Author Note: Thanks goes to woohoo292 and IheartRollins for becoming followers of this story. Thanks goes to THE Kid Hardy, DeeMarie426 and Leasha Orton for the reviews. All of your positive words is the greatest motivation to keep writing for you; so thanks again for taking the time express your thoughts and hope you enjoy the next chapter. The lyrics at the end of the chapter are from a section of the song 'Cut' by Plumb.

"I do not want to be afraid

I do not want to die inside just to breathe in

I'm tired of feeling so numb

Relief exists I find when

I am cut"

'Cut' by: Plumb

Chapter 24: Walking Away

Rydia couldn't form words to speak to Seth as they sat side by side awaiting for the doctor. Syke was taken for emergency surgery the second she arrived at the hospital. The lacerations across several parts of her body caused her to loose a large amount of blood in a short time. They really didn't know the extent of all of her injuries; but the fact was that Nick had tried to kill her. She blamed herself for not realizing it sooner and dragging her into the world she called hell.

Seth felt numb; but knew that Rydia blamed herself for everything. That much was obvious the second he took a look at her face. He wanted to tell her that she wasn't to blame. Unfortunately, the words wouldn't form to speak. They remained silent until the doctor emerged from the surgery section of the hospital.

Both perked and stood up from the uncomfortable chairs they had been sitting in for several hours. Rydia tried to read the man's facial expression to tell if it would be good news or bad news. Nothing screamed at her of either kind of news. "How is she?" Seth asked in a hopeful voice.

"She will live; but she's got extensive injuries that will definitely need proper time to heal."

"What kind of injuries?" Rydia asked wanting to know exactly what Nick did to her.

"Not counting the three major cuts on her body that almost killed her; she's got several broken ribs, a punctured lung and a concussion."

Rydia swallowed the large lump in her throat. She couldn't believe that Nick would go this far to make her life a living hell just to get her back. It was completely absurd in her eyes. She still had hope that something would happen in that the police would finally catch and take him in. "The police will be hear shortly to take statements for the both of you." He continued and then walked away.

"Well it's good news that's she's going to make it." Mia said entering the silent conversation.

"Yeah..." Rydia replied and turned to walk towards the vending machine in the hallway.

"What's with her?" Dean asked.

"What do you think? She's blaming herself." Seth answered looking directly at Roman making it known that something had to be said to her.

The police surrounded the group, taking statements from each and every one of them. They all gave the name of Nick Grayson to the authorities hoping that something would be done about him. Nurses wheeled Skye to a private room for proper treatment of her other injuries. Rydia stood outside the open window watching Seth at her bedside, not moving an inch unless he had to.

Roman approached her and stood firmly next to her, taking her hand into his. "You know this is my fault, don't you?" She asked softly sniffling back a sob. His grip on her hand tightened. He hated hearing those words come off her tongue.

"No it's not. Nick did this to her, not you." He stated.

"I may have not done this to her physically; but I'm the reason it happened in the first place. He wants me to pay for leaving him...and...and now...I am..."

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she cried out in anguish. The inner turmoil within her was almost too much for her to bear. Thoughts of exactly what he did to her came horrifically to mind. She could imagine her cries of pain and calling out for Seth to help her. Roman pulled her into his arms, holding her as she cried.

Seth rubbed the delicate skin of Skye's hand as she slept. He pleaded to whomever would listen to let her recover quickly. He didn't know how long he could stand not being able to talk to her. His eyes wondered to the window to see Rydia crying in Roman's arms outside of the glass. The woman blamed herself for what had happened to the his woman laying in a hospital bed beside him; but the fact was, it really wasn't her fault at all. In his eyes, every person has a will and is responsible for his or her own actions.

Skye groaned as she turned her head in Seth's direction. Her blue eyes fluttered open and caught Seth's chocolate ones. He smiled upon seeing her awake. She blinked her eyes several times, trying to figure out exactly where she was and tried to remember what happened. The second Nick's face came to mind, she cringed at the image.

"How are you feeling?" Seth asked despite knowing it was a stupid question.

"I hurt like hell..." She replied in a raspy voice.

"I guess that really was a dumb question."

She tried to smile at him and turn her fingers to lace them with his. The IV in her hand prevented her from taking a firm hold on his hand that gave her such comfort. Skye didn't want to cut their moment short; but she really wanted to see Rydia and tell her exactly what she remembered of Nick's words before she lost consciousness. "Seth..." She whispered hoarsely.

"Yeah..."

"Can you bring the others in? There is something you all need to know."

Seth didn't say anything; but did as he was asked. Stepping outside the room, Rydia refused to look at him or remove herself from Roman's chest. Mia's hand gently rubbed circles in the middle of her sister's back. "What's up? How is she doing?" Dean asked.

"She's sore; but she wants to see everyone. There is something she wants to say."

"I bet it's about Nick." Mia stated with certainty.

Rydia listened to the small conversation surrounding her; but the only thing she felt was numbness throughout her entire being. There was nothing anyone could say to make her think that what happened to Skye wasn't her fault. She slowly lifted her head from the curve in Roman's chest. Her eyes were swollen and red. It made it hard to see the beauty of her blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Seth." She apologized and pushed herself away from Roman.

