A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks for all the reviews. This chapter is kind of filler but big things are to come so stay tuned :)
Part XI: Taking It Slow
AJ headed into Michael Hayes' office. She was already irritable after her tiff with Punk and Hayes didn't help her mood.
"Sorry about earlier" AJ said taking a seat across from Michael
"You should be this behavior is unacceptable" Michael noted. AJ always knew she wasn't one of Hayes' favorite Divas but he was really letting it show. "Do you still want to work here?"
"Of course I do" she said quickly
"I'm under the impression you don't" Michael shot back "Who are you in a romantic story with?"
"Corey" AJ said slowly not sure where this was going
"So why are you hanging around Punk and sleeping with Ziggler?" Michael questioned. AJ was caught off guard by the question she didn't realize the Ziggler news had spread around the back already.
"I really don't think I should have to explain my personal life choices to you" AJ told him as politely as possible
"When it starts to affect your work you damn well know you owe me an explanation" Michael scolded "Aren't you curious as to why you haven't gotten a second reign?"
"Vince was just telling me-" AJ started but Michael cut her off
"Mr. McMahon is trying to pacify you because Punk is back" Michael told her bluntly "I'm not going to pay you that same courtesy. You're an adult and I'm going to treat you like one"
"Ok" AJ said simply
"You are too preoccupied with being the company mattress-" Michael started
"-hold on a second" AJ said cutting him off "You do realize you can't talk to me this way, right?"
"You are screwing up your story with Corey!" Michael shouted "We can't change storylines every week depending on who you're with"
"I'm not asking you to" AJ informed him
"No one is buying your story anymore" Michael shot at her
"It's a scripted show" AJ reminded him "No one really believes it anyway"
"You are WWE superstar when you're in the ring and outside of it and you should really start remembering that" Michael warned "This isn't the Attitude Era anymore AJ where sex sells"
"Excuse me?" AJ questioned in an offended voice
"Back in the day when those Diva's wanted more time they knew the proper people to, let's just say suck up to" Michael implied causing AJ to narrow her eyes "That won't work for you. Last time you let a relationship take more priority of your job just remember where it got you" he said coldly "Left at the alter. And after spending more time with you here I can see why" that comment stung AJ but she didn't respond or cry "But for some unknown reasons the fans go nuts for you and Stephanie has a soft spot for you so your job is secure for now. But don't get too comfortable because Kelly Kelly was riding high like you as well and as soon as the next batch of girls came in she was gone"
"Noted" AJ remarked bitterly
"You can get out now" Michael informed her nodding towards the door
As soon as AJ stepped out the door she had actually wished Punk had joined her for the meeting. She wanted more than to tare into Hayes on the spot but she certainly didn't have the clout that Punk had. Or did she? She thought to herself….she pulled out her phone and sent a text message then placed it back in her pocket. She smiled to herself slightly then headed to the locker room.
"Hey AJ" Trinity said to her. Trinity had become her opponent at the house shows these last few weeks. "I read about what happened are you alright?"
"Yea thanks" AJ said slightly bothered her mugging had made it to the media "I mean it was scary I've a had a few nightmares about the guy holding the gun-"
"Wait what are you talking about?" Trinity asked alarmed
"My mugging" AJ said confused "What are you talking about?"
"I was talking about the stuff with Dolph" Trinity informed her "You were mugged? When?"
"Last week….wait you read about me and Dolph?" AJ questioned
"Yea a couple of the sites have reported you two had a fling of some kind and it has lead to the further burial of Dolph" Trinity said to her
"Oh I can see why Hayes is so pissed at me" AJ muttered "This is perfect just add it on top of everything else" she muttered
"Look AJ I know we have been strained a bit since Total Divas but if you ever need to talk I'm here" Trinity assured her "I know you're going through a lot of crap and it's not easy to keep it all in"
"It's kind of hard to talk when you have cameras in your face 24/7" AJ said shyly
"I get it" Trinity nodded "But I can make time. We started at the bottom together and worked our way up to here" she said with a broad smile "Everyone else is gone we have a bond"
"I always thought so" AJ smirked
"So if you don't mind me asking what the hell is going on with you and Punk?" Trinity asked with a laugh "Are you two cool?"
