

After a particularly late performance at the Bluebird one night, Rayna had been caught by Lamar creeping back in well after her curfew. Dragging his young daughter into the sitting room, Lamar roared with anger as he demanded to know where she was coming from at this time of the night. Stunned at the viciousness of his anger, Rayna stammered out a friend's name from school, hoping that he would leave it at that. Swinging around to confront her lie, Lamar exposed the truth that he had learnt. Apparently, a business associate had seen her leaving the Bluebird tonight, with her arm wrapped around a young man. He had watched them get into a beaten pickup and drive off in the opposite direction to the young Rayna's home.

"You are a disgrace and have tarnished this family's name. You are your mother's daughter."

Hearing such hatred towards both herself and her mother from her father, Rayna leapt to her feet and challenged her father.

"I have done nothing wrong. I had just finished singing at the Bluebird and Deacon was giving me a ride home. I have done nothing wrong. How dare you accuse me of doing something based off what someone thought they saw"

Hearing that his young daughter had not only ignored his wish to give music up, but that she had been actively performing at venues around town, was like waving a red flag at a bull.

"You are just like your mother. You are as selfish and reckless as she was, only caring about yourself, and not thinking about what effect your behaviour has on others."

"I have done nothing wrong. You have never supported me and my music"

"You and your music killed your mother!"

Lamar's statement stopped Rayna dead. Staring in disbelief at her father, she couldn't stop the tears from escaping as the hurtful words he spat at her punctured her heart.

"What?"

"Your mother was speeding to get home in time to see you perform at your pathetic school concert. If you hadn't been so selfish and demanding, she wouldn't have insisted on driving during that storm, and she certainly wouldn't have lost control due to speed. And you expect me to encourage you in following your dream"

The venom in his voice made her blood to turn to ice. His eyes were dripping with hatred when he looked at her, turning his back on her his voice lacked emotion as he stated,

"Go to bed Rayna, I will deal with you in the morning"

Stunned at what had just happened, Rayna on autopilot climbed the stairs to her room. Numbness had engulfed her as she struggled to put the pieces together. Within a month Lamar had kicked his sixteen-year-old daughter out of the house, stating that if she wanted to whore around, she could do it under her own roof. Rayna vowed never to return to that house, and for years she struggled to forgive her father for his viciousness towards her that night.

Tucking a wayward curl behind her ear, Rayna pushed all thoughts of those vicious accusations from her father aside. She had long ago learnt to place the blame for her mother's death where it laid. More recently, with the revelation that her father might have contributed to her death, she had taken her inheritance and used it to invest in Highway 65 and set up a musical scholarship for girls who come from an abusive background. It was her way of rebelling against her father's controlling ways, and his disgust at the music industry. Smiling at the memory, she recalled the day she received the final paperwork for the scholarship. Tracing her fingers over the lettering, she traced the name of her mother. It felt so right to name a musical scholarship after her, after all it was only through the encouragement of her mother that she had belief in her own abilities.

While the beginning of their relationship was tainted with mutual memories of dark childhoods, the banks of the Cumberland also held memories of many happier times. When her father had kicked her out of the Belle Meade mansion, she had run straight to Watty. He let her stay with himself and his latest girlfriend, under a few provisos. While less strict that her father, Watty had insisted on her finishing her schooling and placed a curfew of her. Though that curfew was flexible, depending on whether she had scored a slot at an open mic night or not. Watty had nurtured and encouraged her to pursue her music dream, he believed in her ability. She was now free to spend more time with Deacon, working on new music and developing their relationship, without the need to sneak around. Seeing the undeniable connection between them for the first time on stage, Watty concerned for his young charge, ensured that they were rarely left alone but never banned them from seeing each other. While they had undeniable chemistry, Watty knew that Deacon had a girlfriend, and from what he knew about the young guitar player, he knew that he wasn't a player.

Every time Deacon played his guitar and looked at her in a certain way, the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach at being near him, would take flight and cause her whole body to tingle with anticipation. Every moment she spent with him she was on tenterhooks, wanting so badly to kiss him that she couldn't think straight. She knew it was wrong to lust after someone's boyfriend, but she couldn't control the feelings that Deacon invoked in her. When the long-anticipated kiss did happen, it was so unexpected that it took her a moment to realise what had happened.

Deacon had reluctantly agreed to tag along with Vince to the house party of Stewart Osborne's. While Deacon didn't like Stewart, he knew that Vince wasn't doing great after breaking up with Penny, his off-again and on-again girlfriend. If it was anyone else's party, Deacon would have refused to go but he knew that Stewart had a way of getting Vince into trouble. Deacon had asked Rayna along, as he knew that other than playing at various clubs and bars, she didn't go out much. The majority of her friends has distanced themselves from her when Lamar had kicked her out. The small group of friends that she had made in the two years since then, were all in serious relationships and weren't interested in partying.

