Author Note: I'd like to thank princessofdarkness2016 and DeeMarie426 for the great reviews. I know the last chapter was kind of boring; but I'm hoping to make this one more action packed and romantic. I'd really like to read your thoughts and opinions on what should happen. I definitely like to please my readers. Hope everyone likes the new chapter.

"Behind closed doors, fear is present

Preventing man from speaking his mind

Whisper simple words, and then apologize

Evade the truth that's in front of you

Resist and deny reality"

'Hollow' by System Divide

Chapter 13: Rise Up

Roman continued his way down the hallways, searching for the culprit of the inside information. He had his theories as to who was behind it and judging from the footsteps coming from behind him, Dean and Seth also felt the need to find out as well.

His hands were clenched at his sides. The anger he felt was beyond anything he had felt in such a long time. He wasn't about to let someone ruin what could be something great between himself and Rydia Chandler. She was everything he ever dreamed of in a woman; loyal, determined, beautiful, smart and protective.

"Roman, do you really think this is a good idea?" Seth asked running to catch up.

"I've had it with all this cat and mouse crap." Roman snapped.

Dean and Seth looked at each other for a moment before caving in to just following him to see where it would lead. Roman turned the corner to see Bray Wyatt looking at his cellphone. In one swift motion, Roman took hold of his shirt and slammed him against the nearby wall. "Are you out of your mind completely?" He yelled.

Bray's emotionless expression changed. A wicked smile curved at his lips and he began to laugh. Dean and Seth circled him on both sides. They knew just by the laugh that he was somehow involved in the mess that had been dragged into. "Fear cripples you know..." Bray started to say taking a shot at Rydia.

Roman balled up his fist and struck him hard in the jaw. The force caused Bray's head to jerk to the side. Roman knew that the twisted man before him was taking a shot at Rydia. Fear was the worst thing for someone to feel. It also kept people from doing things they really wanted to do. Bray looked back at the rage infused man before him. Blood crept from the corner of his mouth, rolling down to his bearded chin.

"Do you have any idea what you've done to her?" Roman shouted before punching Bray again.

"Oh I know full well. You don't deserve someone like her." Bray replied snapping his fingers.

Luke Harper and Erick Rowan appeared from the nearby room. Roman narrowed his eyes even further. Listening to Bray's words, it made Dean realize that there was a good possibility that he wanted Rydia for himself and if that was the case, they had more than one person to worry about. "What's the matter? Can't fight your battles alone?" Roman taunted.

"Cleaver; but wrong. I have no intention of fighting you right now."

"Do yourself a favor and stay away from her! This is your last warning."

Bray started to laugh once again, further angering Roman. Dean saw that his friend was about to strike the crazed man. Seth leapt in to grab Roman's arm to keep him from hitting him again. "Don't! Think about what you're doing." Seth pleaded.

The family walked away in evil laughter. Roman yanked his arm away from Seth's grasp and turned to look at them with rage in his eyes. Dean could relate to feeling that way; but he couldn't understand the emotion that Roman must be feeling in that moment. He had two road blocks in his way to having the one thing he wanted most. Nick had made it well known that he intended on getting Rydia back and now it seemed like Bray Wyatt had his sights set on her as well.

"Why the hell did you stop me?" Roman asked turning towards Seth.

"Did you really want to loose your job?" Dean interrupted.

"He won't loose his job; but it won't go unpunished." Triple H's voice boomed from behind them.

Roman turned to look the COO of the company in the eye. He didn't even bother trying to defend himself. The man in front of him wouldn't understand his reasons. He had crossed a line by bringing his personal life into work and he didn't have it in him to explain that Bray Wyatt had also crossed that line. "So what will happen to him?" Seth asked curiously.

Triple H ignored Seth question and stood almost nose to nose with Roman. The tension between them was so thick that if it had been a real force it probably would have suffocated both Seth and Dean. They stood behind Roman to back him up; but he held his hand out to stop them. "Don't! You weren't a part of this." He stated.

"You are suspended until further notice and fined 150,000 dollars." Triple H announced.

"What!" Seth shouted obviously angry with the decision.

"Now get out of the building or I'll have you escorted out."

Woman's Locker-Room

Rydia continued on with changing into different clothes. Mia remained quiet, trying to sort through words that might make her sister understand that she was making the wrong decision. Roman brought the best side out of her and she didn't want to see that fade. There was almost a guarantee that Rydia would revert back to the scared shell of a woman if Roman was no longer in the picture.

"Ry, I understand that you want to protect him; but pushing him away isn't the answer."

"How would you know?"

She looked up from zipping up her boots over her leggins. Her hair fell over her shoulder, covering half of her face. Sometimes she wished that she could hide away forever, to escape the torment of Nick and her former band mates. Mia took a step closer to her. Deep within, she struggled with what words would convince her older sister to change her mind.

"I've thought about that myself; but I've found that having him close to me helps me stay positive, because at the end of this he will still be there for me."

"That's you, sis. Dean cares so much about you and has for a long time. I don't understand why you think Roman even gives a damn about what happens to me."

Mia reached out and took hold of Rydia's face between her fingers. Her action made her have to look into her eyes. Mia took her other hand and flicked her finger into her forehead. "Are you blind? What I don't understand is why you are suddenly giving up on something you want. You've never given up on anything in your entire life."

Rydia jerked away from Mia's grasp. Her words stung and it brought reality crashing back down upon her. Even if she did give up on Roman, the reality of Nick was still there no matter what. She sunk back down onto the bench, running a hand through her wavy hair. "Ry, there is a song you sang last year that is perfect for what you need to feel." Mia commented trying to get through to her in a different way.

