a/n: i didn't expect it to go this long between updates, honestly. i also didn't expect to go to this interview and walk out, like, 20 minutes later with a job and be told to do a background check and have to be drug tested. i've been training for the position i was interviewed for, so writing – obviously – took a backseat. Hopefully updates will be more consistent going forward. fingers crossed.

~*~part three~*~

Seeing Seth outside of her office surprised Stephanie. Usually he would deal with Hunter. Or both of them together. But rarely did he ever want to speak with her alone.

But she kept her expression neutral, not letting on the surprise she felt. As always, he was dressed in an impeccably tailored suit with his hair pulled back into a neat bun at the nape of his neck, and a pleasant smile across his smooth lips.

He thought he hid it well, but one look into his deep brown eyes told Stephanie he wanted something.

"Come on in," She spoke warmly, lips spread into a toothy grin. "Hunter must be busy, but you know I always have time for you, Seth."

The smile on his lips turned slightly at the edges, becoming the smirk he was known for. "I don't know if Hunter's busy or not," He admitted, sliding into the chair opposite the desk in the center of the room. "I wanted to see you, Stephanie."

Interesting, she thought as she settled into her chair while she studied the young wrestler. Much like her husband, he wasn't as easy to read as Randy or Dave, even Kane could be transparent at times. Seth, however, kept his cards close to the vest. He wasn't as open as his puppy eyes would suggest. But every once in a while, he could slip. Today, he wasn't slipping much. Other than knowing he was angling for something, it was like dealing with a blank slate.

Something Stephanie wasn't too fond of.

"I know," He stopped playing with the metal paperweight on her desk, locking his brown eyes with her icy blue. "You've wanted me to align myself with Nikki. But I'm going to be honest, Stephanie, what she wants from me she can get from anyone."

Stephanie arched a manicured brow, lips turning into a thin line. "Meaning?"

He settled back against the plushness of the chair, one leg folded across the other. "I won't get into details. I will tell you that Cameron came to me with a more inciting offer, and I accepted."

"Cameron?" Cool as always, Stephanie showed no emotion outwardly. Inwardly, however, confusion reigned.

"Cameron." Seth confirmed.

"And what exactly did she offer you?"

"She came to me for my in-ring expertise. She wants to improve, to do what she has to do to come out from behind Naomi's shadow. I appreciate her ambition. I mean," Stephanie watched as Seth's smooth lips bloomed into his winning smile. "How can I not?"

"Just like I assume you appreciate Nikki Bella's ambition?"

"Cena is the one who couldn't appreciate Nikki's ambition. If I'm going to align myself with anyone, I need there to be an understanding that nothing else matters except getting me what I deserve; the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Cameron understands that."

"And she'll be getting what in return from you?"

Seth could hear the note of suspicion in Stephanie's tone. Nikki Bella was her chosen champion, and she wouldn't sit back and let him or anyone else destroy that plan. So he had to approach her question very carefully.

"A chance to prove everyone wrong, that she's more capable than meets the eye. And I think we both can agree; it never hurts to have a 'Plan B.' " He smoothed the lapels of his suit jacket and adjusted the knot in his tie.

Stephanie's suspicion hadn't waned, but she could appreciate Seth's eye for strategy. He made an excellent point about having a 'Plan B.' other than Nikki, The Authority had virtually a non-existent hold within the Diva's Division. AJ would never join ranks – current champion or not – she was too much like that husband of hers; defiant and unable to see the bigger picture, only concerned with herself. Paige was far too erratic, ruled by her emotions and not her head. Loose cannons were never worth the risk. No matter how talented.

Then Stephanie's mind settled on Naomi. She was the most athletic of all the women in the division. Fun to watch and had personality to burn. An irresistible combination, for sure. The only problem was, she was loyal to a fault. She didn't have the edge to take what she wanted. And even though, she and Hunter could be very persuasive even attempting to recruit the high-flying Diva would be a waste of time.