Rayna had met Stewart in passing whenever Vince came along to see them play. She had always tried to keep her distance from him, as the way he looked at her made her uncomfortable. Guys were always trying to hit on her once she got of stage, but Stewart would try to trap her against a wall or door and press himself against her. She had always managed to sweet talk herself out of the situation, and a gentle push back against him would remind him to back off. Thankfully Deacon had never found out how Stewart behaved towards her. He was so protective of her, making sure that the guys in the audience didn't hassle her. A few times he had fought guys who had got too close for comfort to Rayna. Even though he was dating Samantha Beasley, Deacon acted like a jealous boyfriend sometimes.

Opening the door to the house, Deacon waited until both Samantha and Rayna had passed before entering himself. Touching Rayna softly on her back, he lent in to whisper,

"Ray, you let me know if anyone gives you a hard time, or if you want to leave early, okay?"

Smiling back at him over her shoulder, she nodded before whispering to him,

"Thanks"

With a gentle reassuring squeeze of his arm, Rayna made her way through the crowd that was congregating around the keg.

"What's up with Miss High and Mighty? "Sam asked, her voice dripping with contempt.

She had seen the way that Deacon eyes followed Rayna across the room. It wasn't the first time she had noticed it either. She would often come home and find them both sitting close on the couch, their heads almost touching as they wordlessly worked on the music. They were always so absorbed in each other, that she was almost on the verge of shouting before they acknowledged that she was there. It didn't reassure her doubts about their relationship when it seemed like Rayna would always scurry off whenever she arrived home.

"Sam, don't call her that" his voice heavy with weariness.

He was sick of Sam constantly belittling Rayna and nit-picking every little thing she did. Deacon had reassured her thousands of times, that there was nothing other than a professional relationship between the two of them. Though he had to admit to himself, that over the past year as they had grown closer, he had started to see her as more than a friend. Though he wouldn't never cross that line, especially while he was in a relationship with someone. Besides, he knew that Rayna just viewed him as her guitar and song writing partner. It stung a bit knowing that was all she saw him as, but at the same time he knew that she was out of his league. He knew deep within himself, that he was not good enough for Rayna.

Snatching a beer from the tray being passed around, he grabbed Sam's hand and followed the path that Rayna had taken. Spotting her sitting awkwardly on the edge of a worn-out couch, chewing on the plastic lip of her beer, Deacon made his way towards her. Sam sensing, more than seeing due to the crowd of people, where Deacon was heading, pulled back on his arm. When he resisted, she pulled harder forcing him to stop.

"Deacon, she is fine. She doesn't need you hovering over her all night. Besides, if you are there no other guy will approach her, and isn't it time that she got herself her own man?"

Frowning at her last statement, Deacon turned back to look at Rayna once more. He could see that Darryl Webb had taken up residence next to her, his arm slug along the back of the couch as he lurched over her. A rush of intense jealously flared in him, making him want to go punch Darryl for sitting so close to Rayna.

Taking a step towards Rayna, he was prevented from moving any further by a violent pull on his arm.

"For gods sake Deacon, she is a big girl and she can take care of herself. You are my boyfriend, not hers...and its about time you started realising that!" Sam hissed at him, her voice a mixture of anger and annoyance.

Looking up Rayna caught the look on Samantha's face. She could tell that she was angry. She couldn't hear the words being exchanged but she was certain that somehow, she was involved. Rayna had always tried to be friendly to her, knowing that she was Deacon's girlfriend, but it seemed like Samantha had taken an instant dislike to her. It didn't matter what Rayna did to be nice to her, Samantha would always try to belittle her. Even when Vince and Deacon called her out on it, Samantha would only alter her behaviour for their benefit, but before long she would return to her regular behaviour.

Turning her attention back to Darryl, she tried to smile at him but the smell of his stale beer breath was enough to turn her stomach. Muttering an excuse, she got up and headed out the back of the house. The sweet smell of fresh air filled her lungs. Looking back over her shoulder as she wound her way down towards the river, she noticed that the crowd had thinned out, until it was just her alone on the river bank. Sitting down on a rocky outcrop, she took a sip of the flat beer Darryl had got her. Scrunching her face up at the taste, she took another sip as she tried to get accustomed to it.

Wrapping her arms around her, she let the sound of the gently flowing river wash away the loneliness she felt. Though she didn't miss the stifling environment of living with her father, or the stuffy parties of the Belle Mead set, at least they were familiar to her. Blinking back tears, Rayna chugged down the rest of her beer. She knew she was being childish feeling this way, especially when her music career was starting to happen, but she missed having girlfriends that she could confide in. She really missed Tandy. She was off at college, so they rarely saw, let alone spoke to each other. She could have done with some sisterly advice about her growing attraction to Deacon.

