Part X: I'm Sorry
Punk had taken AJ to the closest hotel to his place and paid for her room for the entire week. He made sure to make sure she had the best suite available.
"You didn't have to pay for the week" AJ said to him "Just the night. I'll call a locksmith tomorrow and have my locks changed"
"I'll take care of it" Punk assured her tossing his wallet and keys onto the table "Just give me your address"
"Ok" She said to him "I don't have any clothes either" she frowned "Maybe we should have stopped at my place"
"I've got a bag in my car from the last show. You can borrow something of mine" he offered
"I guess" she said plopping on the bed
"Are you sure you're ok?" Punk frowned eyeing her. She was still very on edge.
"Yea it's just not every day someone presses a gun to your face" AJ said bitterly "I feel so stupid. I'm a wrestler I should know how to defend myself"
"You're a wrestler not a superhero" Punk reminded her taking a seat next to her
"He took everything" AJ said with a frown looking at him "My phone- I mean there's numbers in there I'm never going to get back and pictures and videos I had kept."
"You're going to have to call and cancel all of your cards too" Punk pointed out
"I did that at the police station" AJ said "I need to get a new phone I don't even have my car I left it at the airport"
"I'll take you to it tomorrow if you want" he offered
"I have the worst luck" AJ said with a laugh shaking her head "I mean what did I do in a past life?" she asked him hoping he could offer her some insight even though she knew he couldn't
"You're a good person AJ" Punk said to her "Too good"
"I'm really sorry for having them call you and asking you to stay I'm sure you were in the middle of something" AJ said then noticed he was wearing his Blackhawks jersey "Were you at a game?"
"I was" Punk said to her "But there will be more games. I left as soon as I got the call."
"I just didn't know who else to call" AJ admitted "I don't have anyone here"
"You have me" Punk corrected "You always do."
"It's not fair to keep going to you" AJ said to him "But I didn't even think about it. I just gave your number I don't even know how I remembered your number" Punk just gave her a light smile
"I'm glad you called" Punk said to her "But I've got to be honest getting a call from someone who identified themselves as a police officer then asked if 'I knew an April Mendez' was pretty terrifying. I thought you were- well this was pretty bad but I thought the worse. And all I could think was how I hated how left things off"
"I'm fine" she smiled placing her hand over his. She hadn't even noticed how shaken up he was himself
"I wish I was with you" Punk said looking at her hand that was over his
"Actually I wish the same thing" AJ smirked lightly "Not many people would try to rob a 6 foot tall, built, heavily tattooed male"
"No I suppose not" Punk sighed looking back over to her "Are you sure he didn't hurt you?"
"I'm pretty sure" AJ assured him "The only thing I was afraid of was my heart beating out of my chest. I couldn't get the necklace off"
"What?" Punk asked her
"I didn't want to give him the necklace you got me, I didn't even realize I was wearing it and that's when he started to get mad and I was so nervous my hands were shaking and I couldn't unclasp the necklace" AJ said sharing the story "I thought he was going to shoot me over a necklace"
"How'd you get it off?" Punk questioned noticing it was gone and she had mentioned he took it
"He ripped it right off" AJ said to him "Like it was nothing. That necklace meant so much to me and he doesn't even realize it."
"It's replaceable" Punk reminded her
"No it's not" AJ said sadly "Everything you have ever gotten me I locked away and never looked again except for that necklace. I want it back"
"They'll catch the guy" Punk said trying to reassure her
"I didn't even get a good look at him" AJ argued lightly "He made me look at the floor and like a chicken that's what I did"
"AJ he would have shot you" Punk reminded her firmly "You did everything right tonight"
"Maybe I would have been better off" she muttered quietly to herself
"Don't say that" Punk warned standing up and now he was angry "Don't-" he stopped himself from continuing to try to control his anger at her stupid comment
"I was kidding" AJ said looking up at him from the bed
"It wasn't funny AJ" Punk informed her "I thought you were hurt or dead" he said to her "I saw my caller ID I knew it was the police station and I knew in my gut it was about you because you were flying in today. It's one thing to not have you in my home with me but it's another thing to have you gone permanently."
