Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the storyline.

FYI: This will go slightly more AU from here on, because the idea of Triple H and Stephanie forcing Nikki and Seth to be a pretend power couple to represent the Authority came to my mind and I thought it could be fun, so I really hope you like it! (:

Chapter 3

Monday Night Raw, 2 weeks before Night of Champions

After Nikki had finished her match against Emma, pinning her opponent for a three-count after her finishing manouver, the Rack Attack, Nikki headed backstage to the locker room, and after she had showered and put on some fresh clothes, she made her way to the office of her boss and fellow Authority member, Stephanie McMahon.
Stephanie had told Nikki right before the start of Raw that she and her husband, Triple H, wanted to talk to Nikki about an important business plan involving her.
Nikki wondered what they had in mind for her. But it can only be something exciting, the thought. Stephanie hasn't given me a shot at the Divas title for nothing.
She knocked on the door of the office of the so-called Billionaire Princess, and not a second too late, Stephanie opened the door, giving Nikki her brightest smile.
"Nikki, it's so pleasant to see you. Please come in."
Nikki had wondered many times if there was something real to McMahon's friendliness or if it was simply all fake. She tended to adjudge the latter option as true.
She did not have much time to think about it this time, however, as she had to try to not let any look on her face give away her surprise when she stepped into the room and saw Seth Rollins standing next to Triple H, the usual smug look on his face.
"Nikki, what a pleasant surprise" he said, grinning.
Well, I definitely can't say the same, she thought, although she didn't say it out loud. She knew she had to act politely towards him whenever Hunter of Stephanie were around.
Instead, she looked questioning at Stephanie, and said:
"Uhm, I don't wanna be rude or anything, but... why is Seth here?"
Nikki couldn't help but notice the surprise on Rollins' face at hearing her call him by his first name.
"Well, that's a good question, Nikki", Triple H said, answering instead of his wife. "Seth is here because Stephanie and I have decided to put you two into a storyline to represent the Authority."
"A storyline?" Nikki asked, feeling even more confused than before.
"Yes", Stephanie said. "We need the Authority to be relatable and representable to all members of the WWE universe. And while Hunter and I may very well stand for the Authority already, we think there is need of a younger couple representing the future of the WWE."
Before Nikki could start to put all things together in her mind, Triple H spoke: "And that is why we have called you two here today. As Mr. Money in the Bank and our future Divas Champion, you two would be the perfect representation for the future of this company. Therefore we want you to become the Authority's new power couple."
Nikki was shocked. They cannot be serious about this, she thought. She looked over at Seth and saw he looked surprised as well, but when he noticed her staring at him, he looked straight at her and started grinning in his overly arrogant way.
"Well, I definitely think we could pull this off", he said, nodding at Triple H.
"What about you, Nikki?" Stephanie said, giving her a look that said "Don't disappoint me".
"Of course I will do it, if it is what's best for business", Nikki said, putting on her best fake smile, "but wouldn't it be all staged?"
"Yes, but nobody needs to know about that. Both you and Seth have some good acting skills, otherwise Hunter and I wouldn't be so sure that you could pull this off. Besides, you two seem to get along just fine, so it wouldn't be uncomfortable for either one of you, would it?"
"Of course not", Nikki said, and this time she was actually wondering if Stephanie or Triple H could tell she was lying straight to their faces. If so, they didn't seem to mind, and why should they? As long as I'm acting according to their plan, they're satisfied, she thought. As for Seth, Nikki was sure he had to know she was lying. She had told him several times over the past few weeks how much she despised him, although there had been some moments between the two of them recently that made her question her opinion on him. Even though she would never admit it to herself, let alone anybody else, there was something about him that attracted her, in a weird and confusing kind of way.
"Well, the deal is settled, then", Triple H said. "You two will be introduced as the Authority's new power couple on Raw right after Night of Champions. We will let you know about what we want you to say and how we want you to act before the show. This could be a major step in both your careers, so do not disappoint us."
"Honey, I'm sure they won't", Stephanie said, putting on her business smile again.

