Author Note: Thanks goes to darkestdaysbrowneyes, Brittney-xx, WWEMoxGirl, and MysticDBRose17 for becoming a followers of this story. Thanks also goes to LindaPipeBomb, Leasha Orton, JohnsAngel22, Ortongirl1993, DeeMarie426, THE Kid Hardy for the reviews. I'm glad to see such positive reviews for each and every chapter I post. I also got a lot of 'yes' and 'go aheads' for the intimacy scenes...so in the future there will be one!

"Whatever we deny or embrace

For worse or for better

We belong, we belong

We belong together"

'We Belong' by: Pat Benatar

Chapter 22: Choice

Mia found her naked body tangled in blankets and listening to Dean's soft snoring beside her. She looked over at the clock on her phone. "2:30, really? I thought it would be later than that." She told herself softly so as not to wake her lover. He rolled over onto his side facing away from her; but she felt him move and it brought the memory of the hours prior.

Dean proved to her in more ways than one that he truly did love her and was willing to go any lengths to get her to believe it. Every kiss and touch was filled with all the emotions he felt for her. It sent her heart reeling when she realized that he really was her soul mate. He promised that he would help her get clean from the pills and she couldn't imagine him breaking any promise he made to her or to anyone else.

"I love you..." She whispered as she snuggled her body up against his bare back.

"I love you to, princess." He murmured half asleep.

She smiled upon hearing his reply and kissed his back, twining her fingers with his as they drifted back to sleep. In that moment, only one word came to mind to describe it; and that was perfect. Tomorrow would be a new day and a new challenge awaited her; but she embraced it with full confidence and hope that would defeat the demon known as pill addiction.

The Date

After the meal, Rydia started to feel closed off. She thought opening herself up to Roman would be the best thing for them both; but her mind remained uneasy. Thoughts of her father's sudden death invaded her head at every turn. She wanted answers as to why it happened. She wanted to know if Nick really was guilty of causing her father to die unexpectedly.

"Are you okay? You've been awfully quiet since we left the restaurant." Roman asked hoping that he hadn't done anything to upset her.

"I've been thinking about my dad..."

She didn't need to say anymore than that for him to understand. He reached across the center console to place his hand on top of hers. It didn't take her long to accept his comforting gesture. She pulled her right leg up, leaning against it as she stared out the window. The view of the city at night was completely breathtaking. "I should probably tell you this..." Roman started to say as he finally came to the conclusion that Rydia deserved to know that Bray Wyatt approached him with information.

"Tell me what?"

He glanced in her direction to find her looking directly at him with a confused look upon her face. Her ocean blue eyes held so much warmth behind them and it just wasn't warmth, it was hope as well. She had hope that everything would turn out okay in the end. He wanted to see that hope shine forever.

"The night before your father's funeral Bray approached me. He stated that he knew information about what Nick had planned; but he asked for a price."

"I don't care what the price is. I want to know what he has planned." Rydia replied almost shouting.

Roman closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't want to think about Rydia agreeing to Bray terms of payment for the information he supposedly had. He didn't trust the man at all and in his eyes, he had every right not to. "The price was a kiss from you..." Roman replied softly as he made the vehicle come to a complete stop in the hotel parking lot.

"A kiss?"

"Yes..."

Rydia understood what that meant. It also meant that Nick could easily use that to blackmail her in the future. Her heart screamed at her not to; but her mind told her it would benefit them all if she did. She didn't know what to do. Roman opened the door for her. She climbed out and started their short walk towards the lobby. Inside, Skye was just coming out of the elevator with a smile on her face.

"Rydia!" She shouted excitedly.

"Skye?"

"We finally talked. Thank you so much for telling him why I left him."

Skye wrapped her arms around the shorter woman tightly. Rydia knew exactly what she was talking about and deep down she was happy that she finally got her happy ending. Unfortunately, things were still going to be rough. Especially since Nick was still at large and was probably scheming away somewhere close by.

"I'm happy for you." Rydia congratulated.

"Thank you!"

Rydia watched her best friend walk away in a happy stride. Her sister was completely happy with Dean and the ring on her finger proved that their relationship was the real deal. Her heart wavered on whether or not Roman and her would make it to the point of perfect happiness. It would never get there if Nick was still tormenting them. She mentally vowed to stop him herself and there was only one way they could finally be one step ahead of him.

"Seth finally let her in..." Roman stated, interrupting her thoughts.

"Yeah. I'm happy for her. She deserves to have that kind of happiness after everything she's done for me in the past."

Riding in the elevator was quiet and the walk to her room was even quieter. He reached for her arm the second she opened the door. Rydia turned to face him. She could see the confusion and disappointment in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I know I should have been more fun tonight." She apologized.

"There will be other nights..."

"Will there?"

"Of course there will be, why would you even ask that?"

Rydia shrugged her shoulders, not knowing how to answer that. She just said what came to mind at the moment. He leaned in and placed a warm kiss to her forehead. "Goodnight beautiful, I'll see you tomorrow." He whispered and proceeded to walk away.

Her heart and mind were screaming at her to ask him to come back. She hated the thought of leaving the night that way. She didn't want him to feel like he did something wrong; because he was perfect and was there for her at every twist and turn in her life since meeting him. Standing there in the middle of the hallway watching him walk away made her think that it could really be a reality if she didn't start letting him in.

