Sorry for the delay in a new chapter. Real life and Season 4 have distracted me! I anticipate that this story will end in the next couple of chapters. Debating on whether to continue it into Season 4. Would love some feedback on what you think? I personally think that l need the therapy of writing to deal with the angst we are going to have to deal with in Season 4. Anyway, enough chat...enjoy this chapter (hopefully the wait for next chapter won't be so long next time)

Bucky quickly tapped on the door of the office, not waiting for a response he entered with a flustered look on his face. Rayna looked up as he entered, concerned by his appearance. It took a lot to make her manager look rattled.

"Buck?"

"This just got Fed Ex over to us. It's an advance copy of what is being run tomorrow. Normally I would suggest we deny it, but to be honest Ray I don't think we have that option."

Frowning at his words, Rayna's eyes flicked over the cover of the magazine he had handed her. Blazed across the front cover was a photo of her and Deacon. Even without, what she suspected was going to be a damning article the photo was incriminating on its own. They had their arms loosing wrapped around each other, their foreheads were pressed against each other and they were smiling softly. Rayna knew exactly when the photo had been taken. It was shortly after they had left the hospital. After they had received the news that the cancer had grown and without a transplant Deacon was going to die.

Resting her head in her hands, Rayna stared at the magazine cover. She was reluctant to open it up. Bucky was right, there was no way they could deny the story. No amount of 'just friends' was going to get people to ignore the evidence before them. If she was honest with herself, at this stay Rayna wasn't sure she wanted to deny it. She wanted to sing it to the world that she and Deacon were together, that they had finally got their timing right. She gave a sarcastic snort at their timing, their timing sucked. Hesitantly she risked a glance at Bucky, as she opened the magazine.

"How bad is it?"

"It's pretty bad. It basically implies that you and Deacon have been having an affair for years. While the most incriminating photos are more recent, it doesn't paint you in a good light."

The fairy tale is over. The dream wedding that we all dreamed about: the joining of the King and Queen of Country Music. The suddenness of it caught us all unaware; we had believed the story, we had vested all our dreams and hopes on this celebrity coupling. But was it all as rosy as we were lead to believe? According to the stock standard response released by their publicists, Rayna Jayme and Luke Wheeler had grown apart and there was no third party involved. These words appear to have a falsehood to them, especially following the actions of Luke Wheeler on the day of his wedding. Filmed fighting Rayna Jayme's long time lead guitarist, Deacon Claybourne, fans were left wondering if there was more to the story than what is told by their respective PR teams.

I have had the privilege recently to interview all the parties involved in this mystery and they remain as tight lipped as ever when asked about the events surrounding the cancelled wedding. However the question still remains unanswered. What was the real reason behind the break up?

In order to get to the truth it is important to examine the past. Both Rayna and Deacon have admitted that they had had capricious relationship over the years. Their early history is ripe fodder for the country songs they are famous for. Their love is still whispered with the same reverence saved for the great Cash and Carter, even though it had been over 15 years since they were last involved romantically. Rayna Jayme's squeaky clean image took a tumble when her supposedly happy marriage to Nashville Mayor, Teddy Conrad, ended. Gossip pages were quick to link the two together again, especially after the discovery that Rayna's first born daughter, Maddie Conrad's father was Deacon Claybourne. All speculation in regards to their relationship was laid to rest once it was made public that Rayna had fallen for country's hottest star, Luke Wheeler.

Two successful artists in their own right, their relationship could only result in beautiful music. Just when we thought their stars couldn't shine any brighter; their duet hitting number one and staying there for a record 20 weeks, Rayna swept the CMA, and both were selling out arenas in record times. What was lurking behind those dazzling successes that caused the breakup of the year? Or should that who?

Examine footage of Rayna and Deacon on stage and you can clearly see the progression of their relationship over the years. The highs and lows are all there, played on stage for all to see. Deacon Claybourne is often quoted as saying country music is 3 cords and the truth. Well the truth is that Rayna Jaymes and Deacon Claybourne never stopped being involved.

Played out on stage, you can track the moments when their relationship was strained. It is most evident shortly after Rayna returned to the stage after the birth of both her children, and even for a short time when she had started dating Luke Wheeler. Even at their lowest point, their frostiness towards each other is minor compared to the palpable electricity between them when their relationship is on track. This reporter has extensively examined footage of them on stage. Comparing footage from their early days at the height of their romantic relationship against various points through Rayna's long career; namely Rayna's marriage to Teddy Conrad, shortly before the horrific accident they were both involved in early last year and finally at the one event they played at while she was partnered with Luke Wheeler. While these events span a period well over 10 years what hasn't changed is the level of passion between them. There were times I felt like I was peering into the most intimate of moments. It wasn't just the physical intimacy between them, the lyrics to their songs flamed the fires of their love. It was a brave man who attempt to step between these two.

