Disclaimer: The story you are reading is a fictitious work of this author and is not intended to portray real-life events. Any resemblance to any real-life events is purely coincidental. The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks, which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2013 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The names of all TNA televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all TNA logos are trademarks, which are the exclusive property of TNA Entertainment, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2013 TNA Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Author's Note: One of my favorite TV series' of all-time is Star Trek: The Next Generation. It was that title that I pretty much copied as the title for this chapter. I've thought up some cute and clever chapter titles, but this one was straight forward. The future is now.
The Squared Circle
Chapter 12
Inner Circle: The Next Generation
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 – 3 pm – Apartment of Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado and Saraya-Jade Bevis – Orlando, Florida
In just over 24 hours, the first-ever NXT Women's Champion would be crowned. NXT tapes its matches then broadcasts them on tape delay so even though someone would be walking out as Women's Champion, the world wouldn't officially find out who won until the July 24th broadcast. However, because of the Internet, the world would find out who won the title seconds after the bell rang.
Saraya, as Paige, was one of four women left in the tournament along with Alicia Fox, Summer Rae and Emma. Paige was the odds-on favorite of the fans and the wrestling media to win it all, but she had to wait until Triple H told the women that morning who had been booked to win. Saraya's roommate, Mercedes, had also participated in the tournament, but was eliminated by Summer Rae in the opening round, taped on May 23rd. Ironically, the episode where Sasha would be eliminated was airing that evening on the WWE Network. To say that Paige was a little bit nervous was a bit of an understatement. Although she was just under two months shy of her 21st birthday, Paige was already a 5-year veteran of the sport. She had seen a lot and done even more, including wrestling and defeating her own mother in a no-disqualification match. But she realized that winning the first NXT Women's Championship was a big stepping stone leading to her ultimate goal, a spot on the main roster to compete for the Divas title. To her, being considered for a run as NXT Champion demonstrated the faith that WWE had not only in her in-ring talent, but her ability to be a huge draw for what many people saw as a weak Divas division that lacked women with her ring skills.
On that afternoon, Paige nervously hopped from house chore to house chore trying to keep her mind off of her job. Mercedes sat in the corner of the living room in a big, plush loveseat with her feet propped up, reading glasses in full use as she read a novel she had been dying to dive back into after weeks of letting it sit. From time to time, Mercedes would glance up to see Paige gather trash, wash the few plates that were in the sink and then dust. When Paige pulled out the vacuum and turned it on, however, Mercedes decided that an intervention was in order.
"Saraya!" Mercedes called out to no avail. "Sa-RAY-a!" Still nothing from the British bombshell. Mercedes then did something that she didn't like to do but knew was effective in getting a person's attention. She turned into her own mother. She elevated her voice loud enough to be heard over the loud and powerful cleaner. "SARAYA!"
Saraya turned off the vacuum. "My God, you've got a set of lungs on you!" Saraya said. "What?"
"Don't you see me reading a book?" Mercedes asked. "You've been be-boppin' around this apartment all day. What is up with you?"
"I'm sorry, KV. I am just a little nervous about tomorrow." Saraya said.
"Nervous about what?" Mercedes asked as she stood up and walked over to Saraya. "You have the best in-ring game in NXT outside of, well, me…" Saraya smirked. "You have that unique killer look and the fans love you. They'd be fools not to book you to win the title."
"I'm too young. Don't you think?"
"You weren't too young when I smashed it on your 20th birthday." Mercedes joked causing Saraya to laugh and blush.
"C'mon, KV! I'm serious! Don't you think some of the girls will resent me?"
"Girl, some of them are like three minutes older than you with half your talent and charisma." Mercedes started. "It doesn't matter how old or young you are, where you come from or how big or small you are. Look at me. I'm five-five, a buck fifteen… excuse me, let me do this so you can understand." Saraya rolled her eyes and smirked because she knew what was coming; Mercedes' bad British accent. "I'm one point six meters high and weigh eight stones and three."
"You're an ass." Saraya chided with a chuckle.
