A/N - Thanks to the anonymous viewers! I really appreciate it! I apologize in advance if there are mistakes... I don't really know what to think of this chapter... Happy Reading :D

Chapter 2 – A Smile

Nikki sat in the corner of the ring waiting, thinking, suppressing that numbing feeling inside; forcing it way deep down to be kept locked away in the hopes that it would never resurface again. Voices made her head perk up and as expected her sister walked through and swiftly slid into the ring. You certainly took your time; she wanted to say but instead offered a smug look to her dear twin sister.

"Don't think I'd forget our little impromptu bout, a shopping spree is on the line and this Bella needs a new pair of shoes!"

Nikki smirked at her sister; she tied her hair back into a sleek ponytail not at all fazed by Brie's remarks. Her confidence radiated through her silence as she stepped closer towards what could certainly be said as a rightfully happy version of her. Sizing her sister up, she didn't want to wait any longer.

"Let's go BriANNA" she simply taunted, knowing all too well that her sister hated to be called by her full name.

However, Brie reacted rather unimpressed by her sister's 'taunt' to the point where she even pulled out last minute before locking up.

"NiCOLE Stephanie Garcia Colace! You know I hate being called that!"

Nikki let a small laugh escape from her lips as they circled each other but Brie continued her banter.

"No-one asked you to bring full names into this, if you're going to bring full names into this, be ready to get it dished back out to you -because I can go all day long AND YOU KNOW… Nicole Stephanie Garcia Colace.. I will!" Brie threatened.

Nikki loved her sister dearly but it's a different story in the ring. Brie made the first move as she lunged towards her but that was easily dodged and she quickly followed it up with a kick to the gut. Capitalizing on her momentum, Nikki grabbed her sister by the head and slammed her back into the mat. She watched Brie grimace in pain, fully aware that she was notably applauding her move on the inside. It's Twin's intuition. Nikki clambered over her sister for the pin, counting in her head but Brie kicked out at one. She quickly went back on the offensive again, guiding a semi-worn out Brie Bella back up so that she was barely standing. Good acting on Brie's part Nikki thought, she was very pleased. Nikki sent her hurdling towards an empty turnbuckle. Brie was in a crumpled heap, leaving Nikki content with having the upper hand so early on and dominating for the most part of the match up but it wasn't over yet. She ran towards the turnbuckle and perfectly executed a monkey flip, she went for the cover again but Brie was always the resilient type and kicked out at two. Nikki felt that it was time for her sister to complete some moves of her own so she quickly had Brie in a headlock. It's not the most comfortable position but it's one where almost 95.5% of the time, a point of change happens. Brie shook her head, refusing to quit and started elbowing her sister in the gut; she nailed the first one, and then the second before she was set free. Nikki took the two blows and ran towards her sister like a charging bull for the red but Brie stuck her arm out and Nikki had no choice and was to the mat landing on her back but just as she was knocked down, she was quickly back up again but by then Brie was on a roll and connected with another clothesline sending Nikki to the mat for the second time but the third time round both sisters went for the same move and both hit the mat hard. Normally a ref would have started his count to 10 and if neither wrestler had reached their feet then the match would be deemed a double count out. Nikki saw Brie out of the corner of her eye just managing to pull herself up with the aid of the ropes close by however Nikki herself hadn't made any effort at all. It was like out of nowhere all those feelings she had buried flooded it's way back into her thoughts as she took those few seconds to pay attention to them, she had only managed to be sitting up right with her back against the ropes and her left hand clinging to the middle rope. Brie was no sucker and she charged towards her sister, unaware that Nikki's mind was obviously elsewhere but not long enough to avoid her sister's sudden attack by rolling out of the ring.

Nikki was flustered, the brunette diva was at loss for thought and felt that she was slowly and painfully losing her mind. "Why…" she spoke quietly to herself. It was in that moment, she decided to walk away from the ring. Brie wasn't going to have it; she stuck her head through the middle and top rope yelling at her sister to get back in the ring.

"What the hell are you doing? Get back in here!"

Nikki just shrugged her off, throwing her hands up at her sister showing that she was done. Understanding that Brie may be concerned as to why she was doing this, she also threw up the loser sign so her twin would be put at ease and relief that she didn't need to worry. As she turned to leave, Nikki's eyes widened in disbelief as none other than CM Punk faced her whose smart aleck grin refused to disappear.

