Part XI: Jealousy
Arriving at Raw the following Monday Punk could tell AJ was not looking forward to it. She was afraid of being punished for her behavior during the house show a few nights ago and most of all she wasn't looking forward to seeing Dean. Punk on the other hand was anxious to get to Raw and had decided he had had enough of Dean Ambrose pushing AJ around and getting away with it. He was furious when he saw how upset AJ was after her argument with the man but later that night when she didn't feel better and cried to him about working so hard and sacrificing everything to get where she was she was starting to feel that this problem with Dean was going to cost her the job she loved. She used to be so happy and bubbly at work and it wouldn't even matter if she wasn't going to be featured she was just honored to be where she was and now he had to practically drag her out of the hotel to work. She didn't want to arrive hours early like she always did, she was absolutely dreading her day and Punk couldn't stand that. She was the one who always picked him up when he was down and now it was his turn to make things right for her.
"I never thought I would be wishing to be off the card before" AJ said walking into the arena with Punk faithfully at her side "I hope they just say I was to hurt from getting hit last week"
"We're about to find out" Punk said walking over to the card with AJ. He skimmed down the line and saw that not only was AJ being featured tonight but also she would be tagging with Dean against….."Oh god" he muttered
"What is it?" she asked refusing to look "Am I working with him?"
"Yes you are" Punk said still looking at the card "You're tagging with him tonight"
"Against who?" AJ questioned
"Me" he told her
"What?" she asked looking at the card herself
"It's fine" Punk assured her
"I don't want to fight you" AJ told him but he just smiled
"You're not going to be fighting me I'm sure you'll be in the ring with Kaitlyn most of the time" Punk smirked
"What a random match" AJ said to him
"It keeps to the story" Punk shrugged "Maybe this will get you closer to the title picture as well if you and Kaitlyn put on a good show like I know you will"
"Oh good you're here" Brad Maddox said walking over to the two "AJ, Stephanie and Hunter want to see you in their office"
"Who are you?" Punk asked the man dressed in a sweater vest
"That's Brad" AJ whispered "He's been here for years"
"What?" Punk asked her then looked at him
"Hi" Brad smiled nervously
"I wonder how much trouble I'm in" AJ muttered walking away with Punk
"None since you're already on the card" Punk told her
"You don't have to come in with me" AJ assured him as they approached the door
"I want to" Punk insisted
"Really I can do it on my own" AJ told him "I made a mistake and I don't want to drag you anymore into this drama"
"I love drama" Punk reminded her "And I love the McMahon family so it all works out"
"Please?" she asked sweetly, he eyed her for a few moments but agreed
"Alright" he sighed "Find me after though"
"I will" she said knocking on the door as he walked away
"AJ I'm glad you're here" Stephanie smiled while Hunter and herself were sitting behind a desk "Take a seat please"
"Ok" She smiled nervously "Before you say anything I just want to apologize for my behavior the other night it was unprofessional and it will never happen again"
"That's good to know" Stephanie remarked coolly "But that issue is settled"
"We spoke to Dean earlier and he took the blame for the entire altercation" Hunter informed her "Said he was a little under slept and pushed your buttons"
"We push each others buttons" AJ told them
"AJ what happened is completely out of character for you" Stephanie pointed out "Hunter seems to think there is a personal issue between you and Dean"
"I know you don't want to talk about it" Hunter started to explain "And I know whatever it is has been going on for a while but you do realize you both have to continue to work with each other until this story wraps? It's going to be going on until Summer Slam"
