Title: Ties That Bind

Fandom: TNA

Characters: AJ Styles, Christian Cage, Kurt Angle, Karen Angle, Tomko

Synopsis: After much deliberation, AJ decided to abandon his long-time friend and partner Christian Cage, and sided with Kurt Angle. But was his decision the right one?

Dedications: My wonderful friend Penny, as always. I love ya lotsly!

Disclaimer: Kurt Angle, Karen Angle, Travis Tomko, Jason Reso & Allen Jones are [unfortunately not owned by me, they own themselves. As for their wrestling alter egos, well, I don't own them either – they are copyright to TNA.

A/N: Right, so here goes! My attempt to write an AJ/Christian fic that isn't a standalone! …actually, this was originally just going to be a one-shot, but I wrote and wrote and then I realised it was too long to just be a one-shot. So I'm splitting it up into chapters. It's still a WIP (work in progress); so don't get too mad at me if I take a while to update. Oh, and I know the first chapter's going to be rather short. The second one will more than make up for it though, promise! Let me also explain that this is slightly AU. I actually started writing this before Final Resolution happened, hence why it's a little different to what actually happened at the PPV, and what happened on the episode of iMPACT that came after it, etc. Right, I'm gonna stop talking and let you guys just start reading now, heh!

Chapter One

Thursday night. iMPACT night. The self-proclaimed 'Phenomenal One' was sat in his dressing room, eyes transfixed on the television in the corner, feeling almost sick with nervousness as he heard his name come out of the mouth of the angry man on the television screen. Christian Cage.

For just about three minutes, AJ had watched intently as Christian stood in the centre of the ring, microphone in hand, ranting about everything that had happened to him the night before.

To put it matter-of-factly, he'd been screwed. Screwed out of his opportunity to win back the title that he never actually lost.Stabbed in the back and hurt by someone he'd trusted as a partner for so long. Sure, Christian could be an asshole – but nobody ever deserved to have that happen to them. And besides, at least Christian had been a good friend, a good partner. He could be selfish at times, but at least he knew how to show some sort of selflessness, some compassion to the people he cared about.

But AJ had shoved away all the compassion he'd ever received from Christian when he took that steel chair from Kurt's hands, and let it meet with the back of Christian's head…

…AJ attempted to push these guilt-ridden thoughts into the back of his mind, but it was more of a struggle than he cared to admit. Especially as the video footage of him hitting Christian with the chair began to play on the TV.

If AJ Styles were the kind of person to cry, he would have most definitely felt the need to bawl his eyes out right then and there.

On the TV, the video footage from Final Resolution ended and the camera switched back to Christian, still stood in the ring, looking even angrier now. He put the microphone up to his mouth and began talking again.

"AJ Styles, I know you're watching – so you listen to me, and you listen good. You think that you've won by doing what you did to me last Sunday at Final Resolution? Well, you're wrong. I may have lost the chance to win back my title, but you're the one who's the real loser, AJ. Soon, very soon, you'll finally see Kurt Angle's true colours. He'll show you what an asshole he really is. And when you turn around to try and look for some guidance, some help, a way to get out of the ridiculous situation you've put yourself in… guess what, AJ? I won't be there. Let's see if you can learn to live with that."

Christian dropped the mic to the floor, giving the camera a cold stare – as if he was staring at AJ himself – and then made his way out of the ring and up the ramp as his entrance music blasted out through the building.

AJ reached across the couch he was sat on to pick up the television remote control, and used it to switch off the TV. He leaned all the way forward in his seat, letting his head hang down between his legs, a cloud of depression and emptiness seemingly hanging over him as he heard Christian's harsh words resonate through his mind once more.

A/N: What did you think? Loved it? Hated it? Let me know. Also, before any of you ask... yes, this fic is named after the Alter Bridge song of the same name. After I got their album for Xmas, I listened to Ties That Bind and the lyrics just reminded me of AJ and his current situation with Kurt/Karen/Christian. Go check out the lyrics for myself and I'm sure you'll see what I mean.

Anyway. Chapter two shall be up soon!