A Night To Remember
Punk made it to the hotel in record time. He of course had no idea where to start looking so he walked over to the front desk and asked for Daren Prince's room, he assumed at least he had a room but he was turned away. They'd phone the room for him but not give him the room number. He had the front desk call it twice and no one answered. He tried calling April's cellphone numerous times to no avail. He decided he wasn't leaving the hotel until he saw either Daren or April and waited in the lobby pacing. One of them had to leave eventually as far as he was concerned.
"Hi." he heard a voice that sounded very familiar. "I need a cab." she requested.
He saw her from behind and she had on no shoes and a long dress jacket that clearly didn't belong to her but was fitted more for a man.
"Cancel the cab." Punk said from behind April and she turned around stunned to see him. Her makeup that was smokey and flawless last night was all smeared around her eyes, her eyes were tired and her skin was pale. "I've got her." he said gently pulling her away.
"What are you doing here?" April asked.
"You called me." Punk reminded her. "You asked me to pick you up."
"I did?" She asked not remembering.
"Yea." He said walking her right out the door. "It was last night but I got the message this morning. You also called Celeste who is freaking out."
"I lost track of time I only just woke up." she mumbled clutching the jacket to her body.
"Where's Daren?" Punk asked her.
"I don't know." AJ admitted. "When I woke up he was gone already."
"Of course he was." Punk muttered opening the passenger side door for her.
"Can you not tell anyone about this?" April asked.
"Tell them what? I don't even know what happened." Punk said to her.
"I drank." April groaned. "I drank a lot." she clarified. "So much champagne."
"Hungover." Punk noted looking towards her as he pulled out of his parking spot.
"I really need a shower." April said to him.
"What happened to your shoes?" he asked her.
"I don't know." She shrugged. "My shoes, jacket- I can't remember."
"What do you remember?" Punk asked her.
"Nothing I want to talk about." April whispered looking out the window.
"April talk to me." He demanded. "If you don't tell me I'm going to assume this guy took advantage of you and I'm going to go track him down-"
"It wasn't like that." April said to him. "I never said 'no'." she told him honestly and he nodded.
"You slept with him?" Punk asked and she nodded as she continued to look out the window. "Are you ok?" he asked softly.
"Yea." She said quietly. "It's just not how I ever envisioned my first time. I didn't think I'd be so drunk I'd barely remember it."
"If you were that drunk than-" Punk started.
"I didn't stop him I didn't even try to." April assured him looking at him. "That much I do remember."
"Did he know it was your first time?" Punk forced out. The last thing he wanted to discuss was her sex life with another man.
"No." April said to him. "I didn't get the chance to tell him."
"I'm sorry Ape." He sighed.
"Don't be sorry it was my stupid fault." she hissed more to herself. "I shouldn't have drank that much, I shouldn't have gone up to his room."
"You called me and told me you had been drinking and wanted to leave before you did something. I didn't listen to the message until this morning I am so fucking sorry." he said to her.
"It's not your fault or Daren's for that matter." April said to him. "I drank and I agreed to go up to his room. He told me he would have taken me home."
"Was he drinking too?" Punk asked her.
"Yea." April said to him and that's when she felt her eyes start to water.
"You can tell me the truth April." Punk insisted pulling over the car.
"What are you doing?" she asked. "I need to go home before Nico does."
"April if he did something-" he started.
"I wanted to do it." April laughed frustratingly. "It was the Champagne talking and-"
"And what?" He demanded. "Talk to me!"
"I'm so embarrassed." She cried as she dropped her face into her hands. "It hurt so bad." she admitted and he cringed. "I didn't enjoy any of it at least the parts I remember." she sobbed and he pulled her against his chest.
"Did he use anything?" Punk asked her.
"What?" she sniffled looking up at him.
"A condom." he clarified. "I assume you're not on the pill did he at least use a condom?"
"I don't remember. I don't think so." She said to him.
"We'll have to stop at a drug store." Punk said to her.
"For what?" April asked.
"The morning after pill." He told her. "And you should really go get checked out."
"I haven't even thought of any of that." April said to him. "All I keep thinking is how am I going to face him on Monday after that? How do I explain why I cried the entire time?"
"Jesus." Punk groaned feeling terrible for her. Not for her having to face him but for the horrible first time experience.
