The Deville You Know

"Hello? Earth calling Sonya?" Mandy Rose tried to get through to her friend but her attention was well and truly gone. She tried snapping her fingers in her face and that got through, but did nothing to please her.

"Don't do that! What's wrong with you?"

"We've arrived at the arena, thought you might like to get out of the car?"

"Oh." Sonya Deville fumbled for her seatbelt release, got out of the car and went to retrieve her bags. The look on her face was not what you would expect from someone who had just arrived as she had been instructed to, at the arena where, by the end of the night, she would have likely made her debut as a main roster WWE superstar. Monday Night Raw began in about hours all they knew was to be ready to perform and that they had a meeting with Triple H.

"Will you at least try and look excited?" Mandy asked, getting frustrated. "Come on, this is the biggest day of our lives!"

Sonya's head dropped and Mandy realised what she'd said. "I'm sorry, that was a bad choice of words. You have to forget her. She's not worth you thinking about."

"I know." Sonya replied in a low tone. "I thought she was going to be the one though, she didn't like me leaving on the NXT road trips, but I thought it was just that she missed me. Then I tell her I've been called up to Raw and all hell broke loose. She said I had to choose, her or this."

"I know she did. She was trying to force you to give up on your dream to do what she wants instead. She didn't support you, which she would have done if she truly loved you."

"Exactly, after all we went through, and it turns out she didn't love me. It hurts."

Mandy gave her friend the hug she knew she needed. "I know hun, but you have to put it out of your mind, at least for the rest of today. You can't let Hunter see you like this, if he thinks you aren't ready, we won't be on the show tonight, we might get sent back to NXT. I don't want that, and I know you don't, not really."

"Of course not. This is what I've wanted for a long time. I'm not going to mess it up."

"There you go, now let's go, really nail this, then we can go for drinks afterwards and you can cry or rage about her." Sonya laughed and nodded her agreement. They took their cases and headed inside, figuring the first thing would be to find the women's locker room.

Before they could get too far though, they saw a very familiar face, one that they didn't expect to see. Sara Amato, the assistant head coach at NXT, talking to an older man. They both knew who he was, but hadn't met him before.

"Hi girls! Welcome to Raw!" Sara said with delight, hugging each woman in turn. "Sonya? You ok?" She said, as her hug was considerably lacking.

"Yeah, just stuff at home, bad timing." Sonya tried to change the subject and her attitude before meeting anyone else, starting with the person Sara was talking to. She extended a hand. "Sonya Deville."

"Dave Finlay, but everyone calls me fit. It's good to meet you both in person, I've seen a lot of your NXT shows and I think you will be a great addition to Raw. I handle a lot of the production work for the women's matches so we will get to know each other much better. For now though, Hunter said if I saw you to send you to his office. It's down that corridor and to the right, I'm sure you will see the signs."

"Thank you sir." Mandy said, making Finlay put his hand up.

"Not sir. Call me Fit, or Finlay, but never sir. You know Hunter doesn't like it, and neither do I."

"You got it, Fit," Sonya said as they continued their way through the building, following the directions they were given. Even without them they would have been fine as everything was clearly marked. They were soon stood at a door marked 'Hunter's Office"

"You ready?" Mandy asked to a nod. "Forget everything about Chloe, that selfish bitch is your past. It's time for the future."

"Thanks. I know you're right. Shall I?" Sonya got a affirming nod and knocked on the door.

"Come in." Came Hunter's unmistakable tone. The two of them entered to office and Hunter was quickly on his feet, over to shake their hands. "Welcome to Monday Night Raw. Mandy, you're going to wow them. Sonya, wait till they see...the look on your face. What's wrong?"

Mandy rolled her eyes and turned to her friend, even though she knew the answer.

"I'm sorry Hunter. I'm really excited for this. But it cost me my relationship. I got dumped yesterday."

"This business can be cruel." Hunter said, putting a hand on Sonya's shoulder. "But take it from someone who has been there, you never know what's around the corner. When Steph and I had our tv drive-thru wedding, we had spoken to each other maybe five times, and I was seeing someone else. But things worked out the way they did, and now I couldn't be happier."

