Title: Without Regret 1/?

Disclaimer: not mine. Boo hiss.

Summary: I still remember that night. sometimes I still have nightmares and I can't help feeling it was partially your fault. My cousin hates you for how you treated me and blames you for ending my career and he says I should too. And I should, it's the least you deserve.

Don't ask me why there's another story when I have so many already. But we need more Punk stories... yeah we do!

This does take place in current day WWE though, right after Punk returns before Summerslam but there are references to the past so, I KNOW SHIMMER didn't start until 2005 but for the sake of the story it started a few years earlier... work with me here peoples!

The first chapter is long, but i don't THINK the rest of them would be as long... i just wanted to set the first part up... so PLEASE tell me what you think. Keep going?

No beta

... ... ...

He wasn't around when I started. Of course, I knew why, his contract had expired and mine started shortly after. I knew exactly who he was, anyone who is anyone in the wrestling business knew exactly who he was and that included me. It had nothing to do with being the new backstage interviewer, soon to be Ring Announcer and having to know who was who. Even before I signed on the dotted line, I knew who he was. I didn't think much about it past the fact that Raw was currently without a title belt. I, like everyone else in the company, wondered what would happen next. But other than that I didn't think much about him, I had no reason to. I mean, after the last time, I kind of didn't want to, especially since he would be another person backstage who hated me.

Yes, I was hated from the moment I first stepped into the arena. I was jeered at, insulted, told to get lost, I didn't belong in this world. My favorite were some of the Diva's who didn't even become wrestlers until WWE had signed them. They told me to get lost that they didn't need some untrained Bimbo walking arouns. It's like, no one even listened to what my job description was. I wasn't there to wrestle. I was there to interview, Ring anounce, sing the anthem, pretty much the next Lillian Garcia and really, how many wrestling matches was she in? Yes, exactly, I rest my case. But no one seemed to get that and some days I was tempted to climb onto a chair in catering and yell it out for everyone to hear. Yet, somehow, I really don't think they would even listen. So I was pretty low key my first little while in the WWE. I kept to myself, I travelled alone, I arrived early before all the other girls to change before locking my clothes and make up back in my car. My first day, I came back to find all my stuff in the shower, everything was soaked. So I kept my mouth shut, my eyes and ears opened and focused on my job.

The day I saw him again was the day I was moved to Ring announcer and was singing the anthem for the first time. I was nervous, I mean who wouldn't be? Sure I was told i'm the next Lillian Garcia but I knew I didn't have the voice she did. My palms were sweaty as I walked down the hall to the curtain, my eyes looking up as I recited the anthem in my head over and over. I knew it, but my biggest fear was messing up the words and being booed out of the ring. That was probably the biggest faux pas and there was no way I was commiting it. Obviously, I was too self absorbed in what I was about to do, I didn't even see the person in front of me. He had stopped as I walked towards him, a big smirk on his face even as I walked right into his chest. I stumbled back, my eyes wide in fear, especially when I saw it was him. My stomach dropped because I had a feeling I was going to get the biggest tongue lashing thus far.

"I-I'm so sorry. That was completely my fault." I apologized, hoping to save myself from some yelling. Yeah, I remembered him, no problem.

He lifted an eyebrow at me "I could've moved."

"Yes but I really should've looked where I was going. Sorry." I looked at him, ready for him to chew me out but he continued to stare at me, recognition lighting in his eyes, probably trying to place, whom exactly I was and I could feel my cheeks heating up in embarassment.

"I-I should probably go. Sorry." I moved to walk past him but he moved with me, effectively blocking my way

"Do I scare you?" He asked.

My eyes widened even further as I shook my head. "No, of course not."

"You look like I scare you."

Again I shook my head. "No, I'm just late, I should go."

"Who are you?" His eyes were boring into mine and I knew he could tell I was lying, he was scaring the complete crap out of me.

"I'm the new announcer."

"That's not what I asked."

My cheeks were going even redder and I resisted the urge to lift my hands to my cheek. "I'm Carissa."

He continued to stare at me, trying to place my name before finally stepping aside, motioning for me to walk by. "I'll see you later Carissa."

my mouth formed an O of surprise before I was able to gather my thoughts and step by him. "Bye." I managed to squeak out. I could hear his chuckle following me down the hall.