"You better get back in that ring, I was enjoying the show"

She looked back at her sister in bewilderment who also had a grin on her face. Had he been watching them without her noticing Nikki thought to herself. She didn't let any sign of doubt come across her face as she stared at him defiantly feeling no way that she'd have to listen to him.

"Don't make me start counting" he mocked.

Though, Nikki didn't find anything funny and she crossed her arms as a note to him that she'd like to see that happen.

"One! – really, you should be getting back in that ring now if I was you – Two! – I mean? I don't have all day but I can spare 10 seconds – Three!- "

Though Nikki's reactions were those of shock and in total disbelief but before she could even act upon his annoying last minute referee skills or even breathe a word, Brie had slipped out of the ring and surprised Nikki from behind, grabbing her pony tail and dragging her back before initialising the real damage which was slamming her face-first into the edge of the ring- having to bear in mind, it's one of the hardest spots.

"Now c'mon Brie lay off the hair! Get her back into the ring"

Brie couldn't care less what Punk had said and was focused on Nikki. She rolled Nikki back into the ring. She was flat on her back with her hand clasped across her nose as she was trying to establish whether or not the pain was minor or major. No matter what, she knew that she would have to finish this match. Brie quickly went for the cover; the Chicago native took to the floor.

"One! Two!- "

Nikki kicked out.

"Two! That was two Brie" he showed her

Brie had Nikki up barely standing, she twisted Nikki's right arm, and inflicting all the pain she could. She yanked down causing Nikki to yell in pain. CM Punk circled the girls, keeping a watchful eye so that they maintain a clean- safe fight.

Nikki was getting tired and so she mustered up all the strength she could to turn the tide. Using her injured arm that Brie had an iron grip on, she dropped her body down to the mat using the momentum to throw Brie across the ring. With her right arm free, Nikki was still finding it hard to get back into rhythm. Both divas were up and going at it, neither wanted to lose but it was an inevitable fate for one of them. Trading forearm shots after forearm shots until Nikki flicked a knowing look to Brie who blocked her last forearm and sent another one back at Nikki and then again until eventually she was getting the upper hand. Brie capitalized with a devastating clothesline, which once again sent Nikki flat on her back in the middle of the ring. The straightedge superstar came into view, quietly mentioning that Brie was going to go up top and that she was going to take the bump instead of jumping out of the way. Now normally, you would always listen to the referee, ALWAYS but Brie and Nikki had big plans for the move set and it wasn't going to happen if they kept playing it safe. CM Punk took to Brie, telling her to get down, then he started to count again. Distracted by Brie, he was unaware of Nikki lurking and slowly making it to her feet, that by the time he swung around and saw her standing, it was too late. Brie had already leaped off the turnbuckle, Nikki looking 'dazed' had jumped at the right moment when Brie was mid-air, countering her dive off the top rope and turning it into a Bashful Bella Buster. She went for the pin straight away.

"One!- Two! – Three!" CM Punk counted.

Nikki got off and helped her sister up. No doubt that they were both slightly bruised but it was a very good match, probably the best they've had between the two. Nikki pulled her sister into a hug and told her how much she loved her. Brie couldn't hide her sad face though, sacrificing the shopping spree for the ultimate finisher was a willing price to pay but it didn't mean she couldn't still be upset about losing.

"I'll get those shoes" Nikki droned

"Really?"

"Yeah, you're gonna buy them for me…" Nikki laughed

Brie screwed her face at her sister.

"…But we can share! Twin Magic?" Nikki said with a knowing smile

"Twin Magic" Brie grinned.

With both Bellas consumed in their heart to heart, they hadn't notice CM Punk was still around until he had made it clear by interrupting them.

"Congratulations Nikki, well done"

"Yeah, uh thanks… nice? Counting?'

"Had to get advice from Daniel Bryan for that one" he joked.

Nikki didn't laugh nor frown, she just looked away. Brie gave her sister a funny look before budding in.

"Excuse my sister… she's a tough one to please"

"I see" The Chicago native said raising his head

"All work, no play this girl" Brie nudged Nikki's hurt arm on purpose

"Huh? I was just thinking how maybe we could try combining-"

Brie clamped her hand over her sister's mouth before she could say anything else to embarrass her further.

"See?' I can never get her to go out these days"

"Maybe, I can take her off your hands tonight? 8pm?" he said

His eyes looking over at Nikki who was quickly coming into terms with what was going on. She put up a fight, in good protest against this proposal; however, reasons of peace and a 'quiet night in' would only be heard as muffled high pitch noises.