Mercedes switched back to her own accent. "Like I was saying, I've been told my whole life that I'm too small and not strong enough, but here I am. And one day, I will be the Alpha Diva. I will be the NXT Women's Champion. I will be the Divas Champion. I'll have my own action figure and t-shirts with my name and catchphrase on it. I will make them book me strong. And that's not being conceited. I just want this shit that bad, baby. And I know that you want it just as bad as I do. So tomorrow, when you walk into Full Sail, walk in there like a champion. And when Triple H and Dusty and Bill see you, they will see the NXT Champion standing in front of them."
"You're right."
"Damn straight, I'm right. You're the badass Goth Diva who sets the ring on FIRE when she steps through the ropes." Mercedes said with passion.
Saraya took a minute to scan Mercedes from head to toe before responding. "Get away from me and go finish your book."
"What? Why?" Mercedes asked incredulously. "What? Did I fart or something?"
"You giving the speech pep talk was very sexy and I have to get this house cleaned up." Saraya said. "You know how I am. Once I start cleaning, I have to finish. Now scoot." To emphasize her point, Saraya turned the vacuum cleaner back on and started pushing it. Mercedes stood still for a moment and looked at her roommate before tucking her book under her arm and retreating to her bedroom allowing Saraya to finish cleaning.
Saraya continued to vacuum for several more minutes, replaying Mercedes' words as she did. She was vacuuming behind the sofa with her back to the hallway. When she turned around, she was stopped in her tracks by the sight of her roommate standing seductively at the edge of the hallway wearing a lacy snow white bra and G-string panty set with five-inch stiletto heels.
Saraya turned the vacuum cleaner off. "That is so not fair."
"I know." Mercedes said confidently.
"It's hard enough to resist you after you're sweaty from running and you're standing there looking like that."
"I know." Mercedes repeated.
"I have to finish cleaning this apartment or it will drive me insane."
"I know."
"I'm about to give in and come over there."
Mercedes smirked then bit her bottom lip. "I know." She then motioned with her index finger for Saraya to come over to her. Saraya, just like Mercedes, could be either dominant or submissive, depending on the situation. Mercedes knew that Saraya needed to take her mind off of things and not think for a while so she took the lead. Saraya walked over to the shorter woman who wrapped her hands around Saraya's waist then grabbed Saraya's butt and squeezed. "You are sexy as shit. You know that, right?"
Saraya grinned. "So you keep telling me." Saraya hissed in pleasure when Mercedes squeezed her again, this time in the middle, pressing her fingers to Saraya's center.
"You don't get enough credit for this sexy ass of yours." Mercedes purred. "Just want to put it in my mouth every time I see it."
Saraya ran her fingers through Mercedes' hair and then gently tugged it. "You do put your mouth on it every time you see it." Saraya said, making both women chuckle. "And speaking of your mouth…" Saraya pressed her lips to Mercedes' and quickly opened it. Both women moaned and pressed their bodies into each other. Mercedes' melted. Saraya had a way of consuming her when they kissed that could stop Mercedes in her tracks. After a couple of moments of all-consuming kissing, Saraya moved down to Mercedes' neck. She knew where Mercedes' spot was and was determined to tap dance on it until the beautiful Latina submitted.
Mercedes drew breath between her teeth. "Shit! I… I thought I was… supposed to be… seducing you…"
Saraya explained herself in between neck kisses. "Well maybe… (kiss)… if you hadn't… (kiss)… worn that outfit… (kiss)… I wouldn't… (kiss)… be trying… (kiss)… to swallow you whole."
It was now Mercedes turn to run her fingers through Saraya's hair. "Ohmigod, you sexy bitch! I'm gonna light your pasty ass up!"
"You mean like this?" Saraya said before picking up Mercedes and pressing her to the wall in the hallway and hungrily kissing her again. Once again, Mercedes squirmed as she melted under Saraya's touch.