"Yesterday we were, today we're not" AJ shrugged "It's complicated"
"What happened?" Trinity asked
"Believe me you don't have that kind of time" AJ snorted a laugh "But today he kind of jumped in on Michael reaming me a new one"
"And you're mad at that?" Trinity asked with a frown
"You've been there with Jon you don't want him sticking his nose into your work life" AJ reminded her
"Into my stories no" Trinity agreed "But if somebody was disrespecting me right in front of him he better jump in" she warned
"Well according to Michael I can't have a personal life while I still work here" AJ said with half a smile
"He's an idiot" Trinity said seriously "And if I were with Punk I'd let him rip into that little weasel for me"
"I don't need the help" AJ reminded her "I've been fine without Punk"
"Don't you get it? It's only when you're with him people give you a problem and if he wants to assert himself and stick up for you then let him since he's the reason you get the heat" Trinity said to her "He can't just turn it off at work. He loves you here and outside it's his job to defend you"
"It hasn't been his job for months" AJ said to her
"Obviously something is going on with the two of you and it isn't over" Trinity pointed out
"I called him after I got mugged" AJ admitted "I don't know why. He was the first name to pop into my head"
"And I bet he dropped everything and raced over to you" Trinity said and AJ nodded
"We slept together" AJ admitted
"Damn" Trinity laughed
"I love him I just don't know if getting back with him is the right thing" AJ said to her
"Do you love him?" Trinity asked
"Of course I do" AJ said quickly "He's….I don't know he's just Punk"
"Stop fighting it AJ" Trinity encouraged "Just suck it up and realize you're delaying the inevitable so I suggest you go apologize to him because you probably bit his head off earlier"
"I did" AJ frowned feeling better "I'll talk to him later"
After the show AJ was sitting outside the Men's locker room waiting for Punk emerge. When he came out with his bag slung over his shoulders and freshly showered he didn't seem all that pleased to see her.
"I thought Corey left already" Punk said to her
"He did" AJ informed him "I was hoping that your invitation for the bus still stood?" she saw his face soften a bit but he was still annoyed
"My bus is always open to you" Punk assured her "What's with the sudden change of attitude?"
"I'm sorry" she said in response "I shouldn't have gotten so defensive"
"It's fine I get it" Punk said offering her a smile "Let's go" he said nodding for her to follow him
"Just make sure Hayes doesn't see us" AJ said to him as Punk frowned "He said I'm ruining my story with Corey by hanging around"
"I'm not going to say anything" Punk promised "I'm sure you can handle it just fine" he said as they headed into the parking lot together and walked towards his bus.
"As a matter of fact I'm working on it as we speak" AJ said glancing down at her phone
"Do I want to know?" Punk questioned as they boarded his bus
"Nah" AJ smirked "But I shouldn't have stopped you from ripping him" she admitted
"So the meeting went bad, huh?" Punk questioned as they took seats on the couch
"Let's just say when a professional meeting includes the statement 'company mattress' it usually means it didn't go well" AJ said to him causing him to frown
"He called you that?" Punk asked alarmed
"Yea" AJ shrugged
"I don't trust him" Punk told her seriously "He's always had it out for you and I'm convinced him and Paul had something going on against you"
"Well you let me worry about Michael" AJ said to him "You can have all the fun in the world with Paul if you ever find him"
"I'll find him" Punk said confidently "Vacations don't last forever he'll be back long before Wrestlemania to work with Brock"
"Just don't jump to any conclusions" AJ suggested "He's your friend"
"Yea he's one of my best friends" Punk mumbled "Enough about him. So what do you want to do to pass the time?" he asked with a sly grin
"How long until we're in the next City?" AJ questioned and he looked at his phone for the time
"We should be arriving in about 3 hours" Punk said happily as he moved his hand over her knee
"I think you know what I want to do" AJ whispered leaning into him so her lips were only an inch apart, he closed his eyes in anticipation but felt her move away "I want to play games. Just like you promised me" she said with a smirk "I meant what I said about taking it slow" she warned and he nodded
"I had to give it a shot" Punk admitted smoothly "I don't regret it"
"Of course you don't" AJ teased pinching his cheeks "So games?"
