"Hey babe. So sorry, I got caught on the phone with the guys from marketing. "

Deacon laughed at the sound of frustration in her voice. "Ray, no problem. Why were you dealing with them? Where was Bucky?"

"I have no idea. He called this morning and said that he was going to be late, which is perfectly fine. It's not like we expected this call, but I am going to kill him when l next see him. That is two hours of my life I will never get back!"

Laughing at the image of Rayna trying to play nice with the executives, Deacon asked, "How far away are you?"

Rolling her eyes at the stationary traffic, "Um you should go in. I might be a while. Traffic seems to have stopped."

A couple of cars back, Candy was trying to figure out where Rayna was heading. She was praying that she wasn't just going to the supermarket or home. She sent up a mental pray that Rayna was on her way to catch up with Deacon. When the traffic jam finally began moving again Candy was left even more bewildered about where Rayna was heading. After traveling across town, Candy followed Rayna as she turned into the drive leading to Nashville private hospital. Rayna leaped out of the car and walked quickly into the building. Candy found a car space away from the SUV and waited a good 5 minutes before following her inside.

As she entered she was confronted with the hospital's directory, standing there she wondered where Rayna had gone. This was clearly the specialist wing of the hospital, with everything from cardiology to hepatology. She looked to her left and right, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rayna, before deciding it was a waste of time trying to work out where she had gone. Disappointed Candy returned to her car to wait for Rayna to come out.

Rayna burst into the waiting room of Dr Rand's, startling everyone sitting there. Mouthing sorry she made her way towards Deacon relieved to see him still in the waiting room. He looked relaxed sitting there, but she knew that inside he would be fighting the demons demanding he run as far away as possible. Reaching his side, she slide into the chair next to him and laced her fingers with his. Smiling into his eyes, her own eyes expressed her sorrow for being late. Shaking his head slightly at her unspoken apology, he leaned into her and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Rayna ran her thumb along the top of his as they waited, marveling at the feel of holding his warm hand in hers once again.

This was the first appointment she had attended since he told her about the cancer. She wanted to go to the others but Deacon had insisted that he needed time. He wanted her there with him, but it was so hard for him to open up and share this with anyone. The only reason while Scarlett attended the appointments was due to the fact that she was there when he was first diagnosed. If he could figure out a way to get her to stop coming he would have. Rayna tried to hide the hurt she felt at being excluded from this aspect of his life, but deep down she understood his reasons. She knew how private he was, how he sometimes kept his emotions so tightly wrapped up. If she had needed further proof of how much he had changed she had it, seeing him dealing with his diagnosis. Even though she didn't go to the appointments with him, he talked to her about what Dr Rand had discussed and how he was feeling.

If she was honest with herself, she had also needed time to process all the emotions his condition had raised in her. She was terrified that she was going to lose him but there was also a small spark of anger at him and that his drinking had caused this. That his past behaviour could potentially shorten their time together. Every time she had this thought she reminded herself that she was also to blame. If she hadn't been so easily manipulated by her father, Tandy and Teddy, her and Deacon could have had the life they longed for years ago.

Deacon squeezed her hand as his name was called. She reciprocated as Deacon led her into the consulting room. Rayna could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest, her breathing was shallow and rapid. Entering the room and smelling that unique medical smell, Rayna tightened her grip on Deacon's hand. She had the sudden urge to run from the room knowing if she stayed she would no longer be able to deny that Deacon was dying.

Wanting to be strong, she blinked the tears back as she sat down opposite Dr Rand. She knew that she was probably hurting Deacon's hand but she couldn't seem to lessen her hold on him. She was afraid if she did ease up he would slip away from her. Dr Rand, or as he insisted Caleb, greeted her warmly stating that he had heard wonderful things about her not only from Deacon but from Scarlett. Like a deer caught in headlights, Rayna could only blinked at him and give him a small smile, unable to speak at the moment. She was struggling to keep a lid on all the emotions that had come rushing to the surface the minute she step into the consulting room. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth she would scream at the injustice of Deacon's cancer and once she started down that path she wasn't sure if she would be able to stop. She would fall into so many pieces that she wouldn't be able to piece herself back together. Rayna kept her focus firmly on Caleb's tie refusing to look in Deacon's direction. She knew that if she did she wouldn't be able to stop the tears.

She watched as Caleb pulled up Deacon's file on the computer. He frowned at the image on the screen before spinning it around to show them. Deacon shuffled forward in his chair, releasing Rayna's hand. He listened as Caleb explained the results to him and pointed to various spots on the on the screen. Rayna's eyes had shifted focus to the computer screen, as she struggled to follow the conversation between Caleb and Deacon.