Mercedes separated herself just enough from the wall to reach behind her to unhook her bra. Saraya snatched it and tossed it to the floor before lowering her head and flicking her tongue across Mercedes' nipple. Moments later, Saraya switched to the other nipple. Mercedes let out a deep groan. Mercedes suddenly seized Saraya by the hair and pulled her up to deliver a deep, knee-buckling kiss of her own. She then broke the kiss and looked lustfully at Saraya.
"You have way too many clothes on." Mercedes said of Saraya's black Pink Floyd t-shirt and gray sweatpants. Mercedes then began to quickly undress Saraya. She cupped Saraya's breasts through her black bra and kissed her collarbone before pushing Saraya up against the wall, putting the younger woman's hands above her head as she kissed her collarbone. Mercedes then stopped and looked Saraya in the eyes. Her eyes lit up for a moment as she studied Saraya's face. When Saraya bit her bottom lip and flared her nostrils in anticipation of what may be next, it lit Mercedes' fuse. She spun Saraya around pushing her face against the cool wall. She brushed Saraya's black and blue-tinted mane of hair to the side and began placing kisses, first at the base of Saraya's neck, then in between her shoulder blades. Mercedes continued working her way down Saraya's spine. The lower Mercedes descended, the more rapid and shallow Saraya's breathing got. Seconds later, Saraya learned another lesson in Mercedes being a woman of her word.
"AAAGGGHHH!" Saraya gasped sharply as Mercedes buried her tongue in her backside. The sharp gasps continued as Mercedes reached around and began rubbing Saraya's clit. "Ohmigod, KV! FUCK!" Mercedes simply moaned and chuckled, sending vibrations through Saraya's body. Mercedes then stood up.
"Come here." Mercedes said as she grabbed Saraya's hand and led her down the hallway into Saraya's bedroom.
"So we're gonna have my room smelling like pussy?" Saraya joked.
"Like you're really complaining." Mercedes shot back with a smile which Saraya mirrored. "On your back, Paigey." Saraya locked eyes with Mercedes and slowly sat down on the bed and then leaned back. Before she could lie down flat, Mercedes had pushed Saraya's legs back and continued to asslicking she had started in the hallway.
"OH GOOOOOD!" Saraya cooed as she reached down to rub her clit.
Mercedes then playfully swatted Saraya's hand away. "Move your hand, boo." When Saraya moved her hand, Mercedes began rubbing Saraya's clit with her thumb.
"I could market your mouth… as a sex toy." Saraya panted.
"Don't forget about these." Mercedes said just before sliding two fingers inside Saraya's pussy.
Saraya slapped the mattress several times before grabbing the pillow that was just to her right and throwing it off the bed.
"Now Paigey…" Mercedes started as she looked up at Saraya and then slid her fingers in to the base and chided her with each stroke. "What… did that… pillow… ever… do… to… you?" Saraya cried out with every stroke. "You know what? No more asslicking for you." Mercedes stood up and swung Saraya's legs onto the bed. She then crawled up onto the bed and knelt off to Saraya's side and slid her middle fingers inside Saraya. "Time for Paigey to come… hard." Mercedes began increasing her speed. Saraya's eyes stretched open. She began to groan as every stroke found its mark. Mercedes had told Saraya on a number of occasions that the deep, throaty timber of Saraya's voice combined with the British accent drove her crazy in the bedroom. Mercedes was getting an earful of pleasurable utterances as she pushed Saraya to the edge of orgasm. When Mercedes grabbed Saraya's hair and pulled it as she fingered her, the anti-Diva thought she would lose it.
"OH GOD, KV! FUCK!"
"I want it all! Give it all to me, 'Raya!"
"I'M GONNA COME!"
"All over my hand!" Mercedes released her grip on Saraya's head and placed that hand just above Saraya's pelvic bone while adjusting the angle of her fingers.
Saraya's voice dropped an octave. "OH FUCK!" It then dropped to a light whisper. "Right there, bae! Right there, bae!" Then her voice strained. "Oh my g..." And then, at the moment of climax, as her body convulsed, her voice exploded. "FUUUUUUUUCK!"