"Even better, I'll drop her off at your hotel room at 7" Brie beamed.

CM Punk just chuckled and waved the two Divas goodbye as they watched him leave, Brie finally released her hand. Nikki glared daggers at Brie.

"I hate you"

"Nawww… c'mon you'll have a good time!"

"What person can have a good night out without a drink!"

"Well you get to ask him that yourself later tonight don't ya?" her sister teased.

Nikki pushed Brie into the ropes who couldn't refrain herself from laughing.

[Back at the Hotel]

"Hurry up Nikki! It's almost 7!" Brie's voice fading as she walked away from her sister's room.

Nikki picked up her mini leather red jacket she had purchased for a great deal in some high-end store in Milan during the previous year on The European tour. She sighed at her own reflection in the mirror; her dark brunette curls falling loose over her shoulders. Closing her eyes she took in a deep breath before leaving her room.

"Well?" Nikki said, turning around for her sister.

Along with her mini red jacket, Nikki had on a long white singlet underneath that had a simple black print of a raven done in brush strokes. It flowed and caressed her body as she moved. She also wore light grey skinny jeans that hugged her curves in all the right places and finally black Christian Louboutins.

"I would have preferred you wearing that dress I told you to wear but it'll do" added by the nod of her approval.

"And I would have preferred, YOU dear sister to take me out on that shopping spree which was promised to the WINNER of the match BUT no! Someone has a date!" Nikki emphasized.

"yeah… and you wanna know something? One- I don't care and Two, We're now late!"

"Oh please, he said 8 before you barged on in with the idea of dropping me off at 7"

"yeah because my date is at 8 and I don't want you around when he comes to pick me up"

"It's Randy Orton? At least kick me out or palm me off to another superstar for a guy that's worthy! such as Brad Pitt? Andrew Garfield? Ryan Gosling?"

"Anyway, I had to make sure you were gonna go"

"I would have?"

Brie narrowed her eyes on her sister.

"Really?" she questioned

Nikki remained silent

"That's what I thought. Now c'mon!" Brie said dragging her sister out the door.

Nikki had this weird feeling developing in her stomach; she was hoping that it would turn into something serious but unfortunately for her she was nervous, and rightfully so because of how this certain straightedge superstar had taken a sudden interest in her and her sister as of lately. It would only stir up more questions in her mind rather than answers.

They reached his door. Nikki had no intentions of being her and she made no effort at all to mask her contempt. Brie bickered her sister to smile but Nikki had other plans and waited til the last possible moment to try and get out of this situation. She even knocked on the door to Brie's surprise.

They both looked at each other before CM Punk opened the door.

"Hey ladies" he said, leaning against the doorframe and folding his arms.

"Hey!" they both replied in sync with identical smiles on their faces.

"Alright, Well Nikki I better get out of here.. big date to get ready for and all so? See Ya!"

The real Nikki tried to dash away, leaving a shocked Brie stranded with Punk but as cunning as Nikki was, her twin sister was quick to react and had a hand on her arm and pulled her back.

"Woah!…. I'm actually Brie" she reassured Punk. "Nice try sis! But over my dead body if I'm going to let you go on MY date with Randy Orton" she laughed

Nikki just shrugged her shoulders and pushed her sister's arm away. She briefly looked at the superstar who had a smirk on his face and Nikki couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Well, I hope the rest of you're night goes better" Brie smiled.

"Thanks" Nikki muttered unenthusiastically.

"I was talking to Punk, don't keep her out all night" Brie laughed as she walked away.

"I won't!" he called out.

Nikki walked on into his luxury suite without waiting for an invitation.

"Welcome to my humble abode" he said as took a moment to look around the place.

"Wow" she said looking around carefully. "They're really trying to keep you happy huh?" Nikki bluntly said noticing the space and the view.

"Not really… if they were. I'd be paid to do nothing" he joked. Again, Nikki didn't laugh, just stood by the leather couch.

"Wine?" Punk offered.

"I thought you didn't drink?"

"I don't but I assume you do?"

"Thanks but I'll pass"

"I did plan on us going out tonight and exploring the town but I decided to can it… too many fans, so how about we just stay in?"

"Yeah, but just for the record… I didn't choose to be here okay? My sister forced me to be here"

"Hey! I don't want to hold you captive, you can leave at anytime you want but just for the record… I hope you don't"

Nikki scrutinized the olive-eyed superstar's words, she didn't take her eyes off him, unable to get into his mind or read him at all.