"I know" AJ told him "I can work with him"
"We have our doubts" Stephanie said to her then offered AJ a light smile "I'm not going to pressure you into talking to us but we want to help you"
"We have eyes and ears everywhere AJ" Hunter reminded her "It doesn't take much to put two and two together" AJ remained silent but that's when Hunter stood up "I'm going to let you talk to Stephanie privately I'll be back" he then walked out of the office leaving the two women
"I don't know what you want me to say" AJ told her boss nervously
"I want you to let me help you" Stephanie told her "I know what it's like back here and I've worked with men like Dean Ambrose before and if he's harassing you in anyway I want to know about it so I can fix it"
"It's really complicated" AJ said to her
"I'm sure it is" Stephanie told her "I'd like to think I know you pretty well by now AJ and I know you take this job very seriously"
"I swear I do" AJ told her desperately
"Did you have a physical relationship with Dean?" Stephanie questioned "Is that why Punk and him are at such odds"
"No" AJ told her honestly "Dean and I can hardly stomach being in the same room together as it is"
"If it's personal AJ just to tell me now and I won't ask again" Stephanie insisted "But I don't want to see you change anymore than you already have. If I can give my father a good enough reason to end this story now then I'll do it but if not it's going to be a long road"
"It is personal" AJ told her politely "And I know you want to help me and I appreciate it but I can't talk about it"
"Is that because Dean doesn't want you talk about it?" Stephanie asked quickly arching a curious brow
"It's a lot of different reasons" AJ told her "I just want to work"
"AJ I'm going to blunt with you" Stephanie said leaning over the table with her hands folded "If Dean Ambrose touched you in any way that you were not comfortable with it's your responsibility to tell us also if he says things to you that could be considered sexual harassment it's also something we should know about it. We want to provide a safe working environment and we can't do that if people aren't honest with us. I don't want you to be of getting in trouble because I swear to you I will have your back"
AJ sat there for a moment eyeing her boss wondering if she was being truthful and just as she was about to open her mouth the door swung open.
"Sorry" Dean said quickly
"I'm in a meeting" Stephanie informed the Shield leader
"With AJ? I thought I cleared this all up" Dean said to her
"It's not your concern" Stephanie said annoyed "Don't forget to shut the door on your way out"
"I apologize" he said with a smile "AJ come find me later we have to talk" then he closed the door again. But Stephanie already sensed the damage was done and AJ was now more tense and was not going to talk.
"AJ?" Stephanie asked in an almost desperate tone
"I have nothing to say" AJ said avoiding eye contact and she knew Stephanie was disappointed
"Alright than" Stephanie nodded "My door is always open to you and here" she said passing her a card "That's my personal cell phone number if you change your mind all you have to do is call"
"Thanks" AJ said taking the card
"Have a good show" Stephanie encouraged as AJ walked out the door
Punk entered the men's locker room and of course Dean was nowhere in sight.
"Hey" John Cena said walking over to him "Is AJ alright?"
"Yea" Punk muttered throwing his bag on the bench and unzipping it
"I heard what happened" John told him causing Punk's eyes to meet his. Did he know what really happened? "It just doesn't seem like AJ to hit someone without a reason and if you want I'll talk to Vince"
"Oh um thanks but I've got that covered" Punk told him
"I'll talk to Dean than" John offered
"I'll talk to Dean" Punk said in a low voice
"You can't hit him" John warned
"Sure I can" Punk defended lightly "If it was Nikki what would you do?"
