BBs! *cheeky hugs* I missed you all! Did you miss me? Probably not, you miss the story more. I know, it's cool. I missed writing it. Sorry for the lack of update, but job hunting has been kicking my butt. But today, I have a new job and a new chapter. A win for everyone, yaaaa. Hehe.
Griffith Park South
Downtown Los Angeles
"I don't understand how this is happening." A.J. heard Amy behind her, losing pace as they headed to the top of the trail loop.
"What?"
"You're moving like you did this yesterday." Amy joked, finally catching up to her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder while laughing. After picking up breakfast, they decided it was best to let the dogs roam free while they overlooked the L.A. ski line by the Griffith Observatory.
A.J. was excited once they parked the car. She hopped right out and started running with Amy, as if she'd done it before and was routine for her. Amy was happy, knowing that A.J. didn't have much air in her hospital room and missed being outside.
"Well, I do this in Tampa every morning. I like to be at the top of the hills. I always walk this trail when we come to L.A." They reached the top and took in breaths, facing the Hollywood sign and looking around, seeing the lack of people around and watching the dogs run around. "It's great up here."
"Aren't you glad we did this?" A.J. nodded and placed her hands on her hips, cracking a smile and breathing more. "I mean, Runyun is my favorite peak too. Trish and I use to race Torrie and Victoria to the top just for a quick burn. One time, Punk, Colt and I walked up here…" Amy stopped once she glanced down at the petite diva. She was still breathing, but something was off as she noticed the tears that created a trail of their own with the sweat on her face. She kept grinning and giggling, but she began to mix in some choking sobs and frowns, slowly moving her hands to her ribs and hugging them. Amy pulled her closer to her and led her to a nearby bench, pulling out a bottle of water for her. "A.J?" she kept laughing and sobbing as Amy passed her the drink.
"I'm sorry." She spoke up and took the water, drinking it and taking in some breaths as she looked at her idol, tears falling from her eyes and a pout on her lips. "I just thought about how many times I've been here, and I've love it. I love my job, my friends, and my family. I love my life. And I've been through so much shit." She shook her head and Amy frowned with her. "The fact that my life almost ended in one night, after that moment, it just bothers me and I didn't want my life to be over." she started to sobbing again and leaned onto Amy's shoulder. "I didn't deserve it."
"Of course you didn't." Amy hugged her tighter as she just cried, letting it all out. Amy only guessed that this was emotion that had been bottled up for days. A.J. must have kept strong for the sake of the people who cared, but inside, she was struggling to keep it in. Hopefully, she was letting it all go, so that she could be stronger. "But you can ask him why he did it when you're strong enough to face him face to face."
"I know." A.J. took out her towel to wipe off her tears and finally sat up after a while, looking at Amy with a soft glare. "I'm sorry."
"No, you're not. You don't need to be." A.J. nodded and Amy sighed. "You know what really stopped me from continuing my career?" A.J. waited as Amy looked at the sign. "I hated walking in for work after my affair with Adam became public. I thought I lost the respect of the people I work with. But I really lost it when I quit." A.J. bit her lip and Amy shook her head. "I gave up instead of bouncing back."
"It's just hard being there…"
"Without thinking they see you as weak." A.J. nodded and Amy placed a hand on her knee. "You need to show them that you aren't. That this was the fuel for the fire you already have burning, and you meant it when you said nothing will ever stop A.J." she shook her gently and smiled, causing a chain reaction and causing A.J.'s mood to slowly change. "You know great shit is coming your way. Capitalize on it."
"Thanks." They hugged again and Amy rubbed her back, letting out a breath and thinking to herself. She saw that A.J. was healing, but she was still holding something else that hurt her inside bottled up. This girl needed to let go of all the demons inside to get back to the dynamite girl she used to be.
She hoped to God Punk knows the risk of taking on this challenge. If she knows her best friend, he hates to lose anything, or any one, he cared about.
From what she's heard and seen at this point, he may really care about A.J.
L.A. Live at the Nokia Theatre
Backstage at Press
"Woah. Did you see it?"
"See what?" Punk asked as Zack Ryder took off his shades and nodded to what all of the drooling was about. Kaitlyn walked by and smoothed her hands over the long sleeved orange dress. It had a twist of material in the center and was cut off on the sides. The dress was a tight jersey material so it hugged all her muscles and curves. The black caged-style shoes she wore made her legs look great. She played with the black ends of her side ponytail but Natalya stopped her, grabbing her hand and looking back at the guys with a huge grin.