"I hope I get as lucky as you. Is Stephanie not here?"

"Hey, hands off, she's mine." Hunter said in a joking manner, getting a laugh out of both women. "But on that note, if you find any hostility coming your way, especially about your sexuality, you come straight to me. I'm expecting there to be none at all, just like in NXT, and anyone who does will find themselves in big trouble."

"I appreciate that, I can't wait to get in the ring tonight." Sonya felt pumped up, Hunter has boosted her confidence tenfold.

"And you will, but tonight, neither of you will be in a match." Hunter said, leading to confused looks from both women.

"We aren't debuting tonight?" Mandy asked.

"You are indeed. You will be in a segment with several other women. We hadn't told you the details for security, Fit is briefing Alicia, Mickie, Bayley and Sasha as they arrive. We had you come straight in to try and avoid many fans seeing you. It helps with the surprise.

"So we are doing something with all of them?" Sonya asked, happy to hear Bayley's name, as they were friends from their time at the Performance Center.

"You are. You will be part of a new faction we have put together. To help you with your transition you are going to be teaming with a superstar who has been on the roster for a few years, but has been out with an injury. You can all help each other settle in, it's just resettling in her case." Hunter's explanation was cut off by a knock at the door. "Near perfect timing. Ladies, meet your new partner." He said as he opened the door.

The woman who walked in was well known to the two of them, having been one of their judges when they competed on Tough Enough. Although neither won, they both earned their contracts and eventually their places on Raw. Both Sonya and Mandy's faces lit up in surprise and happiness.

"Paige!" Mandy squealed as she raced over to give her a hug. "It's great to see you. How are you?"

"I'm feeling much better Mandy. Happy to be back, and I'm really looking forward to working with you both. After Tough Enough, It makes sense for the storylines, and I've checked out what you've done in NXT since I heard, and

you're doing great. Sonya, how are you doing?"

Sonya didn't get chance to answer before Paige wrapped her up in a big hug. Sonya hugged back, but as Paige squeezed her, she felt all of her upset just disappear. In its place, Sonya felt comfortable. She felt better for the first time since the explosive fight with her now ex-girlfriend.

"There's that smile back." Mandy remarked as the hug ended, although Sonya was slow to let her new teammate go. Before anything else could be said, there was another knock at the door.

"And since everyone's happy, that knock means I need to get back to work. Paige, glad to have you back, look after these two. Ladies, go kick ass tonight." Paige motioned them to the door, knowing that Hunter ending the meeting meant 'get out' but in a much more polite manner. They went past the door and saw Finn Balor, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson waiting outside. Finn's eyes were out on stalks as Mandy went past, she took a good look at him too.

"Ok, I'll show you two to the women's locker room, then I've got to go find Renee, she already texted me." Paige said. She was leading the way but as she looked back she stopped. Sonya wasn't paying attention and walked straight into her, The two grabbing each other to try and keep balance.

Umm, sorry." Paige said as she let go, Sonya taking her cue to do the same. "But we seem to have lost Mandy." Paige indicated Mandy still talking to Finn as we waited his turn to see Hunter.

"Yeah, she'll be a while I think. "Sonya said in a deadpan manner, a little annoyed at her friend for chatting up someone while she had just been dumped.

"Come on then, stick with me, she can find the locker room on her own I'm sure." Sonya nodded and followed as Paige said hi and answered the same questions on how she was with several people. All that she recognised but didn't know. She introduced herself several times over, finding everyone to be welcoming. Having Paige with her while she did that helped her feel more confident, ready for this new challenge.

"There she is!" Came a voice familiar to Sonya, and really to anyone who has any knowledge of WWE at all. Renee Young was one of the most recognisable voices on their tv shows, but she was far from professional as she hugged Paige. Sonya stayed back a little, not knowing Renee or the guy with her personally, although she was well aware that it was her husband, Dean Ambrose.