"I didn't mean it" AJ said noting how red his face was getting
"I miss you" Punk admitted "I love you so much that it physically hurts me. I know you're in pain and I know you're hurting but I'm hurting too. I have to look at myself everyday in the mirror and live with the fact that I've done this to us. I thought it was the right thing! I thought I was saving you! I thought-" he was starting to really get worked up and AJ just watched in awe. She stood up and walked over to him
"I know you thought you were helping me" AJ assured him grabbing his face and that's when she noticed a few tears…tears? She had never seen him cry- ever. "Punk" she said shocked by his emotion, he was literally torn. He didn't want to apologize for leaving her because he thought he was helping her but he didn't want to be away from her- he was suffering just as much as she was
"You have no idea how sorry I am" he said softly
"I know" She said giving him a light kiss then pulled away "I 'm sorry too."
"You don't have to be" Punk said as she kept her grip on him
"I shouldn't have folded so easily I should have made you open up to me. I knew you were lying I told you that night you were but I just let you win" AJ reminded him "We both gave up"
"I want to go back" Punk whispered his lips lightly brushing hers
"So do I" she admitted for the first time "It's going to take time"
"I've got time" he said softly "I've got all the time in the world for you"
"Ok" she said pulling him into a kiss and this kiss wasn't like the rushed one they shared on his bus a few weeks. This was a real kiss, a kiss that wasn't about being physical it was about connecting on an emotional level for the first time in almost a year. Both knew they should stop, they were both emotional but neither pulled away tonight they both needed each other….
The next morning AJ woke up wrapped in Punk's bare arms for the first time in a long time. She knew she shouldn't have slept with him last night but she didn't regret it. It was the best night that they had ever shared and she was sure Punk would agree. It was sweet, tender and it was all about love. That's what AJ needed from him; he regretted his choice and showed her. There was no point in making either of them suffer any longer. They certainly weren't fixed by a long shot but they were on their way.
"Hi" AJ said turning in his tight grip to face him
"Morning" he yawned not letting her go yet.
"Did you think I was going to sneak out in the middle of the night?" she teased "Your grip is like the jaws of life around me" she said with a small laugh
"I did think you'd sneak off" Punk said slowly opening his eyes
"Where would I go? I don't even have an ID on me" AJ said seriously causing him to narrow his eyes at her…that wasn't the response he was looking for. "I'm kidding. If anything I should be the one worried about you sneaking out"
"I deserve that" Punk agreed "But you won't have to worry about that. Actually you should be worried about getting sick of me"
"Last night was great" AJ admitted "I mean minus the mugging and stuff obviously but we're not back to where we were yet. I meant what I said it's going to take time"
"And I meant when I said I've got time" Punk told her "One step at a time"
"I think we skipped a few steps last night" AJ giggled
"Yea but that's ok" Punk said to her "We're on the same page and we both know what we want and need"
"What I need right now is a shower" AJ said pulling away "And clothes"
"I'll go down and get my bag" Punk told her "Do you want to stay here until we get your place situated? Or you can always stay with me…"
"I seriously can't go back there" AJ told him firmly "I love you and I want to work on us but we can't in that house. That has always been your house and I don't want to relieve that night"
"You want me to move?" Punk asked surprised as she got out of bed
"That's up to you" AJ shrugged putting on a hotel robe "I know you love it there but I don't want to be there" the last thing Punk wanted to do was ever sell his place, he loved it. "Or I can work on it" She added quickly "But its…."
"…going to take time" He said finishing her sentence "I get it"
Later that day Punk drove AJ back to her place and walked her into her apartment building. She picked up a key from the apartment manager and unlocked her door and frowned by what she saw.
"Oh no" she muttered seeing her place was tossed "What kind of robber actually mugs you then robs your home?"
"One who realized you were worth a lot of money" Punk muttered looking around. The place was small and with one quick walk around Punk knew no one else was there.
"He took my games!" AJ shouted "He could have had anything but my games? That's just sick"
"Could you have rented a smaller place by the way?" Punk mocked
"I'm always on the road" She shrugged stepping over the glass from a lamp that was knocked over "I didn't need anything bigger"
"You couldn't have looked into a better part of the City either?" Punk questioned sitting AJ's chair that was knocked over up right
"I don't really know Chicago" AJ reminded him "I needed a place quick and didn't want to have to make a big move again"
"You can't stay here" Punk said motioning to the place
"Well I have the hotel room for a week" AJ shrugged "I just need a few things but once the locks are changed I should be ok to come back"
"I guess" Punk said looking around the place "Try to figure out what else is missing so you can add it to your police report" he told her
"The only thing of real value are my games" AJ pouted
"We'll get you new games" Punk promised
"Not with my high scores" AJ said seriously "It took me a long time"
"You can play on the bus" Punk said coolly
"I don't think traveling together right away is a great idea" AJ said to him "Slowly, remember?"