Kicking at a stone in frustration, she remembered Deacon had told her in the early blossoming days of their acquaintance that this was a strictly professional relationship. He was there to help her music career and that was it. She had fell for him from the moment he had picked up that guitar and sang. Every moment she spent with him just made her fall deeper. Knowing it was one sided broke her heart, and she was always so careful to act like a platonic friend to Deacon whenever Samantha was around. Rayna was forced to grit her teeth whenever Samantha fawned over Deacon when he was played the guitar, sitting close to him and gazing at him. Being forced to watch Samantha drape herself over Deacon and touch him without restraint, was always too much for Rayna. She would leave abruptly making flimsy excuses to avoid having to watch the loving couple.

Rayna, in frustration, smashed a small rock against the large rocky outcrop she was sitting on. She wished that Deacon would see her as something other than band mate. For two years she had been trying to control the sensations that engulfed her whenever Deacon was near. Deacon always made sure that she was okay, whenever they were performing, but it had an undercurrent of brotherly concern. The small touches to the small of her back as he guided her through crowds, the brushing of his fingers on her cheek as he tucked a wayward curl off her face, the way his blue eyes twinkled in joy whenever he saw her made her heart beat uncontrollably and stammer when he asked her a question. The conflicting signals he gave off gave her hope that she didn't deserve to have. His gentle touches, the way he spoke softly to her drawing her closer into his personal space. If she didn't know better, she would have sworn he felt the same way about her.

Rayna could still picture the way the warm Fall sun twinkled as the burnt orange leaves of the trees swayed gently from a soft breeze that blew through the secluded woods. Brushing her lips, as she watched the passing scenery from the passenger seat, she could still conjure up the feel of his soft lips against hers for their first kiss.

Deacon had come searching for her, after she had wandered off from the party. He had found her sitting on a rocky outcrop throwing pebbles into the water. Looking up, she smiled at the concern written across his face. Shaking her head, she wordlessly told him she was okay. Wiggling over, she made room for him to sit next to her. Reaching out, he tangled his fingers with her, giving them a gentle squeeze before releasing her hand. Sitting in the tranquil silence of the woods Rayna nudged him, laughing gently as he almost fell off the rock. Sighing into the tranquil air, she allowed herself to lend into him, welcoming the warm solid feel of him next to her. Breathing in the smell of him, she could feel the familiar butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

"Deacon?"

"Hmmm"

Turning to face her, he was struck by her beauty once more. He couldn't believe that someone like Rayna would ever give him the time of day. Sure, as a musician he knew that he had his worth, but romantically he knew he wasn't good enough for Rayna James, and perhaps that is why he had kept his relationship going with Sam longer than he should have. Deacon had heard the comments about their performances together. People would whisper, wondering if they were together. Locals from Nashville would be especially curious, as they knew their collective backgrounds. Deacon knew that it wouldn't be long before Rayna realised that she could better, that he was a bad influence on her, both musically and personally, and leave him. It broke his heart knowing that. He took that heart break and put it into his music. Every song he had written since meeting Rayna, was about her and their relationship, not that she knew that. He had never shared them with her. He wished he had the courage to do so, but he wasn't strong enough to deal with her rejecting him.

Her blue eyes sparkled in the soft light, as she gave him a questioning look before bestowing him a lopsided grin. Before he could question what he was doing, he had lent forward and gently kissed her upturned lips. Pulling back, he searched her eyes, trying to gauge her reaction. Confusion mixed with something he couldn't quite identify was written across her face.

"Ray..."

Her lips on his preventing him from finishing his sentence. Her arms had wrapped around him as she pulled him closer to her. Her lips were silently telling him that everything was going to be okay. He could taste the strawberry gloss on her lips, as they deepened the kiss. His large hands cupped the back of her head, his thumbs caressed the tender skin her neck. Breaking apart, their breath laboured as they wordlessly questioned what had just happened. Bursting out laughing, they wrapped themselves in each other's arms, wanting to disappear into each other. Their lips quickly found each other again, with thoughts of professional relationships and girlfriends fading away as they explored the next step of their relationship.

"Ray?"

Hearing the concern in Deacon's voice, Rayna pulled her gaze away from the passing scenery and dragged her mind back from the trip down memory lane.

"Yeah"

"You okay?"

Smiling gently to reassure the tone of worry in his voice, Rayna softly squeezed his arm before exclaiming,

"I'm okay. Just thinking about Stewart Osborne's party."

Slapping his thigh, Rayna teasingly states,

"Can't believe you made me wait two years before kissing me"