A/N: Oh dear. I really don't have the time for this fic... but eff it, it's happening anyway. The storyline in this follows the current one but with a few tweaks along the way. This first chapter is pretty Paige-centric. Enjoy! Oh and I made a trailer for this - you can find it on my profile.
For somebody with a sweet smile and a well documented cutesy life shared with fan favourite Daniel Bryan, Brie Bella sure does have a bitchy mouth on her. Paige's stare is distracted from the match at hand—Nikki vs. Natalya—and flickers across to the Bella twin who isn't the current champion. Brie is walking towards her on the outside, arms flying around and accusing her of God knows what.
And all I wanted to do was support Nattie. Paige sighs inwardly, knowing exactly what's coming next.
She slips out of her leather jacket and tosses it in the Diva's face along with some unsavoury remarks that can't really be helped. Or maybe they can but she's prone to saying whatever she wants consequences be damned. That's just her impulsive style… one that is highlighted when she delivers a kick to Brie's midsection, then launches her into the barricade. Damn that felt good, she thinks, posing for the appreciative crowd.
Natalya takes advantage of Nikki's disorientation in the heated moment, surprising her with a school girl roll-up—not the best of ways to win a match but sufficient enough because the grin on the Canadian's face can be seen for miles. The same grin disappears just a few seconds later when she crashes into the mat following the champion's rage-filled attack, embarrassed after losing so easily.
Supporting Nattie means having her back so Paige rushes the ring, fighting off scrappy kicks and punches and nailing a nasty kick of her own to an enraged Nikki's head. The damage is done, the champion falls, and a passionate "This is my house!" shout slips from her mouth.
Because it is, she thinks, and nobody should forget it. She might not be on top of the division right now but tonight she bested two Bellas—one of them the champion—and that feels productive enough for this edition of Raw.
It takes a little while to make it to the back, partially because of Natalya's fatigue but also because Paige wants to take in the crowd atmosphere. They appreciate her here and that's a feeling she wants to hang on to.
She wishes that she'd stayed out there longer when a well-known figure approaches her suddenly. Stephanie McMahon certainly knows how to create her own atmosphere and this one is full of ferocity and indignation. A weaker Diva would cower under this look but Paige, while taken aback for a sure moment, adjusts herself into an upright position, not as a means of squaring off with her boss but merely to show her confidence.
"Thank you, Natalya," speaks the McMahon daughter calmly enough, addressing the blonde without even looking at her. "You can go now."
Natalya is known for being pretty by the book, so Paige isn't surprised when her new friend shoots her an apologetic look and slinks away behind her into the depths of the arena. That's okay, she thinks, I can handle myself anyway. Always have.
"You weren't scheduled to be out there. Take a look at this card," Stephanie grabs a sheet from a nearby table and holds it up to Paige's face. "Whose match was it?"
She doesn't even have to look at it. "Nikki and Natalya's, but Nikki had Brie out there and I was just trying to—"
A loud yell cuts her off, "But nothing! Nikki Bella is the Diva's Champion. If she wants her sister out there with her then that's fine because she can do whatever the hell she wants. You humiliated both Brie and Nikki in that ring and that is something I will not tolerate."
Her voice is increasing in volume the angrier she gets and it's attracting a crowd. Among those watching the little scene is Nikki herself. The champion is still holding a hand to her likely-bruised face but there's a smirk residing on her glossed lips; it holds the message that she gets her way every time. Paige fights the urge to walk over there and smack the look right off her smug face, and it's easy enough to when Stephanie speaks again, her statement bold enough to capture her attention.
"You want to fight your champion so badly? Fine. You get your match against Nikki… with Brie… tomorrow on Main Event." Stephanie inches in a little closer, a bitter smile on her face now and lowering her voice to add, "No Natalya at ringside. We'll see whose house it really is."
The Authority's front woman leaves her with a nasty glare that lingers in Paige's memory long after she disappears from sight. Was that the same woman who at the start of the show was so happy to be back in charge with her husband? Her attention turns briefly to Nikki, the champion seemingly with a strut in her step as she marches away with Brie in tow, the two muttering between themselves probably about tactics for tomorrow's match.
Her focus returns to those around her. Staring back at her following her public humiliation are the likes of Mizdow—really, who are they to judge anyone?—Cameron trying to contain her laughter, and Bad News Barrett. No doubt her bad news will be making the rounds quickly enough.
Paige hesitates for a moment wondering what to do with all the attention, then shakes her head and tells herself to leave with her head held high, because why the hell should she feel bad anyway? She's still proud of herself for owning The Bellas tonight and that's something that can't be taken away from her. Besides, any frustration she has can be stored up for tomorrow since she now has the chance to take down Nikki twice in the space of twenty four hours.
