Title: All Fall Down
Rating: M
A/N: I'm really enjoying the progress the story is making so far…even if I'm weeks behind. Oh well, I still think it gives better insight to behind the scenes. I'm not going to write about Over the Limit but it will be referenced. Enjoy and please REVIEW, REVIEW, and REVIEW. PS: DID NO WAY OUT MAKE ANYONE FAINT LIKE IT DID TO ME?
May 21st, 2012
CM Punk was never one for clubs but he was one to keep his friends safe and in one piece. With being the 'Straight Edge' superstar becoming a DD on nights out came with the territory. He didn't do it often and truthfully he didn't really care. In fact, he enjoyed watching his friends have a good time. Sometimes hilarious outcomes ensued when they did making it easier on him to remember why he was straight edge.
As the music bumped within the speakers Punk looked around the small circle of friends he agreed to drive that evening. Kofi was grabbing a drink from the bar with R-Truth, John Cena had disappeared at some point during their arrival making him curious as to his whereabouts, and Santino was trying to get his groove on the dance floor with some local tail. Punk shook his head at the scene and smirked, Santino was "definitely" a ladies' man. Looking back over his shoulder to check on Kofi and Truth he spotted Alex Riley coming his way.
Slapping Punk's shoulder in a friendly greeting, drink in hand, Alex smiled, "What' up man?"
Punk returned the smile and hook a thumb over his shoulder at the two African Americans at the bar, "You know just taking care of the road wife."
Alex looked over at the two causing his smile to broaden as his gaze returned to the WWE Champion, "You're such a good husband."
"You know it."
"I do have to ask you something," Riley began.
"Let me guess, you want to ditch the whole letterman jacket image and join the SES?" He questioned with good humor.
Alex shook his head, "That only works for you man, anyways, I have to ask, what happened to not getting involved?"
Punk's brow furrowed, confused by his question. Alex read the look and clarified nodding to the edge of the dance floor below them on the first level of the club. Following his gaze Punk realized what he meant. Standing there in all her tanned and petite beauty was AJ.
Clad in a white dress and black heels, her hair straight and falling beautifully over the front of her shoulders. The spotlights flashed on her and the deep expression of sadness on her face. He couldn't help but notice her gorgeous features but wondered why she wasn't smiling and why the hell she was wearing heels.
"Like I said," Alex regained his attention causing him to take his eyes off the New Jersey native, "Not getting involved?" He repeated to his friend.
"I'm not."
"Yeah okay, contrary to popular belief you're not as stealthy as you look so don't play possum dude. Everyone knows about the whole damn cryfest she had backstage with you." Punk nodded recalling the scene. He remembered tensing at her voice as she came up to him to convey her delight in watching him wrap her ex-boyfriend up in the Anaconda Vice. He also remembered making a comment about her being completely looney tunes and calling her a fool.
"What of it?" He shot back not liking the insinuations Alex was directing toward him. "Nothing man, I'm just saying the girl is fucking insane and not to mention trouble so hugging up on her and telling her you 'sort of dig crazy chicks'," he said with slow air quotes, "is going to cause you nothing but grief."
"No worse than taking the Miz's dick up your ass, right Riley?"
Both men turned at the voice belonging to none other than Kaitlyn standing in a tight black dress and matching hills, one hand on her hip and drink in her hand.
Punk turned his attention back to Riley seeing the man's smile broaden at the diva's statement. What on earth? He mused to himself at Alex's expression.
"Kaitlyn," he slowly walked toward her extending his arms, "always a pleasure." Before he could even get to her she stopped him with one manicured finger to the chest and an extended muscular arm.
"Buzz off," she replied, "I need to have a word with Champ-O's over there," indicating Punk. Alex looked toward his friend mouthing "she wants me" and turned his attention back to her, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Have at it baby, call me." Kaitlyn rolled her eyes as he sauntered away and turned her attention back to Punk who laugh flicking his tongue against his lip ring.
