Author Note: 50 reviews! That's awesome and it means a lot to me. I'd like to thank Pinayprincesa, ILoveAnime89, and HPSPNDW1101 for becoming followers to this story. I'd also like to thank DeeMarie426, LindaPipeBomb, THE Kid Hardy, and Leasha Orton for the reviews. This chapter introduces someone new to the fray. I hope everyone enjoys it.

"Dreamscape in blanket silver grey

Homesick for a memory washed away

All light in hollow eyes is stardust

(stardust)"

'Stardust' by: Delain

Chapter 14: Bittersweet

Rydia turned back to look at Roman. Her lips were still tingling from their kiss; but she still was curious as to why he did what he did. As far as she knew Bray Wyatt had nothing to do with Nick. She also remembered Bray's words from the day before on Raw. "Does he know something I don't?" She mentally asked herself.

"Why did you attack Bray Wyatt?" She asked quietly.

"He's been giving Nick inside information about all of us. He also wants you for himself. I guess I let my emotions get the better of me. I'm sorry."

She let what he spoke sink in. It made perfect sense to her; but it creeped her out on a whole different level. If Nick wanting her back wasn't bad enough, now she had to worry about Bray Wyatt. "You don't need to be sorry for protecting me. Honestly, I wish I could run from all of this; but I know no matter how far I'd run, he'd be right behind me. My only hope is that he gets caught and goes away for good."

Bray listened to her words and felt the anger rising within him. He had just witnessed something he had been trying to prevent from happening. Not only was he angry; but he also knew that Nick would be furious with the information as well. Swallowing his bitter hatred for Roman Reigns, he snuck out of the parking lot biding his time for a plan to form that would allow him access to what he really wanted.

"How long are you suspended for?"

"Until further notice..."

Rydia clenched her hands into fists at her sides. There was no reason for the drastic measure to be taken. She intended on talking to Hunter and Stephanie about lifting his sentence by telling them everything that was going on. Roman took hold of her hand and brushed his thumb across the soft skin along her knuckles. "This is my problem. I don't want you to get involved in it, okay." He stated and leaned down to kiss her lips chastely.

The kiss was short; but it still left Rydia feeling the electricity flowing through her entire body. He brought out every suppressed desire and awakened sensations she never thought she could feel. No matter what he thought she was involved in his problems, because she was the reason for the problems. She backed away and started for the entrance towards the building. Roman just watched her walk inside before getting inside his SUV.

The second the parking lot door closed behind her, Rydia continued on with a mission towards the office of The Authority. Her pace quickened and didn't stop to say 'hi' to anyone. There was only one thing on her mind and that getting Roman's sentence lifted so he could work again. There was more to it that just getting him to allowed to work again. She wanted him there with her. It made her feel safer when he was and she wasn't about to let him get in trouble for something that was clearly her fault.

The sign was large and flashy on the outside of the door. Her fist pounded loudly against the steel door. Stephanie answered moments later with a confused look upon her stern face. "Can we talk?" Rydia asked almost pleading.

"Can it wait? I'm kind of in the middle of something." She replied with softness to her voice.

"Not really. This is about Roman..."

Stephanie studied the younger woman's face. There was tears at the corners of her eyes. Sympathy was starting the tug at her heart and she stepped aside to allow the saddened woman inside. Rydia stopped dead when she came face to face with someone she recognized. "Is that you Rydia?" The female asked.

She stood slightly taller than Rydia and had long red hair with black highlights. Her nose was pierced and her blue eyes stood out from the caressed make-up around them. Stephanie was even more confused about the tense air around the two women. "Do you know each other?" She asked hoping to get an answer to her question.

"I know her. Everyone in the Dallas music industry knows who Skye Atherton is." Rydia replied.

"I'm flattered you say that about me; but don't sell yourself short Ry. You are well known to and greatly missed."

Skye took a step closer to her fellow musician remembering their history and their collaboration on a few songs back in the day. There was fear in the eyes of her long time friend and colleague. There could be only reason for that. Nick Grayson. She knew about him long before Rydia had entered his life. Unfortunately, it was she who put her with the group to begin with.

"So what did you need to talk about Rydia?" Stephanie asked breaking up the reunion.

"Hunter suspend Roman tonight."

"Yes, because he physically assaulted someone without provocation."

"That's a lie. I'm going to tell you everything that's been going on and I'm really hoping you lift his punishment, because I really need him here."

Stephanie raised an eyebrow at her words. She didn't understand what she was talking about. Watching them backstage, she knew that was a bond between them and figured this was about a budding romance; but seeing the fear on her face, it screamed something far worse. "Okay, tell me then." She stated.

"Mia brought me here to take me away from an abusive man; but he tracked me down. He physically assulted Dean Ambrose and Roman in a club and at the gym I had been training in. His name is Nick Grayson and has enlisted Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan to give him inside information about all of us. Roman was only protecting me." Rydia explained.

Skye gently touched her shoulder to comfort her. She had a feeling that Nick would be that kind of guy; but she had hoped that Rydia would be the woman for him and from her words she had been very wrong about the whole thing.