"That's exactly why I'm offering to handle it" John said seriously "I don't know the whole story and it's not my business but I've heard things from the guys and it just doesn't sound like AJ"
"What have you heard?" Punk asked but John remained silent "We've known each other a long time and I thought we respected each other enough at this point in our careers to at least be honest"
"I'm on AJ's side" John assured him
"What did you hear?" Punk repeated in a more slow drawn out way
"I heard him and AJ had a fling" John told him quietly "And she was a little embarrassed when he called it off"
"That's what you heard? And you buy that?" Punk asked
"Of course not" John said to him "I've worked with AJ too and I know she's a professional and to be honest with you I didn't think she was the type to mess around with anyone she worked with"
"But me right?" Punk asked sarcastically
"You two have always had chemistry so it didn't surprise me either" John shrugged "I asked Nikki about it after the show the other night and she told me how upset AJ's been and I think I finally pieced it all together so if you need someone in your corner to help I'll be there"
"And what did you figure out?" Punk mocked
"That Dean has a little crush on AJ and she probably rejected him and probably bruised his ego a bit" John told him "He starts to push her around and then you show up and take his girl and the top spot that he had been filling while you were gone"
"Dean Ambrose wasn't holding my spot for me" Punk spat "He couldn't lace up my boots"
"I'm not disagreeing" John defended quickly "You have to tread very carefully because how you chose to handle this could hurt AJ in the long run. If people see you pushing him around it's going to look like AJ's weak"
"Or it looks like I'm defending my girlfriend" Punk shot back
"I'm just saying you could make this worse for her" John warned "And I know you don't want to do that. Let her handle this"
"I don't trust him" Punk told him bluntly "He's unstable. One minute he hates her the next he thinks she was his girlfriend and I hate to remind you that he punched her in the face last Monday"
"He's egging you on" John told him "Maybe it's not about AJ at all"
"What's it about than?" Punk asked
"You" John told him flatly "You're a top guy here you get pretty much whatever you want, you have AJ and the main event pretty much every show maybe he's doing it to get to you."
"That's crazy" Punk said letting out a laugh
"Think about" John encouraged "You and AJ were close before you left everyone knew it. No one would bother her because of it then you leave and Dean thinks he's getting this great push which he did" John pointed out "And he starts working with your girl and he wants everyone to know that he's not scared of taking your spot or pushing around your friends"
"I think you've given this way to much thought boy scout" Punk couldn't help but smirk
"I have given it a lot of thought" John told him "Because the more I asked Nikki about AJ the more I realized how unfair this is to her and I like AJ. And I don't want any of the girls back here to feel that because their a woman they can be stepped all over"
"I'll take care of AJ" Punk told him
"If you make this worse for AJ you'll regret it" John warned "And if you get to the point where you get suspended or so fed up you walk again whose going to have her back? The same people who did when you left the first time?"
"No one had her back" Punk reminded him bitterly
"Exactly" John said stone faced "My suggestion is tell AJ to talk to Vince"
"She wants it kept private" Punk told him
"It's not so private anymore" John said to him "I mean the truth is in the beginning everyone thought they just didn't like each other but now it seems a bit more rooted"
"What am I supposed to do?" Punk asked him annoyed but was genuine "Let this guy continue to hurt her?"
"You wait until AJ asks for help" John told him "She's a big girl and she handled herself while you were gone"
"No she didn't" Punk told him seriously. He didn't want to tell John the story but he wanted John to at least know there was more to it. Thankfully John was a smart guy and caught on by just Punk's tone.
"Ok than" John said not sure he wanted to know anymore "I'm going to talk to Dean and you're going to stay away from this for as long as you can. I'll keep Vince and Hunter out of it as long as you stay out of it as well"
"Fine" Punk agreed. But of course if the opportunity presented itself to Punk he'd have to confront Dean but for right now John was right. He could potentially make this far worse for AJ and he couldn't have that.
After AJ left Stephanie's office she stopped by wardrobe to go over her outfit for the night briefly then went in search of Punk. But she got distracted when she bumped into Nikki and Brie.
"AJ!" Nikki smiled waving her over "Could you please tell Brie to tell Daniel to shave his face"
"Come on Nikki" Brie sighed annoyed
"I think it suits him actually" AJ told them as Brie smiled towards her sister
"See!" Brie cheered "Are you feeling better AJ? I heard you went home sick the other night"
"Not really" AJ said not wanting to get into details
"I heard you left because you got into it with Dean again" Nikki said "Brie's just being polite"
"It was stupid" AJ admitted "I let my anger get the best of me"
"No it wasn't I'm proud of you for standing up to him" Nikki said seriously "It's about damn time."