"I woke up in the middle night and I wasn't even sure where I was." She told him as she continued to cry. "He was still dressed but still inside of me." she said shaking her head in shame. "I tried to leave without waking him but I did and he started kissing me and I do remember what an amazing kisser he is." She said with a faint smile and Punk rolled his eyes. "And then we started again- I never even took my dress off, he barely took his pants off it was just so rushed and rough."
"We're going to stop at the store." Punk began. "I'm going to pick up the stuff you need then you're going to take a nice long hot bath to relax your muscles and clean yourself up. Then I'm going to make you a doctors appointment."
"I blew off your show last night I should have just went." She said as he grabbed a napkin from the backseat and dried her tears. "Why are you being so nice to me? I know you're mad."
"I'm not mad at you." He said to her. "I was mad last night and then I slept on it and now I'm ok. Even though I wish now more than ever you came to the show."
"How bad would it look if I didn't go to work Monday?" April asked him.
"Worry about Monday on Monday." he insisted starting the car up again.
"You won't tell anyone, right? Promise me." she pleaded.
"I wouldn't betray your confidence." Punk said to her. "I also don't want to see my best friend go to jail for murder because you Nico would kill him."
"I know." April said fearfully. "Nothing so bad happened I just didn't have a good experience."
"Yea." He forced out.
"Thank you though for picking me up and talking to me." April said to him. "I wasn't going to tell anyone but I'm glad I have you and can trust you."
"That's what friends are for." Punk said forcing a smile but on the inside wanted to kill her boss and not just for giving her a miserable first time experience but for not appreciating April. He could have had her without all the Champagne but instead made sure she was half in the tank before he ripped her dress off. It made him sick.
Once they entered the loft April jumped when she saw Colt and Cliff sitting in the living room.
"Hey late night?" Cliff grinned and April put on a smile then frowned when Punk walked in right behind her.
"Don't tell Nico." She warned him.
"Relax." Colt laughed. "So how was your date with the Prince?" he mocked.
"It was everything I ever imagined it would be." She lied effortlessly and then ran up the small steps.
"She ok?" Colt asked looking at Punk. "Where you just with her?"
"Yea I picked her up. She needed a ride." Punk said taking off his jacket but holding onto the bag he got from the pharmacy.
"Where was the Prince?" Cliff mocked throwing popcorn into his mouth.
"He had meetings or something early so I swung by to get her." Punk shrugged.
"She was in the same clothes as last night I can see." Colt smirked.
"Don't tease her about it." Punk warned them. "Don't even mention it."
"Did something go down that we should know about?" Colt asked seriously now.
"Did he mess with her or something?" Cliff asked growing concerned now as well.
"No she just- she drank." He said giving them half the truth. "She got sick from it and she's embarrassed."
"That sucks." Cliff said to him. "She weighs like a 100lbs I hope she didn't drink too much."
"I think she drank more than enough." Punk snorted. "I'm going to check on her and remember-"
"We won't tell him." Cliff and Colt swore.
Punk knocked on her door and she let him in. She was standing in just her dress that he fantasized about and saw how it was now dirty and ripped right up the middle almost meeting her waist. He shook his head and passed her the bag.
"So I just take this?" she asked pulling out the package that had the pill in it.
"Yea." Punk said to her.
"It wont' make me sick right?" she asked him.
"No I've gotten them for Amy a few times." He admitted and she just nodded. "It'll work." he said to her.
"I hate to ask but could you do me one more favor?" she asked him.
"Anything." He said wanting to make up for not getting her last night.
"Could you just run his jacket to the dry cleaners for me?" April questioned passing it to him but he didn't take it. "Please?"
"Why are you cleaning his clothes? Didn't you do enough for him last night?" Punk asked bitterly snatching the jacket from her.
"You don't have to." She said reaching to take it back but he pulled it out of her reach.
"No I'll do it." he said giving in. "Is there anything else I could do?" he offered.
"No." she said to him. "I think you were right about the bath."
"Want me to set it up for you?" he asked and she let out a small laugh. "What? I know how to set up a bath." he defended smiling himself.
"Knock yourself out." she laughed. "While you're in the bathroom I'm going to get changed."
"Ok." Punk said walking into her private bathroom.
Punk added bath salts, lit the candles she had around it, added bubbles and made sure it was as hot as it could be without burning her skin. She stepped into the bathroom in only her robe now and he tested the water with his hand quickly then stood up.
"It's all set up." he gestured to it.
"Thank you." She said and kissed his cheek and he could swear he felt the kiss burn him. "I owe you one."
