Intimidating was probably the best single word Becky could find to describe the initial moment of coming out and seeing the steel cage surrounding the ring.
Despite having wrestled for years around the world, nothing was really able to adequately prepare oneself for locking themselves inside a cage with another person who is going to try anything they can to beat you.
Add in the bright lights overhead that nearly blinded the Irish wrestler, the deafening sound of the generic rock music that someone in the back had decided on blasting throughout the arena as her entrance music and the whole experience seemed surreal.
Ascending the stairs and walking through the cage door made all the insanity surrounding her fall away.
No longer did the crowd, the lights, or any of the hundred things happening around the ring matter.
Becky rolled her neck and circled around the ring, allowing her fingers to run across the metal cage as she did so. Taking her time to get used to the space where she would be spending the foreseeable future.
Her back was turned to the entrance ramp when the unmistakable music of Sasha Banks began to blare through the speakers.
The lights overhead dimming and a spotlight shining down onto the champion as she made her way gracefully down the short ramp. Beams of light bouncing off the title around her waist that was the envy of every woman currently in NXT.
Becky began to shake out her arms and stretch a little bit. Taking a deep breath before turning around to face the woman who had captured her attention so thoroughly while she still stood outside of the ring.
The secretive smile that Sasha wore when she caught Becky's eye felt like it was just for her.
While anyone besides them would assume it was a gesture that hid Sasha's ulterior motives, Becky understood the promise behind it.
Sasha changed on a dime and began to berate the referee that had not held open the cage door for her. Making outrageous claims about the man's ability to satisfy a woman that had Becky holding back laughter from inside.
She strode into the ring and claimed the center as her own. Raising the belt high and giving Becky a tiny wink before she started shouting back at the crowd that had been booing her from the moment her music started.
As Sasha's music faded out, the two women stood across from each other fully prepared to go to war as soon as the bell rang.
When suddenly, the unmistakable screech that preceded Paige's music erupted, pulling the crowds, as well as the two wrestlers in ring, attention towards the ramp at the unannounced entrant.
The former Divas Champion walked out with a fake smile on her face as she waved down at both women in the ring. Her glee at having them both so distracted by her entrance evident on her face while she walked over towards the announcer's desk by the ramp entrance and sat gracefully down onto the chair a stagehand quickly provided.
Back inside the ring, both competitors tried their best to pull themselves back to the present and ignore Paige's presence the best they could. After all, now that the referees had secured the cage door with a steel chain and padlock there was no way Paige could interfere without taking the time to scale the cage walls.
So, despite their mutual misgivings about having the woman anywhere near the ring they focused back on the present where the referee was set to ring the bell after a quick check with both competitors.
The bell rang, and Becky rushed at the champion, who was caught off guard by the unexpected aggression and allowed herself to get pushed back into the corner where the Irish wrestler landed two forearms in quick succession to the head. Momentarily stunning Sasha, before she gathered her wits and ducked underneath the third forearm.
Using her position, she reached down and grabbed onto Becky's leg behind the knee, pulling it towards her and making the other woman hop on one leg to stay balanced. Which allowed Sasha to easily reverse their positions and put Becky's back into the corner. Letting go of the leg and driving her shoulder into the midsection of her opponent.
With the air driven out of her Becky was unable to stop the second shoulder but could anticipate the third and threw a downward elbow to meet Sasha's head. Both women taking significant shots that forced Sasha to back off into the center of the ring. Holding her hand up the left temple where the point of the elbow had connected.
Becky took the time to pull some air back into her lungs and think of some strategy.
While she had been cleared to return she wasn't exactly one hundred percent and had taken great pains to act as normally as possible so that Sasha wouldn't hold anything back.
The drawback to that being that Sasha didn't hold back at all, and the full power shoulders to her mostly healed ribs made her all too aware of the lingering injuries.
Given the limitation Becky knew she would have to get a little creative and try to end this match somewhat quickly, before she began to slow down and the early adrenaline faded away.
Sasha had recovered from the elbow and began to set up for another attack. Trying her best to lure Becky out of the corner where she could hopefully counter the next rush when it came.
Becky didn't disappoint and came out of the corner fast. Quickly crossing the gap between them and looking for an opening to grab hold of the champion.
She thought she saw an opening when Sasha backed away and rotated to her own right, convinced that she would be able to cut off the ring and corner the other woman once again after her earlier success.