Before anyone could say a word to her, she entered Skye's private room. Blue eyes met blue eyes and the best friends came face to face for the first time since the incident. Rydia was the first to break the eye contact and look away in shame. "Ry, there is no reason to feel guilt." Skye said softly. Despite how her voice sounded, it was full of meaning.

"Look at you. This happened because Nick wants to make me pay. You were caught in the crossfire. Nothing can ever make that okay."

Seth placed a hand on her shoulder hoping that it calm her; but it didn't. There was so much built up frustration and anger towards Nick that she could no longer contain it. She lashed out on the people she cared about most and came to the decision to walk away from everything. "I can't be here anymore. I'm not going to let any more of you get hurt because of me. I'm sorry; but that's the way it has to be." Rydia confessed.

"Rydia, you can't just walk away from everything." Mia pleaded.

"There isn't going to be arguing about this. My mind is made up and in the end you all will be safer because of it."

"Rydia Isabel Chandler!" Skye's voice boomed.

Seth turned to see her hand come to her neck and cringe in pain. Rydia paid no attention to her full name being yelled. She took her walk in cowardice passed everyone person she cared about, including her own family. No one could think of anything to keep her around. No even Skye's plea was enough to make her stay.

"Let her go..." Mia whispered realizing that her sister needed time to think things through better.

"Mia, her life is in danger..." Skye pleaded.

"We've already came to that conclusion months ago. What else to do you know that we don't?" Dean asked.

"Nick is targeting the people close to her to make her weak. That's when he plans to kill her. He doesn't want her back. He wants her dead."

Roman didn't want to hear anymore. The thought of someone trying to kill her was more than enough for him to follow after her whether or not she wanted it or not. There was no way in hell he was going to watch her die. He had seen it enough times in his dreams to watch it in reality. Over the last couple of days, his feelings for her were becoming plain as day and in that moment he realized that really did love her. The problem now, was figuring out how to tell her and convincing her to let him protect her.

Outside the hospital, Rydia walked alone in the downpour of rain that beat down from the angry skies. She was soaked to the bone by the time she got a taxi to take her back to the hotel. The driver was nice enough to hand her a towel to dry her dripping hair. "Thank you..." She whispered.

"So where to?" He asked in a foreign accent she couldn't distinguish.

"The hotel that's beside the huge skylight tower." Rydia replied not remembering the name of the hotel she was staying in.

The driver laughed and nodded his head. The rest of her drive was spent in silence. She had so many things to think about and none of them made her happy. The fact that she had walked away from Roman for the second time left her feeling heartbroken. He had been so patient with her from the very beginning and all she ended up doing was throwing it back into his face. "I don't deserve someone like him." She whispered to herself hoping the driver didn't hear her words.

The car came to a stop in the drop off curve. She paid the driver his fare and exited the vehicle. Her clothes were still soaked and they clung to her skin uncomfortably. Her finger pressed the up button on the elevator and in moments the doors opened. Inside, was Brie and Nikki Bella. They took one look at the heartbroken, fearful woman before them and instantly wanted to know what had happened.

"How is Skye?" Brie asked.

"She's awake and talking."

"You look awful, what happened?" Nikki asked without thinking before speaking and got an elbow in the ribs from her twin sister for the effort.

The second the doors opened, Rydia walked out without saying a word to either sister. The flow of tears continued to roll down her pale skin in a river. The pain of walking away was more than she bargained for. Her hand shook as she tried to unlock the door to her room. It took several tries before she finally got it open. When the heavy door closed behind, she realized that she was alone and that's how she'd be for a very long time.

I'm not a stranger

No I am yours

With crippled anger

And tears that still drip sore

A fragile flames aged

With misery

And when our eyes meet

I know you see

I do not want to be afraid

I do not want to die inside just to breathe in

I'm tired of feeling so numb

Relief exists I find it when

I am cut

Roman had followed her back to the hotel and once he got into the lobby the Bella Twins approached him wanting answers to Rydia actions. He frowned upon hearing that she had completely ignored them. She was far worse than he originally thought. This was his only chance to get through to her and he would do everything he could to make her see that she shouldn't loose hope in anything.

"I'll talk to her." He told them and continued on towards the elevator.

"I'm worried about her. She seemed so upset." Brie stated as she took hold of his arm.

"Don't worry I'll see what's going on."

Half of what he told them was a lie; but he didn't need to drag more people into the danger that surrounded Rydia. The ride up to her floor seemed endless and he honestly didn't know exactly what he would say to her. Roman knew he needed to say something to her; otherwise; she'd be gone forever. The ding of the elevator bell snapped him out of his thoughts and he exited the small chamber. His feet stopped moving when he came to her door.

"Rydia..." He whispered.

He placed his hand upon the cold metal of the door. His inner battle of thoughts began to wage war against each other. He just didn't know what to say to her. This was the first time he ever had to deal with an ex-boyfriend that wanted to kill his ex-girlfriend instead of just moving on. His fingers curled into a fist and knocked before he knew what he was doing.

As he expected, there was no answer from her. That's why he came prepared and had asked to receptionist for a key to her room. He had to bribe the woman with money to get what he wanted; but there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to save her life. Roman slipped his hand into his back pocket and pulled out the key to her room and slid it into the lock, turning it until it clicked.

End Note: What do you want to see happen between Rydia and Roman in his attempts to talk sense into her.?