A/N: As always I really appreciate the people who have reviewed the story. You're kind words motivate me to post as fast I can! Thanks again everyone! Enjoy the new chapter :)


Chapter 7


On the bus AJ slowly woke up and went to grab Punk when she noticed his side of the bed was empty. She immediately propped her head up and looked around and saw he was nowhere. She reached over and grabbed her phone to check the time and it was only 2:30 in the morning and the bus was still moving. She quietly got out of the bed and opened the door and past the bunks and saw Kofi was passed out cold then preceded to the front of the bus where she found Punk playing a video game

"Can't sleep?" she questioned startling him a bit as he turned his head towards her then back towards the game

"Something like that" he muttered as scooted over to make room for her to join him "What about you?" he asked keeping his eyes on the game

"Not when you're not there" AJ smirked resting her chin on his shoulder and peered at the game and saw he was playing WWE13 himself verse Brock Lesnar "Is this how you're prepping for your match?" she questioned

"Yea" he said with a snort "And I am kicking his ass"

"You'll never be able to fight him if you can't sleep" she noted and he shook his head

"Wrestlemania isn't tomorrow. You heard Paul the other night- it's a long way to go" he told her as she moved her head and rubbed her shoulder "Shoulder still hurts?"

"Yea" AJ said slightly annoyed "She really wanted to break my face. I don't blame her though. If you ever left me for another girl I'd want to break her face too" she smirked causing him to pause his game

"It was over between Beth and I long before you and I started to date" he told her

"How long were you two over before you started chasing me around like a lost puppy?" she questioned causing him to raise his eyebrows

"Is that what you call it?" Punk questioned

"I don't know you certainly didn't hide your interest in me" she shrugged causing him to laugh

"And if I remember correctly you didn't exactly go running for the hills" Punk told her "You loved it"

"I did" she admitted "I knew you were going to be mine after that first promo"

"Then why did you shoot me down so many times?" he questioned

"Ever hear of playing hard to get?" she questioned causing him to roll his eyes

"Women" he snorted going back to his game "and their silly games"

"It worked didn't it?" she questioned in a whisper close to his ear

"What do you mean it worked? I pursued you so obviously it worked for me" he reminded her looking at his game slamming on the controller

"That's what you think" she smirked causing him to pause his game and look at her

"What did you do?" he questioned full of intrigue


"You are so crazy" Kaitlyn told her close friend AJ as they packed there bags in the locker room "He's with Beth"

"Not for long" AJ said with a smile "They fight all of the time and I heard she's not re-signing"

"You're just not his type" Kaitlyn told her with a sigh. The last thing Kaitlyn wanted was for her friend to get hurt chasing after a man who would never be with her

"What makes you say that?" AJ questioned "He loves working with me, tells me all the time"

"Of course he says that because he's a nice guy" Kaitlyn mumbled

"No he's not" AJ shot back "He even offered to train me in the ring someday"

"He likes his women a little bit…" Kaitlyn started then stopped to make sure she picked the right words "….larger"

"You mean with more muscle?" AJ questioned "I don't want to look like everyone back here that's why he notices me because I stand out"

"I think you're delusional" Kaitlyn said with an exaggerated laugh

"We'll see" AJ said to her "I have a house show match coming up I think I may need some help training"

"So you're going to ask him to help you?" Kaitlyn asked with a smile

"Nope" she said with a smile then walked out of the locker room

AJ walked into catering and found Punk sitting at a table with Kofi and Daniel. All the way down the table was Nick better known as 'Dolph Ziggler' and she walked straight past the trio and over to Nick.

"Hey Nick" she said with a sweet smile

"Oh hey AJ" he said returning the smile "What can I do for you?"

"Well I have a match at a house show coming up and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind going over some moves with me?" she questioned with wide eyes causing him to smirk

"Me?" He asked pointing to himself surprised. AJ was good friends with more popular wrestlers such as John Cena, Kane and even Punk. Punk was sitting at the other end of the table watching curiously as The Miz joined Nick and AJ

"Yea you" she said with a laugh "What do you think?"