Having foreseen the movement coming Sasha used her agility to cut an angle back to her own left and throw a kick with her right leg that landed with a thud across the chest of Becky. Whose own momentum from moving aggressively forward had pulled her elbows away from guarding her ribcage and left herself open for the counter shot.
The third solid shot to her ribs in the first couple minutes of this match was already slowing Becky down and Sasha was able to grab a hold of her. Using her legs and core to lift Becky up and over for a suplex. Holding onto it after completion and rolling herself over so that she could lift the other woman up for one more, followed by another.
After the final suplex Sasha sprung up off the mat and gave a mocking bow to the crowd, who returned in kind with a chorus of boos.
With her opponent down for a moment Sasha turned to stare at Paige who now had a headset on and was speaking Tom Phillips and Corey Graves at the desk. Paige caught her stare and gave her a grin that was not returned.
A groan sounded from Becky as she pushed herself back to her feet brought Sasha's attention back to the ring.
She strode over and kicked out the hand Becky had been using to post herself up on, throwing her balance off and making room for Sasha to grab a hold of her and wrap an arm around her throat.
Intelligently, Becky tucked her chin at the last moment so that Sasha couldn't lock in the chokehold fully. Using her hands to immediately fight Sasha's own and weaken her grip.
Sasha was impressed when her grip began to slip so she pulled one of her hands away and threw several quick jabs right underneath the ribs which reflexively Becky tried to cover up, bringing one of her hands down to guard, which gave Sasha the room to reapply and tighten the hold just a little more. Squeezing with all her might for a few seconds until the realization that Becky's tucked chin would make finishing her from this position very difficult.
So, rather than wasting her energy and tiring herself out too early, she adjusted the hold so that it was simply uncomfortable for Becky instead of truly threatening. Continually moving her right arm across the face up and down to break up her breathing pattern by cutting off her mouth and nose, "Having fun yet?"
Her whispered words seemed to have an affect on Becky, who gave up fighting with Sasha's hands and started to throw hard elbows backwards that landed with heavy thuds into her midsection until she was forced to release the hold and move herself away.
Both women resetting themselves in opposite corners while they nursed their own wounds.
Sasha forced herself to continue pushing the pace. Convinced that she could slow Becky down and rely on her own cardio to not fail her first.
This time Sasha rushed at the other woman, hoping that her making the first move and pressuring would force a mistake.
Becky ducked underneath the clothesline that came and took a deep breath before grabbing a hold of Sasha and throwing her unceremoniously over in a variation of an exploder suplex.
Sasha rolled with the throw as best she could, but that didn't stop her back from taking the majority of the force and momentarily slowing her down.
Taking advantage of the momentum Becky kept the pressure on, despite feeling like she was beginning to lose a step. Her old injuries in combination with the physicality of the match taking its toll.
Recognizing that she may only had so much time left, Becky hauled Sasha back to her feet and threw her as hard as she could into the cage wall.
She quickly moved to go for a pin, but Sasha easily kicked out at the count of two.
Becky moved back to her feet and dropped an elbow to the chest and transitioned that into another pin attempt that Sasha kicked out of once again.
With a hint of desperation to her actions Becky dragged Sasha back to her feet and set up to suplex her into the cage wall.
Sasha realized the precarious position she was in and hooked her leg around Becky's to block the move.
Circling around and reversing their position so that Sasha was now the one threatening.
To counter the bad position Becky drove her legs forward and ran. Driving Sasha through the ropes and into the cage.
Off balance from the sudden momentum shift, Sasha accepted that she was going to hit the cage hard and wrapped an arm around Becky's neck to try and make her face impact the cage as well.
She succeeded in driving Becky's face into the metal, but the impact of her back onto the cage followed by her body ricocheting back and giving her whiplash made her success feel minimal.
Both women remained on the ground. Using the time to regain some composure and catch a second wind. The match having already taken a physical toll on both of them.
They both made it to their feet at the same time and gave each other a look of respect that was only for the other.
Becky put her foot down, standing her ground and taunted, "Come get me Champ."
Sasha accepted the challenge and threw a strong punch that caught the Irish woman on the jaw. Wobbling her slightly before she returned with one of her own. Her knuckles landing flush onto the other woman's cheek.
The force of the blow knocked Sasha back a step and pushed her head to the side.
