A/N: More drama anybody?
Monday night. Raw has just started.
Paige has been attempting to sit still for a good fifteen minutes but has now ended up pacing around Seth's locker room instead, her eyes drawn every so often to the opening segment where her "boyfriend" has been playing buddy-buddy with Randy Orton to appease him. One thing is for sure: she's nervous. She has a reason to be, too, considering tonight is when she strolls down to that ring and places herself next to Seth's side to declare them an official couple.
She wonders what it'll feel like. More importantly, what will the bigger affect at Wrestlemania be?
There's little time to think about it when the door opens and Seth comes in shaking his head and sighing to himself. Clearly he's unhappy about having to tag with Orton later on tonight to take on Roman in a 2-on-1 showing — a result of whatever games The Authority are playing — and doesn't feel entirely comfortable putting his trust in the Viper.
The Diva walks up to him for a chaste kiss but he seems to hold on for that little bit longer. When he pulls away he rests his forehead against hers, muttering, "Sometimes I think you're the only person keeping me sane in a place like this."
Maybe if you hadn't alienated your friends then you wouldn't feel like this. The thought crosses her mind, and it's one she desperately wants to say out loud to him, but rather than do that she laughs lightheartedly. It's the only thing she can do that will relieve her of the heavy feeling in her chest following his heartfelt comment.
"Hey," starts Paige, taking a step back to create some space between them, and smiling. "We're going to be just fine. If you don't believe me now then wait until the end of the show. After you and him teach Reigns a lesson and I come out there to surprise the world then we can only go from strength to strength. We're going to have it made."
"Just like I always thought we would." He mutters, so quietly that she wonders if he was saying it mainly to himself. Seth takes her by the hand and guides her over to sit on the couch she was struggling to settle down on just minutes ago. "So, 'Reigns' huh? I thought you two were friends."
"Seth, I'm aligning myself with you tonight. Completely. The only person I need to be anything with around here is you."
The comment cheers him up if his confident smirk is anything to go by, which is exactly what she wanted in the first place. They talk excitedly about tonight's plan and how nobody will see it coming and that's what makes it so perfect until a couple of knocks at the door interrupts their chat. Thank God, Paige thinks, but her alleviated mood doesn't last long when Seth calls in J&J security and they spend a good while staring at her in their typical dumbfounded way as he explains why she's there. She'd laugh but she's smart enough to realise the moment doesn't call for it.
To remove herself from the situation, she stands up and remarks, "I should go. Summer's match is coming up soon and I want to be out there for her."
"Sure babe, I'll see you later."
They kiss goodbye for the time being — somewhat awkwardly thanks to the two men staring at them — and then she slips past Noble and Mercury and back into freedom. Even so she hovers nearby for a moment to hear what they have to say, and is not surprised when they start asking a dozen questions a minute, confused about how their relationship came to be. Seth calms them down and starts explaining. She's almost tempted to stay and listen but then she sees people loitering around ahead and decides it's probably for the best if she reintegrates with everybody else.
Back in the Divas' locker room several of the women are milling around, including a talkative Emma and Summer, and for a moment Paige just watches the latter of the two, smiling at the sight of one of her closest friends finally feeling comfortable in her career. There are little perks to this plan along with the big payoff that will inevitably occur and one of those is seeing Summer Rae get the credit she deserves from the crowd.
"Hey," she approaches them, waving off Emma when she excuses herself to talk to Naomi. "You ready for your match?"
"Let's do it. I hear The Bella Twins will be putting in an appearance."
"It doesn't surprise me. Don't worry - I've got your back."
"Ditto."
She's already told the group about her intentions to go public with Seth tonight so she and Summer talk about it in hushed tones on their way. The blonde has her reservations, of course, but is mainly excited to see a visible sign of their plan being put into action at long last. Paige agrees, although struggles to settle the butterflies in her stomach. It's weird to feel so conflicted about this.
Finally, Summer's energetic music blasts through the speakers and they both have something else to think about as they make their way into the camera's view, both ready for this evening and what it has to bring.
Unsurprisingly enough, Eva Marie isn't a major threat in terms of competition when it comes to fighting time. Summer hits the big moves effortlessly, and even despite Cameron running her mouth at ringside on behalf of the redhead, Paige knows she's got that problem covered should she try to interfere.
The real issue occurs when Nikki's music hits towards the end and out come the twins with microphones. They stay quiet for a while, the champion pacing the ramp as she assesses the match playing out before her and the wrestling world, while Brie waits in place obediently. It's clear that no matter who ends up winning this match they have something to say.
Paige is distracted after a throwaway glance in their direction. Nikki's staring at her and jiggling around her phone in her hand, as if sharing a secret with her that nobody else knows about. Yet. Is her romance with Seth going to be revealed before it's being planned to? The twin does have that power in her hands.
She shakes her head, telling herself to return to the match at hand where Summer has just pinned Eva to end it. She spills into the ring for a celebratory hug and raises her friend's arm in the air for the crowd to appreciate the moment... a pleasant one until Nikki's voice filters through, disrupting the music and Paige's good time.
"Well done, Summer, congratulations." The champion clears her throat. "I'm sure you've heard by now that Brie and I have a match against you two at Wrestlemania. So naturally it makes sense for us to be out here to monitor the competition."
Paige is so focused on Nikki she doesn't spot Summer has a microphone in her hand too. "That's only a taste of what's to come," smirks the blonde, ignoring Brie's eye roll at her comment. "Only a couple of weeks to go now. You scared?"
Nikki laughs long and hard before answering, keeling over somewhat, while Brie puts her hands on her hips. "Scared? Oh please. I've accomplished more in the past few months than you ever have in your entire career. Who are you to talk to me like that?"