"Sounds good to me" he said with a smirk "We've got a few hours after the show, head to the ring and we'll go over a few things"

"You're truly the best!" she yelped throwing her arms around him giving him a kiss on the cheek then stood up "Hey Mike" she said acknowledging Mike then stood up and then skipped away

"What was that about?" Mike asked Nick who smirked

"She wants me to help train her" Nick smirked using air quotes while he said train "If she wanted to get to know me better she could have just asked me out for drinks"

"I don't know man" Mike said with a laugh "She's pretty serious with her training if she asked you to help her I'm pretty sure she meant it exactly as she said"

"We'll see" Nick smirked standing up and heading out of the hall as Punk watched

"You haven't heard one thing I said have you Phil?" Daniel Bryan asked his friend

"Yea heard it all" Punk lied with a wave of his hand

"I told you man, AJ has gotten under that inked up skin of his" Kofi joked to Daniel who also laughed

"Clearly" Daniel said with a smile "I've been working with AJ for a long time now she's a real good girl"

"I know that" Punk said to him "Why are you telling me this?"

"You don't like the idea of Nick throwing her around huh?" Daniel questioned knowing he was antagonizing his friend

"No I don't because he's not going to really help her he's going to just use it as an excuse to get his hands on her" Punk said standing up

"Where are you going?" Kofi asked watching him get up

"I'm going to watch him train her" Punk told them honestly then walked out of the hall as well

"I give it two weeks" Kofi said

"Nah I give it one if not tonight" Daniel smirked

Punk watched from the stage as Nick and AJ tossed around the ring. The stage guys were slowly taking all the sets but the ring was also last to go because it was always first up at shows. He slowly walked down sipping a bottle of water he had and watched as Nick placed AJ in a chokehold

"No you have to put more strength into it" Nick said tightening the grip as he had his forearm wrapped around her small neck, probably a little too tight for training Punk thought to himself "if you don't get out of it, this is what happens" he said tossing her onto the mat causing her to yelp in pain

"You alright?" Nick asked leaning over her as she caught her breath

"No she's not" Punk said stepping into the ring "Because she's not a 200lb guy, you're training a 100lb girl here" he said walking over to AJ "You alright?"

"Fine" she said rubbing her neck where Nick held his grip

"This is how I train" Nick informed Punk

"Well it sucks" Punk shot back "Hit the showers I'll take over"

"Man you can't just come in here-" Nick started

"It's fine" AJ interjected "You've had a long night, thanks anyway" she said finally get back to her feet

"Bye" Punk said as Nick stood in his position then with a slight eye-roll stepped out of the ring "What was that about?"

"What was what about?" She questioned

"I offered to help you train" Punk told her and she couldn't stop herself from smiling

"I know but you're a busy guy" she shrugged "I didn't want to be a bother"

"You're not a bother AJ" Punk told her sternly "From what I hear you and I are going to be working together a lot in a few months I want to help you and guys like Nick don't want to help you"

"Why wouldn't he? I'm no competition for him" She said confused

"Do I need to spell it out for you sweetheart?" he questioned "You're young and beautiful and these guys who are on the road with mostly other guys are usually looking for just one thing"

"And you're not?" she questioned him

"You think I am?" Punk asked

"No you already have a girl for the road" AJ noted to him then smiled "In that case I gladly accept your help"

"Yea" Punk said with a smirk "Sometimes that isn't the best either. There's being around someone too much"

"I like to focus on the wrestling myself" she said with a laugh

"So do I" Punk said placing down his water bottle "You ready?" he questioned


"You set that up?" Punk questioned AJ in surprise who shrugged innocently

"Maybe" she smirked "It worked I got you jealous"

"First of all you didn't need to get me jealous" Punk told her "And second of all I wasn't jealous"

"Not at all?" she asked sadly "You didn't mind Nick wrapping his arms around me?"