Her left hand raised up to wipe at the corner of her mouth. The feel of liquid on the back of her hand making her look down and smile at the blood she had wiped away.
Sasha slowly rotated her head back around to look at her opponent who had continued to stand their ground. A cocky grin and gleefully violent glint in Becky's eyes that mesmerized the champion and made Sasha even more enamored than she already was.
Wasting no more time the champion grabbed a hold of Becky's neck with her left hand and started throwing wild looping punches with her right. The Irish wrestler responding in kind.
Each woman landing hard and damaging shots that neither bothered defending.
An honor amongst them that they would continue until one of them fell and the other remained standing.
Or at least that is what Becky thought.
Sasha was a bit more cerebral and less honor bound. Becky's advantage in strength meaning that Sasha would be the worse for wear if they continued.
So, instead of letting that happen Sasha lulled Becky into believing she would abide by this unspoken rule before breaking away and unleashing a snapping front kick to the sternum that had Becky clutching at her chest in pain.
Bouncing her off the ropes and back into a waiting clothesline to land flat on her back near the corner .
With Becky's prone body lying near the corner, Sasha scaled the ropes and pushed herself upwards before letting go and angling her knees to drive into Becky's body as she fell back to the mat.
She heard the breath being driven out of her opponent's lungs and smiled. Hopeful that this latest move would keep her down long enough for Sasha to get out of the cage.
A swell of noise from the crowd had Sasha searching for the source and she ended up finding it when she spotted Paige strolling down to ringside. Once again mockingly clapping and shouting a disingenuous, "Good job Sasha! I'm so proud of you! You're doing great!"
As the pale woman reached ringside she began to yell at one of the referees on the outside to unlock and open the cage door.
Sasha looked on, puzzled at how quickly the ref had responded and opened the door wide open. Essentially gifting her another victory, which made her realize that this must be the work of Stephanie. Interfering in her business once again.
Paige impatiently waited outside, waving at Sasha to just step outside and take the win.
Her mind was at war with itself over taking the easy way out or seeing this match through to the end.
With a smirk on her face and her mind made up Sasha confidently strode towards the open door and slammed it shut. Staring at Paige and silently daring her to do something about it.
The Brit glared back at her but otherwise remained motionless. Sasha turned her back onto the woman, and as soon as she was no longer looking Paige burst into action and reopened the door so that she could dart inside.
Sasha had anticipated such a reaction and spun around to meet the angry woman.
Catching her with a stiff punch to the jaw as Paige threw all her weight into tackling Sasha to the ground. Landing on top but feeling the ill effects of the punch Sasha had tagged her with.
The champions own head bounced off the canvas during the fall. Leaving her stunned and giving Paige enough time to recover and nail her with several forearms to the head.
Sasha's head was ringing with pain. Making it impossible for her to focus on anything else and leaving her virtually defenseless to the former champion who was fresh and hadn't been involved in a grueling match for the last ten minutes or so.
With Sasha now out of it after the repeated blows to the head, Paige stood up and took the time to straighten out her slightly askew clothing. Her eyes searching for and finding a stirring Irish woman who was struggling back to her feet.
With a grin on her face and joy in her heart she moved across the ring and violently thrust the bottom of her heel into the side of Becky's head. Her orange hair whipping from the impact as she fell back down to the ground.
After dispatching of Becky for the time being, Paige calmly walked back towards Sasha who had struggled back to her hands and knees. Still trying to shake off the fog after getting rocked.
Without warning Paige stomped onto the outstretched fingers of her left hand. Drawing a loud cry of agony from Sasha that echoed through the silent arena and began to draw the empathy of her most ardent detractors.
The British beauty close her eyes and snickered, "Like music to my ears." She opened her eyes again and used her foot to roll Sasha onto her back, so she could meet her eyes, "You really shouldn't have pissed off Mrs. McMahon. Think of this as a friendly reminder."
Sasha only had a moment to understand the words before a booted toe rammed its way deep into her stomach.
She curled up to escape any more kicks, but Paige just dragged her over to the ring apron. Slamming Sasha's head into the canvas covered apron so that she could easily go about her business without resistance.
Even as out of it as she was, Sasha heard Paige humming quietly to herself. The unmistakable tune of her own entrance music becoming a background track to her own beatdown.
With a glance at the referee she had berated earlier, Paige gave him a signal and a folded steel chair was slid underneath the cage. She grinned but left the chair for now. That would come later.