"Paigey!" Renee squealed into the hug. "I missed you! How are you?"

I'm good, all healed, cleared and back on Raw tonight."

"That's great news, you look fantastic."

"She's right, good to see you Casper." Dean said, to a small smack on the arm from Renee. Sonya just managed to stop a laugh.

"Really, still with the Casper stuff?" Paige smiled and gave Dean a hug.

"It's never going away. Glad you're back and healthy though. Being injured sucks."

"Oh god, I'm sorry, hows your arm?" Paige asked, only knowing of Deans injury from texts and the internet.

"I told you, it sucks." Dean replied. "I still come to tv to be with the missus, but I'd rather be in the ring any day."

"The missus?" Renee exclaimed, poking Dean in the chest. "Call me that again and I'll injure you somewhere else!" This time Sonya did laugh, getting a nasty look from Dean.

"Something I can help you with, rook?" Dean said, very deadpan. Sonya looked at his face and realised she had messed up.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I should introduce myself."

"I don't care who you are." Dean snapped. "You're clearly new around here, or you'd know better. You had better wise up, or you won't be around here long."

Sonya gulped. Her first day and she'd upset a major superstar. If he complained, she'd probably get fired. On her first day.

"I...I..." Sonya looked at Paige for help in desperation. The black haired woman saw her expression and tried to look supportive. Sonya found it helped but needed more. Paige smirked and looked back to the other couple.

"Dean." Paige said in a serious manner.

"What?" He responded. "She needs to learn. If she can't take a rib, she might not like it around here."

Sonya looked around the three of them. "A rib?" She asked. She knew that was locker room talk for playing a joke, but still wasn't sure if it was for real. Seconds later she was sure as all three of them burst out laughing.

"Oh, the rookies are so easy to get." Dean said as he held out his hand. "Welcome to Raw, rook."

Sonya let out a sigh of relief as she shook his hand. "Thank you. My names Sonya Deville if you prefer to use that instead of rookie?"

"We will see." He said with a smile. Renee stepped forward and offered a hug to Sonya, which was accepted gratefully.

"So, we on for dinner and drinks after the show?" Renee asked. "We've got some real catching up to do."

"Sounds great." Paige said. "Just like old times."

"There's a good place we went to last time we were in this city, you'll love it." Renee said, to nods from Paige.

"Oh yeah, great steak. What do you say rook?" Deans invitation caught Sonya off guard. "Me?"

"Yeah, you eat right? Might as well eat with us."

"Yeah, you should." Paige's enthusiasm helped Sonya's confidence.

"That would be great, but Paige, what about Mandy?" Sonya didn't want to abandon her friend.

"Room for one more, right guys?" Paige asked, getting nods in response. "Great, now we better go get changed. See you after the show." Paige said and the two of them headed towards the locker room.

As they got there, they heard Mandy's voice. "Hey, wait up!" Once Mandy joined them, the three entered the locker room. Inside they found Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss in conversation, with Mickie James sat at the far end, dressed for competition. But bearing down on them was a face they all knew.

"Congratulations!" Bayley exclaimed, hugging Mandy and Sonya. "Welcome to the main roster!"

"Happy to be here, and it's going to be great to share the ring with you later." Sonya said.

"Yeah, it'll be good to wrestle you to again. Paige, it's good to see you too. I was really worried about you." Bayley offered a hug, less sure, but smiled when Paige took it.

"Thanks. It's been a hard year. But I'm back and ready to work."

"I'm loving this group they've given you though, the plans seem well thought out, I kinda wish I'd gotten it, but they aren't going to turn me heel to do it."

Paige smiled. "No, that's not likely. Nobody has the connection with the kids that you do. When we get to work together properly, we will show the fans and the writers that you deserve better than you have been getting."

"Thanks, hopefully that will be soon. We know the score for tonight."

"Great, I'll catch up with you in a bit." Paige said as she and Bayley went to talk about their spot in the plans for the evening. Sonya and Mandy sat down and began to find their ring gear to change into.

