Author Note: I'm used to writing fairytale-like stories where everything good happens to the main character. I kind of wanted to take a different approach with this one. There will be romance, I promise that; however, I want to do it a little differently. I hope you all like what you read and let me know what you think of it.

Chapter 1: Stuck In The Middle

Orlando, Florida

I did everything I possibly could to take my mind off of him. The fact that he walked away from a four year relationship was completely devastating. Life goes on, right? Wrong, I still had to see him everyday. Working within the WWE didn't exactly give me time to get over him and move on. Our lives were still entwined no matter how much it hurt me in the process.

Turning the corner of the hallway leading to the woman's locker-room, Roman stood outside of the door with his arms crossed over his massive chest. His long dark hair was pulled up into a tight bun behind his head. So much for me getting to work early enough to avoid him completely. "Savannah, can we talk a minute?" He asked pushing himself off the wall to stand only a few inches away.

"Why? I think you've made it pretty clear how you feel about me." I answered tucking a stray chunk of my light brown hair behind my ear.

"Look, I don't want things to be awkward between us here."

"Neither do I; but how am I supposed to act?"

Roman's jade eyes were searching my own hazel ones. I would love to understand what was going on inside his mind, because I was so confused as to what he wanted from me. My heart still pounded for him, still wanted him to hold me in his arms and kiss my lips until they were numb. Of course, that just wasn't in the cards anymore. "Sav, I still care...I just need some time to figure my life out without trying to make a relationship work to."

"Really? That's your excuse for walking away from a perfectly happy four year coupling. I've been there through some of the worst parts of your career, Roman. I'm the one who brought you to the attention of Hunter and Stephanie, despite being hated by them."

I don't know why I was shouting. I guess the anger had finally gotten to me. He knew it to. He lowered his gaze away, obviously figuring out just how much it hurt me to be near him. I was at the point where I was beginning to not care about his personal problems with his current position within the company. The fans still were against him and no matter how many times they tried to get him at the top, he was pushed back down by the backlash.

"I know...I am sorry. Maybe this is for the best...for both of us. Your career is soaring right now."

"What world are you living in? My career is steady not soaring. Am I champion? No. They don't like me remember."

The need to calm down was overwhelming and I could see that my outburst was drawing attention from the crews. They were staring at us, getting their entertainment for the evening early. Roman's hand twitched at his side, like he wanted to reach out for me. Out of habit perhaps, I didn't know. "Again, I am sorry...I hope that you will understand..." He stated and walked away.

His warm spice scent waved under my nose, bringing back all the memories of when I could smell it on his chest while he held me. Cursing under my breath, I walked into the locker-room and slammed the door shut behind me. Sets of eyes were all around me, watching. It wasn't until I saw Becky's concerned expression out of the sea of gawking glances did I start to calm down. "Are you alright?" She asked in her thick accent.

"I'm fine..." I whispered in returned.

"Roman?"

I sat down next to her resting my chin in my hands. It wasn't just about Roman's decision to break my heart that got to me. The fact that neither Stephanie nor Hunter liked me enough to allow me to hold the championship despite being within the company for over seven years. I've seen all these new girls get there time to shine and I was still stuck in the middle. "It's not just him..." I finally answered.

"I still think you're better off without him." Sasha stated crossing her arms over her chest.

"Hate to say it; but I kind of agree with her."

Becky reached out to take my hand into her own. The comfort of it was appreciated greatly. I knew they were only trying to help; but hearing their hatred of Roman wasn't really doing anything for my broken heart. Reaching down into my bag, I pulled out my iPod and earbuds. "I appreciate the help you're trying to give me; but I'm just going to have to deal alone." I said standing up from the chair.

"What are you going to do?" Sasha asked.

"Go for a run in the halls." I replied slipping the device into the clip on the waste-band of my yoga pants.

"Savannah..." Becky began.