"Sure" he smiled as she jumped off the couch and went to turn on the TV.
After a few more house shows Monday night rolled around. AJ went back to traveling with Corey after leaving the house show with Punk, clearly they couldn't be trusted alone together. She was a little anxious to get to work because she'd be seeing Michael again but she was hoping her so called 'ace in the pocket' would pull through for her and sure enough when she arrived she had a message she was wanted in the main office.
"Hello?" AJ asked opening the door to the office
"AJ perfect timing" Stephanie smiled as AJ stepped further into the office she also saw Michael Hayes was in the office "I was just speaking to Michael about the meeting you two had the other night."
"Oh ok" AJ said taking a seat happily in the chair next to Michael "Was there more to be said? I think Michael made himself perfectly clear to me"
"I was out of line" Michael forced out with a smile "My comments were rude"
"You think so?" AJ asked innocently
"Well obviously you found them to be rude since you spoke to Stephanie about them" Michael remarked in a bitter tone
"They weren't just rude they were inappropriate and unprofessional" Stephanie scolded
"I was simply notifying Stephanie about the breech of my phone being stolen" AJ told Michael "I told her I spoke to you and she asked what you said. I assumed it wouldn't be a big deal since you made it seem like that was everyone's opinion"
"Which is not the case and Mr. Hayes is more than aware of that" Stephanie said to him "You've been on warning when it comes to Diva's" Stephanie pointed out to Hayes referring to the Rosa Mendes incident. "From now on you won't be having any conversations with AJ"
"Fine" Michael smiled "Are we done?"
"Yes you can go" Stephanie informed him with a smile "Have a good night" then Michael left the office
"Thank you" AJ said to her "I didn't want to have to tattle on anyone but he was out of line and if I didn't do something Punk might have"
"He was out of line" Stephanie said to him "You aren't the first member of the female talent to complain about him. He's on thin ice. And I am happy you came to me. As far as everything else goes did you hear anything else about your mugging?"
"No" AJ said to her "He also robbed my apartment"
"Are you serious?" Stephanie asked shocked "Were you home?"
"No I was staying at a hotel" AJ told her
"Anything of value missing?" she questioned
"Just all of my games" AJ sighed sadly causing Stephanie to smile
"I'm sure you can get new ones" Stephanie smirked "If Michael Hayes gives you or Punk or anymore trouble please let me know" she encouraged
"I don't think Michael is going to give Punk a problem" AJ smirked "But I will thank you" she said standing up
"Anytime AJ I mean it" Stephanie said seriously
Michael was walking down the hall quickly, already late for a creative meeting when he felt someone walking at the same pace next to him
"Hey Hayes" Punk said with a smile
"I already apologized to her" Michael said annoyed stopping to face Punk
"Wonderful" Punk said to him "That's one item I can cross off my list but that's not why I'm here wasting my time speaking to you. Have you heard from Paul?"
"Nope" Michael said smugly "Sorry"
"Ok I think you're lying to me but that's ok because I'll get to Paul eventually" Punk assured him "But I want you to know that if I find out you had anything to do with what Paul told me last June you and I are going to have big problems"
"I've been here for a long time kid you don't scare me" Michael smirked
"I'm not a kid just because you're old enough to be my father" Punk quipped "And I will beat you into a bloody mess if I get one whiff of you being involved in any of this"
"Involved in what?" Hayes questioned with a knowing grin
"There's my answer" Punk laughed
"Have I mentioned how happy I am to have you back with us?" Michael mocked "You and AJ have really brightened my days up"
"I suggest you keep her name out of your mouth" Punk said calmly "Wouldn't want to piss off the McMahon's anymore than you already have"
"I'm sure it was your idea for AJ to notify Stephanie about our meeting" Michael said annoyed
"Actually AJ didn't really tell me about your meeting but I got an idea it didn't go well when I received a personal call from Vince" Punk told him smugly "You know the CEO of this company? Yea he called me up to personally apologize for the comments you made towards AJ about me and promised me Stephanie would be handling it personally and if something like this were to happen again he would be handling it. You see AJ doesn't like to use the fact that Vince and Stephanie like her but me on the other hand I have no problems with it. Just remember I bring millions into this company and you bring…well I'm not really sure but you get my point right?"