"Amused," she asked. "Actually yes," he smirked.
"Good," and with as much force as she could muster Kaitlyn brought up her heels jamming it into Punk's foot.
"Owww-" Punk brought an enclosed fist up to his mouth and bit it trying to stifle his scream so not to attract attention. Kaitlyn simply jammed her heel a little further. "Serves you right," she said standing close and speaking into his ear. Punk breathed heavily trying not to focus on the pain of the woman's foot making a hole into his.
"What the hell?" He questioned in a shaky voice.
Kaitlyn removed her foot and smoothed out her dress. Once the champion regained his composure he looked back to woman with a raised eyebrow and slight rage.
"Just because you're the WWE Champion doesn't give you the right to say hurtful things."
For the second time tonight the Voice of the Voiceless was currently…well, voiceless. His face contorted into confusion as he stared at the two-toned haired NXT winner. "What the fuck?" He spat, "I've never said, literally, anything to you."
"No, but you did say something to my best friend." She came back toward him leaning to look over the rail signaling with two fingers for him to follow her. He limped a little coming to her side and following her gaze and for the second time that evening his eyes landed on AJ.
"Look," she started, forcing him to return his gaze to her, "Yes, she is a little bit unstable. Yes, she lost her mind a little bit and yes, she may be a little annoying and hyperactive. But…that does not give you the right to call her crazy. You really hurt her feelings Punk."
Punk brought his hands up to rub the bridge of his nose, massaging there he let out a sigh, "Look if that's what she thinks I meant there's nothing I can do."
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes, "You need to apologize."
Punk's eyes widened at that statement and he stared at the woman bewildered. "Apologize?"
"Did I stutter?" she shot back.
"You know," he began, shaking his head, "that's the problem with you women, everything suddenly becomes too personal. I know she's hurt but I can't take back what I said. I watched her for weeks making a fool out of herself, and for what? The obvious self-absorbed, ass hat, Daniel Bryan? And if that's what she wants I'm in no way entitled to judge her-"
"That's just it!" The diva interrupted, "You are not entitled to judge her."
Punk shook his head and fully faced the rail on the second story grasping it with both hands and looking out at the people below. The clubbers enjoying their booze and the lights bringing them into their drunken haze coupled with the promise of illegal drugs and sex looming closer as a new dawn approached. He felt Kaitlyn place a hand on his shoulder, he didn't look at her. He didn't want to. Instead his eyes fell on AJ again. Still standing there by herself and still with the same sad expression as her eyes roamed the club. Probably looking for her friend.
"Swallow you pride champ," she stated, "She may be insane, but she was in madly in love nonetheless."
She patted his back and he heard her heels click the floor as she sauntered away. He looked back to see she'd disappeared, then over to his friends standing in a circle, he brought his attention back to the brunette diva below and saw Kaitlyn had joined her. He watched her smile slightly at the sight of her friend, watching as they began to engage in conversation then suddenly stop. As if sensing him AJ turned her head to stare at the second story of the club locking eyes with him. It was only a moment but Punk felt his heart drop slightly as she took in a breath, looked back to the other diva, mouthed something at her and began making her way out of the club.
The Chicago native could do nothing but sigh.
Women.
Walking back into the hotel they were staying at CM Punk walked in first followed by his friends heavily in a drunken stupor singing. The WWE Champion smoothed his hands over his face wanting nothing more than to get these guys back to their rooms so he could go straight to bed.
"DON'T. STOP. BELIEVIN'." Kofi, R-Truth, Alex, and Santino were belting the Journey classic in the middle of the hotel lobby earning them strange looks from the hotel staff as they walked to the elevator.
"STREET LIGHTS. PEOPLE. AHHHHHHHHH."
He was going to die, he thought, as they entered the elevator and the doors closed and his colleagues kept singing, gradually getting louder. They seemed to quiet down though as they finally reached their floor and exited the elevator.
