A/N: Thanks for all the views! This is a pretty big chapter, so hopefully I can get another one out within a few weeks. I've really been on top of writing lately but next weekend will be filled with work, so we'll see. Anyway, a special thanks to Wheresthebeach for helping me continue this story when I got in a roadblock. Once I got past it, it was smooth sailing. Anyway, hope you enjoy!
Off-camera
With RAW emanating from TD Garden the following night, it allows the superstars to stay in a hotel instead of traveling overnight to a new location. Sasha and Bayley walk into their hotel room together, laughing quietly at something that was said.
"God, Bayley, I am so sore right now."
"Yeah, that match was intense. I knew the finish was going to hurt, but man, I had to tap out so fast," Bayley says with a laugh.
"I'll remind you, that was your idea!" Sasha says with a smile. "I can make it feel better though."
"Yeah?" Bayley says knowingly as Sasha closes the distance, the two locking lips in a sensitive kiss for a moment.
"How much trouble did you get in for that adlibbed kiss during the match?" Sasha asks with a slight frown.
Bayley grimaces. "Not too much actually. The crowd really liked it and it played into the angle we were going for. Hunter knows that if he tries to bury it, it might turn people away from the storyline, and right now we're drawing viewers. I'll probably have to drop my next match at least for it, but Sasha," she says grabbing her arms, "this can work out great for us."
Sasha smiles, "Are you saying we should go public?"
"Not yet," Bayley responds. "Let's work it into the story. Let's talk to Hunter… we need to jump on this and have you cut a promo, asking me what that was about. I can come out to confront your allegations but I'll slow-play it… deny anything is happening and we can throw in subtle hints over the next few weeks. It will seem like I'm messing with your head but deep inside I'm trying to let you know how I feel," Bayley says with a smile.
"IRL, I know how you feel," Sasha says before planting a kiss on Bayley's lips. "That's a great idea though. By the way, do you know how HARD it was to not drop character when you kissed me?! That was so mean," she says, biting her tongue coyly.
"I guess I just couldn't resist," Bayley responds before kissing her friend again, more fervently this time. She spins around with Sasha in her arms and falls on the bed on top of Sasha. Sasha grunts slightly during the kiss. "Ooo, sorry Sash, I should have been gentler," Bayley says apologetically.
Sasha grimaces a little but smiles through it. "It's okay," Sasha says truthfully. "I gave you full reign to beat the hell out of me."
"But still," Bayley says frowning, moving some hair out of Sasha's face, "it doesn't mean I can't feel bad about hurting my baby." Bayley runs her thumb along Sasha's cheek, causing her to smile. She leans up to grab Bayley behind the neck, pulling her in for a kiss.
"There's nothing I can't handle Bay, you know that, and right now, I just want you." Sasha plants her lips on her girlfriend's, breathing hard out of her nose and pulling her down on top of her. Sasha grazes her tongue across Bayley's lips, the latter girl eagerly opening her mouth to allow entry. The two make out, changing their pace from slow to more aggressive as they get more turned on.
Bayley slides her hands under Sasha's shirt, running her hand across her friend's toned stomach and across her ribs. She feels Sasha wince under her and she stops. "Sorry, I know−"
"Shh, don't stop, I'm fine," Sasha interrupts. She rolls over so she is now on top of Bayley. "But this will be more comfortable for my back right now."
Bayley smiles. "I'm okay with that," she says before grabbing Sasha's ass and pulling her down so their bodies squeeze together. The two continue their passion, all the way into the night, both excited for the prospect of having their relationship blossom in front of the WWE Universe.
Back in TD Garden, Sasha's music plays, causing a roar from the crowd just like the previous night. The superstar saunters out confidently, wearing some yoga pants and one of her T-shirts, showing that she's not coming out to have a match. Regardless, she comes out with her usual flair, high-fiving fans in the front row before entering the ring and grabbing a microphone that was set in the middle of it. She lets the cheers die down before speaking.
"Waddup Boston?!" The simple greeting elicits a huge pop, the Boston faithful proud of their home and proud of their hometown superstar. "I know it's only been twenty-four hours since I beat Bayley in this ring, but I'm still feeling the adrenaline from making her tap out last night. All those weeks of her sneak attacks and cowardly behavior just proved that when it came time to actually step up, she couldn't beat The Boss." The crowd roars in agreement. "But I do have to thank each and every one of you, because in those moments when I was getting beat down, you gave me the support and the strength I needed to get up and win!" The crowd applauds and cheers, appreciating the gratitude from Sasha. "So now on to the business at hand; with Bayley behind me, I want my shot at the RAW Women's Championship," she says staring with determination into the hard camera.
