A/N: Wow…what a way to come back to wrestling fan fiction, huh? Thanks to the Punk/AJ story on Raw for this one!

Chapter 1

Phil Brooks sighed as he looked around the locker room. Another week, another night jaded by WWE. Of course, he hadn't felt like he'd sold out, but it just seemed like nobody in WWE got his vision. He threw his bag down and walked out to the hallway. He had to go track down AJ and work out their stories for tonight. Just as he was about to turn the corner, he saw Tamina Snuka, and Brie Garcia standing outside the Divas Locker Room door.

"Ladies?"

Brie turned and smiled at him, then turned back to the half open door. He sighed and walked up to them. He knew the only way to get in on the gossip, was to join in. But he was not expecting to see what he did. Bryan Danielson was in the locker room, and he was pissed off.

"Why's Bryan in the locker room?"

"He's unloading on AJ again. It's worse this time, because she was late getting to the arena. Now he's wailing on her."

"And you two are just standing here, letting her take it?"

Phil said. He'd known Bryan Danielson a long time, and he'd heard the rumors of his behavior towards women that he'd been in a relationship with. He threw the door open, and that's when he'd saw the scene that had broken his heart. AJ was laying on the floor in front of him curled up in a ball, sobbing. Bryan got in two more good shots, before Phil started seeing red.

"Danielson!"

Bryan turned to Phil and looked at him. AJ looked up at him and Phil looked down at her. He could see the blood gushing from her forehead. He knelt down next to her and looked up at him.

"Ahh, Brooksy. Why don't you stay for the show?"

He said, adding another kick to AJ's stomach. Phil stroked AJ's cheek softly and stood up to look at Bryan. Success in WWE had gone to his head real quick, and it was time Phil taught his old friend a lesson.

"In what fucking universe is it okay for you to EVER hit a woman?"

"She deserved it. She was late getting here."

"She had a fucking autograph session! She was with two other divas, and if you would have consulted her schedule you would have noticed that. Now, as it stands, you've made an ass of yourself, and I'm going to take AJ and have her looked at."

Phil said, walking over to AJ. He knelt down and lifted her up and carried her out of the locker room, against the threats of Bryan's. He glared at the two divas that were still standing at the door, and the little crowd that had gathered.

"You are all cowards, letting a man hit a helpless woman. You should all be ashamed of yourselves."

He said, whispering in AJ's ear. She calmed down considerably since she'd been in his arms, and he was okay with that. He opened the door to the medical offices, where his best friend Alison was a doctor. Alison looked up from her desk and saw Phil carrying AJ in his arms.

"Ali, you need to help me. Bryan gave her a pretty good beating."

She rushed over from her desk. Well, she moved as fast as she could being pregnant with twins. If there was one thing Phil knew about Doctor Alison Richter, she could move rather quickly, whether or not she was pregnant. He laid AJ down on the bed and stayed with her, while Ali did an exam on her.

"He did her over pretty good this time."

"This time? What do you mean, this time? Alison…we've been friends a long time, and you've never fucked me over. What do you mean, 'this time'?"

Ali took a deep breath and looked at a now sleeping AJ. She led Phil over to her desk and sat down. She knew that she could tell Phil what was going on, and not have word get out. Phil was the keeper of Ali's secrets, and Ali, Phil's.

"AJ was here about three weeks ago. She had a black eye and some bruising on her jaw line. She tried telling me that she ran into the door. As a former battered woman, I know every excuse in the book. I told her a quick version of my story, and she opened up to me. I tried getting her out of there, honey. You know I would. But at the end of the day, I can't change her mind."

Phil nodded. He was amazed that Ali had spoken about her past relationship with AJ. She never spoke about it with anyone, not even Phil. Until one night, Phil had found her in the exact same position that AJ had been in. He'd gotten some coffee in her, had her stitched up, and they talked in depth.

"Ali, I need to go to the meeting. I want to stay with her, but Stephanie will give me hell if I'm late again."

"Eh, fuck Stephanie, Phil. I'll handle my baby sister. You just stay here with her until she wakes up. I'll release her into your care if you want."

"I would like that, Ali. Thanks."

He said, getting up and walking back over to AJ. He sat next to her, and held her hand until the sedatives had worn off. Ali had gotten Phil and AJ out of the production meeting for the night, and Phil knew he needed to talk to AJ. He liked the girl. He knew she was talented. He knew she was funny. Hell, he even knew she was gorgeous. He suddenly protective of her. He'd do anything to protect her, and he knew just where to take her. He watched as AJ's eyes fluttered and then opened. She looked at Phil and smiled warmly at him.

"My white knight."

She said, smiling. Phil smiled back at her and stroked her hair softly. He needed to get her out of there, and fast. He saw where Ali had stitched her up, and knew the makeup team wouldn't be able to cover that.

"AJ. Honey, you need to get away from him."

"I can't. I've tried, he always finds me."

"I can take you somewhere he won't. Trust me. You need to get away from him. I have a house somewhere private. The only one who knows about it, is Ali. And I did the same thing to her. I took her to the same place after her failed relationship with Jeff. She went through the same thing that you're going through. Please April, please say you'll let me help?"

AJ sighed. Not many people called her by her given name, and that was what sealed the deal for her. Was the fact that he was willing to help her. She nodded and wiped away a tear that had fallen. He kissed her hand and sighed.

"I will. I need to get away from him. He's changed so much over the last few months. And I've tried leaving him, Phil. I've tried. He finds me."

"I have a safe house in Vermont. I know it isn't much, but it's something. It's right in the woods, off the beaten path. Nobody will find us. We have a few days off coming up, right? I'll meet you right here after the show, and we'll go straight there. And if he tries to find you, I'll protect you."

AJ nodded. Phil wasn't going anywhere until it was time for him to do his interviews. They sat there talking, and relaxing until he had to go. Ali had made her way back into the office by this time, and looked at Phil.

"You've got an interview down the hall in two. And a match in ten. Don't jinx anything in your career by being late. Go. I'll call down to the locker room and have her stuff brought up here. You taking her to South Burlington?"

"Yeah. Make all the necessary arrangements with Addie and Claire. And make sure that my sister is there as well. AJ's gonna need a shoulder to lean on that isn't me."

Ali nodded and made all the arrangements for them. Phil went and did his interviews and had his match, showered quickly and rushed back to the medical room. Ali stood there, holding AJ's bags and Phil smiled gratefully at her.

"I will need you to come check her out in a few days. I know that you're crazy busy planning the babies out with Joey and everything, but can you try?"

Ali nodded and kissed Phil softly on the cheek and wished him luck. And they were set out on their journey. Phil was going to protect AJ at all costs, and he didn't care about what Bryan thought. And if Bryan tried, Phil would make sure that Bryan paid for everything he did to AJ.