Still, even as she walks off to change out of her ring gear, the idea of Nikki Bella being held in high regard like some sort of princess and her being tossed aside simply for not kissing up to The Authority, grinds at her.
If only they weren't back in power.
Tensions are high backstage at Main Event following the events of Raw last night. Three men lost their jobs at the hands of The Authority, two of which Paige was on friendly terms with, and that ensures the talent will be watching their tongues about what they say now it's been made clear how easy it is to lose everything you've ever worked for.
Her altercation with Stephanie last night suggests that Paige should be worried too but instead of that foreign emotion she feels focused instead. Tonight is her chance to get a little redemption for Dolph Ziggler and Erick Rowan by beating The Authority's princess one-on-one. Sure it's an unconventional way of going about it but it's the best she can do given the circumstances.
"I'm sorry I can't be out there with you." The sudden voice confronting her rattles her from her seat in front of the vanity mirror and Paige turns to see Natalya looking back at her, the look of regret etched across her features. "I should have stuck up for you especially since you were out there for me last night."
"Hey Nattie, don't worry about it. Seriously." She pats the blonde's arm, feeling a rush of affection follow through for the compassionate Diva beside her. "Brie's got a big mouth but I can handle her if she tries anything, and I'm just dying to get my hands on Nikki and show her the true meaning of a champion. Those girls don't know what's coming to them."
"You always were confident in yourself... even when we didn't get along."
Paige finishes dabbing at her lipstick, then smirks in the mirror. "Yeah we really didn't like each other back then."
"Good luck for your match. I'll be watching from the monitors with Rosa."
"Cheers Nat, I'll see you soon after I'm through showing our champion how it's done."
The pair hug briefly and then Paige exits the little makeshift dressing room and heads out into the passageways. She passes quite a few faces on the five-minute trek and one is none other than Seth Rollins. He doesn't notice her as her gaze lingers a little longer on his conversation with J&J security and that's probably a good thing because she can feel a sneer coming to her lips. This is a man she used to look at with respect; Seth was someone she called a friend back in their FCW days.
What the hell happened to him?
Paige breaks away from him to round the corner and sets about making sure her mind is focused only on the match up next. She sees Brie and Nikki up ahead, the latter cradling the championship close to her and smiling at her prized possession. Paige wants nothing more than to whack her over the head with it and knock her out clean. Thankfully Nikki's music hits before she can reach her and the sisters disappear through the black curtains to address the crowd here this evening, before finally, her music plays.
Time to take you down a peg or two, princess. The thought of doing so comforts her and when they meet face to face in the ring, Paige smiles at her opponent, knowing that this moment will be sweet.
The long match she'd hoped for never materialises into anything worthwhile.
Paige's smile is wiped clean as Stephanie's music hits the arena in a successful distraction attempt and Brie slips through the ropes to attack from behind and send her sprawling to the outside. The sisters team up then; Brie gets her payback from last night by sending her back-first into the barricade while Nikki drags her up slowly, enjoying herself, slaps her and pushes her back into the ring, only to then plant her with the Rack Attack and get the three count.
But there is no time for celebration on the champion's part when a barely-recovering Paige aims for the bottom rope, needing support, and Nikki feels it's the perfect opportunity to show off a little more. Brie watches on with the title on her shoulder as her sister kicks away at the fallen Diva over and over again... the referee pulling her away... Nikki going back for more.
Natalya's music hits and the blonde rushes down to the ring but Nikki is already out of harm's way with Brie, the two retreating to the ramp while Natalya checks on her friend. Paige aches badly but makes some effort to sit up and face them. By the time she does they're at the top and Stephanie McMahon is standing in between them raising Nikki's hand proudly in the air. The champion herself couldn't looked any more pleased.
What must it feel like to have your future protected so well?
The trio disappear with full smiles and an air of superiority. Paige drops again and clutches at her back, wincing into the white mat. This wasn't how she'd expected the night to go and yet it has and there is little she can do about it. "Fuck The Authority," she spits out as Natalya helps her to the back and gains a nod of appreciation for the comment.
Stephanie McMahon and Nikki Bella - 2.
Paige - 0.
Neither Nikki or Paige are in action for Smackdown's show that Friday but both are there anyway. Nikki makes her presence well known after walking into the locker room the girls are all sharing and placing the belt down in the mirror in front of where Paige is sitting.