Sasha doesn't get anything more out before all-too familiar music starts playing. Sasha rolls her eyes and faces the ramp to see Bayley walk out onto the stage, the Boston crowd booing The Hugger. However, despite losing last night, she comes out with a smile on her face. When the music stops, Sasha is the first to speak. "What do you want? Want to get beat again in the same ring as last night?" Sasha threatens.
Bayley puts up a staying hand. "Relax Sash, I'm not here to fight you. Even I know better than to get in front of this crowd again; I mean, they DID give you the strength you needed to win last night," she says sarcastically, garnering boos from the crowd. "Besides, we both know you took a bigger beating last night. Why don't you show off your battle scars? I'm sure I cracked a couple ribs or something last night," she continues confidently.
Sasha raises an eyebrow and defiantly pulls up her shirt with one hand, revealing her torso wrapped in a tight compression wrap around her toned stomach. Bayley takes in the sight before continuing. "I may have lost, but you took more punishment. I did what I set out to do and now you're out here, thinking you deserve a title shot?! Sasha… if anyone comes out to challenge you, you're easy pickings." Sasha clicks her tongue and rolls her eyes, allowing the girl to continue. "To be honest, I'm just looking out for you. We are friends after all," she says with care.
"FRIENDS?!" Sasha barks out. "Friends don't attack one another from behind! No, you made it perfectly clear, Bayley, that you don't want to be friends anymore," Sasha says, a tear coming to her eye.
"But I showed you last night that I do care, or do you not remember?" Bayley says without a hint of sarcasm.
The crowd mumbles as Sasha searches for Bayley's meaning. "I don't know what game you're playing, but save your breath." She goes to say more when Alicia Fox's music plays; she and Emma both come out, paying no mind to Bayley and walking past her.
Alicia raises a microphone to her mouth as Emma keeps walking, placing herself on the opposite side of the ring closest to the commentator's booth. "You think you deserve a title shot?! Do you not remember that we beat you a few weeks ago? In fact, we've beat you and that one up there," she says flashing her hand dismissively in Bayley's direction, "every time we've met in the last month or so." The crowd boos and Sasha looks on with disinterest but keeping an eye on Emma to her back. "Apparently, Bayley didn't beat the hell out of you enough last night… why don't we remind you who's top dog?" Alicia says, dropping the mike and moving to the apron.
The crowd starts murmuring as both Fox and Emma climb on their respective aprons. Sasha, sensing the danger she's in, throws the microphone to the side and places herself in a position to see both of her assailants. As Fox tries to enter, Sasha runs and clubs her, trying to get the upper hand early. But Emma takes the opportunity to club Sasha in the back, causing the superstar to double over in pain, the assault from last night still taking a toll on her body. The two of them start beating on Sasha, kicking her stomach and punching her in the head, the purple-haired superstar almost defenseless.
Suddenly, Bayley enters the ring and surprises Fox, allowing her to release a salvo of punches before clotheslining her out of the ring. Emma, realizing this is happening, goes to deliver a clothesline of her own, but Bayley ducks, gives her a hug and delivers a Bayley-to-Belly suplex. Emma rolls out of the ring and the crowd actually cheers since she saved their hero.
Bayley helps Sasha onto her feet, but Sasha throws her hands away when she sees who it is. Bayley looks at her with what looks like remorse in her eyes. She goes to say something but Sasha just rolls out of the ring and heads up the ramp, holding her back. As she reaches the stage, Kurt Angle comes out with his music. "Hold up, hold up. Sasha, you don't have to stay, you're clearly in no shape to wrestle tonight. But clearly, Bayley is capable, as are Emma and Alicia Fox. So I have a great idea! Since the two of you," he says gesturing towards Fox and Emma, "have a legitimate excuse as to why you deserve a title match, I'll give you this chance. Bayley!" he pauses as he formulates his next words. "You will face Emma and Alicia Fox in a gauntlet-style match… if you win… you'll go one-on-one with Sasha Banks next week to become #1 contender!" Fox and Emma scream in disbelief, their several victories over the pair seemingly thrown to the wayside because of terrible booking. "But, if you lose, they will go one-on-one with each other next week to determine the #1 contender and Sasha will lose her shot." Sasha looks at Kurt, her eyes wide with the proclamation; the prospect of losing her title opportunity because of Bayley, it's almost more than she can believe. Emma and Alicia, just a moment ago angry, are now super confident in their chances at getting the title shots they deserve. Bayley looks out at her former friend, locking eyes with her. Her face remains worried, but inside her heart burns with desire to get back into Sasha's good graces. The camera fades to black as it goes to commercial.
