Chapter 14: When You Realize

Punk stayed by AJ's side as they wheeled her into the emergency unit. She was slipping in and out of consciences…her body was beginning to go into shock due to the pain coursing through her body. Punk felt horrible…after everything he told her on that rooftop she still put her life on the line for him.

"Brooks what the fuck was that" James said rushing up to Punk who was sitting in the waiting area

Punk wasn't family so he wasn't allowed to see AJ…he felt bad though because all of her family was back home in her hometown of Jersey.

"Ugh do you really want to do this now" Punk replied groaning as he shifted in his chair.

"I told you to follow my orders out there…you don't always have to be Mr. Big Shit" James replied getting right in Punk's face

Punk stood up and got right back in James's face

"Okay first off I was not trying to be anything. Secondly if we followed your orders we would still be out there waiting. Thirdly I did not know that she followed me in there or what she was going to do…so do not fucking blame me for this shit" Punk replied harshly he was fuming right now.

"I should suspend your ass Brooks" James replied sternly

"Suspend me…I really don't give a fuck" Punk replied as he sat back down in his chair

"Stubborn ass" James replied as he walked away throwing his arms up in frustration.

"Hey man how is she doing" Kofi asked walking up to Punk as he was surrounded by other fellow officers

"I don't know they haven't said anything to me yet" Punk replied with a sigh

Kofi could tell Punk was scared out of his mind. He looked so tired…he had been waiting in the same chair for hours now.

"Do you want us to stay here with you" an officer asked patting Punk on the back

"No thanks…if anyone should stay here it should be me. I feel really bad about all of this" Punk replied running his fingers in his messy hair

"Alright well please let us know what they say…call or text no matter what time it is man" Kofi replied as he and the fellow officers left.

Punk felt a hand touching him gently on his shoulder. Punk's eyes shot open as he sat up in his chair.

"Mr. Brooks I'm sorry to wake you. Ms. Mendez is stabilized…the doctor had to perform emergency surgery to remove the bullet and stitch her up" A nurse said with a gently smile

"Is she okay…I mean is she going to be okay" Punk asked nervously

"She'll be fine…we have her resting now" the nurse replied sweetly

"Can I see her" Punk asked softly

"Of course you can…she is in room 211" the nurse replied with a smile

"Thank you" Punk replied softly

"You're welcome" the nurse replied as she walked away

Punk walked into room 211…there she was resting but thank god she was okay. Punk quietly made his way to AJ's side. She looked so peaceful sleeping in her hospital bed…she was out due to the medication she was given.

"AJ I'm so sorry…I feel like shit" Punk whispered leaning over AJ's bedside

It was nothing but the sound of the hospital machines beeping and the sound of her light breathing.

Punk raised his hand and gentle caressed the top of AJ's head. He owed her big time…she almost died because of him and all he ever did was treat her like shit.

Punk kept one hand on the top of her head and placed another one atop of her small hand. He didn't know what it was but he had been fighting with it for so long. He was starting to care for this person more than he thought he could care for someone.

It scared Punk to know that someone could make him feel this way. This small woman little by little was breaking that tough exterior that he had put up his whole life…he was never surprised when he would hear people call him a stone cold bastard.

Quite frankly he was…he lied of course when he said he didn't date of course he did, he was a man with desires and needs to. But it just seemed in every relationship Punk was so unattached emotionally…so it always wound up the same she either cheated or dumped him flat out. Which he never seemed to care when he was dumped…that only pissed off the women more.

But there was something about this girl that made him feel otherwise and he hated it. He hated that the bickering he would always have with AJ would seem to make his day…her smile made him smile on the inside.

"Shit" Punk whispered to himself finally figuring it all out

Punk glanced at AJ who was still sleeping and leaned down kissing the top of her head softly. Punk then plopped himself onto the chair that was beside AJ's bed…trying to make himself comfortable. Tonight Punk wasn't going anywhere…he owed AJ that much.