It didn't matter that Reigns was currently out of action. The fact remained she was married to his cousin Jimmy Uso and would never turn her back on her family.

Shame, Stephanie thought idly before bringing herself back to the matter at hand.

"Tell Cameron I would like to see her."

"Before the show?"

"Now."

Seth found Cameron at catering with Nikki. Whether they had always been so close, he didn't know, but he would deal with that at another time. Or maybe it would take care of itself organically. Like the ending of The Shield had. As its creator, he had every right to dissolve his creation in whichever way he saw fit. It just so happened the most fitting ending – leaving no loose ends behind – was with steel chairs and curb stomps.

"Cameron..."

Out of the periphery of his vision, he could see Nikki raise a perfectly shaped brow.

"Yeah?" Hesitation colored her tone as if she were a lamb and he was about to take her slaughter. Inside, it made him laugh. If anything, he was saving her.

Purposefully, Seth gave the blonde his most charming smile, and almost instantly – as he predicted – she visibly relaxed. He pulled out a chair from the fold out table and turned it, angling so he was close but not too close to Cameron, close enough for her to smell the combination of his cologne and shampoo. Like they were friends who spoke to each other all the time. Not acquaintances who had only recently formed an alliance.

"I just spoke to Stephanie, and she wants to see you in her office."

"You what?!" Nikki exclaimed harshly, jumping out of her chair.

"This isn't personal, Nikki." Seth turned toward the fuming brunette. "I told you, I need to keep my eye on the prize and Cameron is going to help me do just that."

"She is?!" Dark eyes darted from Superstar to Diva and back again, settling on ocher colored eyes as they narrowed into suspicious slits, studying the blonde closely. "You are?!"

Cameron didn't know why but she felt like this was some kind of test. As if Seth was sitting there gauging her reactions and if she said the wrong thing, he'd back out of their deal or whatever. Then she'd suddenly, out of nowhere, be put in handicap match after handicap match along side Brie Bella.

She took a deep breath, struggling not to squirm underneath the weight of The Authority's Golden Boy's eyes on her. It was like he was burning a hole in her back, his stare so hot and laser focused.

"Look, Nikki, I'm not Brie, okay? I'm not trying to take your shine. I just want people to know I'm for real. That I have skills, too. You wanted to get out of Brie's shadow," Cameron grabbed for Nikki's hands, laying limp at her sides, and squeezed tightly. "And I want to get out of Naomi's. It's my time to show out, and Seth's gonna make sure I do it right."

Nikki stared into Cameron's ocher eyes and saw they were pleading for understanding. The brunette gave in almost immediately. How could she not? Cameron was the only Diva who had come to her in the aftermath of Summerslam. Everyone else ran to Brie. But Cameron was there for her, saying she understood and told her she always thought Brie asking for the match in the first place was shady. She gave her a shoulder to cry on when everyone else thought she was some kind of evil bitch for turning on her twin.

Now it was time for her to return the favor in kind.

"I get it."

Instantly, the proverbial monkey was lifted from Cameron's back. She hopped in place before hugging the brunette, tightly. "Thank you." She murmured.

"You got this, girlie. I know Steph won't regret having you on our side." Nikki gave a sly grin, dark eyes twinkling devilishly. "Now you can finally show that sanctimonious bitch Naomi what's up."

"You know it!"

There was a high five and then Nikki giving Cameron's ass a playful slap before the blonde made her way to Stephanie's office.

It was hard not to be intimidated by Stephanie McMahon. She cut quite the figure in her power suit. Even smiling, she made Cameron feel as if she were two inches tall underneath her ice blue gaze.

"No need to be nervous, Cameron," Stephanie gave an impish laugh. "I don't bite."

Cameron tried to laugh but to her own ears she sounded like a strangled goat. She could only imagine the sound her boss heard.

"I'm sure you know Seth brought the arrangement the two of you made to my attention."