"All you have to do is wear the dress for two hours and it's off." Natalya said as Layla fixed her dress.
"Nattie, I've never worn anything this tight around my arms."
"Well, there's a first time for everything. C'mon." Layla pulled her hand as Natalya pushed on, heading towards Punk, John, Zack, and Dolph while smiling at them. "Gentleman, don't you like this really nice dress that Nattie brought for her?" Layla slowly turned her around, modeling her to them. Layla looked at them with a plea in her eyes, urging them to make Kaitlyn feel better.
"Darling, you really look amazing." The guys and the girls all slowing turned to Sheamus, who just kept his eyes on hers, flashing his traditional great white smirk and not noticing Layla squealing. "Not that you haven't looked beautiful before but… ya know, it's hard not to look at ya."
Kaitlyn just stood there stunned, then nervously blushed and turned away from all the gawking eyes. "I agree with that assessment." Punk spoke up, having all the guys mutter with him like horny teenagers.
"Thanks guys." She felt better about wearing the dress after Sheamus complimented her and having them stare at her like she was one of the popular girls in the teen movies, the ones that look hot walking down the halls in slow motion, even if they were just eying her body.
"Well, it's time for the divas to hit the photo booth so, come on Kait. Boys." Layla walked away with Natalya and Kaitlyn while waving them off. Sheamus kept watching her walk away and Dolph nodded with a smug look on his face.
"That was…I honestly don't know what that was." Daniel spoke up and Punk laughed with him.
"That was something new." Kofi said, having John nod with him. "It's like eyeing my little sister's hot best friend."
"Thank god she's only one of them on the outside." Zack spoke up, frowning in amusement while Kaitlyn took photos. "Hopefully she stays like that on the outside."
John patted Punk's chest and pointed to Sheamus, who was still gawking at her and smiling. Daniel waved his hand in front of his face and still nothing. "Dude!" Dolph yelled and Sheamus turned to him with a frown. "You better get that on your arm, before she ends up on someone else's."
"Like who? You?"
Dolph smirked sly like and looked over to her. "You know what? Maybe she'll help the heavyweight belt look better with me. Or she'll look better with just the belt on."
Sheamus growled as John got in the middle. "Relax, he's joking."
Dolph's face didn't convince him as he winked his eyebrows, getting cockier by the second. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. See you guys later." Dolph walked off as Sheamus just stared him down, holding up the belt while Dolph held up the briefcase.
"I'm pretty sure Kaitlyn doesn't like cocky scumbags." Daniel spoke up, nodding with John. "I would know. She hates my guts."
"She doesn't hate you…." Punk stopped to think about all the times he argued with the hybrid diva over A.J's safety, over who was a great wrestler, over pretty much everything. "I mean, you're not a cocky scum bag. She does kind of hate you."
"She doesn't hate you man." Zack spoke up, gently slapping Sheamus shoulder. "Just ask her already."
"Ask her what?" Daniel asked.
Zack rolled his eyes and pointed to Sheamus. "He got passes from Hunter for the Liverpool game at LA Galaxy tomorrow afternoon." Punk made an impressed expression with John and they turned to one another making the face as a joke, then turning back to Sheamus, who just stared at them with a plain face.
"That's great man."
"What is?" Chris Jericho asked while walking up to the guys, shaking hands with them all and joining in on the conversation on his way to the Summerslam press carpet.
"Sheamo's got tickets to an LA Galaxy v. Liverpool invitational." Chris nodded while Zack spoke, patting Sheamus on the shoulder with a small smile.
"Nice, you love Liverpool." Chris then looked over his shoulder and peaked at Kaitlyn, who was speaking to the press. "Doesn't Kaitlyn like soccer?"
John snapped his fingers and slapped Punk lightly in the chest. "I forgot about that man! She does love her some Beckham." he joked as Zack nodded. "And, I bet she'd just love to go."
Punk pointed to himself and looked over at the internet champion. "May I?" Zack nodded slowly as Punk pumped his fist in front of the heavyweight champion. "Woo woo woo, you know it." The guys laughed as Sheamus clenched his jaw.
"I would ask her but there's one issue lad. She's trying her hardest to convince AJ to go out. Maybe, if AJ goes, she'll go." Sheamus spoke up, turning to Punk with an unsure frown. "AJ's not goin' anywhere without you."