"It's true AJ" Brie said not wanting to agree with Nikki "And now everyone can see what kind of bully your onscreen beau really is"
"It's true even John was questioning me about it" Nikki told them
"He was?" AJ asked and she nodded
"Yup" Nikki confirmed "John like runs the locker room he doesn't want Dean pushing you around anymore than we do"
"It's not fair that you got sent home though" Brie said to her "He should be fired for the way he speaks to you"
"I don't think most of the guys see it that way" AJ told them and the twins made matching disgusted faces
"Who care what the guys think" Nikki told her "I know for a fact that John and Daniel both think Dean is being completely unfair to you plus you have Punk in your corner so the rest of the guys don't matter"
"I don't want this to damage my reputation" AJ admitted to the girls
"Are you kidding?" Brie asked seriously "The only one who looks bad is Dean and he's doing that himself"
"Not according to the water cooler" AJ muttered
"AJ" Dean said heading straight towards the three girls "Can I have a word?"
"We we're in the middle of talking" John Cena's brave girlfriend informed the man folding her arms "It was kind of important"
"I'm sure you can recap AJ on the latest episode of Total Diva's later" Dean smirked "AJ?"
"It's fine I'll catch up with you girls later" AJ said giving them a wave as Dean lightly grabbed her elbow and lead her away
Dean pulled AJ off to the corner away from the ears of all the people walking around. She stood in the corner with her arms folded looking towards the floor.
"What the hell was that meeting about?" he asked her in a whisper
"What do you think it was about?" AJ asked looking up to meet his eyes "It was about you"
"What did you say?" Dean demanded
"Nothing" She said quickly "I said nothing"
"Then why the hell is everyone looking at me like I'm some kind of caged animal?" Dean asked
"Well if the shoe fits…" AJ mumbled to herself
"How about you thank me for covering your ass?" Dean questioned "I took all the heat on your blow up"
"I will never thank you for anything ever" AJ informed him bitterly "How about you thank me for keeping what you did to me to myself" she hissed back
"Again? Really AJ?" Dean asked disbelievingly "We've been over this a hundred times already"
"I know we have but it doesn't change the fact of what you tried to do" AJ reminded him
"If I wanted to sleep with you AJ I could" Dean whispered in her ear as he entered her personal space "If I wanted to right now I could" he said moving his hand down her bare arm
"You're a pig" AJ spat pushing him away from her "Stay away from me"
"That's going to be hard since we work together" Dean smirked
"I don't think I can do this much longer" AJ told him honestly "I can't be around you"
"You love it" Dean laughed "You love this game we have going"
"This isn't a game Dean it's my life!" AJ shouted "I want you to leave me alone!"
"And I want you out of my head!" He screamed back again crossing over into her personal space. Before AJ could respond Dean noticed she was looking over his shoulder and when he turned around he saw Daniel Bryan standing behind him with a strange look on his face and not far behind him was Nikki and Brie
"What the hell are you doing?" Daniel asked Dean
"We were talking" Dean said slowly "So if you could excuse us"
"Actually you were yelling" Daniel told him "Get away from her" he said casually
"This is what I'm talking about" Dean laughed "It's always my fault"
"Well you're not the one backed against the wall right now" Daniel shrugged
"I can explain this" Dean said to the veteran standing in front of him
"Please do" Daniel encouraged folding his arms as both sisters looked on
"AJ and I are working threw some issues" Dean explained calmly
"Ok" Daniel said nodding "So why is she shaking in the corner than?"