The Diva looks up right into Nikki's smirk, who remarks once the attention is on her, "How does it feel knowing this is the closest you'll ever come to my championship?" Paige resolves not to answer her at first until something else is said. "Oooh sorry about those bruises Brie and I gave to you," the Bella twin points to her exposed back, "That's not going to disappear for quite some time considering your pale, if not sickly, complexion."
She allows a moment for the comment to sink in and glances over at Naomi who shrugs and carries on getting ready for her match against Alicia tonight. Paige knows for a fact that most of the women in this business can't stand Nikki Bella and they would most likely be on her side should a fight break out... but no matter how tempting the thought is, she's still recovering, and that process means not getting into any more fights for a few more days.
It doesn't mean she can't take a jab or two at her though.
"You know I'm surprised Her Highness even bothers to grace us with her presence. Don't you have people to suck up to? Or," she presses a finger to her chin, pretending to think, "Are you finally becoming content enough in yourself to be a decent champion? Oh no wait, that can't be right, you constantly need other people's approval to survive."
It's a low blow as far as Nikki is concerned and Paige's smug smile is the last straw. The champion grabs her by her raven hair and tosses her to the floor, before delivering a few concise kicks to her bruised back. As the only one in there Naomi attempts to break it up but Brie appears from nowhere to hold her back while her sister drags Paige into the hallway by her hair.
Paige winces as she's shoved but thankfully finds soft landing in whomever she bumps into. She's waiting for the next punch or kick, not quite getting her own stamina back just yet, but it never comes. Through squinted eyes she finds Nikki staring at her and the person holding her with an odd look on her face—a mixture of surprise and irritation which indicates she's holding back from truly going for it.
"Brie!" She yells without looking behind her. "Get my title and let's go."
Brie appears with the belt just as Paige is getting her footing back and the two disappear, leaving her to watch them go and then turn to face her rescuer. The person staring back at her is none other than Roman Reigns and suddenly the British woman understands why Nikki would want to leave in a hurry; this man is not one to be messed with and poses an intimidating presence.
"You alright?" His voice is deep, almost booming in the otherwise silent hallway.
"Peachy." She mutters and pats him twice on the shoulder, unsure what motivated her to do so and recoiling almost instantly. "Thanks for the landing."
"I was just walking by getting ready for my match and you came flying at me. Didn't really have a choice." He says but there's warmth to his tone. Roman glances beyond her and a smile curves his lips at who he finds. "Hey Ambrose, you ready to surprise Rollins tonight?"
Paige knows from the opening segment earlier on in the Smackdown show that Roman can choose his partner to face Seth and Big Show tonight. Glancing between him and an approaching Dean she realises what's going on and has to smile too. It'll be a mini Shield reunion... sort of... and one she'll look forward to seeing if it means the golden boy gets his arse handed to him.
"Hell yeah, can't wait to get my hands on that smug son of a bitch..." Dean's enthusiasm for teaching his former partner a lesson is curbed for just a moment as he notices Paige beside Roman. She stands up straight—well as straight as she can considering her injuries—and does some sort of mock salute to both of them which she quickly regrets. "Good luck boys."
It's hard to be embarrassed when she's in so much pain so she heads back into the Diva's locker room knowing that they're staring at her and probably wondering what she's on, but not really caring too much either. Naomi asks her if she's okay and she dismisses the question quickly with a wave of the hand. What started off as a positive kickstart to the week - quite literally - has now turned to crap thanks to Nikki's arrogance under The Authority's protection. But she will be okay and that's all that matters.
The thought that if only they weren't in power niggles at her again, stronger this time, but it isn't until she's watching the main event of Smackdown that an idea grasps her. It's sudden and perhaps illogical too but... but it just might work.
Her stare never breaks away from Seth. Not when he shows horrified shock at Dean Ambrose coming out as Roman's tag partner, not when he works over Dean's knee for a large chunk of the match, and especially not when he's delivered a devastating spear by the powerhouse himself. Seth Rollins is no longer looking so smug and it's because of this blast from the past; a reminder of a time where he was not in the position he is in today.
In fact Paige is beginning to remember what Nikki was like before The Authority. Still bitchy and yearning for the spotlight, yes, but without the heightened confidence she's been showing off all of this week. She feels the anger start to grow again at the thought of people like Nikki Bella and Seth Rollins floating to the top without being deserving of it, and her risky idea becomes a little more solid in her mind.
Natalya notices her expression upon walking in with Summer, and breaks out of conversation to ask, "What are you thinking about?"
"Yeah," Summer adds, laughing slightly, "Whatever it is it's got you pretty focused."
"Hey ladies..." Paige turns to both of them and mulls over their expressions, trying to decide whether or not they'll be down with her plan, then realising that either way she's going to go through with it anyway. "What do you say we take down The Authority?"