Paige took Sasha's limp left hand and pulled her closer to the cage. Meticulously inserting each of Sasha's fingers through the gaps in the fencing and allowing a space beneath for optimum range of motion.
Before Sasha could gather her wits enough to pull her hand out of the cage, Paige viciously stomped down with all her body weight on top, which resulted in several disgusting popping noises that even those in the back row of the arena could hear.
Sasha thought of herself as a tough person, but it was impossible for her to suppress her screams. Rolling away out of reflex and cradling her mangled fingers to her body. The pain taking over worse after she glanced down to see her middle and ring finger bent in a direction the human finger was not meant to achieve naturally.
While all this happened, Paige had been squatting down, attempting to get rid of the scuff on the toe of her boot.
The black haired woman shook her head at the damage to her boots which wasn't easily coming off. Scoffing in irritation at the inconvenience before rounding on the damage champion once again.
Shaking off the lamentable imperfection to her boots and focusing on the person who helped cause it.
As she surveyed the damage she caused she followed the retreating champion, who had continued to roll away and back herself into a corner.
Using the bottom turnbuckle to help her get to a sitting position she gritted her teeth through the pain, "Never thought I would see the day you became Stephanie's bitch," laughing despite herself when she saw Paige visibly anger, "Pretty damn pathetic."
The first chinks in Paige's armor began to appear. Lashing out in anger and slapping Sasha across the face as she stood triumphantly above her, "You're in over your head champ. You've got no idea what's really happening, do you?"
Sasha narrowed her eyes, but otherwise remained silent. Intent on not giving Paige the satisfaction of knowing just how much her fingers were killing her right now.
Paige composed herself. Content that she was superior, "Just as I thought. Well time to end this lesson. A shame. I was starting to have some fun. Even almost broke a sweat."
"Maybe you should take a seat then."
Paige turned at the voice and was met with a swinging steel chair that clattered off her side.
The violence of the impact causing the chair to jar out of Becky's hands and bounce to the canvas.
The Brit crumpled down to a knee. Holding her side in pain and giving Becky a death glare.
Even though Becky was up, she still wasn't fully recovered. Her chest still stinging with pain, and her energy reserves nearly depleted. She leaned over to pick up the chair, but her ribs protested the movement.
Her grimace of pain was enough for Paige to spot the weak spot and lunge forward to tackle Becky. Making sure to drive her shoulder into the ribs and drive her legs forward until Becky toppled over and she landed with all her weight on top of her chest.
While Becky writhed in pain, Paige pressed an open hand into Becky's face and used it as a point to push herself back to her feet. Taking care to grind her palm into the nose beneath while she transitioned to a standing position.
She shook out the arm that had taken some of the chairs impact, "I got to give it to you. You actually got a good shot in there. Next time aim for the head," taking her own advice and stomping down onto Becky's head. The orange haired wrestler just barely turning her head in time for the blow to glance off her temple, rather than smash her nose into pieces.
While the blow still hurt, Becky stayed still and tried to play it off as if the shot had knocked her out.
Luck, or impatience seemed to be on her side and Paige stormed off. Picking up the chair that had been discarded and walking over to stand in front of Sasha, who had managed her way back to her feet.
Sweat beading on her brow and her breathing heavy as the adrenaline faded away and the pain from her fingers began to overwhelm her.
"Any last words?" Paige questioned.
Sasha gathered herself, "Just three. Behind you... Bitch."
"What?"
That was the last word Paige spoke that night. A massive haymaker from Becky blindsiding her and sending her plummeting to the canvas. Out like a light.
Becky stood on unsteady legs in the spot Paige had previously been occupying. Tiredly smiling at who was technically still her opponent, "Can we take a rain check on finishing this match?"
Sasha was well aware that she should be keeping up pretenses since they were in public and she was the one who instilled the rule, but right now she found it hard to care, "Sounds like a plan to me," giving the other woman a warm look that was bordering on being too obvious for anyone to miss.
The pain from her fingers brought her back to earth and she tried to force her face back into a more neutral look that wouldn't give away her real emotion.
Becky caught the flinch from the pain and her eyes immediately swam with concern. Moving forward without a care in the world and grabbing Sasha's forearm delicately so that she could survey the damage.
The injured woman almost gave in and allowed for Becky to care for her, but the fact that they were in public; surrounded by hundreds of fans all the people backstage who were watching made those thoughts come to a screeching halt.
