Soooo I've been pretty uninspired these last few months. But I was thinking about how much I'd love for AJ to make an appearance at Evolution (I know - not at all likely but I can dream) and this lil idea popped into my head and wouldn't leave, so I decided to write it and get it out of my system. Hope you all enjoy!
Update to this note: I just got a review on Not Quite Home (I see you, ambs, amazing that you're still reading my shit) requesting basically this exact thing I was already writing, so that's a nice thing and kicked my ass into gear to finish this before the PPV. Thank you.
"Well, well...if it isn't my favourite English muffin. Or should I call you Boss Lady now?"
The cheers from the sold-out crowd were thunderous even from the backstage area, and it filled the returning woman with an overwhelming sense of confidence. After all, it had been over 3 years since she'd had anything to do with WWE, and her departure had been so abrupt that she wasn't sure of getting a warm reception from the fans. But the offer to be a part of an event as historic as the first all-womens PPV had been too tempting to ignore and if the amount of noise out in the arena was any indication, she'd sure as hell made the right call.
A smile worked its way onto the face of the Smackdown General Manager as she turned away from the monitor she'd been watching and faced her former 'frenemy'. "I think I like Boss Lady better, has a nicer ring to it."
AJ laughed and took a step closer. "You always did like to follow in my footsteps."
"Follow? Nah, baby girl, I do it all so much better." Paige replied, a smug smirk appearing to drive the point home. Despite how long it had been since the pair shared a screen, the undeniable spark they'd always had was already as present as ever "What brings you here tonight? Looking to join my roster?"
"Why'd you ask? Do you miss me that badly?" AJ retorted, mirroring the smirk that was still lighting up the younger woman's face.
"Miss you? No. But I could use your talent."
"Too bad I'm just here to enjoy the show then."
"I'm sure I could persuade you."
AJ chuckled. "Maybe, maybe not. I guess we'll have to wait and see."
And with that and a small wink, she turned around and skipped out of frame, where she stayed until given the signal that they were off air. Short and sweet it may have been, but the segment they'd just finished was sure to create a massive buzz and be a big talking point looking towards the future. On top of that it was something that, unbeknownst to AJ, fans had been speculating on and asking for ever since Evolution's announcement. Wins all around.
Paige waited a moment until the camera staff left the area, giving them a quick thanks on their way out, then approached her companion with a questioning look. "Was that just an empty tease or are you actually making a comeback?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out." AJ answered playfully, meeting the other womans eyes for a second. "Feels good to be here though."
"Feels good to have you here, too." The Brit grinned and opened her arms for a hug, which was quickly accepted. "There's plans for drinks later to celebrate all the lady power going on tonight. Maybe I'll see you there and persuade you to tell me what's going on." She added once they'd pulled apart.
"I'll come if you're there."
"I wouldn't miss it."
"You look good, by the way. I love the whole Boss Lady vibe." AJ knew she was now probably teetering on the edge of doing a bit of what could only be described as shameless flirting, pretty much right off the bat too, but she couldn't help herself. She never could. It was like there was some unseen force between them and during their time on the road together, resisting it had proven to be an impossible task. So why even bother trying?
A small flush tinted Paige's cheeks and her mouth twitched into a smirk as she met the smaller womans eyes again, noticing the mischievous glint she knew all too well in them. "Direct as always. But thank you. You look good too...might even say really good."
AJ simply smirked back, about to answer when she heard her name called from down the hallway, causing her to whirl round. "ONE SEC!" She called back before returning to her conversation with a dramatic sigh. "We can pick up this little chat later. Duty calls."
Paige nodded, amusement evident on her face. "Sure, baby girl. I know I'll see you later."
"You will." AJ confirmed, allowing herself to look Paige up and down again before shooting another wink and turning to leave.
"Just so you know..." Paige started, stopping the other woman in her tracks. "The Boss Lady might not have missed you, but I sure did."
And with that and the lingering promise of another encounter later on, the Brit walked off herself, leaving the other woman needing a moment to collect herself before she rushed off to find whoever had been looking for her.
Suddenly, the end of the PPV couldn't come soon enough.
"WELCOME BAAAAAACK!"
The sound of cheering and glasses clinking together followed the toast made by the majority of the womens locker room towards AJ. Thanks to Nikki and Brie's advanced planning, they had a fancy but comfortable cocktail lounge to themselves for the night and a few bartenders and waiters at their service. You could always trust the Bellas to get things done when celebrating was in order.
"Wait, you're actually back?!" Naomi asked from the other side of the circle they were huddled in, causing a hush to fall among the crowd.