Deacon rubbed his hands up and down his thighs in nervousness as he tried to comprehend what his Doctor was telling him. Flicking her eyes between the screen and Deacon, Rayna felt all the colour drain from her face. She didn't need to understand the words to know that the news wasn't good. Biting firmly down on her bottom lip, her hand shook as she reached out for Deacon. Her fingers dug into his leg as she frantically tried to deny what Dr Rand was telling Deacon. She could feel her tears slowly making their way down her face, biting down harder on her lip she was determined not to break down in this beige consulting room. Deacon wrapped his large warm hand around hers, lacing their fingers together. His grip on her hand got firmer the longer Caleb talked. Looking at them both, Caleb solemnly explained that the tumour had grown and that if it continued at this rate Deacon would shortly be ineligible for a transplant. Her eyes were wide and showed the level of her fear as she whispered the question she had been dreading,

"How long?"

"I can't tell you that"

"I DON'T ACCEPT THAT. YOU ARE THE EXPERT, YOU MUST HAVE SOME IDEA WHAT TIME FRAME WE ARE DEALING WITH HERE. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN DO" Rayna yelled at him.

Every nightmare she had had since learning about Deacon's cancer came rushing towards her as she struggled to accept the news they had just received. She felt so powerless. Looking at the man who held her heart and knowing that she was shortly going to lose him, she lost all control over her emotions.

Whimpering with pain she fell into Deacon's arms. She clawed at his back, wanting nothing more than to climb inside him and never leave. She wasn't ready to face the world without him, she didn't think she would be ever ready to do that. Turning her face into his neck, her words muffled as she cried silently into his warm skin, "It's not fair. I refuse to let you go."

Caleb was clearly moved by the anguish washing over the couple in from of him. He wished that he had better news for them, wished he could give them what they most desired.

"Sorry Rayna, but I don't work with absolutes. I wish I could give you a more definite answer. It could take the tumour another 6 months to reach the unviable stage or it could take 2 weeks. In the interim I'm going to start Deacon on a new round of drugs, hopefully to slow growth down and he will move up the transplant list. But don't give up hope. I doing everything I can to help you win this battle but you both have to remain positive."

He wasn't sure if they had heard him until Deacon gave a slight nod of his head. He could now see what Scarlett was talking about. She had stated that when Deacon and Rayna allowed themselves, they could disappear into each other and disconnect from the world around them. Caleb was witnessing it first-hand. Gathering Deacon's medical files he took a final look at the grieving couple,

"Why don't you both take a moment, I'm going to go organise the next round of drugs for Deacon. Meet me out in reception when you are ready. I believe you can beat this. It will be tough but with the support of each other you can face anything thrown at you."

Rayna barely heard anything said after the devastating news was delivered. She had tried to remain strong for Deacon, she had vowed in her mind before entering the room that she would be strong. The minute she entered, she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep that promise. Reality had come crashing down on her and she could no longer deny the truth about Deacon's cancer. She knew that Deacon had been reluctant to allow her to come to the appointment. Not because he didn't want her there, but as he explained he didn't want to cause her any more pain. She almost wished she had listened to him, because at least then she had the luxury of being ignorant about how advanced the cancer was. Now there was no denying it. Deacon was dying. Her mind was blank. She couldn't comprehend what this meant, she had become numb. Deacon tighten his arms around her, his hand cupped the back of her head and buried his face into her neck seeking all the comfort her presence bought.

Deacon caressed her back, soothing her the best he could. His shirt was wet from her tears and her breathing was jagged as she cried against him. Her breathing had slowed down as he gently pulled back. Her eyes expressed the depth of her pain as he wiped her drying tears away with his thumbs. He placed soft kisses on her closed eyes, before cupping her face. Opening her eyes slowly she tried to smile at him but it hurt too much. He kissed her forehead before whispering,

"I'm sorry Ray. I have caused you so much pain over the years and if I could spare you this I would. You don't deserve this."

His kiss was so soft, so gentle and so full of love that Rayna thought her heart would burst with love for him. Placing his forehead against hers, he rubbed his nose against hers. The delicate scent that was Rayna filled his senses. The loving arms holding onto him and the beating heart that powered this remarkable woman who loved him beyond all reason gave him the strength he needed to continue to fight. Kissing her once more, his lips barely touching hers as he declared,

"I am going to beat this. Everything I have to live for is right here and I can't think of any better incentive than knowing I will get to spend the rest of my life loving you."