Mayor Conrad tried for 16 years and failed and as recent history has shown, Luke Wheeler was the latest casualty. But no one has ever been completely successful in coming between Rayna and Deacon. The ties that bind them are unbreakable, even when it has been stretched thin it snaps back throwing them together once more. Rayna's relationship with Luke came dangerously close to destroying that link. Embracing the mantra, 'keep your friends close but your enemies closer' Luke went on tour with Deacon as his opening act. It seems even distance and an estranged relationship wasn't enough to sever the bond between these two. The cracks between Rayna and Luke were beginning to show at the CMA. Rayna gushed about her writing partner while ignoring her fiancé in her speech, it wasn't until her final win of the night that she mentioned Luke.

While it is not possible to know what happens between couples in private, what we can gather is that Rayna and Deacon have never not been involved. The fight between Luke and Deacon confirms this theory, as does their performance at Rayna's Opry anniversary. The words they sang to each other, spoke volumes about their relationship. Their emotions were laid bare for all to witness. The audience were completely forgotten as their gaze's spoke of a powerful desire. The waves of intimacy radiated off them, washing over the audience until not a dry eye was left. This couple has been through incredible highs and lows but through it all they remained true to their love for each other.

The Opry anniversary was a turning point in their relationship. They no longer had to hide the truth from everyone, they were now free to embrace their relationship. Never one for public displays of affection, Rayna clearly is no longer following this mantra. It appears that the Queen of Country has chosen her prince and he had been there all along. We were just too distracted to notice that Rayna Jaymes and Deacon Claybourne had quietly been conducting a love affair all these years.

Rayna sighed as she closed the magazine. Her mind was still struggling to comprehend not, just what was said through out the article but what the various photos implied.

"What did you want to do Ray?"

"I don't know Buck."

"We could try denying it…"

Rayna gave a bitter laugh, "No Buck, there is no denying those photos. We are way past the 'just friends' line."

Pushing back away from her desk, Rayna paced along the length of her office. "I honestly don't know what to do. We shouldn't have to justify our relationship to anyone… you know better than most Bucky how much pain we have inflicted on each other over the years trying to deny this. Why should we be made to feel guilty about it?"

Bucky nodded at her.

"I mean, Jesus! I have loved Deacon for what seems like all my life, and finally when I take that step towards getting what I want, I now have to explain myself. That's not fair Bucky…. It's not fair."

She slumped back down into her chair, deflated. Looking up at her manager, her eyes glistening with tears. Tracing her fingers over the series of photos taken outside the hospital, she marveled at the look of love on their faces. She was sick of denying the truth to everyone. She didn't want to hide anymore.

"They must have been following us for a while. There is a photo here of me leaving Deacon's. That must have been from about a month ago. Shortly after I did that article... for... that… reporter… Candy." Her voice tapered off as she flicked through the pages of the article. Frowning in concentration, Rayna's eyes flicked over the article searching for the name of the reporter.

"Buck who sent the magazine to you?"

Bucky peered into the envelope, searching for a cover letter.

"Hmmm that's strange, there is no letter included or even a return address."

"Ye there isn't a name to the article either." Shaking her head, "But bet I can guess who is behind this. I told Deacon I didn't trust her!"

"Who?"

"Candy. The reporter who interviewed us about the Nashville music scene. She was digging for information about why I called the wedding off and my relationship with Deacon."

Sighing loudly, Rayna leaned back into her chair rubbing her temples.

"You know what Bucky? I think the smart thing to do, is to just not say anything. No one will believe it if we deny the story and I'm certainly not going to justify or announce to the world that we are together."

"Think that is the smart move. People will rapidly lose interest."

"Yep, just need another celebrity scandal to occur to take the heat off us!"

Chuckling at her sarcasm, Bucky looks up as Brenda, their receptionist knocks on the door.

"Sorry to interrupt but Scarlett O'Connor and Gunner Scott have just arrived for their appointment."

"Thanks Brenda, tell them to take a seat. We won't be long."

"Give me a moment Bucky. I need to call Deacon and give him a heads up."