"Gooooood Night Punky!" Kofi yelled walking to the suite he shared with R-Truth for the evening. Punk just laughed at his road wife smoothing the hair on his head and heading the opposite way toward his room. Behind him the elevator dinged prompting him to turn around a moment and watch a small brunette exit. He paused when she brought her face up and exhaled heavily.
It was AJ.
She was digging through her bag, searching desperately for something within it. She looked upset and against his better judgment he walked toward her. Upon hearing his footsteps she gasped slightly and took off quickly in the opposite direction.
"AJ," he hollered after the diva, "AJ!"
She stopped just outside of what he assumed was her room and pulled a card from her bag. She'd been searching for her room key he realized. Before he could reach her she had maneuvered the door open and he stopped as she slammed the door in his face.
His head shot back in shock at her action. She knew he could hear her but he was confused as to whether or not he should knock.
She may feel cornered and creeped out but the 'Best in the World' knew this would be his only chance. He needed to take Kaitlyn's advice and apologize. He lightly tapped the white wooden door listening for any sign of movement behind it. He heard none.
"AJ," he knocked again, "AJ…look, I-I just wanted," Punk rubbed his jaw and knocked again, "I just wanted to apologize."
"I don't care!" She yelled through the door causing Punk to stare at it slightly shocked at the outburst.
"I'm sorry, okay," he tried again, "I didn't mean to upset you…again." He added, cursing himself mentally, he really had to watch what he said around this girl.
The door open and Punk took a step back. The look in her eyes as she glared at him. Half on the brink of tears and half with utter rage, "You are so full of apologies lately!" She spat at him.
"Maybe but I mean what I say," he replied, not liking where this was heading.
"So you admit I'm crazy?" She questioned, venom in her voice and facial expression as she raised an eyebrow.
"No-"
"But you just said you mean what you say," she stepped from her room holding door open with her food trying to get closer, "so I must be crazy." Tilting her head, at the moment Punk had to admit inwardly she looked crazy.
"You know what Punk," her lips popped at 'P' in his name. "I don't want your bullshit apology or your fucking pity. I've had enough of people taking pity on me for hurting my feelings. You think I don't know what all the guys say about me?" She questioned, tears now falling down her face, "I've heard their words, they feel sorry for me to my face, but they have the nerve to talk about me behind my back and say that I need to be in a straight jacket and padded room."
Her breathing labored as she went on, "I may have been a lovesick fool, but at least I feel something, what do you feel? Huh?" Finally letting the door go, she shoved him with all her might.
In the blink of an eye, he grabbed her shoulders and spun her until her back hit the door with a thud causing her to exhale sharply. Replacing his foot where hers had been to keep the door open so she wouldn't be locked out. He brought his face close to hers enough so she could feel his ragged breathing.
He wasn't angry, but he wasn't going to let the woman push him without a reason. Grasping her face in his hands so she would look him dead in the eye, her tears still falling with all the emotions coupled with the sudden movement, he responded, "This. Is not. About. What. I. Feel."
He made sure every word was punctuated so she would listen, "This is about what you feel. This rage, this ice, let it envelop you. It'll push you further to make the best decisions for yourself." He gently slid his hands down her face and neck coming to a stop at her shoulders. He never removed the closeness of his face however and brought his mouth next to her ear.
She shuddered at the close contact. He felt every wave of emotion in her breathing.
"They say you're crazy?" He questioned, "So what? Use that, prove them right, then you'll get a little more respect not only from them, but from yourself. Everything you feel," he said pulling back looking into her chocolate eyes, he couldn't help but feel a tug at his heart.
He kissed her forehead and back away slowly stating lastly, "It's not wrong. Embrace it darling. I'm pretty crazy myself…maybe that's why I dig yours so much."
He nodded and turned his back to her making is way to his room. He never looked back. For sure if he did...he'd break.