Great, Nikki thought as she headed back to the locker room. Now I have to act like I'm in a relationship with that douchebag.
As she picked up her bag, Cameron walked over to her.
"Hey girl, what's up with that angry look on your face? You'll get yourself crinkles!"
Nikki actually had to smile at Cameron's comments. They were so inappropriate sometimes, but they never failed to make her smile.
"That's what I wanna see, girl", Cameron said. "Now, tell me who made you so upset. Was it John again?"
"No, no it has actually nothing to do with John, I haven't really heard any more from him ever since he ended it. I… I was basically just told by Stephanie and Triple H that they want Seth Rollins and me to be this kind of fake-pretend-power couple to represent the Authority. They want the storyline to start right after Night of Champions."
"So? Seth's not too bad. I mean he's definitely hot, you've got to give him that!" Cameron replied.
"Cameron!" Nikki said, giving her friend a fake hit. "It doesn't matter if he's good looking, he's disgusting and annoying and… ugh, I just don't like the guy at all."
"I'll tell you what. You'll go and act all lovey-dovey with him in front of the camera, because it's good for your career. But if he actually tries to make a move on you as soon as the cameras are off, you'll simply be all boy-bye."
Nikki had to laugh at Cameron's choice of words again. Only she could come up with something like lovey-dovey.
"Well, I guess you're right", she replied, sighing, but feeling much better now.
To most people, Cameron simply seemed like a foolish bitch, because that's how she acted while she was in front of the camera, but in reality, she was more empathetic than one might think. Nikki said goodbye to her friend, grabbed her bag and left the arena, and although she was still not necessarily happy about the situation, she figured she might as well make the best out of it. Stephanie had been right after all, it could be an important step for her career, so she tried to concentrate on solely that aspect and keep Seth Rollins completely out of her thoughts.

As soon as Nikki arrived in the parking lot, she felt a bad premonition come over her. She walked that way to her car – and saw Seth Rollins leaning on the engine hood, smiling at her with that incredibly arrogant look on his face.
Nikki tried not to look too surprised. "What the hell are you doing here, leaning on my car, Rollins?" she hissed.
"I was waiting for you", he replied. Nikki felt a weird feeling starting to build up in her stomach at the bluntness of his answer.
"And why were you waiting for me?" she said, trying to sound as annoyed as possible.
"Well, since you and I will be the Authority's new dream couple from now on, I thought we should get to know each other a little better."
Now Nikki was beginning to feel seriously uncomfortable. Get yourself together, for heaven's sake! she told her inner self.
"First of all, we're not going to be a dream couple for real, it's all going to be staged. Second of all, I think I already know you well enough to be sure that I don't want to find out anything else about you, Rollins", she spat.
"You look pretty cute when you're trying to act like you don't like me, even though we both know you have a thing for me", he winked at her.
Nikki felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. How dare him!?, she thought.
"Don't get your hopes up Rollins, I'm into good-looking men who have got manners, not into arrogant assholes like you", she snapped, trying to look away so he wouldn't notice the blush on her cheeks.
"Ouch! That hurt Nikki, seriously", he replied, his smug grin widening even more.
He walked towards her, and stopped right in front of her, looking her straight in the eyes.
"Why don't you drop all these fake insults for once and get to know me? I might surprise you", he said, his eyes never leaving hers.
"What do you want?" she replied, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Have dinner with me. Tomorrow", he said.
Nikki felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement wash over her. Why is he having this effect on me?
"O-okay", she replied, although the moment she said it she knew she would regret it later.
He finally took a step back, giving her room to breathe. "Good", he said, smiling. "I'll pick you up in the lobby at 8. I'm looking forward to it, Nikki."
He smiled at her once more, then left.
What the fuck did I just get myself into?! Nikki thought, letting out a sigh before she got in her car and drove to her hotel.

Sooo do you guys like it? I hope so! I decided to leave the dinner for the next chapter, so there will be more suspense (and because that way I can update more frequently).
Cheers!