Mercedes grinned her most sexy, devilish grin as she felt the warm flow of Saraya's juices wash over her hand. Just as she began to mentally settle in to enjoy watching her pale lover, Saraya shot up bolt straight, grabbed Mercedes by the back of her head and began another round of pussy-moistening kissing that Mercedes loves so much.
Saraya laid back down on the bed pulling Mercedes on top of her. She then began pushing Mercedes up toward the head of the bed. Mercedes took her cue as Saraya slid down slightly until Mercedes was practically sitting on her chest.
"Any last requests?" Saraya asked as if Mercedes were one of the condemned about to be executed.
"Make me come like the freak that I am."
"I don't think our walls are thick enough for that." Saraya joked.
"Do your best." Mercedes countered.
"If you insist." Saraya said before hungrily lapping at Mercedes' clit and labia.
"GODDAMN, BOO!" Mercedes bellowed then groaned in pleasure as she grabbed her own breasts and squeezed. "Eat it girl. Do not STOP! SHIT!"
"Unh-huh." Saraya grunted as she kicked her oral game up a notch.
Mercedes showed her appreciation for Saraya's oral gear change by beginning to grind on Saraya's face, causing Saraya to enthusiastically grunt her approval.
"Grind on your fuckin' face!" Mercedes gritted. Saraya responded by smacking Mercedes' ass. "AARGH! That's it! Hit it again!" Saraya responded by smacking both cheeks several times hard. "Ohmigod, I love you so much!"
Saraya lifted Mercedes slightly so she could talk. "You love my mouth. You love it doing this." Saraya leaned Mercedes back and began to return Mercedes' asslicking favor from before.
"Damn Paigey." Mercedes moaned. "First Layla, now you… trying to make that ass come." Saraya chuckled, sending a pleasurable vibration through Mercedes body just as the diminutive sexpot did to her earlier. Then Saraya brought her thumb up and swept it across Mercedes clit. "Just… like… that." Saraya continued the two-pronged asslick-thumb sweep attack. Mercedes may not have been bouncing off the walls, but as Saraya worked, a very powerful orgasm was building inside of Mercedes. As she spoke, her tone of voice belied the build that was taking place. "I… am going to come… so… fucking hard." As if she were trying to psych both of them up as much as possible, Mercedes decided to become a purring cheerleader. "Eat… that ass, Saraya… god… damnit." Saraya moaned. Unbeknownst to Mercedes, Saraya had begun to finger herself as she listened to Mercedes.
Saraya slightly ramped up her efforts, flicking her tongue faster and then beginning a licking/sucking combination. "You have no idea…" Before Mercedes could finish her sentence, Saraya had pulled Mercedes closer to her, flicked her tongue on Mercedes' perineum, and then slid her tongue past Mercedes' labia and inside. Mercedes let out a sharp, high-pitched gasp. "OH GOD YES, SARAYA! PLEASE!" Mercedes began mercilessly rubbing her clit. Saraya continued dipping her tongue in and out of Mercedes. A minute later, Mercedes issued a very sexy order. "Tongue my ass again!" Saraya complied as Mercedes slid two fingers inside her pussy and pumped them. Saraya began doing the same to herself with her free hand. Mercedes heard Saraya's moaning mixed with hers and knew that Saraya was working herself over. "Come with me! Please!" Saraya began moaning louder and concentrating her licking. Suddenly, Mercedes let out a blood-curdling scream and bucked on top of Saraya. As she tumbled off of Saraya's chest and onto the bed, Saraya's orgasm hit. Her scream was guttural. When Mercedes heard Saraya come, she flipped over and on top of Saraya and began passionately kissing her again. As if a charge had been set off in the bedroom, both women reached in between the other woman's legs and began fingering the other woman as they kissed and moaned. Less than two minutes later, Saraya came again followed seconds later by Mercedes. Both women were panting and gasping for breath as they attempted to recover. After a minute or so passed, one of them had enough breath to speak.
"Jiminy Fucking Christmas!" Saraya panted.
