Rayna's House

12: 15 pm

Deacon washed the blood of his knuckles and took a moment to breathe. He knew he shouldn't have lost his temper but the second he heard Teddy call Rayna a whore, all rational thought flew out the window.

Coleman had agreed with him: Lamar had something to do with Maddie's disappearance. It was just way too clean for a child to pull this off. Maddie had bought a plane ticket on the home computer. But where the hell does a twelve year old learn how to use a credit card or order plane tickets online. Sure Rayna was always on planes but management always did those things for her. Then add in Maddie's foresight into departures times, taxi services, and then her complete lack of a trail and it didn't make sense.

Or in Coleman's word it, "had Lamar's fingerprints all over it."

He turned off the water and promised himself that no matter what that he was going to be strong for Rayna. She'd been his rock since they met. Now, he was going to be there for her.

3: 07 pm

Deacon tried not to feel jealous as Teddy and Rayna sat on the couch together hugging Maddie. But it felt like a swift kick to the gut. Maddie was found at Lamar's guest house. Maddie believed her parents would bond over her disappearance. What if Maddie's misguided plan had worked? What if Rayna realized she wanted to try again with Teddy? What if Ray decided she should go back to him for the girls' sake? Deacon turned around, suddenly feeling a need for some air.

6:50 pm-

Deacon held Rayna on the floor of the hallway bathroom. The tears she spilled were tears of relief and he could tell exhaustion was setting in. Maddie had been home for hours now.

Lamar had been taken down to the police station, but charges wouldn't come until the police investigation was completed. Deacon suspected they'd probably never come. Bucky and several executives from Edgehill were in the kitchen figuring out when the tour could resume and were going over the press release again. Teddy had several staff members from his officer in the living room, going over schedules and press releases.

20 minutes ago, Rayna had excused herself and he'd quickly followed. They'd ended up here, the only room where they could get away from prying eyes and curious little girls.

Deacon whispered into her tangled hair, suggesting she go lie down. She knew he was right. It had been two and half days since she slept for any time period. And she'd never been as scared as she was while Maddie was gone...but her mind was still racing. Rayna watched as Deacon dislodged himself for her grip and stood up. He took a washcloth, wetting it with warm water before sitting back down on the floor. He slowly pressed the cloth to Rayna's face before he peppered her face with soft kisses.

She managed a weak "thank you…I know I must look like a complete mess." He didn't say anything for a moment, before meeting her gaze. "Even as a complete mess, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Her eyes filled with tears again as she leaned into a kiss. It was meant to be a simple and chaste thank you. Instead it quickly turned into a deep kiss with her straddling his waist. His hands roamed down the back of her thighs as she moaned into his mouth, deepening the kiss.

Her hands moved to the belt buckle of his jeans. It was then Deacon realized he had to stop. They were on the floor of the hallway bathroom. In Teddy's house. With a dozen people on the same floor.

He pulled back and said her name in a whisper, causing her to realize they had to stop. She kept her position but sat back , trying to give both of them distance. Her tears spilled over as she apologized.

Deacon just ran his hands through her and let out a happy smile. "Darlin' you NEVER have to apologize for doing that."

She smiled back at him, leaning down to give him one more quick kiss. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For figuring out where Maddie is...For being here even though I know you hate this house, and Teddy, and you haven't slept at all either, and…"

Deacon cut her off, placing a figure on her lips. "Hey…I'm fine. You're fine. The girls are fine. Let's just focus on that."

1 Week Later-Nashville

Rayna felt her jaw clinch as Teddy walked away. They'd gotten into a fight. Another fight. Their second one of the day today. She still couldn't believe Teddy had actually called the Police Commissioner and said the family didn't want Lamar prosecuted for a "deeply personal and family matter."

She checked her phone, disappointed that Deacon hadn't texted her yet. He should have landed over an hour ago. She hated this feeling.

Deacon has never been on the road without me and vise versa. Now that he was out on the road and she was in Nashville, they were on completely different schedules. He was on stage after she put the girls to bed. She and Liam were at the Studio by the time Deacon finished all the after-show hoopla. He had sound-check while she was meeting with her lawyers. She had free time when he was on a plane. He was trying to call her when she was comforting Daphne. It had been crazy.

She missed him. She missed him and she'd just gotten him back: Back from the Rebel Kings. Back from Juliette. Back in every since of the word…. and now he was Juliette's again. She knew it was ridiculous, I'm being ridiculous.

Next week, she'd be back on tour. The girls, who'd be on Spring Break then, would be coming too. That part made her nervous. Deacon and the girls knew each other. He'd always been 'Uncle Deacon' to them but he'd never been 'hey I am screwing your mama' Deacon. They hadn't even talked about sleeping arrangements. She plopped down on the couch and leaned her head back against the cushion.

My father practically kidnaps my daughter and nobody cares. My husband is sleeping with his ex. I'm with my ex, who is currently on tour with his ex. The press is fascinated with her relationship with Liam. Tandy's a basket case, trying to defend Daddy while not being able to justify anything he'd done. She had decisions to make about Scarlett and Gunnar's careers to make. And all she wanted feel Deacon's arms around her.

She grabbed her phone and texted a simple message, "Miss you."

A few seconds later her phone dinged, "You have no idea."