The slow torture of Rayna continues...though not for much longer. Hope you are enjoying the ride cause our favourite couple are going to face some hiccups soon as I deal with the Season 3 final.

"Come on tell me, I'm dying to know what happened at dinner? Wait, what were you wearing? There might be a nice photo to help me set the scene."

"God I hope not, by the end of dinner I was so pissed off at him."

"Why?"

Rayna rolled her eyes at her sister's enthusiasm for gossip, "he took us to a quiet restaurant, where I thought that we could have a lovely romantic dinner. Pfft the only thing remotely romantic was him pulling the chair out for me. Don't laugh, all through dinner he was very attentive while constantly touching me, I couldn't concentrate on anything. I was buzzing by the end of it and then he walked me to my car, kissed me on the cheek before going to his truck."

Tandy could just picture the pissed off look on Rayna's face that night as she watched Deacon walk away from her. He was lucky she didn't run him down with her car.

"Oh babe, come on. Give the man some credit he is sticking to his guns. You said he was wooing you, and it sounds like he is being serious about it. Maybe he is trying to prove to you that he is the man you deserve, trying to be that man that Daddy always accused him of not being."

"But Tandy, I don't want that man, I want him. I want Deacon because he is Deacon. I want him for all his good and bad points, for his love of the plaid shirt, his scruffy beard, his talent on the guitar, for being my best friend….god I just want him, full stop. He has got to realise that by now, doesn't he?"

"I don't know babe. Have you told him?"

"I've tried, but he keeps distracting me"

This made Tandy laugh even more, "Prey do tell how exactly does he distract you?"

Laughing, Rayna explained "just by being himself."

Tandy nodded at Rayna's response, "well he did always have that effect on you. So what else has he done to drive you to distraction? Taking you out to dinner and being all touchy feeling can't be it. After all, this is the man that Daddy warned you about. He was convinced Deacon was going to lead his precious little girl astray and get you into trouble."

Sniggering at the thought of her father thinking of her as precious, Rayna proceeded to confide in Tandy the next major highlight in Deacon's slow torture of her.

Two weeks ago:

Leaning against the bar while waiting for her glass of wine, Rayna looked around the room at the various big wigs of the country music scene. This was the first event she had attended since the break up with Luke. She wasn't going to come, but Bucky argued that it would be good for Highway 65 if she was seen there. After all they were still a new label and even with her name attached to it they had to be seen at all the right events. "Here you go Ms Jaymes."

Turning back to the bar, she was greeted with the welcoming sight of her wine. Smiling at the bartender, she took a much needed sip of her drink. Signing to herself, she rubbed her temples to try and ease the tension away. Her cheeks were aching along with her head. If she had to plaster another fake smile on her face and answer the endless questions about her and Luke, she was going to scream. She had naively thought at an industry event the mindless probing questions would be less, but if anything it was worse. Everyone assumed just because they had shared some stages with her that they had the right to ask some damn right personal questions. Bucky had been brilliant, steering the conversation back to business, but she could still see everyone subtly watching her.

Thank goodness Luke hadn't shown himself tonight. Taking another sip she berated herself at the level of relief she felt at not having to deal with a public run in with him. She knew that he was still hurting from the break up, and she had tried to remain out of the spotlight. She and Deacon had been careful to only be seen together either in a professional capacity or at places that could in no way be construed as romantic. It was frustrating to not be able be honest with their relationship, but Rayna also didn't want another 'Ruke' experience. She wanted to keep this quiet and enjoy re-establishing their relationship. They still had some issues they had to deal with but they had been trying to spend as much time together as possible. Whether that was family nights at home or getting into the studio, it was amazing that it felt like they had never spent anytime apart.

"Rayna?"

Signing at the loss of her time alone, she turned around and pushed herself off the bar, "Ye Buck?"

"This is Candy Wilson, she is a freelancer journalist. She is currently doing a piece on Nashville for Entertainment Weekly and was interested in talking to you." Plastering her 'professional' smile on her face, Rayna turned and welcomed Candy to Nashville. Five minutes later, after sidestepping questions about her and Luke, Rayna had almost reached the end of her patience when she heard a familiar laugh.