"You owe me nothing." he assured her. "Just rest up and I'll come by later to check in on you."
"You don't have to do that." she said to him. "I feel foolish that's all."
"We've all had nights like that." He assured her.
"I doubt it." she snorted. "How was your match?"
"You should get into the bath before it gets cold." he said to her walking to the door and not wanting to complain about his one bad match that didn't compare to the night she had. He let his anger towards one bad spot neglect her when she needed him the most.
Punk walked out of the loft and came face to face with a man holding flowers. Punk recognized him from the local papers, it was Daren Prince. Punk clenched his fist that was holding his jacket and tried to contain his anger so he didn't kill the man.
"Looking for April?" Punk asked him.
"Yes I am." Daren said with a toothy smile. "Are you her brother? Nico isn't it?"
"No." Punk laughed shaking his head. "I'm a friend. I also just picked up April from the hotel you ditched her at."
"I left her a note." Daren said with a smile. "She must not have seen it."
"Must not have." He agreed coldly. "This is yours." he said throwing the jacket in his face.
"I left it for her." Daren said to him. "Thanks for giving it back."
"You don't think you did anything wrong last night?" Punk asked him seriously.
"What are you talking about?" Daren asked confused.
"Punk?" Amy asked opening the door across the hall. "Did you find-" she stopped when she saw Daren.
"Amy have you met Daren Prince?" Punk asked.
"April has said lovely things about you." Amy smiled. "Let's go Punk." she said grabbing his wrist.
"You can't see her right now she's sleeping." Punk said not budging.
"Oh well could you give her these from me?" he asked passing Punk the flowers. "Tell her I'll see her Monday."
"They are beautiful." Amy smiled accepting the flowers since Punk wouldn't. "Aren't they Punk?"
"Yea just grand." he forced out not taking his cold glare off of Daren Prince.
Punk had zero idea what April saw in the man. He was clean cut, egotistical, stuck up and not even attractive. But clearly the women saw something him he just didn't. And as much as April said both were drunk and she claims she gave him consent there was something very wrong about Mr. Prince liquoring up his sweet innocent little April to get into her pants.
"I missed her this morning and clearly she didn't get my note about having to work." Daren told Amy.
"Oh so that's where she's been." Amy grinned. "I hope you both had a good night."
"I think so." Daren chuckled and Punk wanted to punch him now more than before. "Tell her I'll call her tonight. Nice meeting you both." he then walked towards and left. Amy began to walk across the hall but Punk stopped her.
"Where are you going?" Punk asked.
"To give April this very expensive bouquet that her boyfriend purchased for her." Amy laughed.
"He's not her boyfriend and she doesn't need those right now." Punk argued.
"I'm just going to leave them on the counter. And when I get back you can help me start packing."
"Packing?" He asked confused.
"Yea the big trip." Amy laughed. "The one you invited me on last night."
"Oh I'm not going anymore." Punk said walking into her loft and she followed behind him.
"What do you mean?" Amy asked.
"I'm staying here." Punk said to her. "I can't get off of work."
"You're lying." Amy frowned. "Is it me? Do you just not want to go with me?"
"No." Punk said to her. "Its just-" he began as he looked her pitiful face and frowned. "-I can't really tell you because I made a promise to April but she needs me around for a little bit."
"Did something happen to her last night?" Amy asked concerned. "Was he not good to her?"
"I promised I wouldn't get into it and she can't talk to Nico about it-" Punk started.
"Of course!" Amy said immediately. "She needs you here with her you're like her brother. I get that." she assured him. "I just hope she's ok."
"She will be." Punk said to her. "I just want to keep an eye on her for a little bit then we'll go I promise."
"Take as much time as you need." Amy said to him. "She's your family and if she needs you than you have to be here for her."
Pangs of guilt hit Punk as he briefly flashed to his shower dream of April after Amy had been so understanding to all of this. He gave her a sweet kiss and hugged her.
"Thank you for understanding." he said holding her.
"I'm not some kind of a monster." she laughed. "I think you're an amazing friend to the people in your life and that just makes me all the more attracted to you."
At around eight at night April was already in bed and watching some old Buffy when Nico walked into her room.
"Hey I didn't catch you this morning before I left for work." Nico said leaning in her doorway. "How was the big date?"
"It was nice." She smiled.
"Yea?" Nico asked walking further into the room. "I thought you'd be floating all around the loft on cloud nine."
"I got in so late that I'm still tired." She lied.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Nico asked her.