"No I minded him wrapping his arms around your throat like you were a 250lb guy" Punk said annoyed remembering the scene he walked in on shaking his head

"Then why did you come down there if you weren't jealous?" she questioned

"Because I wanted to spend that time with you in the ring and I knew Nick wouldn't do it right and guess what? I was right" Punk told her "I knew you were too smart to fall for his stupid pick up lines"

"Would you be jealous if I let another guy train me now?" She curiously asked

"No" he replied quickly "I would be angry then have to beat up the guy who thought it was a good idea to get into a ring with my girlfriend"

"Do you ever get jealous?" She asked slightly annoyed

"Is there a reason you want me to be?" He asked with a laugh

"I was jealous of you and –" AJ started

"Please don't even say her name" Punk said cutting her off. He was still mad at her for her actions tonight "I didn't know that"

"Wouldn't have changed anything though" AJ said to him "It just wasn't fun to watch"

"Well now she gets to watch us" Punk told her causing her to grin

"I just don't understand why they hate us so much" AJ sighed

"They don't hate us they're jealous" Punk told her firmly "I'm at the top, the champion and you are the most popular female in the WWE and they can't stand that"

"You know I'm with you because I love you right?" she asked catching him off guard

"Why would you ask that?" he questioned "We've been over this"

"I know but now that it's all out in the open with Paul he used to tell me that you were using me as much as I was using you" she told him

"Elaborate for me please, how was I using you?" he questioned

"He said you were just lonely with Beth being gone and you needed someone to uh- satisfy you and once you got bored you'd kick back to down to the bottom" she told him causing him to sigh

"That's not true at all" Punk told her

"I know and that's why I never mentioned it" AJ told him "But a lot of people think me being with you was to better my career. I want you to know if it came down to it I would pick you a hundred times over and not give a second thought about it"

"You would give up your career for me?" Punk asked taken back

"Of course" She said surely "There's other things I could do like ROH or even TNA"

"Um I would never let you go to TNA" Punk told her sternly "I don't know those guys there and wouldn't trust them"

"It was just an example" she said and he smiled

"I appreciate that" Punk said "But that's something you'll never have to worry about. We're not going anywhere and I'm certainly not going to let Paul or Beth think we don't belong"


The next morning the bus arrived in the next city and AJ was up and dressed by nine, Punk was still sound a sleep. They had made plans to hit the gym but she couldn't bare to wake him up. So she left him a note to meet her there when he got up. They were both again going to be featured on Smackdown so she wanted to get an early start. As she entered the gym it was very quiet and she went unnoticed for the most part which she enjoyed. She went over to the treadmill as she did at the start of every work out for a warm up as she was about to turn it on she was Beth Phoenix and a very large man headed her way. She sucked in a breath and mentally kicked herself for not waiting for Punk to wake up. She could defend herself but the truth was Beth probably wouldn't have approached her if Punk was here.

"I think you should be hitting the weight machines April" Beth said motioning her head towards the machines "Build some muscle"

"I've got muscle" AJ said irritated

"Not enough" Beth smirked "I think you and I had a good show last night"

"I'm glad someone thinks that" AJ shot back then turned to her friend "New boyfriend?"

"No, no this is my trainer Chris" Beth said with a smirk "I've learned from past mistakes not to mix business with pleasure"

"Good for you" AJ said putting in her headphones

"If you'd like Chris can work out with you" Beth offered causing AJ to roll her eyes "Because clearly Punk isn't helping you out that much. Maybe if he would train you more in the gym and not in his bed I wouldn't have slammed you down last night"

"What do you want?" She questioned Beth

"Seriously to help you because if you and I are going to be feuding I want to at least have some sort of competition" Beth told her

"You blind-sided me last night" AJ reminded her "I didn't even know you'd be there"

"That's the name of the game" Beth told her coldly "Don't like it? Then hit the road" she said stepping towards AJ who showed no signs in backing down but that's when her trainer stepped in between them

"That's enough" Chris warned "Save it for the cameras" he said then turned to AJ and extended his hand "I'm a big fan" he said and reluctantly AJ accepted it "I also think you have a lot of potential in the ring, I followed you from NXT"

"How nice" AJ muttered "I'm sure you could understand my reluctance"

"Yes" he said with a smile as Beth watched the two "But Beth is right we want you two to come off as believable"

"I don't need to be Beth's size to take her on" AJ said folding her arms "Plenty of smaller women have done just fine in the Diva's division"

"This isn't the past" Beth shot at her

"Why did you even come back?" She asked Beth "Paul called you up?"