Mercedes was still trying to catch her full breath as she waved her arms. "What you said." Saraya started laughing. "Are you… still nervous… about tomorrow?"
"No. I'm good. Thanks."
"You're welcome." Mercedes said.
"You know, most roommates would have taken me shopping or to a movie to take my mind off of things."
"I thought you'd like this better."
Saraya stayed silent for about 5 seconds. "Good call."
"I thought so."
"I promise to do that same for you the night before you win the NXT title." Saraya said.
"What if I have to take it off of you?" Mercedes asked.
"Well, that'll make for one hell of a pre-match talk in the locker room, huh?" Both women laughed.
"I'm proud of you Paigey. You're gonna be a great champ."
"KV, if you make me cry, so help me God…"
"I'm shutting up." Mercedes said. "I'm going to take a shower so you can finish cleaning up the apartment."
"Fuck the apartment! I'm showering with you." Saraya said.
Mercedes stared at the ceiling and smiled. "Damn. I love friends with benefits."
Thursday, June 20, 2013 – 1:15 pm – Full Sail University – Winter Park, Florida
In a little bit more than seven hours, the first NXT Women's Champion would be crowned. Saraya sat in the cafeteria with the other three tournament semifinalists; Victoria "Alicia Fox" Crawford, Danielle "Summer Rae" Moinet and Tenille "Emma" Dashwood, as they awaited their meeting with WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE Hall of Famer and NXT Head Booker, Virgil "Dusty Rhodes" Runnels and NXT Head Trainer and former WWE and WCW superstar Bill "Hugh Morris" DeMott. The three women chatted about everything to take their minds off of the meeting that was running 15 minutes late.
As humble as Saraya wanted to be in this situation, Mercedes' words rang in her head. Out of the four women sitting at the table, she was the best choice to be the inaugural champion. Not to take anything away from the other three women. Alicia Fox was a former Divas champion on the main roster in her seventh year with the company. She had done it all from Divas headliner to Divas jobber, from heel to face and back again and would be the safe choice to win the title. Summer Rae was the prototypical blonde that the WWE higher-ups seem to love. She was tall and lean with legs for days with looks that could stop traffic – in a good way. Emma was the bubbly, carefree underdog from Australia that the fans took to almost immediately. She was the traditional against-the-odds babyface that would be the most feel-good champion of the four. But it was Paige that had the total package along with the presence of a champion. All of this swirled in her mind until she received a text message.
KV
iMessage
When she opened it, she couldn't help but smile.
KV
Stop thinking about that meeting and think about
my pep talk yesterday. It's a more pleasant memory. Promise.
"I'm telling you, Paige is gonna win it." Victoria said.
"Whoa! I thought we weren't gonna talk about this." Saraya said.
"It's okay Paigey. It's what we're all thinking about." Tenille said.
"Paigey?" Saraya asked.
"I heard Sasha call you that. Is that okay?" Tenille asked gingerly.
"It's… fine. I've just… She's the only one in the locker room that's called me that. That's all."
"No. It's her pet name for you. It's okay. I'll stick with Paige."
"Em, you don't have to do that. It's fine. Really!" Saraya said.
"No, no. She's right Paige. You don't infringe on a girlfriend's nickname." Danielle said.
"Girlfriend? She's not my girlfriend!" Saraya shot back.
"No! Not girlfriend girlfriend!" Danielle backpedaled. "Although she is a butter pecan Puerto Rican piece of freak-an!" Victoria and Tenille laughed. Saraya, who was slightly on the defensive after the girlfriend crack, didn't.
"Piece of freak-an?" Saraya asked.
"Paige?! Saraya?! It was a joke! I think she's hot. That's all." Danielle said.
Saraya took a deep breath and realized that she was taking out her anxiety on an innocent victim. "I'm sorry, Dani." Saraya said. "I'm just a little on edge. But KV is hot as hell."
"I may have to get drunk around her. If you know what I'm sayin'." Danielle said with a wry smile.
"Don't tell me you're one of those girls that has to get drunk to get gay." Tenille said. "If you want to munch on a little mut, just tell her."