"He said you wanted to see me, so I figured he told you."

"While I normally like to do my own scouting, I couldn't help but agree with his reasoning. He suggested you being a 'Plan B' of sorts, a way to strengthen the hold The Authority has within the Diva's Division. More and more he's proving himself as an asset and it's not hard to see why Hunter had the foresight to bring him into the fold following Dave's unceremonious exit." Stephanie mused. "Obviously, you have improving to do, and there is no shame in that. No shame at all. I had to prove my worth as well. So, tonight will be the first step in bringing you along as The Authority's newest member."

"But without a match, right?" Cameron couldn't hide the disappointment in her tone.

"Baby steps." Stephanie patted her hand in sympathy. "Tonight you'll walk out with Nikki and be ringside for her match against AJ. If Paige and Alicia decide to interfere," Stephanie sighed, rubbing her temple in frustration. "You have my permission to do what you have to do; whatever it takes, nothing is out of bounds. Should Nikki lose, AJ will be your responsibility. She doesn't make it backstage without medical assistance. She needs to be put in her place."

Cameron swallowed thickly. It was as if suddenly all of this was real. The fruits of her handshake with Seth were coming to fruition. Right here in Stephanie McMahon's office. With those ice blue eyes of The Billion Dollar Princess staring right through her. Waiting for her answer. As if she had a choice.

The words rattled inside the blonde's head; she doesn't make it backstage without medical assistance. she needs to be put in her place.

She wondered if Seth felt this way – palms sweating, stomach tumbling – as he listened to Hunter instruct him on how to betray Roman and Dean. Just as she wavered, as a small shred of doubt crept in, the sight of her caramel hand disappearing into Seth's deeply tanned palm was at the forefront of her mind's eye.

Just like she heard his voice – smooth like warm honey – in her ear. i did what I had to do. in this company, you either look out for yourself or you get swallowed up. what's it gonna be, cameron? are you going to look out for yourself? or be swallowed?

Whatever doubt was there, was gone in an instant. Nodding in understanding, she rose from the chair and said, "Thank you so much, Stephanie, for giving me this opportunity."

Stephanie gave a blinding – seemingly genuine – smile as she stood up from her own chair and gave Cameron's hand a hearty shake. "Just do what you've set out to do; prove everyone who has ever doubted you wrong, and help Nikki Bella do what's best for business, finally having the Diva's Championship within The Authority, and you'll be just fine. I know you can do this, Cameron. Seth believes in you and so do I."

The modified schoolgirl outfit – an homage to her finisher – was gone when Cameron reached her locker. In its place was an outfit – she couldn't help but huff – not unlike a particular Superstar. She pushed any feelings of disappointment or annoyance down. At least Stephanie didn't make her his valet or briefcase watcher/polisher.

Walking out with Nikki wouldn't suck nearly as much. She at least knew where she stood with Nikki. Could at least call the other Diva a friend.

Adjusting the one shoulder strap of the top, she stepped out of the locker room and found Seth standing there. Gold briefcase secure in leather gloved hand. Deep brown eyes raked over her frame and smooth lips took on an appreciative curl.

"Nice gear." Again, his voice was doing that thing where it sounded like warm honey.

The combination of that along with those deep eyes of his drinking her in, made it hard for her to suppress the shiver racing up her spine. But she wouldn't let him know she felt anything.

"Boy, please." She rolled her eyes, tone biting as she ignored the heat flaring in her stomach from the intensity of his stare. "This Cat Woman-ish is temporary. Trust me."

Flipping her blonde curls over her shoulder, she gave a cheeky grin, "It looks better on you anyway, boo."

And with a kiss blown off of her glossy lips, she sashayed down the hallway just as they both heard "You can look but you can't touch..." Being blared through the arena's speakers.

a/n: for an image of cameron's new gear think of the gear sasha banks from nxt wears except black. or almost like paige's but leather and with pants.