Yanking her arm away from the soft touch she would have preferred allowing for much longer than necessary.
With her free arm she gave Becky a theatrically big shove and glared at her before stomping her way past the bewildered ref on the outside who had been helping Paige and walking towards the back alone.
Hoping that Becky saw she was just playing a part.
Worried that she wasn't going to be able to convincingly play her part if she was already having trouble reeling herself in.
Blissfully unaware of the puppet master that had seen everything.
"Things just got more interesting," Stephanie said. Tapping her chin while she watched a wall of monitors that showed the feed of every camera angle.
End of Phase 1
After credits scene
Next Saturday
Bayley hadn't been this nervous in a long time. Her pulse raced so rapidly you would think she just sprinted at full tilt for half an hour. Unconsciously she began to scoot closer to the diminutive woman sitting next to her, some instinctive need to protect taking over. If they weren't sitting down Bayley possibly would have shoved the tiny blonde behind her in an almost chivalrous gesture despite its ultimate futility to provide and real protection.
In the end Bayley would end up turning away from the disgusting and gory scene in front of her. Burying her face into the shoulder of the woman next to her so that she wouldn't have to see anything.
That didn't stop the wet and horrific sounds from making it to her ears and forcing her mind to create its own, much worse interpretation of what was happening.
The tiny impact of something light, but very warm pulled Bayley out of her self-imposed blindness. Giving an exaggerated evil stare to the blonde next to her, the darkness of the room occasionally being interrupted by flashes of light that allowed them both brief glimpses of the others face fully exposed.
"Did you just throw popcorn at me?"
"It's just a movie. Its not like he can come out of the screen to get you."
"I know. I know. But you have to admit that seeing a person do that is pretty scary. Even if it is fake."
"It's all relative. One of the first movies I remember seeing was 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' so this," she pointed at the screen, "Is actually kind of funny to me."
Bayley looked at Alexa as if she had grown another head, that had then grown another on top of that, "You sicken me."
Ignoring the movie Alexa turned towards Bayley and smiled broadly, "Ahh you always say the sweetest things honey."
Before Bayley could respond a distinctly feminine voice called out from a few rows behind them in the nearly, but obviously not quite, empty theatre, "Will these two just shut up."
Embarrassed and a bit ashamed at being so inconsiderate Bayley slumped down in her chair and blushed at being overheard.
Alexa on the other hand had no shame and turned to angrily address the woman who had spoke up, "Why don't you shut—" her eyes squinting in confusion when there was no one behind them. Her head swiveled around, but found no one else in the entire movie theatre, "What the hell?"
"What?" Bayley piped up, curious as to what made Alexa stop her incoming tirade.
"There's no one else here."
"Stop trying to scare me. It's not working."
Alexa turned back and grabbed onto the Bayley's closest hand, "I'm not. There legitimately is no one else in here."
Bayley turned around to look for herself, "You weren't kidding. But we heard a voice. Right? We aren't insane are we."
"No some bitch definitely called us out."
"Language Alexa! There's no need for that. We were being loud anyways. Whoever they were was right to be upset."
Alexa slumped back into her seat and pouted, "I hate when you make sense. Stop trying to make me into a better person."
Bayley snickered but pressed a small kiss to Alexa cheek, "But it's so much fun."
"Becky! When is dinner ready?" Sasha shouted from her place splayed across Becky's couch.
She heard the sound of the oven opening which preceded the delicious aroma that wafted out into the living room, "Hold yer horses Boss, it's almost done," came the answer from the kitchen.
"But I'm hungry now."
"Build a time machine then. I'm not going to feed you raw chicken and have you yelling at me when you get sick. You're already enough of a pain as is."
"I resent that! I thought you said you were going to take care of me? My fingers were dislocated if you don't remember?"
"Really?" Becky's sarcastic voice rang out loudly to be heard over her frantic work in the kitchen, "I don't remember you mentioning it."
Sasha's eyes narrowed, and she sprung up from the couch. Quickly running a hand through her hair while walking into the kitchen. Leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
For a while she just stood there and watched as her girlfriend hurried around the kitchen. One moment tossing the broccoli and sliced peppers that sizzled on the stovetop, and the next dumping the boiling water filled with potatoes into a waiting colander set up in the sink. The steam shooting up and somewhat obscuring her view of Becky's face which appeared in deep concentration.