"AJ you were mugged at gunpoint last night" Punk reminded her seriously "You're traveling with me we can sleep in separate beds if you want but you're coming on the bus" he didn't leave room for her to argue
"I can travel with Corey" AJ informed him, she was not budging on this "It's been fine. Last night was a fluke."
"Corey doesn't live in Chicago" Punk pointed out "I do"
"I know and I'll be fine. I'll be more careful" she told him "Please don't argue with me on this I need this space"
"Fine" Punk said with a heavy sigh "I don't like it"
"I know" she said with a tight smile "But I appreciate you agreeing"
"I don't agree" Punk corrected "I'm just giving in, that's two different things"
"Seems like the same to me" AJ smirked
"I have a house show tomorrow night" Punk informed her "What about you?"
"I do" AJ nodded
"Can I offer you a ride?" Punk questioned "It's only a three hour trip and I promise to be a gentleman I'll even give you the room"
"I can drive myself" AJ said to him
"Let's meet in the middle" Punk suggested "You want to continue to travel with my mini-me ok that's fine but at least tomorrow ride with me to the first show"
"I'm going to drive" AJ informed him "In my own car. If you want to ride shotgun with me that's fine. Now that's meeting halfway"
"Ok" Punk groaned "I'll just have my bus pick me up after the show" he said to her "Now go and write down what's missing so we can drop it off at the station and then swing by and get you a new phone"
"Ok" she said "Thanks for doing all of this I'm sure you had better things to do on your day off"
"Nothing is more important than you" Punk told her smoothly causing her to snort
"Wow you're talking to me like how you did before we started dating" AJ noted "I kind of like it"
"Get used to it" Punk shot back playfully "I meant what I said to you that night you showed up at my place"
"What did you say?" AJ asked not really remembering
"You'll be wearing that ring again" Punk reminded her with a wink then pulled out his phone while she just rolled her eyes
After picking up a new phone Punk dropped AJ off at the hotel so she can properly rest and get things in order. She knew she should have called the company to notify them about the breech of her phone being stolen but as soon as she rested her head against the pillow she was out like a light. Her and Punk didn't really get much sleep the night before and before she knew it she was woken up hours later by a knock at the door. She glanced over to the clock on her bedside table and saw it was already eight. She laid down at twelve… the knocking started to become more persistent and she quickly stood up and swung the door open to reveal Punk who was holding flowers.
"What's this?" she asked stepping aside to let him in
"I'm wooing you" Punk informed her handing her the bouquet "How am I doing?"
"Not bad" AJ smirked gratefully taking the flowers "They're beautiful. Thank you" she said giving him a kiss on the cheek "What else do you have there? Is that for me?" she asked pointing to the bag in his hand
"Maybe" Punk shrugged slightly then smiled
"Are you trying to bribe me?" AJ questioned "You know I can't be bought"
"I know but I also know you'd want these" he said handing her the bag and when she did open the bag her eyes lit up
"My games!" she cheered "Well new games but still my games!" there was easily ten video games in the bag. "Thank you!" she said happily giving him a hug "Too bad I don't have a system" she frowned
"I got you a new system" Punk informed her "But you get that later"
"Later?" she pouted
"After I know for sure your locks are changed" Punk said seriously "But if you get the itch to want to play you know I have an Xbox on my bus" he said with a grin
"You son of a bitch" she said seriously "You're trying to bribe me into traveling with you!"
"No I'm being friendly" Punk defended "I'm offering to share my system with you"
"You're very sneaky" AJ admitted
"So I'm sure you didn't eat, want dinner?" he questioned
"Sure" She said to him "But after dinner you have to leave you can't stay here again" she warned
"I promise" Punk said to her "Then I'll pick you up tomorrow and take you to get your car so we can hit the road"
"Ok" she said "Room service?"