Victoria contorted her face and put her finger up. "T… did you just say… mut?"
"Yeah. Mut. It's Aussie slang for vagina." Tenille said.
"I… kind of figured as much based on context clues. But, mut sounds so… canine-ish. I wish you had just said pussy." Victoria said.
"So, I'd have to tell you I want to eat your chocolate pussy instead of chocolate mut." Tenille teased.
"Exactly." Victoria deadpanned.
"I'll remember that when the tournament's over." Tenille said.
"Promise?" Victoria joked.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Tenille said.
"Girl, you couldn't handle this even if you wanted to." Victoria shot back. Saraya watched this exchange with peaked interest. Was it possible that she was witnessing three women come out of their freak bags? She quickly tapped into her phone.
Final 4 could be the start of somethin. 3 Divas may b in play.
Saraya quickly saw the ellipses in the talk bubble and could feel Mercedes' excitement through the phone.
OMG! Xmas in June! Make a play. See what you can do.
Saraya replied, telling Mercedes that she would close the deal.
"So hold on here. Am I sitting here with three girls that don't mind getting licked by another girl?" Saraya asked.
"I don't know about these two, but an orgasm is an orgasm." Victoria said. "I mean I love men… a lot. But sometimes, you need the spot hit, like you need it hit." Saraya watched in amazement as Tenille and Danielle nodded in agreement. She did mental cartwheels watching this unfold. Now, the question in her mind was how she could take control of the conversation.
"Ladies, what if I told you that it's possible for these words to become a reality; both here and on the main roster?" Saraya said, purposefully making her question loaded enough to shock the women.
"What are you saying?" Danielle asked.
"Yeah, Paige." Victoria said. "Do you know something? Are there… girls in the locker room that…"
"It's not… exactly for me to say." Saraya tempted.
"No. No, no, no, no, no, no… no." Tenille said. "You don't lead this horse to water then take away the lake. Spit it out, Casper."
"Well… I know two girls on our roster that…" Saraya nodded her head and stretched her eyes.
"I will bet my next three paychecks that it's you and Sasha." Victoria confidently said. "Because of the way you just said what you said and the fact that if you do mess with girls and I was your roommate and I knew that you messed with girls, there's no way in hell I wouldn't be fucking you."
"Aww, 'Licia! Is that your way of saying you're down with the Euro swirl?" Saraya said.
"Uhh, my ex is Wade Barrett! Hello!" Victoria said.
"I'll remember that during our match tonight." Saraya said with a wink.
"Was she right?" Danielle inquired. "Are you and Sasha hooking up?" Saraya didn't say a word. She simply smiled a beaming smile. "Ho-lee shit. I don't know who to be more jealous of."
"Don't be jealous of either one of us." Saraya said. "Join us. Talk to Mercedes. She'll make you an offer you can't refuse." Danielle, Victoria and Tenille looked at each other but before any of them could respond, their future called.
"Ladies!" Triple H called out as he walked into the cafeteria with Dusty and Bill behind him. "Sorry we're late. The four of you really had us going. I think each of you won the title like eight times in my office." Everyone got a chuckle out of that one. "But we can only have one inaugural champion." The four women looked at one another and took a deep breath. "And that woman is…"
Thursday, June 20, 2013 – 8:33 pm – NXT Arena - Full Sail University – Winter Park, Florida
Two very deserving NXT Divas were in the ring battling for the NXT Women's Championship. The very excited Divas locker room looked on at the monitors just below the gorilla position. The four semifinalists kept up the time-honored tradition of not giving away the ending to either the semifinal or the final match. The semifinals saw Paige earn a hard-fought pinfall victory over Alicia Fox to advance to the final. In the second, equally hard-fought match, Emma pulled off the victory over Summer Rae, setting up the all-babyface final. As the match came to its scripted conclusion, the Divas cheered both women on, not knowing who would come out on top. Moments later, the result of the match and the identity of the first-ever NXT Women's Champion would be revealed.