"You think AJ will go?" John asked.
"I don't know." Chris said, and then turned to Punk with a shrug. "Maybe if you go, she'll skip right behind you with her In Punk We Trust shirt on." he joked while walking away with Zack and Daniel, laughing and heading out to press, leaving Punk and his finger response.
"Who said I wasn't going? I love sports when loud, jeering, devoted fans fill the stadium. It's funny to watch." Punk defended. "How many seats you got?"
"8. I already asked the Colon's cousins to tag along. So with that, I have two left."
"Amy's here and Colt just landed here. Mind if they join in?" Sheamus nodded. "Cool. You let me handle AJ's part, just ask Kait." Kaitlyn came back to the area with Layla talking to her and Natalya clapping for her. "Now."
"Right." Sheamus took a deep breath as John patted his shoulders for the boost, helping place his title over his shoulder before he walked over to the girls. She glanced over while he walked and instantly brightened her smile, giving the girls an okay to walk away. Layla joined John and Punk to watch the moment happen. Punk whipped out his phone to quickly send a text to both Amy and AJ about the moment while Layla leaned onto John as he clued her into the plan.
"Really? Finally!" She moaned as Punk laughed. "You think she'll say yes. He'll be so hurt is she doesn't." Layla asked while pouting to John playfully. Punk saw a response from AJ that made him smile 'Sure. I would love to just kick it like Becks. Count me in.' and one from Amy that said 'I'm totally down. Just remind Colt to wear underwear 'cause he gave the lady from TSA some serious crack. Yikes.' He rolled his eyes at Colt's text: 'You could have told me Amy was with this cute girl A.J. I would have worn undies jerk.'
"Why do I hang around you weirdos?" He mumbled to himself while sending thumbs up Sheamus' way, letting him know that it worked. Seconds later, Kaitlyn's squealing and nodding made Layla smile. "You guys should join us at Gaucho Grill after the game tomorrow. You should stop by before the WWE 13' press conference."
John looked around him playfully and Punk scoffed, Layla shook her head at the pair. "Oh, you are talking to me. I thought Show was trying to attack me and your plan to have me hurt before Sunday failed."
"I can't stand trying to be nice to you and you know it. Why do you have to ruin it?" Punk spat as John shrugged smiling.
"You two are worse than an old married couple." She chuckled out. "But I'm down. Kofi might drag me after our B.A. Star rally anyway. I just want to have fun before working all day Saturday."
"It's gonna be a fun night. Trust me."
"Honey, I'm home!" Punk yelled as Kaitlyn, Kofi and Sheamus followed him into the multi-family Santa Monica home he was staying in for the weekend. The house was huge and private but he looked around nervously when he noticed how quiet it was. They all placed their belongings down to wander around the property. He peaked at how clean everything was and even walking to pool and backyard to see where the girls may have gone. His tour bus was parked outside and so was the car, so a walk with the dogs seemed to be the guess for him.
"Thought you said they came back here after they picked up Colt?" Kaitlyn asked while placing her bags on the floor.
"You think AJ chopped up the bodies by now?" Sheamus joked while Punk gave him a blank stare and Kaitlyn laughed with him.
"Not funny." Kofi said while walking up the stairs to the rooms. Punk noticed the way the floors outside were wet and the water balloons that where piled in a huge bucket. The soaker guns that laid there also made him roll his eyes. "No one's upstairs." Kofi walked out side with both of them next to him. He picked up the note on the floor and read it with a high voice. "What's on?"
"Game on!" A.J. leaned over the balcony with Amy as they started hurling water balloons, one of them smacking Kaitlyn right in the face, the other one in the back of Kofi's jeans.
"ATTACK!" Colt jumped from the side of the house with two huge water guns dressed in blue army gear and unloaded on them all. Punk cursed himself while Kofi just started picking balloons and hurling those upstairs. Kaitlyn grabbed a water gun while Sheamus started hurling a few balloons at Colt. It turned into a complete wet brawl. Balloons flying, water shooting, and people running while laughing. The girls ran down the stairs for a better advantage as Punk grabbed onto AJ to stop her from shooting. Sheamus shielded Kaitlyn as Kofi soaked Colt and Amy with a water hose. Colt and Amy both pushed Kofi into the pool, but Amy was dragged in with him as Colt jumped in just for the hell of it.
