The path for these two never seems to run smoothly, but there is hope on the horizon. If episode 15 is anything to go by (next chapter will deal with that particular episode and the fallout from it) until then enjoy the ride!
Preparing for bed, Deacon leaned against the doorframe while cleaning his teeth and embraced the image before him. He still had no idea why Rayna was in his bed, she had said she needed time and even though he was on borrowed time he had given it to her. It had hurt that she had pushed him away but he understood. She needed time…time to lick her wounds, time to find herself again and time to sort out her feelings about them. She didn't know about the cancer and even though at the time he was disappointed at her asking for time, it turned out to be the best decision. He was determined that he was going to fight this disease on his own, that he didn't want Rayna back out of pity. Seeing her in his bed just reconfirmed his decision to keep Rayna and the girls out of arms reach…if only it didn't hurt so much not being close to her.
Walking back into his bedroom to grab a pillow for the couch, Deacon noticed that Rayna had kicked the covers off herself. Pulling the covers back up over her, Deacon smiled at the sight of her in his old tour shirt. Sitting down next to her on the bed, he paused for a moment to watch her sleep. It gave him a degree of comfort that Rayna had finally reached out for him. Even though he was going to have to push her away, it eased some of the ache knowing that she still loved him. Yawning, Deacon slid down the bed and continued to watch Rayna sleep. His fingers twitched to touch her, but knowing his weakness for her Deacon knew that once he had her back in his arms he would never be able to let go.
Rubbing her cheek against the hard pillow her head was laying on Rayna closed her eyes more firmly hoping to trick her body into going back to sleep. She had had the best night sleep in a long time and wanted to hold onto the remaining tendrils of it. A wonderful sense of warmth and safety made her wiggle further down into the blissful weight of the cocoon that engulfed her. A tightening of the weight that enveloped her, accompanied with a gentle moan forced Rayna's eyes to open cautiously.
Tentatively sneaking a peek down at her body she could see the cause of the tightening around her, not that she needed evidence. She would have recognised the familiar weight anywhere. Wrapped around her like ivy on a tree, Deacon had snaked one arm under her head and the other was draped across her waist. He had one leg tangled with hers, his face was curtained within her hair and she could feel his warm breath tickling the back of her neck. No wonder she had felt so safe and warm.
Deacon was the only person who was able to sleep like this with her. His weight pushed her body down into the mattress and his arm imprisoned her against his warm body. Being held like this by anyone else always made her feel trapped and claustrophobic. From the very start it signified serenity for Rayna whenever Deacon held her like this. With this embrace he was able to take away all her concerns and give her a sense of contentment. Breathing in deeply she sighed in blissful happiness as she tangled her fingers with Deacon's and closed her eyes again.
Deacon tightened his arms around the wiggling object beneath him. Burrowing his face into the silken tendrils that tickled his nose, he sighed deeply as his subconscious struggled to identify the familiar scent that was surrounding him. Fighting the need to open his eyes, wanting to delay for as long as possible and dwell in this dream state, he tightened his grip once more bringing the body flush against his own.
With a voice heavy with sleep and a head suffering with a hangover, Rayna whispered Deacon's name. The hitch in his breathing indicated that he was close to waking. "Deacon" this time spoken louder and in combination with a tickling of his palm. She felt his whole body stiffen and pull away from her. "Rayna?" a clearly confused Deacon croaked out as she felt a loss as he began to loosened his grip on her, moving his body away from her, though not completely separating from her. "What are you doing here?"
Moaning as the pain from the morning light hit her square in the eye, Rayna pulled the covers up over her head as she muttered her response. Not understanding what she said, Deacon pulled the covers down and leaned over her to look her in the face. Her eyes were screwed up tightly against the cruel morning light. "Ray?"
"Arrgggghh! SHHHH!...Stop talking!" Rayna begged as she covered her eyes with her arm. "Please."
Smiling smugly down at her Deacon tapped his fingers against her arm. "Why Rayna Jaymes are you hung over?"
Willing herself not to smile at his gentle teasing "Nooooo! Never!... You were just shouting at me."
"Hmmm sure I was Ray…are you sure you aren't suffering from the ill effects of a night of drinking and debauchery?"
"Yes I'm sure…now shut up! And go and make me some coffee" she muttered as she once again pulled the covers up over her head effectively ending all future conversation on the matter.
Laughing Deacon dragged his body away from the comforting warmth of Rayna and padded out to the kitchen. He was smart enough to know that to confront Rayna without coffee in the morning was foolish, let alone while she was sporting a hangover…that was just plain dangerous. Coffee ready, Deacon returned to the bedroom and could see that Rayna hadn't moved from the spot he left her.
"Your highness, your humble servant has prepared you your coffee."