Rayna kept a firm hold onto Deacon's hand as they walked out of the hospital and headed towards her car. She was trying to adopt the positive approach that Caleb insisted was essential but she was struggling. The truth revealed by the latest results had broken her. She could no longer deny the knowledge that Deacon was dying. This was now their truth. They had always prided themselves on the fact that their music was their truth. She scoffed as she thought to herself, "well their music was about to take dark turn." Reaching her car, she leaned against the driver's door and looked up at Deacon.

Candy sat up in her seat as she watched Rayna and Deacon walking out of the hospital. They were holding hands and they both looked like they had received devastating news. She snapped a couple of shots off as they walked over to Rayna's car. Chewing on her bottom lip, she wondered where they had come from and why they looked so upset. Was it related to their daughter? Or was it something else?

Deacon leaned into her, his eyes searched Rayna's seeking guidance about what was next. He knew that they needed to talk about the diagnosis but all he wanted to do was hide away with her and pretend nothing was wrong. He twisted a strand of her hair around his finger, smiling at the familiarity of its texture. Every fibre of he's being knew this woman in front of him completely, every time she came near him his whole body came alive. She was his reason for living and he would give his life if it meant he could prevent hurting her. He sarcastically snorted as he realised him dying would cause her unbelievable pain. Her blue eyes look at him confused at his reaction. Shaking his head slightly at her, he traced her lips with his thumb before asking,

"What are we going to do Ray?"

"I don't know Deacon. But what I do know is that I am never going to let you go, so we are going to fight."

Deacon let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. He hadn't expected any other answer but just hearing her say it out loud gave him added strength to fight. He folded her up into his arms, breathing in deeply her familiar scent. Pulling back slightly, he looked deeply into her eyes. Embracing the love he saw reflected there he slowly brought their lips together, savouring the sweetness of the kiss. It was a recommitment by them both that they were going to fight together. He deepened the kiss wanting to sink into her warmth. Cupping the sides of her face, he reluctantly released her lips as he pulled back. Smiling at her, he placed small kisses all over her face while proclaiming his love for her. He felt the smile on her face before he saw it. Her eyes danced in merriment at his behaviour, she knew what he was trying to do and she loved him even more because of it. He was trying to distract her, even if it was just for a minute, from dwelling on their future. She caressed his cheek, basking in the feel of roughness under her fingertips.

"We need to tell the girls."

"Ray…"

"Deacon, we can't hold off any longer. They need to know. Why don't we go to the cabin this weekend? We do need to tell them, it's time."

Resting his head against hers, "I know. I just don't want to cause them any pain. They are too young to have to face something like this. I just want them to have a normal safe family life."

"I know you do babe, but this is our truth now. Why don't we make it a fun weekend? We can go canoeing and fishing, toast marshmallows, sleep under the stars…. You know all that stuff I hate!"

Deacon laughed at that. He would do anything to see Rayna fishing. It was one of his fondest memories when they were younger, of her squealing as the fish she had caught had wiggled free and leapt onto her. Watching her floundering and screeching in disgust while trying to get the fish off her still brought tears of laughter to his eyes.

Rayna narrowed her eyes at Deacon. She knew exactly why he was laughing. She punched him gently in the stomach,

"Hey."

Cupping her head, Deacon smiled at her, "Come on Ray, you know it was funny!"

Before she could protest he captured her lips. She moaned softly against his lips allowing him to deepen the kiss. She reluctantly pulled away from him,

"I need to go pick the girls up. Can you grab dinner on your way home? Daph has softball practise tonight, so we will be home around 7."

Nodding, Deacon quickly kissed her again before opening the door for her. "Do you want anything in particular, or do you trust me?"

Raising her eyebrow at him, her lips scrunched up as she tried not to laugh at the earnest look on his face.

"Surprise me"

He leaned into the window and gave her one last kiss, whispering, "I love you."

Smiling up at him, Rayna's face showed him how much she loved him. "I love you too Deacon, so much."

Candy's mouth was ajar as her eyes blinked in disbelief. She was struggling to believe what she had just witnessed. Flicking back through the photos, she examined the images in front of her. She clearly had not made it up. Rayna Jaymes and Deacon Claybourne were clearly an item. Laughing out loud, if they weren't a couple they certainly had a funny way of behaving for a non-couple. Their kisses definitely weren't of the 'just friends' nature. Candy smiled widely as she realised that she finally had some evidence to support her theory that Deacon was the reason behind the breakup of Rayna and Luke. Looking around her, she wondered where they had come from in the hospital. Chewing on her lip she contemplated how she was going to get that information. Pulling out her phone, she googled Nashville hospital. Dialling the first number on the consultant list, she drummed her fingers against the steering wheel as she waited for her call to be answered.

"Oh hello, my boss, Deacon Claybourne, just had an appointment there and he thinks he left his wallet behind..."