"Oh really? What would that be?"

It had been so long since Mia had used her voice for anything other than talk and yelling; but knowing that Rydia would appreciate the attempt gave her much satisfaction. She cleared her throat in attempted to quickly warm up her voice. Crossing her fingers behind her, she hoped that it didn't sound horrible.

"I won't give in, I'm not that easy

I'll live again and keep on breathing

I'll bleed my last regret

'Cause sometimes you gotta burn the past, yeah

To rise up, rise up from the ashes" Mia attempted to sing.

Rydia perked her head up, listening to the familiar words of a song that inspired her on so many levels. Before she could respond to her sister's attempts to get through to her, Nikki and Brie Bella rushed into the locker-room with panic written all over their faces. "What's wrong?" Mia asked.

"Roman was just suspend." Brie announced.

"What! Why?" Rydia asked.

"The word is that he hit Bray Wyatt twice without provocation." Nikki answered sympathy laced in her voice.

Mia shifted to gaze her sister. There were no words to describe the guilt stricken expression upon her face. Nikki and Brie didn't know what else to say to ease the impact of the news. Nikki felt bad for the woman before her. She didn't know how she'd handle it if their roles were reversed and it had been John that had been suspended.

"This is my fault. I need to see him." Rydia said quietly.

"I'd hurry. He's supposed to the leave the building." Brie suggested.

Without a second thought, Rydia bolted out of the door of the locker-room. The heels of her boots clicked along the tiled floor as she ran toward the parking lot exit. She had no idea what she would even say to him or even do when she saw him; but she had to at least see him. She knew that he had done far too much for her in the last few days and nothing would change her growing feelings for him.

Bray Wyatt caught a glimpse of chocolate hair turn the corner. He quietly started to follow her down the hall, wondering where she was going in such a hurry. Knowing that Roman had been suspended until further notice, made his job all the more simple. Roman was the muscle of the group and the others would be significantly weaker without him.

He couldn't help but stare at the way her body moved when she ran. The sway of her hips and the swishing of her hair back and forth sent his mind reeling with thoughts of the things he could do to her. She pushed open the doors towards the parking lot and he snuck in without touching the doors a second time. Crouching low behind a vehicle, he watched the scene unfold before his own eyes.

"Roman!" She shouted stopping his stride towards the black SUV.

Roman turned around. Rydia was out of breath from running as she slowly started to close the distance between them. The look in her eyes made him freeze completely. Her ocean eyes were bloodshot and left without makeup; but in his eyes, she was still the most beautiful woman out there. The heels of her boots echoed in the large vast parking lot.

"Rydia...what...what are you doing out here?" He asked choking on his own words.

"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

He smiled. He loved her selfless ambition and unconsciously made the decision to reach out to touch her cheek with his fingertips. She swiftly looked up from the ground to gaze into his dark eyes. His touch sent shivers up her spine and it was then that she realized that Mia was right. "This isn't your fault, Ry. I let my emotions get the better of me. There is no one to blame but me."

"I brought you into this mess. I didn't want anyone to get hurt because of me." She stated looking down to the ground.

"Hey, look at me."

She gazed back up at him. His smile was still present; but there was something else that caught her attention. There was no fear in his eyes or anywhere else on his demeanor. "I haven't ran yet and I'm not going to, believe that."

Rydia felt his warmth caress her fully as he pulled her into his arms. She lay her head against his chest, soaking in the comforting notion of feeling safe for the first time in over a week. He breathed in her scent from her hair and mentally kicked himself for letting Bray get inside his head enough to make him do things he'd regret. "Stay close to Mia and the others tonight, okay. I can't be in there to protect you." He whispered.

"I will. I'll be fine. I promise."

Roman let go of Rydia, allowing her to step back out of his arms. She discreetly wetted her lips, listening to the words echoing inside her mind. "Kiss him, kiss him you idiot." Her mind screamed; but there was also hesitation in her action to do so. There was still that fear of further harm coming to him if she embraced how she felt about him.

"You should go back inside. Don't have to be on TV tonight?" He asked.

"Yeah; but not until later in the show. Are you trying to get rid of me?"

Rydia laughed and gave him the sweetest smile she could muster up. It didn't take him long to laugh along with her. Both knew that neither wanted to rid themselves of the other. "Alright, I'll go back inside. If that's what you want." She stated and after seeing him nod his head in confirmation, she took several steps back towards the building.

Bray smiled after witnessing nothing at all; but he was at a loss for words when he saw her stop dead in mid-step. Roman watched her stop walking. She turned back towards him and walked quickly in his direction. Her hand cupped the back of his neck, bringing him close to her lips. The feeling of her lips against his, ignited the endless pool of desire within him.

Roman held her close to him, skillfully kissing her lips. His free hand cupped the back of her head while his fingers tangled themselves in her hair. She clung onto his t-shirt, keeping herself steady because her legs were starting to become like jelly. "Rydia..." Roman whispered against her lips.

"Hmm..." She replied mentally smiling.

He reluctantly pulled away from her. Her lips were swollen; but still begged to be kissed once again. Rydia was slightly confused as to why he pulled away; but figured it was due to where they were presently were and time constants. "I'm not going to run anymore. I had to come out here and tell you that before I lost my nerve."

"You're so beautiful." He commented and kissed her lips once again.

The heat of a blush rushed to her cheeks. He gently tapped her on her backside. "Now get back inside before I get in more trouble for escorting you back in there." He stated with a smile.