"White flag!" Kaitlyn yelled when Colt started yelling in the water. AJ grabbed onto Punk's shoulder and they all snickered together, seeing Kaitlyn waved her now wet tank top. "I'm out."
"Yeah, me too. I can't take getting attacked again." Kofi sank wiped the water from his eyes as Colt raised Amy's hands in victory.
"I told you AJ. Water fights are better when ambush tactics are used." They glanced over and saw how close AJ was in Punk's arms. Face to face, they just kept looking at one another, water dripping of them and breathing heavy from the energy exhausted. Punk grinned while he took his hand and moved the wet strands of hair that blocked her face, keeping an intense lock on her eyes. "April!" She blinked and looked over Punk's arm, seeing Colt raised his hand, waiting for her to join the winner's circle. She laughed while running into the water, then rising out the water and raising a hand with them, smiling at Punk and blushing.
Everyone saw that and had questions regarding the two. The main one: what was brewing between them?
Sheamus and Punk both leaned on the kitchen island with Colt and Kofi standing by, dry and dressed for the night to come but looking upset and content as an envelope sat in the center of the table. Sheamus waited while A.J. took time to help Kaitlyn get dressed for the Kick-off party before telling Punk about Drew's note for A.J. which had been sitting in his luggage bag since he visited Drew. Drew had to beg him to even look at the note let alone take it, but he did, and now he didn't know if he wanted A.J. to read it right now. He wasn't going to read it so he handed it to Punk, who didn't feel right about knowing the contents before her. No one did, which is why they just left it there.
"So…" Colt quipped while coming to the table, looking around until his eyes landed on the paper. "I say we burn it."
Amy stopped his hand before he reached for it. "I say we don't."
"I agree." Kofi spoke up with his head swayed negatively. "I think she needs to read it now."
"I say she doesn't." Sheamus said, pulling his Kangol hat up nervously while waiting for Punk to respond. "Champ? What's on ya mind?"
Punk sighed, chewing on his lip ring and crossing his arms defensively. They all discussed A.J.'s progress and how she was showing signs of trust with all of them, and how lying to her wasn't the best opinion. However, the things written in the letter could trigger emotions, memories and reenactments that took two months for her to get over. The crying before bed, the flinching around friends and family, and the nightmares which caused late night terrors and screaming would all return once she opened the paper.
"Phil." Punk glanced at Amy, who shook her head. She even put in her two cents by telling them about the breakdown AJ had. "I agree with Stephen. Reading this could make the hard work go to waste. It's too early for her to hear from him. She's not strong enough."
"That's bullshit." Colt frowned at everyone sudden doubt. "You guys just told me how great she's been doing, but now she's so fragile, such a piece of rare imported glass, that she'll shatter once we drop this in her lap."
"It's not that man." Kofi spoke up as Punk ran his hand over his hair. "She's doing well, but great is what we need if she's going to read this. I just think she needs to know it's here to read when she's ready, not tucked away from her."
"I don't even think she should read what he has to say. That bastard needs to tell her face to face."
"You know that's not possible…"
"It is." Punk finally spoke up and everyone looked confused. He picked up the letter and tapped it on the table, looking up. "David told me and Daniel that A.J. is allowed one visit before he's sent back overseas to serve his jail time." The range for faces from shock and anger spread as Sheamus shook his head. "And…I could tell her, or Daniel will, but we both agreed not to. Not now." He handed the letter to Sheamus with a grimace. "Same goes for this note. Keep it until the time is right man. Cause it's not right now."
"This is bad man." Kofi said while looking with anxiousness in his creased forehead. "I feel like shit. We're lying to her, which will hurt her more if she finds out."
"She'll find out when she's completely healed. I'm not watching her fall apart again, no matter how sorry he may be." Punk just exhaled before walking out towards the room, leaving them in the kitchen.
Amy saw how conflicted Sheamus looked as he touched the envelope, looking hurt that he was involved in this, so she reached for it and slowly took it away. "I'll put it away in your bag later." Sheamus just nodded as he then walked away with his beer in his hand, heading outside to sit and cool off.
"You guys had to be here to see it." Amy shook her head while Colt and Kofi watched Amy tuck the letter high above the cabinets for the moment. "She just exploded at the park. Tears and all, she cried about that night. As if she couldn't believe she survived it. Physically and mental she's stronger, but her emotions still need work. Giving her this letter will just put Punk back at square one."
"Oh God. I know. But you know how I feel about lying."