I spent the preshow and the show out at ringside, and I was actually kind of happy about that. I didn't have to deal with the sneers and jeers of everyone in the back. It was the weirdest thing, if anyone had bothered to ask, they would know that I had been around the business for years. I had a cousin who worked the Indy's for years and since I was young, he would take me to as many shows as he could. I even wrestled for a bit but after an injury that I never really came back from, I found my niche in Ring announcing for the various promotions my cousin worked at. I had even done some valeting which I did enjoy as well. I'm pretty sure that the WWE only hired me because of the experience I had, yet I was hated because no one could be bothered to get to know me to know that I did have the experience. Go figure. Well, that easn't exactly true, I mean, a lot of the guys had offered to get to know me really well, to which I would roll my eyes at. But of the Diva's, only 2 had bothered to show any kind of interest, Beth Pheonix and Natalya but I had met met both a few times on the Indy's, I even worked them in a match or two before I retired. I had a short career. And saw them later again at SHIMMER where I became the Ring Announcer. So I would take it because for the most part, with those 2 on my side, the other women left me alone. It was only when they weren't around that the other woman would bug me and because of that, I was happy to be sitting at Ringside. Now if only I could get Lawler to stop trying to ogle my goodies and Cole to stop glaring at me every chance he got.

So I didn't see him until Triple H introduced him, having resigned him back. It was a great idea, anyone would have really, except maybe Vince McMahon but he no longer had the power. But anyway, he came walking down, that everpresent smirk on his face and as he got into the ring, he looked over at me, his smirk growing ever so slightly as he winked at me. I raised an eyebrow at him. What exactly was he playing at? And for god sakes there was a camera pointing at me because of him. And on cue, my face had started heating up again and if Nattie or Beth saw this, they would never let me live it down, ever. I spent the rest of the show looking anywhere but at the camera or at him and the moment I thanked everyone for coming and to have a safe ride home, I was out of there and into the back, making a beeline for the diva's locker room. Whereas I didn't keep a majority of my stuff there, I did give my few valuables to Beth to hold onto. No one would dare touch any of her stuff. She was in charge of the locker room.

"I didn't know you knew Punk." Beth loudly announced as I entered the room. "I saw him wink at you and your face go bright red. Did you meet him on the indy scene?"

"Indy scene?" One of the Bella's scoffed, it was impossible to tell them apart, not that I cared to. "Aw, were you a little mark?"

I rolled my eyes at Beth as she handed me my keys and wallet before turning to face the Bella's "actually, no. I used to work the Indy scene, you know, that place that most of you girls never paid your dues at?"

"What would you know about dues?" The other Bella asked.

"A hell of a lot more than you bimbo's." Beth replied standing up behind me.

"we paid our dues." They cried in outrage.

"Being in FCW and demanding to be part of the main roster, or you would quit doesn't count as paying your dues." I told them, a sweet smile on my face. Yes, Beth and Nattie had told me all the stories and rumors about backstage so it was great throwing that at them.

"Excuse me?" They cried as one.

"I used to be the Diva's champion." the one whom I guessed was Brie, yelled at me. "you're just some stupid announcer."

"I trained, I worked the shows, I prefer announcing." I snapped at them

"Couldn't hack it?" Nikki sneered.

"as if you could in the indy's. You'd be eaten alive." I sneered right back.

we were interrupted by a knock on the door and immediatly the women's sneers turned to smiles.

"Punk, we're so happy you're back." They cried, rushing him and hugging him, both kissing a cheek.

I watched him roll his eyes as he looked past them, an eyebrow raising when his eyes landed on me. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"

I stared at him in shock until I felt Beth push me from behind and I stumbled forward, looking back to glare at her.

"She would love to." Beth replied for me.

"She can speak for herself but fine, let's talk."

I followed him outside, smiling sweetly at the Bella's as I walked by. "See you next show, ladies."

They both glared at me as I closed the door in their faces.

"was it just me or was there an extreme lack of liking going on in that room." He asked, turning to face me.

"Oh no, there was." I replied with a shrug, not elaborating.

"I know for a fact you weren't here when I left so how did you manage to garner so much animosity in such a short time?" A small smile was on his face.

"My wonderful personality?" I replied returning his smile. "So is there a reason you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes, something has been bugging me since we last met."