If the unladylike snort from under the blankets hadn't alerted Deacon to the fact that Rayna was awake, the waving around of her hand above blanket in search of coffee would have.
"Nope Ray, that's not going to work. I'm not giving you this coffee until you face the day like a grown up."
Deacon knew that he was being cruel but he had learnt over the years that a hung over Rayna would wallow the day away in bed and avoid everyone and everything. He knew that they needed to talk, but not today. Not when she was feeling so sorry for herself and not when he could still feel the weight of her in his arms. He needed to get her up and out of his house before his resolved weakened and he crawled back into that bed and took further comfort in her.
Hearing muttering coming from under the blankets, some of which Deacon was sure were curses aimed at him, Rayna's head emerged. Blinking frantically against the harsh light, she pushed her hair out of her face as she struggled to give Deacon a murderous look. Failing miserably she held her hand out in his direction. Throwing pleading glance in his direction, he gave her a smile of sympathy and gave her the lifeline. Sighing as she swallowed the first warm mouthful, her eyes danced around the room falling everywhere but on Deacon.
She knew that he wanted to know what she was doing here and why she was in his bed. The warmth that had encased her since waking up in he's arms still lingered on her and it unsettled her. Her pounding head and the scent of Deacon on her skin make her reluctant about confronting him about the gulf between them. Taking another sip of coffee, she snuck a peek at Deacon who was now lounging against the doorframe watching her cautiously. Her eyes raked over his body cased only in his boxers. He's body was a tribute to good genetics and a musician's workout. Her eyes skimmed over his honey coloured skin, taking in the fact that he had aged beautifully. He was still muscular without being overly obvious. She had always admired his strong arms…the way they played guitar, the way she felt small and womanly against him and at the same time wrapped in those arms, she felt safe and loved.
Finishing up her coffee, Rayna catches a glimpse at the time as she reaches over to place the mug on the bedside table. "SHIT!" Frantically kicking her legs to get the covers off her, she exclaims "Deacon, god damn it, help me!" Chuckling to himself, he places his own coffee down and attempts to detangle Rayna from the bed clothes. "Rayna calm down."
"I can't I have to go pick the girls up from Teddy's and drop them to school. He has a council meeting."
Finally getting herself free from the offending material, she firmly plants her feet on the ground. Swaying she reaches out and grips Deacon's arms until she feels strong enough to stand on her own. Slapping at his naked chest "Shut up! And get dressed, you have to drive me to my car…..and tell me where my clothes are!"
At this Deacon can no longer control his laughter, putting his hands on her shoulders he pushes her in the direction of the bathroom "Ray, why don't you go make yourself presentable and I will gather up your clothes."
Sitting in the cabin of his truck, Rayna squints against the morning light. Deacon forces a smile from his face as he takes off his sunglasses. "Here, this will make the day a little bit more tolerable" he hands her the sunglasses. Smiling her thanks, she places them on and disappears behind them. The familiar unease that she has now come to associate with thinking about their relationship is beginning to take hold again. She was so sure of everything last night even more so this morning when she woken up with Deacon. But now in the cold harsh morning light all uncertainty had returned. Nothing had changed in regards to how she felt about Deacon, or how much she wanted him in her life but Deacon was projecting a 'back off' aura.
Rayna wasn't so sure about what Deacon wanted anymore. He had been avoiding her for the last couple of months and Rayna was unsure how to cross that divide between them, especially now that Deacon seemed so reluctant to even talk to her. Regardless she knew that they needed to talk. They had to confront what was between them and work out what the future held. Deacon pulling up outside the Highway 65 offices brought Rayna back to the present. "Here you are Ray."
Clearing her throat and with a small smile on her face, Rayna turns to face Deacon. Leaning over she places a kiss on his cheek, lingering longer than necessary "Thanks"
"Ummm you're welcome. Aahhh…Give my love to the girls…Tell Maddie I will call her about her lesson." Squeezing his hand, Rayna nods as she gets out of the cabin.
Deacon watches as she makes her way to her car. Knowing that his standoffish behaviour is causing Rayna pain loosens Deacon's resolve. He knows he won't be able to delay telling Rayna about the cancer for much longer, she was always good at being able to tell when he was being evasive. He hopes that when he is finally forced to tell her, that he will be able to also tell her some good news. Rayna flicks her hair over her shoulder as she looks back at Deacon.
Through the pounding of her head and the general next day seediness, she recognised the signs that Deacon was hiding something from her. His caginess and uneasiness being around her triggered alarm bells, she was now more than ever convinced that she needed to get Deacon alone and force him to reveal what he was hiding. Throwing him a smile and a small wave, she hops into her car.
**** All rights to the songs mentioned belong to the writers and ABC.