"I know but, just pretend we made the decision on when to tell her. At the right time. You know he's protecting her and it's been hard on him too. He could possibly…you know…"
"Stop. Please. I have a penis, so this romance tragedy shit is so All My Children to me. It's a real downer on my persona." Amy scoffed while Kofi laughed. Colt grabbed a beer from the fridge and popped it open. "And you should talk to him about how he feels before focusing on playing cupid."
"I know." Amy bit her nail and thought about all the time she was spending with Punk. When they reconciled their issues and decided to have a pure friendship, she didn't know how upset he was over his break up with Beth. It was bad, like, hurling glass against a wall bad. Maria didn't even piss him off that much. He swore that having a relationship with someone at the moment wasn't happen, especially with becoming Champ and growing a fan base. He didn't want the roll he was on to slowdown.
Then June 17th happened.
Now he was pulled into this hero act with A.J. and added her well-being to his list priorities. Most people would do what he's been doing for a little bit and back off. It's been two months and he's still putting in full time hours for AJ. He spent most of his summer with AJ instead of being home or with friends.
He might not want to admit it, so she will for him. Punk has feelings other than concern for April.
"Just, try to get to know her more guys. Till she's okay, she's around man." Kofi spoke up while adjusting his tie and picking up his tag team belt.
That's when a small light bulb went off in her head and she smiled to herself. "Or, we can help her get back to her dream, so he wouldn't have worry."
"Err, no. That's not…"
"She's really good in the ring. But she could use some training. More experience." Amy just winked her eyebrows as the room remained silent.
"So?" Colt spoke up, still lost with her statement.
"Oh come on, you talk all this shit about how I'm so good that I can lead these girls in the right direction. You heard the critics say that I'm still one of the best divas in the ring and how I should come back to save them. But if she's there and learns from some with clause, she could rock the division. Maybe I should work with her."
That's when Kofi had to press the stop button for her. "Amy, as your friend, I'm telling you not to overstep your boundaries in this situation. I'm sure Punk would ban you from doing this so I'm saving him the work."
"I've been involved since he showed up at my hotel room with red eyes and the thought of this girl on his brain. I'm concerned. He's sticking to her like glue and she just wants respect from everyone. There are a lot of mixed signals here."
"And it's not your place to switch the bulbs!" Amy rolled her eyes and scoffed while Colt forced her to stare at him. "I know you're worried about them. I'm worried also but c'mon Amy, don't get more involved in this. I have a really bad feeling about your idea."
"It's going to work. It's not like I'm pushing her away from him. I'm giving her a push in the other direction, the right one." Amy smirked as she thought of one idea that would make the plan work. She walked towards the stairs with a huge smile ad Colt and Kofi followed with cautioned eyes.
"Amy..." She ignored them, chewing her lip while walking and thinking. She wasn't trying to get rid of AJ or pressure Punk into a relationship. She just really wanted her to get better- and push Punk to make a move at the same time.
Killing two birds with one huge stone was going to required help, and as A.J's blonde-brunette toned friend jogged down the stairs, her plans grew as big as her smirk. "Kaitlyn, can we chat for a minute alone? I need your help."
What do you guys think? Should AJ know about the letter or is keeping it from her a benefit to her healing? And should Punk tell AJ about his feelings? And do you think Amy's plan will make things worse? Summerslam weekend continues and more cute 'omg just kiss already moments'. Not a lot of Punklee together in this chapter, but I'm prepping for some drama, bear with me.
I love your reviews. But you know what story that has been getting my juices flowing? All Falls Down. AmandaEchelon is the writer and so far, I'm itching for an update from her again. I itch from an update for UnbelievinglyRandom, DemonicXaliv, and from the other great writers here. I can't believe how many stories have hit this ship. And I'm glad to be a part of it. However, I'm concerned about the other people who ship this couple. The amount of hate Amy Dumas gets for being around Punk, who is not only her ex but one of his closest friends and honestly, my second pick for a girlfriend besides AJ in a storyline, is ridiculous. I posted on my Tumb1r page that AJ/Punk is a kayfabe, and the closet thing they may have to a relationship is only on a friendship level. Their interaction is great, but it's fiction. Let's keep it at that and leave their personal lives out of it. Besides, it was Lita's dog on his lap, not Lita. I can't believe people freak over that.
Any who, Next chapter is in progress and I promise not to let you down if you don't let me down. Read and review! *besos*