"She's fine it's just how we communicate" Dean said looking back towards AJ "Tell him AJ"
"It's fine Daniel" AJ assured her friend
"What's all this?" John Cena asked eyeing the small group and saw Daniel and Dean were nearly chest to chest
"Dean was harassing AJ and Daniel was trying to help" Nikki told her boyfriend bluntly
"AJ" John said looking past both Dean and Daniel "Punk is looking for you he has to go over the match with you, he's in catering"
"Come on AJ we we're going there ourselves" Brie encouraged waving her over
"No we weren't-" Nikki started but Brie elbowed her "Yea come on AJ" she said quickly rubbing her arm
"It's just a misunderstanding" AJ assured both John and Daniel "I was yelling too"
"It's fine kid" John said with a reassuring smile "Go find that boyfriend of yours before he comes back here and this becomes a real party"
"Ok" was all AJ said before walking away with The Bella's. Dean just sighed and tilted his head
"What?" Dean asked slowly
"You do realize that AJ is a friend of mine right?" John asked Dean who just rolled his eyes "She's also very valued here. She's worked with some of the greats like myself, Daniel over here and Punk"
"What's your point?" Dean asked
"She's protected here" John clarified
"Good for AJ" Dean remarked casually "She doesn't need protection from me though"
"Oh we know that" Daniel told him "We're just sick of watching the poor girl try to defend herself every week against you and now all of the sudden it's gotten worse"
"Ever since Punk came back" John said to Daniel "That's strange"
"I thought so" Daniel agreed
"Not everything is about Punk" Dean told them "I've never gotten along with AJ and I'm not going to kiss her ass because her crazy boyfriend is back"
"That's very stupid than" John told him honestly "But no one said to kiss her ass but maybe you can treat her like a colleague instead of a dog"
"She's a diva" Dean told the two of them "She's not my colleague"
"Wow" Daniel said with a laugh
"AJ is your partner in that ring and she makes you look good every week. You should be thanking her because without her you'd just be the weaker link The Shield instead of the strong leader" John reminded him "You're on a different level when you work with her and you wouldn't be here right now without her"
"Look I know you guys are all friendly with her and I know she's buddies with your girlfriends and I don't want to step on any toes here but how I work with her is my business" Dean told them honestly "We're different and no matter what we say to each other back here it only helps us out there"
"You're pushing your luck" John warned "Start treating AJ with the respect she deserves"
"Or what?" Dean asked "You're going to go running to Vince? Newsflash there's nothing to tell! He's a smart guy and knows this is just how it is sometimes"
"No I won't go to Vince I'll step aside and let Punk have a go at you" John told him honestly
"You don't want that" Daniel mocked with laughter
"I'm not afraid of CM Punk" Dean said in a low voice eyeing the two men "He's nothing compared to me"
"He was champion for two years" John reminded
"It's a script" Dean mocked "In a real fight Punk couldn't touch me and he knows it"
"I'd love to see that put to a test" Daniel said to John
"And it won't be just Punk" John added "This isn't the old days Ambrose the women back here should be respected"
"And that's your job?" Dean asked
"Yea it is" John said seriously "Watch your attitude back here because I'll be watching" he finished then walked off with Daniel
AJ went to find Punk who was chatting up Paul Heyman in the catering area.
"Hey" she smiled taking a seat next to Punk
"How did it go with Stephanie?" Punk asked
"It was fine" AJ said quickly
"Did you talk about everything?" Punk asked subtly. He wanted to know if she finally told Stephanie the truth without Paul catching on
"Um yea" she said avoiding his eyes and that was her way of telling him no "Dean showed up in the middle of it so everything is settled"
"Right" Punk muttered drinking his water
"So are you excited about your story change?" Paul asked trying to ease the change
"Yea I'm really looking forward to working with Punk again" AJ told him then smiled "And you of course"
"Well tonight it's a big match for you guys" Paul grinned "The fans are already buzzing"
"Yea I guess I have to meet up with Kaitlyn and go over the match" AJ told them taking Punk's bottle of water and sipping it for herself
"Yea well how about you get Kaitlyn and I'll grab Dean and we can all go over some things" Punk offered as AJ just rolled her eyes
"I'll get Dean" she offered back standing up
"That won't be necessary" Liz who worked in creative stepped over to them "Dean left for the evening"
"What?" Punk asked annoyed
"Yea he's under the weather" Liz said offering them a smile "Tonight you'll be taking on Seth Rollins and we'll have AJ at ringside. It's not fair for her to miss TV time"
"But I'm still missing a match" AJ frowned. Punk knew she was disappointed, she didn't usually get to work matches while escorting Dean out and this could have gotten her into the Diva's title picture.