"What's that?" I asked, growing nervous.

"You." He simply replied.

I frowned at him. "How could I possibly be bugging you. I didn't hurt you when I walked into you."

"I could've moved." He reminded me again. "But that's not the part that bugged me. It was you and the fact that I can't quite place you. Have we met before?"

"No." I replied

"are you sure?" He asked, his eyes boring into me, I couldn't help but wonder if he had some sort of built in lie detector.

"Yup. I mean No. I mean- No, we haven't met." I told him. 'At least not formally.' I thought to myself.

"Interesting." was all he said.

"Very. But I should be going, I'm needed at Smackdown tomorrow." And just like last time, as I tried to move past him, he moved with me.

"Are you going to make a habit of this?" I asked him.

"Don't you need to get your stuff?" He asked, referring to my almost empty hands.

I held up my wallet and keys. "This is it. I'm not stupid enough to leave my stuff in there anymore."

"The extreme lack of liking?" He asked.

I nodded. "Having to lay my clothes out in the car and pray it dries before the next town, not my idea of fun."

"Do you want me to walk you to your car?"

"No. It's fine. I should go."

"Do you want to grab something to eat?" He tried again.

"Punk." I cried. "Stop. You don't have to be nice to me. No one else is, so there's no reason for you to be."

"Since when did I care about what everyone else is doing?"

"Never, as far as I know." I muttered.

"Oh, so you do know something about this business?" He asked me wth a smirk.

"Dues. I paid them. Go me. I am not another clueless Bimbo, i've been around for a long time." I wanted to slap my hand over my mouth. Word vomit. Open mouth and out comes all this stuff I really didn't want to come out.

"But I don't know you?"

I looked up at him, a big smile now on my face. "I can definitely say, you do not know me. Now, I should really get going. It was nice talking to you. I'll see you later."

I pushed past him, rushing out to my car. I was unlocking my door when I heard Beth call out for me.

"Carrie? I'm needed at Smackdown tomorrow now. Carpool?"

"Of course." I replied, popping the trunk so she could throw her stuff in there. "On the way, I can totally chew you out for making me talk to Punk."

She laughed, closing the trunk and moving over to the passenger side. She said nothing more to me until we were on the highway, on to the next town.

"So, do you?"

"Do I what?" I asked her, my brows furrowing as I tried to think what she could be talking about.

"Know CM Punk?"

I shrugged. "Not personally, no."

"then what?"

I sighed, wondering just how much I should say. Yes, Beth was the closest thing I had to a friend in the company but really she wasn't close enough to divulge all my secrets to yet. Once upon a time we had talked a lot but it had been years ince we've seen each other and I didn't really want to bring it up right now, not that it was really a secret. But neither Beth nor Nattie had mentioned it to me since I arrived here so if they didn't know, I kind of wanted to keep it that way.

"I met him at ROH. Well, more like, learned of his existence then, we never officially met. I didn't start announcing for ROH until he left but as you know, I was still at all their shows."

"Why?" She asked.

I shrugged, not really wanting to answer that. "He probably saw me around there and now he's trying to figure out where he saw me. So you know, I didn't tell him. I gave him my full first name, not my worker name." I finished with an evil smile.

Beth laughed. "That's gonna drive him nuts now."

We were interrupted by my phone and I motioned for her to hold on as I slipped on my blue tooth and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"I saw you."

I smiled as my cousin's deep voice rumbled in my ear. "Hey Br-you. Hey you. Whats up?"

"Not alone?" He asked with a small chuckle.

"Definitely not. How did I look?"

"Fine, until Punk looked at you, you went bright red. He recognize you?" I could hear the scowl in his voice and could just picture the look on his face from here.

"A bit. I mean, kind of, but not really who. Look, I'm driving, and it's rude to be on the phone with Beth sitting here."

"She doesn't even know? I thought you guys were friends."

"Nope. well i mean yes we are, but- I'll just talk to you later, Cuz."

I disconnected the phone, smiling apologetically at her. "Sorry, just my cousin checking up on me."

"You're family happy about you being on TV?" She asked.

I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, hoping our earlier convo was on the back burner. As we drove, I told her about my family and my cousin taking me to wrestling when I was younger. I just left out that he was a wrestler and exactly who he was. Nobody needed to know...

Right?