"Maria…" a voice echoed out.

Laughter replied.

"Maria," the voice called once again, now coughing.

Punk realized the voice was his own, although it was a bit choked up. He found himself in a dimly lit, smoky room. Laughter erupted within the room, but it did not only belong to Maria. A masculine voice chuckled harder than she did.

"Glad you could join us, Philly!" the masculine voice exclaimed.

Punk waved his hand in front of his face to clear the smoke that was becoming thicker by the second.

"Well, come on over," Maria chimed in, grinning.

Punk's eyed widened when he saw Maria entwined in his father's arms- both of them holding an alcoholic drink in their hands.

"Get away from her," Punk muttered.

"It's too late," Maria retorted, scoffing.

Punk felt powerless. He had lost the woman he loved… to his father, his drunkard father. The reality shivered down his spine, but his heart told him that this was not true.

"No."

"No? Fine, no pancakes for you…" Maria trailed.

"Oh, what?"

Punk awoke to find her staring at him with her head tilted to the left. He rubbed his eyes, relieved it was only a dream.

"Pancakes sound good, actually," he replied. "Sorry."

"Men," she sighed as she walked off.

Maria hurriedly made breakfast for Punk and herself. CM had told her previously that she was not obliged to daily prepare food for the both of them. Maria insisted, stating it was "the least" she could do in return for his hospitality.

"So, how'd you sleep last night?" Maria asked, a hint of concern present in her voice.

Punk hesitated to answer, stuffing his mouth with food while not meeting her eyes. He guzzled down some coffee, and used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth.

"All right… it was all right."

Maria raised her eyebrows at him.

"Did you, last night… again?"

Defeated, he nodded his head. Maria frowned.

"That's horrible," she muttered under her breath.

Punk showed his discomfort in the topic, trying to brush it away.

"I'm sorry. I just, don't feel like talking about it," he stated plainly.

"Of course, but when you're ready, I'll be here."

In an attempt to change the subject, Punk asked her in return, "You have plans today?"

"Nah," she said, shaking her head. "I called Eve, but she wasn't picking up. She probably has plans with Rener, anyway."

"What if you came with me, to RAW?"

Maria's eyes widened, taken aback by his offer which was unlike him.

"Um…" she trailed.

"I mean, only if you want to. I know how much you miss the WWE."

"Sure, I would love to," she replied.

A foreboding feeling gnawed in the back of Punk's head, but he ignored it. Maria was obviously happy, so who was he to deny her what little joy she had during her current cloud of darkness?

Within minutes of entering the arena, they came face to face with The Million Dollar Princess herself. She greeted Maria with open arms. They held on to each other for some time before breaking apart.

"It is so good to see you," Stephanie said emphatically. "I heard about what happened with Mike. If you are hesitant to return to TNA, know that we'd be more than happy to welcome you back to the WWE."

"Thank you, Steph. I appreciate that."

"We should catch up some time- maybe grab some coffee together? Call me," Steph said before walking off.

Punk placed his right hand on the small of her back, guiding her to his dressing room before anyone else recognized her. To his surprise, Paul Heyman sat waiting for him.

"I knew it."

"Paul, what are you doing in here?"

"I asked you to meet me a little earlier. You never came," he stated.

He glanced over to Maria, and his mouth made an "O" shape.

"Oh, so you've been gallivanting with her, haven't you?"

"Relax, she's just visiting. She's been stuck in my hotel room for some days now. Give her a break," Punk retorted.

"All right. Nice to see you again, Maria," Heyman said curtly, as he rose from his chair. "Punk, a word, please?"

Punk nodded his head. Before leaving, he turned around to find Maria's face inches from his own.

"I… uh, I have a match up next. So, I'll see you in a bit," he said nervously.

Maria smiled, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Go get 'em."

Punk grinned.

"All right! All right!"

Paul walked back into the dressing room and dragged him out of the room by his ear. Punk muttered under his breath as he stumbled out.

CM was scheduled to face Ryback that night. Maria sat on the couch, cheering him on. She wished she could be ringside with him- feel the crowd's energy and be there in person. But Heyman was right, and she agreed with him. She, being a member of TNA should not be sighted by the WWE Universe on the WWE network. So, sitting in his dressing room was as good as it could get.

It was an intense match to watch. Maria couldn't look away. Ryback had him cornered, waiting for Punk to get up so he could do his finisher. At that same moment, there was a rap at the door. Maria jumped, wondering who that could be. The door knob jingled back and forth for a few seconds, and finally the door opened. Lilac filled the room. The small frame of AJ Lee stood before her. They both stared at each other, speechless.

"You," AJ stuttered, crossing her arms. "What are you doing here? This is Punk's dressing room."

"I could say the same about you, AJ," Maria replied, standing up.

"Well, this is such an awkward situation," AJ breathed. "Punk's former lover and current lover in his dressing room together…" she trailed.

Maria crossed her arms as she furrowed her brows. "What are you talking about?" she asked flatly.

AJ made a nervous face. "Punk and I… we're a thing. He didn't tell you?" she chuckled. "So you better back off," AJ stated, blankly.

It was only then that Maria had realized that she was wearing one of his favorite blue hoodies.

Maybe it was true. But why hadn't he told her? Why did he have to lie?

"You better not hurt him," Maria warned, before walking out.

"That's it, run along. Toodaloo," waved AJ.

There was no way Maria could describe what she was feeling. Hurt. Annoyed. Jealous. All rolled into one. But why did she care? Why did it matter to her that Punk was dating AJ Lee? She froze, and then buried her head in her hands.

Was it true?

Did she still have feelings for her lost love, the one who got away?