Looking over Candy's shoulder she caught a quick glimpse of Deacon. He was trying to detangle himself from one of the young attractive women here tonight. Rayna couldn't help the smile that graced her lips, it was probably the first genuine one she had all night. Deacon looked so awkward as he tried to distance himself while at the same he was being his usual charming self. Feeling someone staring at him, he looked up and locked eyes with Rayna. He gave her a sheepish grin as he finally extracted his arm from the disappointed woman. Beaming a smile at him as he made his way over to her side, Rayna failed to notice that the reporter in front of her was paying close attention to them.

"Well that was graceful."

"You ain't seen anything yet, you just wait to see me on the dance floor!"

"Oh, I have seen your dance moves. I should start warning people now."

"Oh, you're funny" a playful nudge of his hip against hers accompanied the warm smile he gave her. A clearing of a throat alerted them to the fact that they weren't alone. "Hey Buck, how are you going?"

"Good Deacon, I didn't think you were coming tonight?"

"Yeah, wasn't going to but my plans fell through and my label keeps telling me that I need to attend these things. So, ahhhh, here I am." Deacon noticed for the first time an unfamiliar face looking at him, "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt anything. Just wanted to say hi and you know, ummm escape." A very unladylike snort brought all their eyes to look at Rayna. Blinking innocently she cleared her throat to make the introductions.

"Deacon this is Candy from Entertainment Weekly, we were just discussing a potential article for next month's issue."

"Nice to meet you Candy" Deacon shook her hand, "How are you liking Nashville, or do you live here?"

"No I don't live here, but have spent a bit of time here over the years. I have family here. Actually, Deacon we have met before."

Deacon had a confused look on his face as he tried to place her face. "It was about, I guess ten years ago."

Deacon was still struggling to picture where he could have met her, when she provided the answer. "I had recently finished college, and had my first paying job doing some work for a local magazine showcasing local talent. I was at the Bluebird and caught one of your sets. I was so blown away with what I heard, that when I heard you talking with your band about heading to another bar I followed you." Still seeing his confusion, she continued "you were pretty wired, blowing off steam with the band when I came over and introduced myself."

"Sorry, so this was about 10 years ago?" Rayna asked. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach that this was around the time she was about to give birth to Daphne. It wasn't a good time for them. They were arguing constantly, on edge with each other. Rayna was feeling the effects of a less than smooth pregnancy and she assumed that Deacon took the fact that she was once again carrying another man's child as a personal affront. She was convinced at that time, that their relationship had completely broken down and they would never recover from it. The thought of never having Deacon in her life, combined with hormones made her snap at everyone near her. Poor Teddy was on the frontline and when Deacon did make an appearance he was also on the receiving end of her frustrations.

"Hmm ye I'm guessing 10 or 11 years, why?"

"Oh nothing, was thinking that it was probably when I was about to give birth to Daphne. Deac, think you were doing some small gigs around town between writing for various people." Deacon gave Rayna a smile of thanks, though it never reached his eyes. His eyes showed Rayna that he recalled vividly the level of pain associated with that period of time in their lives. When Rayna first told him that she was pregnant, he's heart had shattered. Knowing that she loved another man enough to once again carry his child nailed the lid on their romantic relationship. He was always going to be the good friend to her. Watching her beauty explode as she progressed through her pregnancy had made him bitter, bitter and angry.

He was angry at himself for ruining their relationship and bitter that a bland man like Teddy had ended up with his soul mate. The pregnancy hadn't been easy for Rayna and she was on edge, especially towards the end, so she was snippy and short with everyone. They were constantly clashing with each other. They would have massive rows over the smallest things. Looking back now, Deacon can see it was because they were scared. They were both so scared that they would lose each other, that there would be no room in each others respective lives for the other. Luckily it didn't turn out that way, but for about 6 months after Daphne's birth they didn't see each other and the thought of her with another man brought Deacon dangerously close to breaking his sobriety.

"Oh…ok. Sorry Candy, I really don't remember meeting you."

Looking a little disappointed, Candy tried to cover it up. "Hey no problem, I'm sure you have to deal with fans all the time. But let me tell you, it was one memorable night for me. You were, um how do I put this politely? You were out of control; I mean you were wild that night and the next morning, if memory serves me."

Blushing, Deacon chose to ignore the insinuation regarding the one night stand.

"I do remember some wild nights out with the band back then. Who would have thought that I could get into so much trouble without artificial stimulates! Thank goodness I've gotten wiser with age" smiling at her, Deacon managed to softened the blow to her ego.