"I'm sorry AJ" Liz said sadly "We'll see if we can get you a match next week"
"It's fine" AJ said forcing a smile
"Have a good show" Liz smiled again then walked away
"Perfect" AJ muttered collapsing in her chair
"I know you wanted to fight" Punk said to her
"It's fine" AJ assured him plastering a fake smile "I don't know why I'm even surprised."
"AJ-" Punk started but she stood back up again
"It's fine really" she said trying to hide her hurt "I'm going to let Kaitlyn know" she then turned and walked out of the room
"He did that on purpose" Punk told Paul once AJ was out of sight
"Or he has a bug" Paul offered with a slight shrug
"No" Punk said shaking his head "He's purposely screwing AJ"
"Or he's avoiding you" Paul said to him quietly
"I hate this guy" Punk muttered to Paul
"I've gotten that" Paul smirked "Look maybe you could try to smooth things over with him it might make everyone's lives easier"
"That will never happen" Punk shot back "You don't know what he did"
"I'm sure it wasn't unforgivable" Paul said to him
"It was" Punk confirmed
Later that night to cheer AJ up he agreed to go to a club with a few of the other superstars. Punk wasn't big on hanging out in clubs or with most of his co-workers but if it made AJ happy for the night he'd bit the bullet.
"Thank you for this" AJ said walking over to Punk who was sitting at the empty table
"You know how much I love clubs" Punk remarked sarcastically as AJ took a seat on his lap and wrapped her warms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss
"I really am happy you're doing this for me" she whispered in his ear "And I plan on making you very, very happy later tonight"
"I'll take you to a club every night" he offered seriously
"I bet" she laughed as he nipped on her ear
"Really you two?" Dolph asked walking to the pair taking a seat at their table "I thought you were trying to be discreet?"
"We are" AJ smiled as Punk started to kiss her neck and making Dolph uncomfortable was just an added bonus
"Yuck come on" Dolph encouraged "It's a club get out on the dance floor!"
"I'm here and that's good enough" Punk warned his friend
"Is that Dean?" AJ asked looking past some people who were dancing. Punk looked over in that direction and sure enough by the bar Dean was ordering a drink "I thought he was sick" she frowned
"Yea seems like it past" Punk smirked "I'm going to get another drink, want one?"
"No Phil" AJ sighed "Just leave it alone" she pleaded "We're having a good night"
"I just want another water" Punk said to her innocently but she gave him those puppy-dog eyes and he frowned "Fine" he muttered
"Come on AJ" Kaitlyn said walking over to her with Layla
"You're missing all the good dancing songs girl!" Layla smiled
"I'm going to hang out with Phil" AJ told them as they pouted
"It's alright go ahead" Punk encouraged
"Yea I'll keep him on his leash" Dolph offered as Punk shot him a death glare
"Seriously go have fun I'll behave" Punk promised
"Ok" she smiled giving him a chaste kiss on the lips before letting Layla tug her away and back on the dance floor.
While AJ was dancing with her friends she caught Dean's eyes. He gave her a cold stare before downing the rest of his drink and heading towards the exit.
"I'll be right back!" AJ shouted towards the girls before following Dean outside
"AJ don't!" Layla shouted but shook her head as she watched AJ follow the man outside.
AJ looked around outside and instantly shivered. It was freezing out and she hadn't bought her jacket. She found Dean waiting for his car to be bought up by the valet.
"Hey!" AJ shouted rushing towards him
"Not now AJ" Dean sighed looking up at the sky
"I thought you were sick?" AJ asked "You blew my match"
"Our match" Dean corrected "And I was sick you wouldn't want me to throw up all over you would you?" he asked
"You seem fine" AJ remarked coldly "Whatever has you feeling sick hasn't wavered your appetite to drink"
"Oh come off your high horse princess" Dean shot back
"Hey!" a man said walking over to the two. He was clearly drunk and barley able to stand straight "I know you two!"