AJ laughed, slightly embarrassed by the sudden attention. "I guess I better just let the cat out the bag - yes, I'm coming back full time."
Another cheer erupted and more glasses were heard clinking as the already happy ladies celebrated what could be classed as the cherry on top of a perfect night for them: sold out show, reactions for every single match, a new RAW Women's Champion in the form of Nikki Bella and now the return of one of the most loved and influential superstars they'd ever had. It really was their time.
While taking in everyone's reactions with a soft and genuine smile on her face and watching as they split off into different activities and directions, AJ noticed Paige looking right at her and felt her stomach do a small flip. Some part of her was already hoping to be sent to SmackDown just to be able to spend time on the road again, though she was aware that things might not be the same. She was about to wave her over but The Bellas beat her to it, dragging the younger woman off and over to where Nia and Nattie were settling on a comfy-looking red leather sofa in front of a little glass table, which was filled with flutes of champagne.
AJ chuckled to herself as she saw the 5 women neck a flute each before bursting into laughter, and took a seat at the bar with a drink of her own. She was always one to stay out of the thick of things and simply observe, but it didn't take her long to realize that that wouldn't be much of an option tonight as she was greeted and congratulated left and right, whether it be women she'd worked with before or women she didn't know yet, both from the main roster and NXT.
After a while of sitting and watching things unfold, a familiar voice came from behind her. "You mind if I join you?"
"Kaitlyn!" With a huge smile, AJ spun around in her chair and flung her arms around her friend's neck. "I wasn't sure if you'd be here!"
"Couldn't miss out on a time like tonight." Kaitlyn replied, equally as happy as she returned the hug before sitting up on the stool next to AJ. "What's this I hear about you making a comeback?" She asked while accepting a Long Island Iced Tea from the bartender in front of them.
"That's pretty much all there is to it." AJ shrugged, casual but clearly more than pleased. "I was made an offer and being here tonight has just made me realize that I do need to come home. So I'm glad I accepted."
Kaitlyn nodded and took a slurp of her drink. "I'm kind of in the same boat. The Mae Young Classic lit a fire in me again, hopefully it all comes together and I join you soon."
"Chickbusters reunion?" The New Jersey native grinned with a questioning raise of an eyebrow.
"You know I'm always down for it."
The two sat and caught up over a couple of cocktails and a shared plate of squid rings until Kaitlyn excused herself to go talk to a few NXT ladies, leaving AJ to once again set her sights on a certain woman. Said target was now on the other side of the room and involved in a recreation of her dance battle on Total Divas, stood trash-talking Nikki, Brie and Nattie while they tried to pull off their routine and only pausing to swig her beer or cackle at whatever Nia or Lana said next to her.
The scene caused her such fondness that she became somewhat lost in it, floods of memories of her time on the roster coming back to her at the sight of Paige and The Bellas messing around together. Some things truly never changed. She observed for a few moments longer before finishing her drink, getting to her feet (a little shakily...maybe she'd drunk more than she thought?) and heading towards the bathroom to freshen up.
It was on the way out that she was grabbed and whisked into a darker, less populated corner of the lounge. Initially she was confused, but that vanished as soon as it had hit once she realized who was with her, and all feeling was replaced by sudden excitement.
"You've been awful quiet tonight." Paige teased, resting a hand on the wall above AJ and leaning there, half trapping the smaller woman.
"Was just letting you have your fun and win your little dance-off." AJ replied innocently, trying to ignore how her heart rate had increased due to her current position. "I'm easy enough to find if you want me."
"You're right about that." Paige's tongue darted out to wet her lips and she moved in a little closer, now leaning on her forearm instead of her hand. Her voice was lower when she continued speaking. "It's a shame you let your secret out so early, I never even got chance to persuade you to tell me."
AJ hummed thoughtfully and reached out a little to trail a finger up the other womans bare stomach, causing her to shiver slightly at the light touch. "You could pretend I didn't say anything."
"That could be fun..." The Brit murmured, egged on by her partially intoxicated state and the feeling of being back in this situation after so long.
Their gazes met and a split second later, AJ was crashing their mouths together in a searing kiss, their lips parting almost immediately to deepen it while Paige's free hand found a place on her companions hip.
They only broke apart once absolutely necessary, lips faintly swollen and chests rising and falling rapidly as they tried to get their breath back, looking at each other with a desire that was almost electric. It was Paige who spoke first:
"You wanna get out of here?"
Chapter 2 will be up ASAP and yes, it'll probably be mostly all about the smut. Thanks for reading, any feedback is greatly appreciated!