"Roman wait!"

He stopped moving forward and turned his head to see her smile. All he wanted to do was kiss her and run his hands through the silk that was her hair, make her feel safe. He wanted to love every inch of her body and taste her skin. She was beyond ethereal and no matter what she did, he would be there for her. "Come inside." Was all she said and he leapt at the opportunity to be closer to her, even if it meant he had to keep his hands to himself.

Smackdown Tapping, The Next Day

Rydia walked into the arena dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, high heeled sandals, and a lime green tank top with a scoop neckline. She had spent the entire night just talking to Roman about everything she could possibly think of to talk about. To her, it seemed to have strengthened their bond as part of a relationship.

"Rydia, could I speak to you a moment?" Stephanie asked approaching her in the quiet hallway.

"Sure, what's up?"

"It's about your role with Seth."

She almost had forgotten about it. Her mind was completely on Roman and ridding herself of Nick. Stephanie lead her to her office at the end of the hallway. On her way, she spotted Bray Wyatt lingering close by. He was watching her. There was no doubt in her mind that he still wanted her for himself; but his relationship with Nick was still up in the air. She didn't know just what their work relationship was now that he wanted to give her information in exchange for a kiss.

Inside the office, Seth was already sitting down on the couch. Their eyes met for a brief moment before their boss started to speak. "As you know, I intended on have the two of you involved in a relationship while Rydia battled for the Diva's Championship; but I find that I'm drawn more towards Roman taking over that role. The two of you have more chemistry I think." Stephanie explained.

"Steph, that is fine with us. In fact, Rydia is actually seeing Roman anyway." Seth stated standing up.

"Is that so...well then I think I've made a good call."

"What made you change your mind?" Rydia asked out of curiosity.

Seth raised an eyebrow, wondering why she would question Stephanie's choices. Watching Rydia's movements, something seemed off with her. Something was bothering her and he could see it in her eyes. He thought that maybe something happened between her and Roman that he didn't know about. "I watched his reactions to your debut last night and he was completely enthralled with you. There is a connection between the two if you and that's what I'm looking for in this angle."

"Thank you. I appreciate your decision to change it."

"You're welcome."

Rydia turned heel and walked out of the office. She had to find Bray before she lost her nerve to confront him about what he knew about Nick. The door closed behind her suddenly and she felt a warm hand touch her bare shoulder. Immediately, she knew that Seth was behind her. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me. I can see it in your eyes. There is something bothering you."

"It's nothing."

Seth reached for her arm, spining her around swiftly to look directly at him. She refused to look him in the eye. He wasn't going to let her just shun him away. "Look at me Rydia, please." He pleaded hoping it would curve her into glancing in his direction.

"What is going on?" He asked as soon as she turned her head.

"I need to confront Bray about some things and I don't need Roman knowing about it."

"Are you out of your mind? There is no way in hell I'm letting you do that."

Rydia jerked her arm free and took several steps back to distance herself from him. She knew that he'd react that way; but it didn't change the fact that she needed to know what Bray knew. She wanted answers about her father's death and nothing would stop her from getting them. "You don't understand anything! I want answers and Bray has them. What choice do I have?"

"Rydia, come on. Think about what your saying. Bray is crazy and wants you for himself. Do you think he would tell you the truth?"

"I need to know what Nick has planned. There is no way in hell I'm just going to let him hurt Roman or any of you just because you guys associate with me."

Seth smiled and pulled her into his arms. She clung onto his shirt letting the tears spill from her already sore eyes. No matter what he said her mind was already made up. Deep down he seemed to already know that. "Thank you for caring; but I have to do this alone or it won't work." She stated her voice muffled by his shirt.

"You don't have to do this. We can find another way to get the answers you want."

"It would take too long. Nick could come after any one of us at any time. I'm doing this for all of you. This isn't just about me anymore."

Rydia placed a hand on his chest gently pushing him away to get around him. She leaned up and kissed his cheek. Their friendship meant the world to her and it was even more motivation to protect the people she cared about. Walking away down the hall in pursuit of Bray Wyatt, all she could think about was how much each person of the group meant to her.

Seth couldn't stand there and let her go through with her decision. He backtracked down the hall in desperation to find Roman. Mia and Dean were walking into the building, hands clamped together and smiles upon their faces. "Have you guys seen Roman?" He asked out slightly out of breath.

"Not yet, why? Something wrong?" Dean asked.

"It's Rydia."

"What about her?" Mia asked her voice cracking with worry.

"She went to find Bray and confront him about information on Nick."

Mia froze completely. There were no words she could form to describe how she felt when Seth related the message. She didn't understand why Rydia would do something so reckless as to confront someone like Bray Wyatt alone. "I'll find her. You two find Roman." Mia demanded.

"Babe, that's not a good idea. Let's find Roman and then we can deal with Bray." Dean countered.

"I'm right here." Roman's voice interrupted the strained conversation.

His arms were crossed over his chest, leaning against the open door to the Shield's locker-room. His expression displayed that he had already heard the entire conversation. Mia hoped that he would do something about it. She feared a great deal for her sister and if no one was going to help her than she would.