"I think that you are a really special diva. You deserve the world"

Nikki felt a burning sensation across her cheeks. Was she blushing she thought to herself?

"Thanks? Really, I wouldn't say I deserved the whole world… maybe a chance to have a Championship reign I would hope but I don't know?" she said.

She leaned back against the couch. Did she? Maybe there was possibility that The Chicago native was right? She tossed that thought out. She didn't know what mind game he was playing but she wasn't going to fooled.

"That's a shame, it's true"

Nikki quickly changed the subject to avoid talking about herself.

"What are those?" she asked pointing at the 2 decks of cards on the bench.

He turned and grabbed them with a smile on his face.

"Ready to play a game?"

"What game?"

"Well…" The straightedge superstar made his way over to the small table in front of the leather couch and sat on the woollen rug. Nikki felt no harm in playing a little game, she had no other plans anyway and Brie would kill her if she had left. She sat opposite Punk, removing her heels and placing them to the side to feel more comfortable.

"This game is called Divas and Superstars"

"At least it's not strip poker" she blurted out

CM Punk just laughed.

"This is much more interesting… you get the Superstars collectable cards and I get the Divas."

"That's hardly fair, there are way more superstars than Divas"'

"Then I'll start using the Superstar's pack as well if I finish before you… So do you wanna hear the rules?"

"I'm sorry.. continue"

"We each take a turn and flip a card… whoever's picture is on the card… you have to share something about them, if you've had an experience with them, what you think of them etc sounds easy?"

"Mhmm… so since it's you're game that you've obviously made up… you can go first" she sarcastically smiled

Nikki watched as he flipped a card from his deck and on the other side was Michelle McCool. Nikki paid close intention to the words that was about to come out of his mouth.

"I like her, I think that she's come along way from her Diva Search Days. It was sad to see her go but I can understand her reasons. Shocking Mic Skills though… you're turn"

Nikki was hesitant but nevertheless flipped the card over to find Kane.

"I can tell a lot by a guy by the way he wrestles and it shows, he's a very dedicated person and one who definitely has my respect inside and outside the ring."

"How do I wrestle?"

Nikki was taken back by Punk's question… she found herself flustered again not being able to have a decisive answer.

"Now, that would be breaking the rules… I'm sure you collected your own card… you're just going to have to wait." Nikki smiled pleased with her answer.

CM Punk turned the next card. Kelly Kelly, This sparked an interest in Nikki, as the two were involved in a storyline and naturally rumours still speculate.

"I try to stay clear of her. She's a nice person and all but too eager about things… loves to play matchmaker"

"What about her wrestling skills?" Nikki asked

"Uh… meh? It can't get any worse"

"That's harsh"

"Flip your card"

Nikki turned her card over and it was Daniel Bryan.

"Aggressive, entertaining and fun"

CM Punk looked amused as well as confused

"Are you serious?"

"I assumed we're both being honest when we're sharing so? yes"

"You're crazy! The guy is sooo sloppy in the ring"

"Jealous?" Nikki mused

"No way"

"Good, Go Fish" She taunted

He picked up his card and had a smirk on his face.

"Oh look… it's Nikki Bella!"

"This should be good" she retorted

"One of the best divas today. Beautiful but Mysterious, and I had this great experience not so long ago where I refereed one of her matches and she blew me away"

"You know I'm right here? You can stop referring to me as if I'm not in the room. I'm not The Rock always talking in third person about himself"

"I forgot witty too"

Nikki let out a small laugh.

"And she laughs!" he announces as if he won the lottery. His excitement dimmers down as do hers. She offers him a small smile.

"You're smile, it's a smile I wish everyone would get to see more often"

They stared at each other in that moment of silence between them. For the first time, in a long time, Nikki felt good and she didn't have to go searching for it. It wasn't something that she knew would always make her happy like retreating to chocolate, it was spontaneous and it lifted her spirit. She knew it was making her vulnerable.

She quickly grabbed another card.

"Hmph… I guess it's you're turn" she said as she showed that it was none other than The Chicago Native's own card.

He couldn't help but grin at Nikki as she thought about what she was going to say.

"When I see you wrestle, I see spirit, passion and strength. You are articulate and intelligent in the ring… I don't know? Is that enough?"

"You see all of that when I wrestle?"

"Everybody does" she remarked.

He gave her a warm smile that tapped on Nikki's heart.