Before she could protest further, I was already out the door plugging the coral colored buds into my ears. The hallway was empty of workers, so I figured it was a good time as any to run the pain away. At least for the time being. The tip of my finger hit the play button and music sounded immediately. It got my feet bolting forward and my heart pumping.

Allowing the music to flow, gave me some peace of mind from the all the heartache that threatened to tear me apart on the inside. My mouth lip synced the words, singing along without actual vocals. It wasn't until someone grabbed my arm firmly did I stop running.

Swiftly turning my head to see who had grabbed me, I pulled one of the buds out of my ear. In front of me was Roman's best friend Dean Ambrose. His shaggy brown hair fell a little across his brows. He was already dressed for the ring. Black beater tank top, his own authentic hoddie over top and dark colored fitted jeans with a black belt. "Dean...what's up? You scared me." I said trying to catch a breath.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to." He replied sincerely.

"It's fine. What's going on?"

"Just wanted to talk for a minute."

"If this is about Roman...I really don't..."

"It's not...well not really."

I was confused. It was either about him or it wasn't. I knew Dean long enough to know they were extremely close. By definition brothers except for the blood related thing. I knew Seth to, I was a big part of their lives when they were the faction 'The Shield'. It was weird to think about those days, because we were all close and now it was so very different. "I understand the need to make excuses for him...you are brothers; but try and look at it from my perspective."

"Sav, listen...Roman is a moron. When I heard that he broke up with her, I was legit pissed."

I couldn't help but smile at that. It was good to know that someone else didn't agree with his actions other than my own friends. Though I considered Dean a friend, he would always choose Roman over me in any situation; but perhaps I was wrong this time. "I'm sorry that things aren't the way you hoped they'd be. Just know I'm still around if you need anything."

"I appreciate that...I truly do." I replied placing a hand on his arm.

He gave me a slight smile before allowing me to be on my way. The thing about Dean was that he was a great listener; but as far as advice went, he really couldn't tell me anything I didn't already know. Running down the next hallway, Hunter was talking with Stephanie about the current script that was in her hand.

Stopping immediately, Hunter looked up to glance in my direction. Sensing something was amiss, Stephanie looked at me as well. She motioned me over with a hand. Now I knew that something was wrong. "We had to change a few things for tonight's show to make room for lengthy promo, so we had to cut your match against Naomi." Stephanie informed.

"I see...well thank you for telling me..."

"I'm sorry." Hunter apologized.

He might have actually felt sorry; but I knew that his wife was not. She never liked me from day one. Knowing that I wasn't even going to be on the show, it made the want to leave even that much more intense. What was the point of sticking around? Slowly making my way around the corner, I leaned my back against the cool wall trying to gather my thoughts.

"She was so disappointed." Hunter's voice stated.

"Well we just don't have room for her tonight. It's getting harder and harder to put her anywhere. I'm not knocking on her talent; but she just doesn't have the look I want in a champion." Stephanie answered.

"Then change her look. Give her something different to work with. The girl has talent and should be used."

"I'll think about it."

I guess it didn't come as a surprise to hear that Stephanie didn't like me that much; but to hear Hunter defend me was satisfying, even if nothing came from his attempts. Moving away from the wall, I started my run back to the locker-room. The music continued to mask my emotions that were threatening to spill over my lashes. What more did I have to do to gain my break...to get that time to shine that so many others before me had?

Opening the door to the locker-room, there was no one in sight which was a blessing. I really didn't want to explain my leaving to Becky or Sasha. They would try to talk me out it. Tonight, I think it was best if I was just alone. Gathering my things, I zipped the bag up and began to pull it behind me.

The walk back to the parking garage was a short one as the lights lit up on my car when I pushed the unlock doors button. Slipping my bag into the back, I slid into the driver's seat. Placing my phone gently into the cup holder, I turned on the ignition. More music started to play within seconds, only this time it was stuff I could sing along to.