[Emma picks up a prone Paige]
Color Announcer: Emma's got a chance
[Paige kicks Emma in the stomach]
Play-by-play announcer: Paige…
Both Announcers: OOH!
Play-by-play announcer: Ferocious kick to the gut.
[Paige kicks Emma in the chest]
Color Announcer: Another one!
[Paige stumbles backward to one knee them moves forward, grabs Emma's arm and moves to Emma's left side, reaching down to attempt to sweep Emma's leg for her finisher. Paige then begins to swing]
Play-by-play announcer: Paige…
[Paige completes the swing, nailing Emma with her finisher]
Play-by-play announcer: The Paige Turner!
Color Announcer: OOOOHHH!
Play-by-play announcer: The Paige Turner from out of nowhere!
Color Announcer: That's it!
Play-by-play announcer: Paige! With the cover!
Color Announcer: … Two!
[Referee counts three]
Color Announcer: SHE DID IT!
Play-by-play announcer: YES!
[Paige's music hits as she starts to celebrate]
Ring Announcer: Here's your winner… and NEWWWWWWW NXT Women's Champion… PAAAAIIIIGE!
The Divas behind the curtain leapt to their feet, high-fiving and hugging each other in celebration, not only for Paige but for Emma as well. The two women had fought their hearts out twice on that night and in the end, the best Diva was left standing.
"Okay ladies! Go out and congratulate the new champ! Go!" Triple H said. "I'll be behind you in a minute."
Paige was celebrating in the ring, soaking in the cheers from the crowd, twirling around in disbelief before dropping to her knees. As she stood to her feet and turned toward the ramp, she saw her fellow Divas; Rosa Mendes, Bayley, Sasha, Alexa, Charlotte and Alicia Fox coming to the ring to help her celebrate. They were joined in the ring by Devin Taylor.
The Divas filed into the ring applauding their new queen. As they all stepped forward to greet the new champion, one Diva made sure she reached Paige first. Sasha grabbed Paige with the intention of saying something to her, however, at almost the exact instant that she hugged Paige on the right side of her body, Bayley hugged her on the left. But, Sasha made sure she was the first to raise Paige's hand in victory. Each of the Divas said a quick congratulations to Paige before falling in line behind her to allow her to celebrate front and center. Paige, who was in tears, cradled her championship belt as the crowd cheered, when another sound in the arena, whipped the crowd into a bigger frenzy… the opening guitar chord of a very famous theme song.
Time to play The Game…
Paige was in shock as the Divas in the ring nodded, knowing that the true champion and advocate of NXT, Triple H, was headed to the ring to put the crown jewel on Paige's celebration. Triple H applauded Paige as he came down the ramp draped in his tailored suit. When he hit the ring, he took Paige's hand and lifted it in triumph, parading the new champion around the ring, presenting her to all four sides of the arena. When he was finished, he exited the ring along with the other Divas to allow Paige to finish her celebration alone. Paige continued to cry and cradle her belt as she looked into the crowd of believers.
"I DID IT!" This was now Saraya coming out for her celebration as she thumped her chest passionately. "I DID IT! I DID IT!"
When Paige finally left the arena and came back through the curtains, the first person to meet her was her vanquished championship foe, Emma.
"Come her, girl." Tenille said as she threw her arms open. Paige began crying again as she stepped forward to embrace the Australian beauty. "Hell of a match, Saraya." Tenille began to cry. "I was so honored to be in there with you. You made me look good."
"Not me. You." Paige cried. "You pushed me to the limit. Thank you."
Tenille attempted to bring some levity to the situation, recalling the cafeteria conversation earlier in the day. "I'll flip you for Sasha." Tenille whispered in Saraya's ear making her laugh through her tears. "One of us has got to skin the cat tonight." Tenille joked, referring to the leopard print dress Mercedes was wearing.
"I'm gonna tell her you said that." Saraya said as she sniffed her tears.