Having had enough, Paige takes the mic, stepping forwards to lean against the rope. "How about you come down to the ring and I'll show you just how irrelevant you are?" The crowd cheers. Spurred on, she adds, "I'll even let your assistant try and take on Summer."
"Hey!" Outraged, Brie finally speaks into her microphone. "I am nobody's assistant..."
But Nikki snatches it from her and steps away to ensure her sister says nothing more. The other twin shows signs of frustration but doesn't argue, prompting Paige and Summer to share looks and smile at each other. Typical. It's Nikki Bella's way and nobody else's.
"Paige, Paige, Paige... I would love nothing more than to come down to that ring and show you what a real champion looks like... but unfortunately it's just not on the cards tonight. In fact I have a match against Naomi later this week that I need to be one hundred percent ready for. But great work, Summer, really."
"Thanks," The blonde mutters sarcastically.
"Oh, but one more thing? What was it I wanted to say...?" Nikki pretends to look confused for a moment. By now Brie's smile has returned while Paige's has disappeared. "Never forget who is really in control around here. I own you."
A bold accusation to make. Paige would normally be the first one to argue against it but it's clear that the ball isn't in her court. Especially if she doesn't want Nikki to take out her phone and reveal the one picture that has her at a disadvantage right now. So she stays quiet and looks weak while Nikki's music hits again and they disappear behind the curtains.
"Have I ever mentioned how much I hate her?" Summer jokes, as they make their way out of the ring.
"Just wait until the end of the show. We'll see who's laughing then."
Nobody saw Randy Orton's vicious attack coming. The crowd wanted it, sure, but The Authority were certain he would end up falling back into line eventually with tonight being an indicator of united times to come. This proved to be a critical mistake on their part, especially for Seth Rollins, the recipient of a brutal beatdown towards the end of the show after everything went pear-shaped in the main event.
Raw closed this evening with "the future" of the WWE passed out on the announce table Orton RKO'd him through.
When he finally comes to, sore and weary still, Seth finds himself in the medical room backstage. He sits up with a groan as he realises the show is over and that he must have looked like a fool when it ended. Whose bright idea was it to send Big Show and Kane away and to leave him defenceless out there against the angry Viper? He definitely knows he shouldn't have let J&J security go for the evening. It's been a poor showing for The Authority.
"I wouldn't get up too quickly."
The sudden noise surprises him; he would jump up in shock if it wasn't certain to set off the greater pain he knows he'll be in as soon as he stands up. There's no way Orton hasn't left some damage. Still, he turns towards the familiar voice, already knowing he shouldn't because it's easy to tell who it is addressing him.
Nikki Bella leans against the doorway looking pretty pleased with herself as they lock eyes. She notes the irritated expression on the hurt man's face, then asks, "Were you expecting somebody else?"
"What do you want?"
"What do I want? No, no… this is about what you want. Who you want. I think we both know."
"Humour me."
"Do you really want to play this game, Seth?" She scoffs, standing upright again. "I have the feeling Paige has already come running to you about what I have over her. What I have over you, actually. So she should. I can be very dangerous when I want to be."
"Oh yeah, pulling on tights to get the win over her and cheating any opportunity you get is really fearless of you, Nikki. Great job."
"Are we going to go down that hypocritical road? Really?"
"You still haven't told me why you're here."
"What — a girl can't check up on her co-worker?"
"Nikki."
The champion folds her arms, her expression growing more serious. "We have a good thing going on with The Authority and both of our careers are benefiting from it greatly right now. I don't think dating Paige… whatever it is you're doing with her, is going to help you."
"Well it's so nice of you to care about my career but—"
"I do. Care, I mean." Nikki interrupts, a softer tone to her voice now. "Seth, we could rule together."
He stares at her dubiously, trying to work out her angle in all of this. As far as he's aware she hates Paige and would bury her six feet underneath if she had the option to do it. But never before has she shown an interest in him. Maybe, he wonders, it's because he's never had one in her. And never will.
She moves towards where he's propped up and doesn't leave much space between them when she stops. Just as he's starting to realise what's going on and how awkward it feels, she cups her hand around his neck and pulls him in for a kiss.
"Get off me, Nikki, Jesus…" Seth shoves her away, disgusted.
"Oh come on, Seth, we both know it's what's best for business."
"Maybe she's right."
A new voice. Both their heads snap in its direction and find Paige staring right back at their sorry little moment together. Seth scrambles to his feet but it's a slow process considering how hurt he is, and Nikki wipes at her smeared lip-gloss with a smile, obviously unconcerned about being caught in this position.
He hastily tells her, "It's not what it looks like."
The Diva nods a couple of times, fighting a bitter smile and wondering if she should even let him explain himself. The smart thing to do would be to hear him out; she's already got it figured out that Nikki Bella is as conniving as they come and this is her doing. But there's something twisting in her gut that's making it hard to stick around and that's what she pays attention to instead.
"I'm sure it isn't," she answers, heading out again.
"Damnit!" Seth yells, then clutches at his bruised ribs in pain. He turns back to Nikki. "Are you happy with yourself now?"
"I'll be happy once you see what's right in front of you. Otherwise who knows what Stephanie will find out."
Like she won't already know once Noble and Mercury run their loud mouths to her. He doesn't mention it.
Nikki trails a finger down his arm as she goes to walk out and he recoils as if he's been stung. When he's left alone again Seth glares up at the ceiling. Right now he wants to grab the nearest thing to him and throw it at the wall. Throw multiple things. Trash the whole place. The night begun with so much promise and now it's so far removed from how it should have ended. Paige is mad at him; Nikki's a problem to sort out; Randy's someone to look out for too. It's one issue after the other.
Tonight has been hell.