"Yea he did he told me Punk was all twisted inside and needed my help" Beth shrugged "I love Phil and will do anything to help him"

"I don't need your help" Punk said walking over to the trio and headed right next to AJ "What do I need is for you to get here and stop harassing AJ"

"No one is harassing" Beth defended "I was offering her my personal trainer to help her out. You remember Chris right?"

"Yea very well" Punk replied plastering a big fake smile "AJ doesn't need you so get out of here"

"Look all I want-" Chris started

"I won't say it again" Punk warned in a low voice cutting him off

"It's fine" Chris said defeated "AJ it was very nice to meet you" he said again extending his hand towards her but Punk slapped it away

"Be nice" Beth warned Punk "I'll see you two tonight" she said to them then walked off with Chris

"What was that about?" Punk questioned

"Exactly what they told you" AJ shrugged "Why would she think I would want her trainer to help me?"

"She did that because she knows I don't like him" Punk informed her catching AJ's attention

"Why is that?" she asked

"After we broke up Beth had informed she had had one or two indiscretions with good old Chris. And keep in mind Chris and I used to be pretty good friends" Punk said to her and AJ just nodded

"Did you confront him about it?" she asked and he rolled his eyes

"No because I found out after we broke and I honestly didn't care. I just don't trust the guy and she knows it that's why she was trying to force him on you. She's trying to get under my skin" Punk said as the anger in his voice was easy to find

"So you'd be jealous if I let Chris-" AJ started to tease to lighten the mood

"Don't even finish that sentence" Punk warned "If I found out that Chris was working with you I would beat him so bad that he would need a trainer for his physical rehabilitation"

"I wouldn't work with him anyway" AJ shrugged

"Good to know" Punk said to her as he pulled his towel out of the bag

"I found someone to help me train anyway" AJ told him

"Really?" Punk questioned "Who? I thought I was training you?"

"You are but I think I need more help from a female, wouldn't you agree?" she questioned

"Depends on the female" Punk told her "Who is it?"

"Amy" AJ said and Punk gave her a small nod

"Good choice" Punk told her

"Would it bother you?" she asked him "I know you two were serious for a while"

"No, not at all" Punk said to her "Amy and I had a clean break we still keep in touch and she's moved on and is happy just like me. Question is would it bother you?"

"I wouldn't have accepted the offer if it did"

"She offered to help you?" Punk asked "When?"

"She called me after the show last night" AJ told him "She's going to fly down next week with Adam"

"I think it's a great idea" Punk told her again "She can teach you a lot"

"That's what I'm hoping for" she said as he bent down and pulled her into a kiss knowing Beth was watching

"And they say the Diva's are bad" AJ teased knowing full well Beth and her trainer were watching. Punk turned to face them with a big smile and waved


Backstage at Smackdown Punk was in talking with Sheamus about their tag match tonight against Daniel and Kane. AJ headed towards the Diva's locker room and found only Beth in there

"You again" AJ muttered

"We just can't get enough of each other huh?" Beth teased with a laugh "Shouldn't you be in your boyfriends room helping him warm up before his match? He used to like that"

"You're disgusting" AJ spat back causing Beth to stand up

"Hey" Chris, Beth's personal trainer said walking over to them

"This is the Diva's locker room" AJ said to him "You shouldn't be here"

"Don't listen to her Chris she doesn't even use this room" Beth said to him

"If it makes you uncomfortable I'll leave" Chris said to AJ ignoring Beth

"That's ok, I'll be the one leaving" She said turning around walking out the door. She headed straight into Punk's locker room and he just watched her enter as he and Sheamus continued talking. After a few minutes there was knock at the door and AJ stood up to answer it because clearly Punk and Sheamus were too into their plans to even hear the door knock

"What the hell are you doing here?" AJ asked in a low voice hoping Punk wouldn't hear or see Beth's trainer Chris there

"I just wanted to-" he started but stopped when he saw Punk pull the door wide open "Hey Phil"

"What are you doing?" Punk asked Chris "You a WWE superstar now?" Punk mocked

"I work with Beth" Chris said with a smirk "You know that"

"And she needs you here now?" he asked Chris with a laugh "Better question what are you doing here knocking on my locker room?"