"I know that look." Sonya told Mandy. "Go on."

"What look?" Mandy tried to act innocent.

"The 'I gotta tell you about this' look. You need to gossip. Go on."

"You sure? Might not be the best subject after all you went through with Chloe." Mandy tried to be thoughtful, but her excitement couldn't be masked.

Sonya sighed at the mention of her ex's name. "It's ok, go on."

"Did you see me with him? Oh my god, he's just so...yummy!"

"Finn? Or have you gone all stupid over Gallows or Anderson?" Mandy ignored the obvious sarcasm form her friend.

"Yes Finn. I haven't really spoken to him before but he's just so hot. And when he said hi, his accent just made me melt."

"Did you manage to talk back to him or did you just stand there and drool?" Sonya said, enjoying making fun of they way Mandy was gushing over the Irish wrestler.

"No I talked thank you, I'm not a teenager anymore. He's really nice and well, he asked me to meet him for a late dinner and drink at the hotel after the show!"

Sonya was surprised. "You've got a dat with Finn Balor?" She asked.

Mandy nodded. "I know, I can't believe it either. My first Raw appearance and a hot date in one night."

"Well it's going to be quite something, but don't let him get more than a cheek kiss at the end of it, you're still a lady."

"Yes I am, but, ohhhh, he makes me wish I wasn't." Mandy gripped Sonya's hands tight to emphasise her point.

They went back to changing for a moment, before something popped back into Sonya's mind. "Oh wait."

"What?" The blonde answered.

"I forgot, in all your swooning, Paige has invited us both to dinner after we get done."

"Oh no, I mean, I don't want to offend her, not ever, but if I cancel on Finn now, he might not ask me out again. I don't want to blow this chance. Can't you make an excuse to her for me. I'll come out with you both next time, but I'm so excited for this, please Sonya."

Sonya saw that Mandy had a look on her face like she'd have gotten on her knees to get her to agree to cover for her, and found she couldn't refuse. "Ok fine, I got you the invite, I'll tell them I didn't know you had prior plans."

"Thank you, Thank you." Mandy said as she checked her self in the mirror, having finished getting ready. "I'll owe you one. Besides, I'm pretty sure you'll be happier if it was just the two of you."

"Oh it's not just me and Paige, Renee Young and Dean Ambrose are going too, it...what's that supposed to mean." Sonya stopped in her tracks as she got the suggestive tone her friend was using.

"I know you Sonya. I'm not the only one with a crush. When you saw Paige, your face lit up like the 4th of July. There are only certain people I've seen you hug like that, and you barely stopped looking at her through this whole conversation." Sonya stopped watching Paige chat with Bayley and Mickie James and turned back to Mandy.

"No I haven't."

Mandy laughed. "Keep telling yourself that. There's nothing wrong with it. You're single now, so the timings perfect and if you want to go for it, then do. It might work out for you the way I want it to work out for me."

Before she could respond there was a knock on the door. Dana Brooke opened it and called to Mickie and Bayley that it was time for their match. They headed out and Paige came back to Sonya and Mandy, sitting between the two.

"You ready? You'll be called any second." Paige put her arms around both her new teammates as she spoke. "The nerves will go the second you get out there. I've got some too if I'm honest."

Sonya appreciated the advice as she did feel some butterflies at that moment. Then she saw Mandy give her a grin. She knew what Mandy was getting at, as she sat with Paige's arm around her and wondered what the real cause of her butterflies was.

Maybe Mandy had a point.

A/N: Hi there! Thanks for reading the first chapter of 'The Deville You Know'. I hope you liked it and want to see more. Please consider a follow/favourite or a friendly review, but if not, just reading it means a lot.

I haven't decided if I should include on camera/kayfabe stuff in this so please do let me know if you would rather I did or stuck to backstage and outside the ring stuff like this chapter. I won't be following the Absolution events that have happened if I do, and Paige's injury won't be featured again, at least not to the severity it seems to be in real life.

I hope to see you for Ch2...