"Sasha! Come here!" Tenille called out as Saraya cocked her head to the side and looked at Tenille slack-jawed. Mercedes stepped away from the group of girls and walked over to Tenille and Saraya. "I told The Champ here that I was gonna flip a coin with her for you in that dress. I said that one of us has to skin the cat tonight." Mercedes chuckled. Before she could respond, Triple H called out to Paige.
"Paige! Come here for a second." Triple H said. Saraya shot Mercedes a quick what-did-I-do look before walking over to him. He stuck his cell phone out for her to take. "Stephanie is on the phone. She wants to talk to you." Paige took the phone from him and engaged in a brief ninety-second call with her. At the end of her conversation, she called out to her roommate.
"KV! Stephanie wants to talk to you."
Mercedes raised an eyebrow a la The Rock and walked over to take the phone.
"Hi Stephanie."
"Hi Sasha. How's it going?"
"My girl is the champ. I couldn't be happier unless it was me holding the belt."
"In due time, babygirl. In due time. In the meantime, how is our NXT branch doing?"
"So far, me and Paige but I've got a few prospects lined up and just about ready to play."
"Good. Well maybe this will help. I booked a suite for the new champ and her girls to celebrate at the Ritz-Carlton. You… remember the Ritz. Don't you… Mercedes?"
Mercedes laughed. "How can I forget?"
"That's what I like to hear. You ladies enjoy yourselves and don't worry about Hunter. He's giving y'all the rest of the night off."
"Stephanie, you're the breast! I mean, best!" Mercedes joked, recalling one of Chris Jericho's lines from the early 2000's about the newly-augmented Stephanie.
Stephanie began laughing heartily. "I knew there was a reason I liked you. One day, you, Layla and I will celebrate… just the three of us."
"I'm gonna hold you to that." Mercedes cooed. "Thanks for the suite. We'll talk soon. Bye!" Mercedes handed the phone back to Triple H. "Ladies! The beautiful and powerful Mrs. Game, Stephanie McMahon, has booked a suite at the Ritz-Carlton for our new champion and her closest Diva locker room pals to celebrate her historic win so… Emma, Paige, get showered and changed 'cause it is on and poppin' tonight in Orlando, Florida…" Mercedes decided to borrow a catchphrase from John Cena. "Because the CHAMP…" The rest of the girls joined in. "IS HEEEEERRRRRE!"
Saraya started for the locker room when Mercedes grabbed her by the wrist. Both women had tears in their eyes.
"What did I tell you?" Mercedes said.
"You were right. I believed. I walked it and talked it and it happened… Thank you." Saraya said.
The two women looked at each other as the threat of tears thickened the air. Mercedes knew that she had to change subjects and change quickly.
"Rose, Lexi, Foxy, Rosa, Devin, T, Dani, Ash (Charlotte) all in one place. We've got to score at least two tonight." Mercedes said. "Maybe not score score, but set up the score. You know what I mean?"
"Don't worry. T, Dani and Foxy are practically done deals." Saraya said. "Focus on those three and throw some flirty glances and touches Lexi's way and we're all set."
"What about Rose?" Mercedes asked.
"Bayley's a hugger. We'll get her in due time."
"Look at you. You win one title and you've got it all figured out." Mercedes teased.
"The only thing I have figured out is what a good friend you are." Saraya said as they walked toward the locker room. "And where your spot it."
"Who said that's my only spot?" Mercedes shot back.
"I'll ask Summer to check. She is digging the 'butter pecan Puerto Rican freak-an'."
Mercedes exploded in laughter. "She did not say that!"
"Oh yes she did. Looks like you're climbing Mount Danielle!"
"I will." Mercedes said. "But there's another leggy blonde that I've got my eye on first."
"Let me take a guess." Saraya said. "Instead of Mount Danielle, you're looking to scale Space Mountain, the female version."
Mercedes smirked and kept walking before giving a simple one word reply. "WOOOOOOO!"
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Review, review, review. Chapter 13 is next. We head back to TNA. While I was writing chapter 12, Velvet Sky called me and said she thought she was gonna get some more page time in my story, so I am going to grant her wish. Velvet and Taryn and Ashley are next. But first…
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