The tip of her tongue peeking out from between her lips as she dumped the potatoes into a large bowl and began to vigorously whip them into a mash. Automatically adding in seasoning and butter as needed while she walked around the kitchen and checked on the other foods still cooking.
"I still think you should have taken my offer."
Without missing a beat Becky continued cooking. Pulling the vegetables off the burner with one hand and turning off the stovetop, "We aren't having this discussion again."
Sasha pouted and pushed herself off the wall, "I stand by my point that you in a maid outfit would make me heal faster."
Becky sighed loudly and dropped the finished mashed potatoes on the counter, "I fail to see how me wearing one of those would help."
She slowly snuck up behind the Irish woman and wrapped her arms around her stomach, "It would give me some motivation to heal faster. I think I deserve some eye candy while I recover."
With a laugh Becky moved to pull away, but Sasha wouldn't break her grip, "I need to be able to move Boss."
Becky could feel soft hair brush against her back from the motion of Sasha shaking her head. The silky stands making her shiver as the gently caressed her skin, "Not until you reconsider my offer."
"You're resorting to extortion now?"
"You pushed my hand."
The sudden noise of Sasha's stomach growling loudly made Becky raise her eyebrow, "Are you willing to let your food burn then?"
Sasha contemplated in silence. Her grip subtly tightening, "Yes."
Becky groaned at the other woman's stubbornness and conceded enough to hopefully satisfy her for the time being, "Fine. I will reconsider your offer and we can talk about it later. Now can I please move so that I can finish making the dinner I was nice enough to make for you?"
Sasha pretended to think about it for a second before giving one last squeeze and relinquishing her hold, "I will allow it."
After eating the delicious dinner both women decided to call it a day, Sasha having already been here since before noon.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" Becky asked. Wringing her hands as she watched her girlfriend pull on her shoes and prepare to leave.
Sasha sighed and turned towards the woman that had been helping her since their match on Wednesday. But today was Sunday, and that meant that tomorrow would mean going back to the performance center and dealing with all the fallout, "I'm not sure. I hope so, but I honestly don't know. I got called in to talk with Regal about my injury and get a follow up, but after that I don't know."
Becky glanced down at the splint keeping Sasha's fingers in place and felt the anger build up inside her. Closing her eyes and growling as she imagined making Paige endure far worse. The chair shot and subsequent punch not being nearly enough to satisfy her need for revenge.
Having seen Becky do just this several times throughout the week when her attention was brought to Sasha's injury, she knew the warning signs. The staring at her hand followed by silence and the inevitable self-deprecating comment, "I should have gotten up faster and stopped her."
A comforting but firm hand under Becky's chin tilted her gaze till her guilty brown eyes met Sasha's, "Don't do this. The only person to blame is that goth wannabe Paige."
"The only reason she hurt you was because of me though," Becky stated, convinced that this was the truth, "Why else would she get involved and attack you? She must somehow know that you are important to me. But how?"
Sasha tried to stop Becky before she spiraled trying to look for reason behind Paige's attack, "You don't know that. She just got mad when I refused to take the win she offered, but that's not your fault."
The guilt of knowing the real reason behind Paige's actions ate away at Sasha. Her deal with Stephanie and the agreement to keep it silent having far more of an impact than she could have foreseen.
"Don't blame yourself for that bitch's actions. Besides you still saved me in the end and that does deserve a reward." Hoping that changing the subject could help distract Becky from ruminating.
Becky's voice sounded a little more normal, "I guess."
"How about we plan on going out tomorrow night."
"Where though? You insist on keeping this private and even when we went to the movies yesterday we nearly got caught. Where could we possibly go more private than that?"
Sasha just grinned and stole a quick kiss before she opened the front door, "You will see tomorrow. I'll pick you up at six. See you then Rebecca."
The next morning Sasha found herself in front of Regal's office after having just been checked over by the trainer.
It had been good news at least. While initially they were worried it could be six to eight weeks for recovery, she seemed to be healing quickly and they were optimistic she could be back training in just three to four.
Without knocking she entered the office and wasn't the least bit surprised to see not William Regal sitting down, but Stephanie McMahon. An ominous grin on her face that made Sasha suspicious and on edge.
The door closing behind with a thud, leaving just her and Stephanie locked in the office, "Take a seat Ms. Banks. We have a few things to discuss."
"Damn right we do," Sasha bit out. Defiantly remaining standing and ignoring the command.