"I just came to apologize to AJ" Chris said to him innocently

"For what?" he asked Chris, not even looking down at AJ

"She came into the Diva's locker room and I was there I think I made her feel uncomfortable-" Chris started to explain

"You make everyone you're around uncomfortable" Punk shot at him as Sheamus stood up and stood behind Punk folding his arms "Don't come around here again and don't talk to AJ again"

"Don't be ridiculous Phil I was simply-" Chris started yet again but was cut off with Punk grabbing him by his collar

"I don't want to see you around" Punk said in a low voice then with a s much force as he could shoved Chris across the hall and slammed his door shut

"I think we covered everything" Sheamus said to him "I'll see ya out there" he said then walked out and left

"You ok?" she asked Punk

"Yea" he said casually walking towards the seat he just vacated

"You really hate him" AJ noted

"I told you what happened" Punk sighed "I just can't let it get to me"

"She's trying to get a rise out of you" AJ said to him

"I know this" Punk said annoyed running a hand over his face "I just can't keep having my concentration pulled in this many directions. They're trying to throw me off my game and it's working"

"Anything I can do to help?" She asked him and he gave her a weak smile

"You're doing it just by being here" he assured her

"I've got to get ready" AJ said standing up

"You're not getting involved tonight right?" Punk asked her

"No I'm just accompanying Kaitlyn to the ring for her match against Beth" she assured him giving him a kiss "I'll see you when I get back"


AJ and Kaitlyn made their way to the ring as the both entered and pointed to the crowd as they cheered on the two Divas. That's when Beth's music hit and she came to the ring accompanied by Paul Heyman and AJ couldn't help but roll her eyes. He would honestly do anything to get more TV time. AJ watched as he applauded the Glamazon and she didn't her usual entrance from the top rope

"You got this" I whispered to Kaitlyn giving her a hug then stepping out of the ring and stood directly across from Heyman not moving her eyes from his

As the match progressed Kaitlyn was finally getting the upper hand as she pushed herself off the ropes opposite of AJ, Paul Heyman tripped Kaitlyn causing her to roughly smack her face on the mat which went unnoticed by Paul Heyman. AJ stomped over to Paul Heyman and started to scream at him

"Who do you think you are!" She shouted pointing at him "You have no business being out here!"

"Pay more attention to the match then to me sweetheart" Paul shot back "If you were any kind of friend Kaitlyn wouldn't be getting slammed down to the mat right now!" He yelled pointing at the ring and AJ watched as Beth Glam Slammed Kaitlyn just as she did to her last night and got the winning pin. AJ was irate and slapped Paul Heyman in the face and while he was caught off guard shoved him to the floor that's when she felt her hair being pulled on and Beth was pulling her into the ring from the middle rope. Beth laid a mean slap on AJ causing her to stumble but no fall, while Beth was laughing she was caught off guard with AJ spearing her straight to the mat with all the force she had in her body, Beth was lying their holding her stomach as AJ stood up and smiled

"That's for last night!" she yelled pointing down at her as the crowd went absolutely wild. Then walked over to check on Kaitlyn and help her up and raised her hand in victory even though she had lost but the crowd loved it anyway. And in a span of five minutes AJ was able to lay out both Paul and Beth and get some redemption for the night before which left her with a huge smile.

"Game on" AJ said to herself


Backstage Punk was watching the match and had a huge smile on his face, proud of his girlfriend for standing up for herself and made it look so easy. 'It was defiantly game on' he thought to himself.