"Great" Dean muttered
"Be nice" AJ warned before turning to the man "Hi"
"AJ Lee wow" he whistled eyeing her up "Are you two really a thing?" he asked looking over to Dean who just glared at the man
"Get lost man" Dean told him coldly "We were having a conversation"
"Wow" the man laughed "You're an asshole"
"What did you call me?" Dean asked stepping forward. AJ stepped in-between the two quickly
"Dean don't" AJ warned then turned to the other man "Look we're really tired and it's late so if you want a picture I'd be more than happy to take one with you quickly but then we have to go" Dean just kept his eyes on the man who now seemed to forget Dean was even there.
"I was only interested in you anyway" the man whispered in her ear
"Step back" Dean warned pushing the man roughly
"Relax man" the drunk man laughed "He's a real downer" he said to AJ who was uncomfortably smiling "I'll tell you what my mustang is around the corner and I'll give you a ride"
"That's alright" AJ said rubbing the back of her neck starting to get nervous "I couldn't impose" she told him politely
"No imposition darling" he smiled running his finger down her shivering bare arm "I'll warm you right up" he laughed and once his breath hit AJ's face she recoiled slightly at the smell of liquor.
"How about you call yourself a cab right now and I won't beat your face into the curb" Dean threatened
"I'm not afraid of you" The man smirked "Wrestling isn't real"
"You want to put that theory to a test?" Dean mocked
"Dean stop" AJ warned
"Yea Dean stop" the man mocked
"We're leaving" AJ said tugging on Dean's arm
"Wait honey" the man said gripping AJ's arm "What about-" before he could even finish Dean clocked the guy across the face. AJ was horrified by Dean's actions especially when he didn't stop hitting the man.
"Dean stop it!" AJ screamed
"Not so tough now huh?" Dean laughed as he stood over the man and started to slap his face. The man did take a hard punch to the face but now Dean was just mocking the man.
"Dean it's enough!" AJ yelled trying to pull him off the guy
"What's the matter man? Why so quiet?" Dean laughed holding the man up by his collar
"You're crazy!" the man shouted but Dean hit him again across the face this time Dean was more powerful in his hits.
"Dean please!" AJ was starting to cry "Stop it! You'll kill him!"
"You think you can touch her?" Dean whispered darkly into the man's ear "You think you have that right?"
"Dean!" AJ shouted grabbing onto his arm but he just jerked it away causing AJ to hit the sidewalk hard, landing on her backside
"No wise remarks?" Dean mocked
"I'm sorry man!" the man said as blood came from his mouth "Please" he begged
"Say you're sorry!" Dean shouted
"I'm sorry man okay! I'm sorry!" the man pleaded
"Not to me stupid" Dean hissed "To her"
"I'm sorry" he said in the same desperate tone
"Let him go Dean!" AJ yelled
"AJ!" Punk shouted jogging towards her
"Phil get him off of him" AJ begged. Punk stopped before reaching down and saw Dean on the ground with another guy who was bleeding
"No need" Dean smirked standing up, proud of what he had done. The other man stood up quickly and ran from the scene "So long!" Dean mocked with a wave
"What the hell is wrong with you?" AJ hissed, completely horrified by his actions
"You're welcome" Dean remarked
"What was that?" Punk demanded
"That guy had his hands all over AJ" Dean told Punk who immediately turned to his girlfriend
"That's not true" AJ choked out
"Are you alright?" Punk asked stepping over to her
"Yes!" AJ told him "He barley brushed my arm"
"Oh you know what screw you!" Dean said inching closer to her
"Back off" Punk shouted shoving Dean back causing him to stumbled but not fall
"Phil don't" She whispered holding onto his arm
"I just did your job" Dean reminded Punk "I defended your woman's honor"
"I didn't need your help" AJ told him defensively "You were out of line"
"I'm always out of line" Dean smirked
"Get out of here" Punk warned
"You want to go too?" Dean laughed going chest to chest with Punk who was in no way intimidated
"Hey guys" Dolph said walking over to them with Big E, Kaitlyn and Layla in tow "We good?" both men remained silent
"AJ are you alright?" Kaitlyn asked eyeing her friend whose makeup was running
"AJ?" Big E asked eyeing Dean instead
"It's fine" she told them "I'm cold and want to go back to the hotel. Let's go Phil" She said tugging on his arm but he didn't move, Punk just kept his eyes on Dean
"I'll see you guys tomorrow" Dean said then turned and walked away
"What was that?" Dolph asked Punk
"I have no idea" Punk said then looked over to AJ "You sure you're alright?"