Stephanie's grin remained, "How are the fingers by the way?"
"Swell. You want to tell me why you let her come out there and do what she did. Or, are you going to try and bullshit me and tell me you had no idea?" Impatiently tapping her foot as she stared a hole into her boss.
"I wouldn't want to insult your intelligence. I told her to break your fingers because you seem to have forgotten your place around here. I don't care if you are the champion. You work for me now and you will respect me as such. If I tell you to jump you don't ask me how high, you just do it. Do I make myself clear?"
Stephanie's speech was met with a stony silence from the pink haired woman who was trying her best to reign in her fury at being talked down to.
"Do I make myself clear?" She repeated. An undercurrent of frustration gaining steam as Sasha remained silent.
"Crystal," she reluctantly answered, "Just so you know, I'm going to rip Paige's head off the second I get this stupid splint off."
Stephanie smiled, appreciating the chaos and anger she had helped create and foster, "I'd expect nothing less."
Sasha raised an eyebrow, "Not going to tell me no?"
"Do whatever you feel is necessary," Stephanie vaguely answered. Essentially giving Sasha cart blanche to attack the British wrestler.
"Thanks, I guess. Unless you got anything else to say I think we are done here." Turning on her heel, ready to exit the room and get back to planning for tonight.
Stephanie's smug voice stopped her in her tracks, "I do have just one more thing to say before you leave."
A few seconds of silence passed, "We're waiting." An impatient and annoyed Sasha declared.
"I just want you to remember that you owe me everything. And I can take everything right back with a snap of my fingers."
Sasha scoffed, but knew that Stephanie spoke the truth, "Thanks for the reminder. I always love getting threatened. Really inspires my loyalty."
Stephanie stood up and placed both of her hands on the desk. Leaning in slightly, "Want to take a short walk with me? I have something I want to show you." Walking around her desk and past Sasha to open the door herself, "By the way, this isn't a request. Follow me."
With that, the McMahon walked away without waiting for a response. Leaving Sasha to reluctantly follow. Trying her best to exude as much confidence as she could, despite feeling like Stephanie was clearly playing her. The current situation making her feel like she had no control over the outcome.
She followed behind Stephanie for a minute. Eventually coming to a stop at a large metal door with an electronic pad on the wall next to it.
With a practiced ease Steph pressed her thumb onto the pad, simultaneously sliding a keycard into the available slot. Holding each for several seconds until a green light appeared and the door began to open on its own.
The taller brunette stepped aside and held her arm out with a smile on her face. Ushering Sasha inside with a false air of generosity.
With cautious steps borne out of a severe mistrust of anything Stephanie did, Sasha stepped inside the dark room. Noting the slight glare coming from deeper in the room, but unable to make out any details.
A snap of the McMahon's fingers caused the overhead lights to turn on. The bright white light illuminating the room and momentarily shocking Sasha into closing her eyes against the sudden change.
After a period of adjustment Sasha was able to reopen her eyes and take in the new room she was in.
The walls on either side were lined with shelves of electronics. A multitude of lights and indicators flashing and strobing at seemingly random intervals.
On the opposite side of where she entered stood a wall of large high definition monitors that covered every bit of space available. Several ostentatious leather high backed chairs sat facing the monitors.
Stephanie strode inside with the aura of someone who held all the cards and knew it. Her sweet smile covering up the childlike glee she garnered from having the upper hand on someone.
"Impressive. Isn't it?"
Sasha was unimpressed, "It's a bunch of monitors on a wall. Am I supposed to praise you for that?"
The older woman tutted at Sasha and condescendingly responded without even addressing her last words, "So tell me, does she help make the rejection hurt less?"
With that one sentence Sasha had the distinct impression that she was in over her head, "What are you talking about?"
"Your little Irish dog. Does she fill up that empty void after Charlotte rejected you?" Stephanie attacked with false sincerity, "I'm waiting here… Boss."
The temperature in the room may not have actually risen, but Sasha felt as if the room was suddenly a sauna, "You don't get to call me that."
"Why not Boss? Does it annoy you when I call you Boss. You seem to get a kick out of the dumb whore calling you that."
Sasha was fuming and reflexively tried to make a fist but was reminded of her current handicap when her splint prevented the action. "How do you know any of this?"