"Yea I got it" Michael said with a laugh
"Great" Punk said slapping his shoulder in a friendly gesture "I'm sure I'll be speaking to you real soon once Paul gets back" Punk assured him then walked away
Before her match Punk found AJ hanging around by the gorilla and came up behind her.
"Hi" he said sweetly as she stopped her conversation with Trinity to turn and face him
"Hi there" she said with a smile
"So since you're working the entire week what are your plans for next week?" Punk questioned
"Next week? I have no idea" she laughed "Why?"
"I have a couple of Blackhawks tickets" Punk smirked
"You have season tickets every year" AJ snorted
"Doesn't change the fact that I have tickets for next weeks Thursday night game and no one to go with me. I'd hate to have to sit by myself" Punk said innocently
"Seriously Punk everyone will be talking" AJ sighed "I can't just flush this story down the toilet"
"The pay-per-view is Sunday and the game is on Thursday. You're going to be with me on screen shortly" Punk reminded her
"That's not definite yet" AJ said folding her arms
"Oh it is" Punk confirmed "So what do you say? I'll let you lean on me the entire game"
"That sounds appealing" AJ mocked lightly
"I'll throw in dinner" Punk offered "Your favorite pizza place"
"This sounds a lot like a date" AJ said narrowing her eyes at him
"Well we're taking it slow so I thought we could date" Punk shrugged
"Ok" AJ smiled "Only because I want to see Crawford"
"Don't try to make me jealous" Punk warned with a smile "I'm leaving to go back to Chicago tonight I got the rest of the week off so I won't be seeing you"
"Ok" AJ said feeling a little bad. She was really starting to enjoy having him around again.
"Unless you want me to go with you to the shows this week?" Punk offered
"No that's ok. Go home and rest" AJ said to him seriously "Corey will be with me I'm fine"
"Alright. I'll see you Monday" Punk said to her. It was awkward because there were people around and they still weren't sure what their 'label' was yet but Punk felt happy when he AJ's lips met his cheek
"I'm sure I'll speak to you before than" AJ said to him
"Alright" He smiled then walked away
"Now that reminds me of when you two first started dating" Trinity laughed "He was nervous asking you out on a date just like back in the day"
"He was not" AJ said to her
"The man was sweating" Trinity pointed out "You've got him hooked for life. Not many men would be willing to 're-date' their former fiancée"
"We're not dating…it's weird I don't know" AJ said trying to figure it out for herself
"What does Celeste think about all of this by the way?" Trinity questioned "I know Punk was on her list last time I spoke to her"
"I didn't tell her" AJ said just realizing it "I haven't even spoken to her since my phone was stolen oh crap"
"She's going to kill you" Trinity said seriously "And Punk so I'd enjoy your time together while you still can"
"Her and PJ are coming to Chicago next week I'm supposed to have dinner with them and one of their friends" AJ said slapping her head. How could she forget that?
"You have a blind date?" Trinity asked with a laugh "Does your new boyfriend slash ex- fiancé know this?"
"It's not a date" AJ groaned "I can't get out of it I promised them I'd be there"
"There's just always something with you isn't there AJ?" Trinity smirked
"I'll figure it out" AJ said to her
"Well if you and Punk aren't together why can't you just go out with them?" Trinity questioned but AJ remained silent "So you two are back together?"
"I don't know!" AJ said confused "I don't know what the hell is going on"
"Well I suggest you figure it out soon" Trinity said to her "Because if you're free to date other people so is he" those words stuck with AJ and bothered her a lot more than she would like to let on.