2003

Deacon tells Ridge about his affair and his child with Brooke, to try and break them up. Ridge is disgusted, but forgives Brooke. Deacon fumes. Deacon meets and marries Macy. With her support, Deacon sues the Forresters for custody of his son. Deacon and Macy earn custody. Macy dies in an accident while singing at Oscar's club. Deacon attempts to reconcile with Bridget. Eric confronts the pair just as they are about to make love. Eric shoots Deacon, who is temporarily paralyzed from the waist down.

2004

Bridget showers Deacon with medical and emotional support. She grows closer to Oscar, who proposes and she accepts. Deacon then proposes to Bridget and discovers he's too late. Deacon fights though physical therapy and recovers, but Bridget stays with Oscar. Deacon becomes involved with Jackie, Massimo's wife. He helps Jackie get a paternity test, to discover if Ridge or Jackie's son Dominick is the father of Brooke's latest child. Jackie and Deacon make love.