Alicia Fox's music plays later in the night as both she and Emma walk their way down to the ring.
"Welcome back to RAW, it is time for what is, for all intents and purposes, a #1 contender opportunity for these two as well as Bayley," Cole remarks. "We are joined for this match by The Boss Sasha Banks; Sasha, congratulations on your win last night."
"Thank you Michael, I'm definitely happy with getting the upper hand on Bayley."
"That match certainly was intense, how are you really feeling?" Graves asks as the two of them taunt in the ring.
"To be honest, I'm a little sore… that dumbbell really did me no favors but you know Bayley, she couldn't get it done if it wasn't a sneak attack."
"Yeah, that was an innovative finish… speaking of which, here comes Bayley!" Cole shouts as she appears at the top of the ramp. Her usually bubbly and happy persona is replaced with pure stoicism and determination. "Wow, not the Bayley we're used to seeing."
"'Cause she's not the Bayley I was friends with… look at her, trying to act all tough with those stupid tube men," Sasha comments.
"I do have a question, if I may," Corey asks. "Yesterday in the match, Bayley kissed you before hitting you with the Bayley-to-Belly, do you know what that was about?"
Sasha stays silent for a moment, thinking of how she wants to answer it. She actually wasn't prepared for the question… I guess Corey went off-script. "I honestly don't know Corey… I'm sure she tried it just to get in my head or something."
"You see Cole! I called it!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear you. Well here we are…"
Sasha checks out a little as Bayley starts fighting Emma. Having Bayley fight for her honor was such a good way of continuing their pseudo-feud. She watches as Bayley already is behind the 8-ball since Fox interjected herself to distract the ref. "Like they need any help when Bayley has to beat both of them in a row." She feels her heart tug as Emma puts on a sleeper hold; watching her friend get beaten up, even rehearsed, makes Sasha want to save her. Emma shouts at her, bringing her out of her mind. "Watch your title shot go bye-bye!" she hears her say.
Corey just gives her a look, but The Boss stays silent. "I mean, this really is a different scenario than we're used to seeing… your title shot is on the shoulders of your former friend!"
"This begs the question, why doesn't Bayley just allow herself to lose and cost you your opportunity?!" Cole asks. "If she really has it out for you, what better way to get at you than throwing the match?!"
The camera cuts to Sasha, her mouth open in surprise at that realization, at least for her character. "Maybe… somewhere deep down, she really does care as she said earlier," she says with a shrug. "Maybe she just doesn't want to lose to those two again… can't blame her for that, these two don't belong in the title picture," she says with some venom.
After a few minutes, Bayley starts mounting an offense. After a failed DDT attempt, Bayley counters it into a Bayley-to-Belly suplex. She quickly gets the cover and gets the three-count, causing a cheer from the crowd.
"One down!" Cole states briefly. "Sasha, your chances at a title shot have just improved."
"So how does it feel cheering for your former best friend?" Graves queries.
Sasha shoots him a look. "I'm not cheering for Bayley. If she wins, that's great, I just have to beat her one more time. If she loses, I know she's to blame and that she hasn't changed."
The match continues, Bayley looking more worse-for-wear as it continues. The match continues normally, but by the end, Fox's onslaught is too much for Bayley to counter as she's hit with a Scissors Kick.
"1…2…3!" Cole shouts. The camera cuts quickly to Sasha, a look of disappointment on her face. She clicks her tongue as Fox and Emma celebrate in the ring. "Sorry Sasha, but Bayley just wasn't able to overcome the odds."
Fox and Emma retreat from the ring, leaving Bayley lying on her back. Sasha, without a word, takes off her headset and enters the ring. She stands over Bayley as she stirs. When Bayley sees her, she scrambles onto one side to look up at her, eventually getting into a seated position. Neither say anything for a moment as the crowd cheers, hoping Sasha will make the loser pay. "Sasha… I'm sorry, I… tried," Bayley says softly. Sasha doesn't say anything; she doesn't even attack her. She just shakes her head and leaves her in the ring. Bayley looks on, realizing a chance at redemption slipped through her fingers.
