Author's Note: Here it is! This is the "side" story to "The Changes We Make" featuring Bayley and Roman. Please let me know what you all think of it. I love reading what you have to say.

Chapter One

Roman has never let himself fall for someone who isn't available. It's something he's never wanted to have to deal with. He know what the pain looks like. He's seen it within his family, so why would he want to put himself through that pain? Too bad it didn't last. Not when someone like Bayley Martinez comes around. He knew it had been bad when he had that crazy butterfly feeling before he'd even officially met her. Little did he know at that time, she was in a relationship. The worst part about it is the fact that her boyfriend… or he supposes currently ex-boyfriend… is a complete jackass who doesn't deserve her. Adrian Neville, Roman can't even think about the name without scowling, is lucky that Roman's never seen what he does to Bayley.

Roman can't believe that Bayley is actually letting Adrian into her life again. She says they're simply talking, but every time Roman sees them they're awfully close for just talking. He wishes that she could see what Adrian is doing to her. He wishes he could make her see that he's the right man for her. But is he?

As he's rounding the corner to head to his locker room, he hears that giggle. It's one that he's heard numerous times over the last several months. He looks down the hall to find Bayley leaning against the wall outside of a locker room with Adrian standing in front of her. Roman barely manages to hold his growl back.

Please let that be the Diva's locker room and not ours. As he gets closer, he can't help but sigh. Of course he couldn't get lucky enough to not have to be right by the scene before him. He approaches the door and pushes it open. Bayley beams at him.

"Hey, Roman," she says.

Roman looks at her and nods. "Hi," he responds. It probably sounded colder than he meant for it to sound, but he can't bring himself to be happy right now. He glances at Adrian before walking into the locker room where he finds Emma sitting on Dean's lap as they kiss. "All right, knock it off." He sets his things down and takes a seat.

Dean looks over at him. "What's with you?" he asks.

Roman sighs and shakes his head. "Nothing." He's barely finished his answer when Bayley's giggling again. He frowns as he looks down at his hands, picking at some loose skin. God, he needed to get over Bayley. Maybe he should just find some girl to fuck tonight. He could definitely use that release; his hand could only do so much. He looks up quickly when he sees the door opening. Instead of Bayley walking in, however, he sees Emma walking out. He looks over at Dean who's watching him carefully. "What?"

"You really have to ask me that?" Dean gestures to the door. "What's up?"

"Nothing. I'm just an idiot that needs to move on."

"Ro…"

"Dean, just drop it. It's obvious that she wants him."

"No, she thinks she wants him. Look, you know me. You know I don't usually say anything about this shit. But listen to me. She thinks that's all she deserves. She needs to be proven she's worth more. You need to do that. And you better do something before they do make it official again."

"She doesn't want me."

"Fuck that, Roman. She doesn't know what she wants. You need to make her see what she can have." Dean stands up. "Don't wait too long. You know you'll regret it if you do."

"What am I supposed to do? Huh? I can't just go up to her and tell her that she deserves better."

"Yes, you can. Talk to Emma. She can help you out." He walks to the door. "I'll send her back."

Roman sighs as he watches Dean walk out. He rubs the back of his neck, hating that he's having to deal with any of this. He looks over when the door opens once again. Emma's smile is the first thing he sees.

"Hey," Emma says as she sits down beside him.

"Hey." He looks at her. "Your boyfriend is a jackass."

"I am aware." She nudges Roman. "Bayley needs to see that you care about her."

"But Adrian…"

"They aren't together. As of right now, they're still just talking."

"Didn't look like that to me when I was out there."

"He's slowly getting back in. But you can stop it, Roman. She likes you. She just doesn't think she deserves anything more than what she has. Prove to her that she's worth it."

"How? What am I supposed to do?"

"You know those little things that Dean does for me? That's what you need to do. It's simple things, Roman. Hold the door open for her. Pull her chair out. When you're sitting beside her, put your arm on the back of her chair. After a while, start resting your hand on her shoulder as you do so. Make her smile. Make her laugh. Make her feel something she's never felt before." Emma nudges him again. "She loves daisies." She stands up after that. "I'm heading down to catering."

Roman watches her walk to the door. "Emma, wait." He's not surprised by the smile she has on her face when she turns back around. "Is she really not with Adrian?"

"She's not. You better do something soon though. I can see her starting to give in to him. I'll see you later."

"Wait."

"Roman, she likes you. Make her see that you like her too."

He sighs as he watches her walk out of the room. Okay, so maybe he does still have a shot. He stands up and walks out to head down to catering, thankful that Bayley and Adrian are no longer right outside the door. He'd likely punch Adrian if they were.

Something needs to change. And he needs to be the one to change it. He needs to make her see that she belongs with someone other than Adrian; even if it isn't him. He grabs a bottle of water from the case before heading over to where the others are sitting. He sits down in the empty seat beside Bayley.

"It's about time you show up," Dean says with a smirk.

Roman shrugs. "I'm here. Not like I missed anything I'm sure." He looks over at Adrian. "You actually have a match on the show or just darks again?"

"Dark before the show." Adrian watches Roman closely.

"Who are you in with?" Bayley asks.

"Ryder. What about you, Roman?"

Roman looks over again. "Finally getting my hands on that little shit." He points over to Seth. "At least for a bit."

Seth grins as he shrugs. "Remember, I always come out on top."

"You'll get yours, jackass." Roman chuckles. He shifts and rests his arm on the back of Bayley's chair, glancing over at Emma who smiles at him. At least he knows he's doing something right. What he wouldn't give to have Bayley lean close to him.

"Come on, Bayley," Adrian says.

Bayley frowns. "What?" she asks.

"I wanna spend some time with you before the show starts."

"We're hanging out."

"I didn't ask you, Bayley."

Roman frowns. "Hey, man…"

"You stay out of this."

"Adrian," Bayley says softly. "Stop it. I just want to hang out." She flinches when he grabs her arm.

"I said let's go."

Roman stares at Adrian. "Neville, back off."

Bayley shakes her head. "No, Roman, it's okay." She pushes her chair back, causing Roman to move his arm. "Come on, Adrian."

Roman scowls when they walk away. He runs a hand through his hair. "He better not touch her."

Bayley flinches when Adrian pushes her down a dark hall. She rubs her arm as she looks at the other man. "Adrian…"

"Do not ever let him near you like that again," Adrian interrupts. "You are my girl. Not his."

She frowns at him. "What are you talking about?" She gasps when he pushes her hard against the wall and puts his hand on her neck. "Adrian, stop it."

"I am talking about Roman. You belong to me, Bayley. You stay away from him."

"Roman and I are just friends."

"No, you don't get to be friends with other guys. Do you hear me?" He tightens his grip on her throat. "Do you hear me!?"

She nods. "Yes." She coughs when Adrian finally releases his hold.

Adrian shakes his head. "I have to go find Ryder." He walks away without another word.

Bayley slides down to the floor and wipes the tears from her eyes. She had thought Adrian had changed. He seemed so different when they started talking again. What changed? She lets her head fall back against the wall. How could she let herself do this again? Maybe it really is all she deserves.

If she could have opened herself up to Roman, maybe she wouldn't be here. No, that would have never worked. Roman doesn't want her. She's not good enough for someone like him; he deserves so much more than her. He could easily get any woman and Bayley isn't even near the list that he would have. Why should she be? She's nothing special. Adrian has made that clear. She's surprised she has anyone. It wouldn't be a shock if she ended up completely alone.