"Yea it was fine." April smiled. "Boring actually. I ended up drinking some champagne and made myself sick."
"Ah your first night drinking." Nico laughed. "It was bound to happen. Do you have a headache or anything?"
"Not anymore." she said to him. "I can see why you don't drink much."
"Living with dad made me not want to drink." Nico reminded her. "You were a little young to remember the bad times."
"I remember them."April admitted. "Do you miss them?"
"Mom? Sure. Dad? Never." Nico said to her. "You?"
"Neither- never." She said honestly.
"I understand that." Nico said to her.
"I never wanted to end up and have the type of life the did." April said to him. "That's why when I turned 18 I ran. Dad didn't even look for me."
"He knew where you came I'm sure." Nico said to her. "You're not going to end up like them you're already way ahead of them. You have a great job and a ton of friends that love you."
"Yea I'm pretty lucky." April smiled lightly. "When I think back to our childhood it helps me get over whatever could possibly be upsetting you."
"What's upsetting you?" Nico questioned. "Did your boss blow you off at this party or something?"
"No it just wasn't how I thought it would be." April admitted to him. "He's a great guy but I made a fool of myself by drinking so much."
"I'm sure a guy like him has been around plenty. He'll understand it." Nico said to her.
"Hey am I interrupting?" Punk asked sticking his head in and holding the flowers.
"Are you buying my baby sister flowers?" Nico teased.
"Oh no these are from Prince Charming himself." Punk mocked walking inside and placing the flowers on the table next to her. "He stopped by earlier and wanted me to give these to you."
"You met him?" April asked nervously.
"I did." Punk said to her. "I was very nice." He forced out.
"Well if Punk was nice to him than he must be an alright guy." Nico laughed standing up. "I'm taking Celeste out I won't be late." he said kissing April's head. "Feel better."
"I will." April smiled and watched him leave.
"So how are you feeling?" Punk asked taking the seat on the edge of her bed.
"Better." She admitted. "I hate what happened but I can't change what I did. It's done."
"I'm really sorry I didn't go get you last night." Punk confessed.
"Stop apologizing." April said to him. "I'm an adult and I can't depend on you or the rest of the guys to constantly bail me out of trouble. I want to be treated like an adult yet I keep running for help."
"Everyone needs help sometimes." Punk reminded her.
"You want to hang out?" April asked with a half a smile. "You know you secretly love Buffy."
"Sure." He smirked getting into the bed next to her.
Into the third episode April was out cold sleeping on Punk's shoulder and he looked down at his friend and frowned. He hated that had such a terrible night but was in awe of how strong she was. Most women would curl up in their bed and cry but she always saw the bigger picture and always looked looked on the bright side. It wasn't just a physical attraction he shared with April but he loved everything about her. He could watch her sleep on his arm all night and that's what he would do if it would guarantee she had a good nights rest.
April soaked in the hot bath as her back rested against Punks and watched her hand as Punk's fingers kept intertwining with hers. She felt so at ease in his arms...
"Have I told you today that I love you?" April asked keeping her eyes on her hands.
"Only twice." Punk said to her. "Third times a charm."
"I love you." She said smiling and blushing and he kissed the side of her head. "I love just being here with you like this." April exhaled as she relaxed in the candle lit bathroom.
"We'll take a bath together every night like this." He told her.
"Why are you so good to me?" she asked him. "You always take care of me."
"I like taking care of you it makes me very happy." he said honestly. "You in general make me very happy."
"Little ole me?" she teased.
"You are little." he agreed with a laugh. "I've loved you since the day I met you."
"When I was a bratty little girl from New Jersey?" April asked.
"You weren't bratty I thought you were spunky and I like that. You still are." Punk smirked and she rolled over so she was laying in the water but facing him.
The bath was filled with rose pedals and she reached up and pulled him into a passionate kiss. His tongue wrestled hers and her stomach filled with butterfly's as the kiss deepened.
"Will you love me forever?" April asked pulling away.
"I'll love you with all my heart until it stops beating." he murmured against her lips and kissed her again.
April's eyes opened wide but she didn't jump or move as she realized she wasn't alone in her bed. Punk was still above the blankets laying next to her only now he was sleeping. April realized that half of her body was laying on top of his and carefully rolled off of him before he woke up and saw she was trying to mount him in his sleep. She ran her hands through her hair and she shook her head, this wasn't going to end well...
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Preview- April goes back to work and faces Daren after that night.