Pulling out of the garage, I turned in the direction that would lead me to the Performance Center. I needed some time to work out and figure out what to do with my career. If I didn't do something soon, I was always going to be stuck in the middle with nowhere to go. That wasn't what I wanted. I wanted to be champion.

It didn't take long to get to the center. The doors were always open to main roster talent, in fact, they welcomed us with open arms. They always used us as examples for certain training methods. With phone, iPod and gym bag in hand, I opened the door. William Regal was announcing something to the entire group of NXT stars. Smiling at the scene, I snuck around it aiming for the gym section of the center.

"Hey stranger." A heavily accented male voice greeted warmly.

Turning back around, I could see Cesaro standing there with a bag over his shoulder. It really was good to see him. The torn rotator cuff injury really set him back just when they were about to push him further up the food chain. He opened his arms to give me a hug, which I accepted happily. "So what are you doing here?" He asked.

"I needed some time alone to think about things."

"Ah...something I can help with?"

"Not really...I'm just going through some stuff."

He didn't seem to understand what I was getting at; but he eventually walked away to begin his rehab training. I hated to shun him from conversation; but I simply wasn't in the mood. After hearing Roman's ridiculous excuse for breaking up with me and then hearing Stephanie's reason for me not getting a title reign, I was just done for today.

I could see that the gym was pretty much empty, which was good for me. Popping in my buds once again, I drowned out all the outside noise to run on the treadmill. Running was my escape from reality, for at least while my body held out anyway. 'The Sound of Silence' by Disturbed came on, giving me a sudden chill as I ran.

"Hello darkness, my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left it's seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains within the sound of silence"

The words ran over me like a soft caress, I looked down at the buttons on the machine for a moment. When I looked back up, I could see a familiar face in the mirror ahead of me. My throat clenched, preventing my voice from even working. His smile was still as luring as ever. Pushing the button to stop, I eventually slowed down enough to get off.

Pulling the buds out of my ears, a millions thoughts crossed my mind. I hadn't expected to see him any time soon, if at all considering my career was failing miserably. His two toned hair was pulled back into a tight bun at the back of his head. "Seth..." I managed to say in a low voice.

"It's good to see you to, Savannah." He stated aiming his smile directly at me.

"I didn't...expect to see you here."

"Well I've been coming to rehab the leg for the last month or so. Not ready to return yet; but I'm getting there."

I moved towards my bag. Bending down, I grabbed my water bottle from the side. Flipping the top up, I lifted it to my lips. The cold liquid slid down my throat much to my liking. Seth's eyes never left me. They continued to linger on me wherever I moved to. It felt weird considering how things ended up almost two years ago. I never faulted him for making the decision to break away from Roman and Dean, they of course did; but I always looked at a positive side to everything. Or at least I used to.

"How have you been?" He asked taking a step closer to me.

"Seth, being nice to me isn't going to get you any brownie points. I'm still hated by the higher ups."

"I take total offense to that insinuation."

He gave me a playful smile. One I had seen so many times over the years when he was teasing me. I didn't understand why he was still there talking with me. He had been pretty upset with me the last time we spoke, which was almost nine months ago. "Awe come on, Sav. Can I at least apologize for how things ended up before you toss me out?"

"I'm not going to toss you out, Seth. You don't need to apologize for anything either, because it doesn't even matter anymore."

I think he understood what I was getting at. The reason we fought was because of Roman. The fact that we were no longer together made the issue invalid. His eyes softened and the playful smile faded. The sympathy reflected in his features now. "I'm just going to go. It's been a long agonizing day and I'm tired." I said moving to pick up my discarded bag.

"Savannah...I'm sorry...I didn't mean.."

"I know; but you were right. He did break my heart..."

Without saying another word, I walked straight passed him and out of the performance center completely. The urge to cry was overwhelming but I couldn't let myself do it. Not now...not ever. I would not cry over this. I was stronger than this and I'll be damned if I let a man destroy me.