"Yes" she assured him "Can we just leave"
"Yea" Punk muttered
"We grabbed your jacket" Layla smiled handing it over to AJ
"Thanks" She said quickly putting it on
Later that night Punk and AJ were lying in bed trying to get some sleep but she could feel Punk's tense body moving around next to hers.
"What's on your mind?" AJ asked rolling over to face him
"What do you think?" Punk asked then rolled his eyes "Can you explain this again to me?"
"I already did a hundred times" AJ sighed "There was this fan and he was buzzed and made some inappropriate comments he lightly tugged on my arm to stop me from leaving and Dean went nuclear" Punk didn't respond but kept starring up at the ceiling "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking if I was out there with you I would have done the same exact thing Dean would have" Punk admitted "Maybe not to that extent but there would have been a fight"
"It was so ridiculous" AJ told him "You would have walked away"
"Not if you care about somebody the way I care about you" Punk said finally turning his head to look at her "And clearly Dean feels as strongly"
"Dean hates me" AJ reminded him
"He likes you" Punk corrected "And he resents me for coming back and taking you away from him"
"I was never his" AJ argued lightly "He's not that deluded"
"Maybe he thinks you could have been his" Punk pointed out "He's angry and he doesn't know how to control it"
"He was out of line tonight but he's not dangerous" AJ defended "He probably had one drink too many"
"And what happened the last time you were alone with him and he had one drink too many?" Punk asked seriously
"That's not fair" AJ sighed
"It's a fact AJ" Punk told her sternly "You can't work with him anymore"
"Phil" AJ started but he cut her off
"You have to talk to Hunter or Stephanie" Punk said cutting her off
"I already told you why I can't" AJ said to him "You promised you wouldn't say anything"
"And I won't" Punk said to her "But I really think you should. You did nothing wrong and they'll see it that way"
"I'll be ripped apart online and in the dirtsheets" AJ told him
"Who cares?" Punk asked casually "I've got your back"
"You really do don't you?" AJ asked offering him a genuine smile
"I have never felt so strongly about somebody before and it scares me" Punk admitted "I can't stand it when you cry it makes me want to strangle somebody, I hate it when you're disappointed because all I want to do is scream and yell until I can fix it. All I want to do is make you happy and smile"
"You already do" AJ promised running her hand over his short hair "I've never been happier"
"I love you AJ" Punk said looking her directly in the eyes "And believe me when I tell you I have your best interest at heart and talking to them is the best thing possible and I swear to you that I'll be by your side and I won't let anyone bring you down" he promised
"You really mean that?" AJ asked still stunned by the three words he stated
"Of course I'll even set up the meeting-" Punk stopped when he saw her face scrunch up "What?" he asked
"I meant about loving me" AJ clarified
"Of course I love you" He said with a chuckle "Wasn't it obvious?"
"You've always showed me, even when I was a rookie but it is nice to hear" AJ whispered with a smile "In case you were curious I love you too" she teased lightly kissing his cheek
"I know" he said with a grin "But you're right it is nice to hear" he said playing on her own words