Woman's Locker-Room

Mia was beginning to worry about Rydia. She paced back and forth across the concrete floor waiting for her to return; but as the minutes continued to pass by, her concern became overwhelming and she had to know what was going on. She opened the door quickly and the sound of the door crashing against the wall causing the crew to look up from the their work for a moment.

"Mia!" Dean shouted from the end of the hallway.

She approached him and Seth cautiously. It seemed like they wanted to talk to her about something and from the look that was upon Seth's face it didn't seem like it was a good conversation pending. "What's wrong?" She asked stopping short of Dean's outstretched arms.

"Roman got suspended earlier." Seth replied.

"I know Brie and Nikki told us. Rydia went to find him." She replied finally accepting Dean's comforting embrace.

Seth closed his eyes solemnly. Seeing the happy couple in front of him reminded him of someone from his past that slipped through his grasp. He was by far happy himself, because he had the sisters to look after. They were like siblings to him and he would never let any harm come to them. He was kind of glad that she had slipped away, because now it was far too unsafe to be near him.

"Seth! Seth! Are you alright?" Mia asked waving a hand over his eyes.

"Yeah...I'm fine. I'm going to get ready for the match."

Before Dean or Mia could protest, he walked away without a second glance or thought. Mia knew that there was something bothering him and was beginning to wonder if it had something to do with Rydia. She snuggled her head deeper into Dean's chest. "He's not okay." She whispered.

"I think all of this is getting to him. He's also starting to feel like the fifth wheel."

"I can understand the Nick thing getting to him; but feeling like the fifth wheel is crazy. We never exclude him from anything we do."

"Look at it from his eyes...I have you and Roman has eyes from Rydia."

Stephanie's Office

"I'll lift it this time and I'll try to keep closer watch on the Wyatt Family; but I think maybe you should stay off TV tonight." Stephanie stated.

"Thank you; but I'm fine to work tonight."

"You have a bruise on your cheek. I don't think it would look good on TV. Take tonight off."

"What about Hunter?"

"I'll handle him. You tell Roman he is free to come back."

Rydia nodded her head and look her leave from the office with Skye right behind her. It was nice to see her again and the familiarity was comforting. Skye wanted to ask her about Nick; but decided against it due to the fear she had seen on her friend's face while talking about him to Stephanie. "So why are you here?" Rydia asked the curiosity finally taking over.

"Steph is my cousin. She asked me come visit her." Skye answered.

"I've known you for years and I never knew you were related to her. It's ironic now that I work for her."

Skye laughed outright; but the second she saw Dean, Seth and Mia on the backstage TV she stopped laughing. Dean was inside the ring against Luke Harper. Dean shifted around the bigger man to bring him down with a DDT. Seth bounced on the apron waiting for his turn. Dean's hand slapped against Seth's indicating a tag.

Rydia looked on realizing that Bray Wyatt was not at ringside with his fellow family members. AJ Lee with their partner for the night. Bray's absence alarmed her in more ways than one. Her eyes continued to watch Seth take the fight to Luke until he was attacked by Erick Rowan from the apron. Dean rushed into the ring taking him to the outside, while Mia pulled AJ down from the ropes. She smacked her face off the edge of ring.

"Seth..." Skye whispered forgetting that Rydia was standing next to her.

"Skye..." Rydia said softly

She raised an eyebrow at the reaction to seeing Seth on the TV. There was something definitely there; but Rydia didn't want to pry into that just yet. All she could do was touch her arm gently, offering her the same comfort she had given her just moments before hand. "Why don't you sing anymore?" Skye asked shaking her head from the image of Seth.

"After Nick and I broke up...I just didn't have it in me to find another group to be a part of."

"Sing with me again. I've been looking for you for a while cause you never answer your phone."

"I'm sorry, I've had a lot of things going on; but I honestly don't think I can."

"Why? Are you afraid you'll have fun?"

Rydia let out a sigh. Skye had always been a stubborn person. She was also persistent with things she wanted. Her eyes shifted from Rydia back to the TV to see Seth lifted up and slammed into the announce table. Her heart skipped in shock to see such violence directed at him. The TV cut out and Skye turned back to face a confused Rydia.

"Why do you want me?"

"You have the perfect voice to match mine. Plus, the song is for someone in my past."

"Fine..."

Skye squealed with joy and wrapped her arms around her neck, hugging her tightly. Rydia smiled knowing that she had made someone happy just by doing something she was good at. Skye let go of her when she heard a twisted laugh that sent a chill up her spine. The two women turned to see Bray Wyatt standing there with a wicked smile upon his lips.

"You didn't heed my warning, sweet angel." He stated staring directly into Rydia's eyes.

"You aren't going to scare me into giving up my feelings for Roman." Rydia stated standing her ground.

"Eventually you will."

"Don't threaten her!" Skye interrupted.

Rydia held her hand up to stop Skye from saying anything else that would increase her chances on becoming a target herself. That was the last thing she wanted to have happen. There were enough people targeted by them and Rydia vowed that she wasn't going to let them hurt someone else because of her.