"How about I take you out?" Punk offered
"What if a fan spots us?" AJ asked and Punk just shrugged "I'm in a story with Corey"
"We're friends right?" Punk asked and she nodded "We can have dinner, come on" he insisted
"Alright" she said grabbing her jacket
The next day when they arrived for the house show AJ was perfectly happy for the first time in a long time. WWE did release a lot of employees the previous day so a lot of people were on edge. Dolph was sure he would be released which was probably why he was so care free about the AJ situation but unfortunately for him his contract was renewed. But that didn't bother AJ, she wasn't sure if it bothered Punk but she had decided to not bring Dolph ever again to him. That wound was still too fresh. But both Punk and AJ felt the tension as soon as they stepped into the arena.
"I hate days like this" AJ admitted to Punk
"Yea it sucks" Punk agreed "But at least it wasn't us. Actually I wouldn't have cared if they cut me"
"Wow so you just your sensitive side for me, huh?" she teased
"You know it" Punk smirked
"AJ!" the voice of Michael Hayes stopped both of them in their tracks. They turned and saw the long blonde haired man making his way towards them.
"You can go I'll catch up with you later" AJ told him
"I think I'll stay" Punk said keeping his eyes on Hayes who he still didn't trust
"Do you not pick up your phone ever?" Michael asked annoyed "You do realize that you have a an obligation to this company to remain in contact?"
"I'm sorry I had to get a new phone" AJ told him as Punk glared towards Hayes who seemed to not be bothered in the slightest "Is everything ok?"
"We needed you to pick up a couple of extra house shows next week" Michael said to her "But since you were too busy I signed you up for them."
"A couple of extra? I'm working 3 already" AJ pointed out
"Now you're working 5" Michael remarked "The rest of the girls are doing some promotion for Total Divas and can't make the shows"
"I'm working every night?" AJ asked
"Yes" Michael said firmly
"That's ridiculous" Punk said to him
"I wasn't talking to you Punk" Michael shot at him
"Well I'm talking to you" Punk said annoyed "You can't just sign her up for her dates on short notice like this without her approval"
"Actually I can" Hayes remarked "And if it was such a big deal I assumed she would have returned my calls"
"My phone was stolen" AJ said to him causing Michael to look alarmed "I was mugged in an airport parking lot Wednesday night"
"And you didn't think to inform us of this?" Michael mocked "Are you insane!"
"Calm the hell down!" Punk warned
"This is such a breech of security!" Michael shouted "You have high personal numbers in there! What were you thinking?"
"She was thinking she had a gun in her face" Punk said cutting off AJ from responding "She wasn't thinking about your precious phone numbers she was thinking of ways not to get shot!"
"Punk it's ok" AJ assured him
"I'm having a strange case of déjà vu" Michael snorted "This is December 2013 all over again."
"You really want to go there with me?" Punk questioned balling his fists
"Stop!" AJ warned Punk then turned to Hayes "I'm sorry I'll meet you in your office later and go over everything and the schedule is fine"
"Is it ok with you?" Michael mockingly asked Punk
"It's fine" AJ said firmly to Hayed "Just give me a minute" Michael just huffed and turned around and walked away "You can't do this" she said to Punk
"I can't do this?" Punk asked "You were really going to let him talk to you that way?"
"Punk I don't need you fighting my battles" AJ said seriously "I've done fine on my own and if you keep this up people are going to talk"
"So what?" Punk asked rolling his eyes "I don't care what they think"
"I do!" AJ shouted "Unlike you I can't just pick up and leave when I want, I need my job right now and you're not helping."
"No one is going to talk to you like that while I'm still here" Punk warned her "And I don't apologize for defending you"
"I don't even know what we are to each other yet" AJ admitted "It's not your job"
"Oh don't act like I didn't always have your back AJ" Punk spat "Long before we dated when you had a problem back here who did you ask for help? Me! It doesn't just change because we're in limbo with each other"
"You're only going to embarrass me more than you already have" AJ said annoyed "Just leave it alone I don't need your help!"
"Really? Because who did you call the other night when you needed help after your mugging?" Punk mocked causing her not to respond "That's what I thought" he said before storming past her and leaving her angry and alone in the hallway.
A/N: So one step forward and two more back...