Stephanie took a seat in one of the large leather chairs and opened her arms wide. Proud smile beaming across at Sasha, "I know everything that I deem necessary."
"That doesn't explain how you know my personal business," the anger inside Sasha welling up without an outlet.
With a dramatic sigh the elder female picked up a small remote that had been sitting on the chair, "I've been watching you for some time now," pressing a button and causing one of the monitors to turn on.
The image of Sasha, Charlotte and Bayley working out amongst the rest of the wrestlers from several months ago played out on the screen.
"You didn't know it, but I've had plans for you for some time now."
Another button press turning on the next monitor which showed grainy footage of Sasha in Charlotte's apartment doorway.
Sasha turned away from the screen. Recognizing the night of her greatest embarrassment and rejection quite easily.
Stephanie enjoyed the discomfort on her employees face, "I'm sorry. Did that bring up bad memories?"
Any response that Sasha could think of would surely get her fired. So, she remained silent and tried to hold in the quickly building rage.
"I guess we can talk about some happier moments then. How about that stupid little girl you got wrapped around your finger? I have to hand it to you. I thought I had all the information I needed on you, but you changed that."
The dread that came from hearing the McMahon speak continued building with each word, "Stay away from her." The irony of echoing Charlotte's own warning to her not entirely lost on Sasha.
"That sounds like a pretty serious threat," Stephanie pretended to act afraid for a second, "Too bad I've already ignored it," pressing down onto the remote one more time.
The hairs on the back of Sasha's neck stood up when the sudden image of a sweaty Becky laughing and taking a drink from a water bottle appeared on screen. The shakiness of the footage and angle it was taken at making it clear that Becky didn't know she was being filmed.
"Stephanie, I swear—"
"This is live by the way. It's amazing how small they can make cameras nowadays. You can hide them practically anywhere."
"Enough with the games. What's your play here? Threaten Becky to make me do what? Not kill your lapdog Paige?" Sasha snapped, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. Trying to project some of the confident swagger that she most certainly did not feel right now.
Stephanie's eerie smile didn't falter, "I don't play games. I have them won before they start."
The ominous words hung in the air. The silent tension between them thickening as Stephanie pressed a button on her remote and revealed her final move.
Upwards of ten monitors simultaneously turned on and displayed images that made all the fight and vigor inside Sasha fizzle away in a split second.
"How?" Sasha uttered in disbelief and shock.
Slowly the older woman stood up and out of her seat, "I'm a McMahon. People are always willing to fall at my feet for a chance to get in my favor."
Sasha couldn't take her eyes away from the live images being broadcast to the monitors. The abject horror and helplessness that burst into existence at the images making it hard for the injured woman to think clearly.
"Just so happens your toy's landlord is an old employee that jumped at the chance to get back in my good graces. From there it was easy. We just needed to wait for her to leave, and within ten minutes I have my very own reality television show at my beck and call."
"What the fuck is wrong with you? There is no way I'm going to let you get away with this shit," Sasha declared.
"You aren't going to do anything without my permission."
"Is that so," Sasha said. Defiantly pulling out her phone, "I'm sure any news outlet would love to hear about the real Stephanie McMahon behind the bullshit corporate smile."
Stephanie's confidence didn't falter one bit from the threat, "Before you make that call, let me make one of my own. If you still want to tell the press afterwards I won't stop you."
She took Sasha's silence as agreement and quickly made a call.
"Its time… Yes… Just give her a show," the quick exchange ending without Stephanie ever taking her eyes off of Sasha.
Sasha tensed at the vague command. Her attention being pulled back to the monitors which seemed to cover every corner of Becky's apartment including the inside of her bathroom. The helpless anger, disgust and frustration making her feel physically sick. Every fiber of her being wanting to strike out and attack the McMahon.
A large figure making his way through the door and entering Becky's apartment grabbed Sasha's attention. An immediate recognition of the creepy landlord as he stared into one of the carefully hidden cameras that he obviously knew was there.
He pulled a large yellow manilla folder into frame and stepped closer to the camera. Casually pulling out a large photo and pushing it closer to the camera until it filled the monitor and was easily visible to both Sasha and Stephanie.
It felt as if all the fight had left Sasha in that moment. Her head bowing down as she tried to steady her suddenly out of rhythm breath.
"What do you want from me?" A defeated Sasha quietly asked. The image of Becky sleeping with that creepy bastard stroking her hair in the middle of the night impossible to be unseen.