Rayna narrowed her eyes as she reappraised Candy. She was tiny, with a mass of black curls and sparkling blue eyes, she was also very touchy with Deacon. Rayna wasn't stupid. She knew that Deacon had had other women over the years. As much as she hated it, she couldn't hold it against him after all she was married for the majority of the time. But things were different now and this girl was beginning to annoy her. It didn't matter that their relationship was still a secret, the fact that she was blatantly flirting with Deacon in front of her, made her want to slap her. She wasn't normally prone to jealously but when it came to Deacon, even while married, she couldn't control the green eyed monster from rising.

Deacon was laughing with Candy as she regaled him with more exploits from the mysterious night. Her hand was now resting on his forearm and she was beaming a smile at him. Deacon glanced over to see Rayna with her jaw clenched so tightly he thought she was going to shatter her teeth. Following her glare, he looked down to see that Candy had moved closer to him and was rubbing his arm. Clearing he's throat he took a small step backwards "I don't think I could party that hard now days. I appreciate the finer things in life now." He flicked his eyes side ways to subtly glance at Rayna, smiling softly at Candy and shrugged, "plus I've got a daughter. Need to set a good example"

"Well that's a shame. I'm in town for a couple of weeks, and it would have been a blast to catch up. Let me know if you change your mind." Taking it as a sign to move on, she turned back to Rayna. "Rayna, I would really love to sit down and talk to you about your career and how it has helped shape the Nashville music scene."

"Umm sure, how about you call the office and we can set up a time. Buck, think I'm going to head off. The girls have an early start tomorrow and I have that session as well in the morning."

"Sure Rayna, I will just go grab the car. You make the rounds and say goodbye."

"Na Buck, I will just grab a cab. You stay and have fun. Candy it was lovely meeting you." Smiling at him, she squeezed his bicep in a subtle display of ownership, "Deac I will catch you tomorrow for that re-write." Smiling her goodbyes, Rayna rubbed her temple as she made her way through the crowd.

Deacon watched as she made her way to coat check. She had seemed off, he could tell something was bothering her. Making his excuses to Bucky and Candy, he made his way after Rayna. Leaning on the doorframe, Deacon's eyes ran over her body as she stood there waiting for her coat. She was wearing a knee length straight black skirt that hugged her hips and emphasised her shapely butt, and the electric blue top highlighted all her other curves. Licking his lips, he allowed his eyes to caress her as he made his way slowly over to stand next to her.

She could feel Deacon's eyes on her before he announced his presence. She shivered and rubbed her bare arms. The halter neck silk shirt offered little coverage from the tell tail sign of how Deacon affected her body. Turning to face him, she raised her eyebrow and offered him a crooked grin. "So you dragged yourself away from your one woman cheer squad I see!"

"Ray, Ray, Ray… green isn't your colour."

"What are you talking about?"

"You are jealous"

Taking a step closer to him, "I so am not"

Taking a step in her direction, Deacon closed the gap between them. They could both feel the heat radiating off each other, leaning down so that his eyes were level with hers, Deacon whispers "oh you are so jealous."

"Pfftt, you don't know what you are talking about" Rayna retorts back emphasising her point with a finger in the middle of his chest. Raking his eyes over her, with a voice gravely with lust, Deacon caresses her name out over his lips, "Ray."

Her breath catches in the back of her throat as Rayna watches his eyes darken with desire. Leaning forward slightly, she whispers in his ear "I am so not jealous of her!" Throwing his head back, Deacon laughs at her denial. He watches as she struggles to get into her coat, all the while silently muttering curses under her breath. Grabbing her wrist to get her attention, "Hey, are you ok?"

Smiling at the concern in his eyes, Rayna puts her hand over his, "Yeah, I can just feel a headache coming on. It's been a busy week, think I just need an early night. I'm just going to grab a cab and head home."

"Ray, let me drive you to your car. You look wiped out."

"No Deacon, you should stay and charm the masses"

Leaning in, he whispers softly in her ear "Ray, I only came tonight to be with you." Her eyes widened while a soft smile tugged at her lips.

"Come on, let's get you home" placing his hand in the hollow of her lower back, he gently guided her out of the room away from the crowd. As they left, they failed to notice the glint in Candy's eyes as she watched them leave.