Part XXI: Stolen Kisses
The ride to Raw the next night was a quiet one. Punk was still ticked off with AJ for running in on his match and AJ seemed to be annoyed that he was still mad. Colt could tell this by the fact that Punk slept in a bunk last night with Nacho while AJ took the big bed.
"She was trying to help you" Colt reminded Punk as they grabbed some food from catering.
"Thanks for pointing that out to me" Punk muttered
"You can't stay mad at her forever" Colt added as Punk groaned
"I'm not mad at her" Punk said to him "I'm just…I don't know"
"She's fine man" Colt reminded him
"I know all of this" Punk told him coldly "Look I'm not mad at her ok?"
"You slept on a bunk" Colt pointed out "With her dog"
"Nacho wanted to sleep with me" Punk told him "And I slept on the bunk because my knee needed rest"
"So you opted to sleep in a cramped bunk rather than you're spacious bed?" Colt asked
"She could have seriously been hurt" Punk said to him
"How was she supposed to know that would happen?" Colt questioned
"Because the last two times she's been around him he's punched her in the face and twisted her wrist" Punk told him "Not to mention other things he's done when he's had the chance to get her alone. He isn't a good guy making a good story he's unstable and dangerous and I don't want AJ involved with it and she knows this"
"I didn't know-" Colt started
"-then you wouldn't have known how he showed up at her place in Tampa twice as well just to taunt her" Punk said to him "AJ has been working hard to move past her issues with him and she'll never be able to do that if she keeps getting hurt"
"I didn't know but it doesn't change the fact that you're being unfair to her. I know you think you know what's best for AJ but obviously she knows what's best for herself as well. Cut her some slack" Colt told him
"He stole my dog" AJ said to Kaitlyn in the Diva's locker room
"Don't be ridiculous" Kaitlyn laughed "Nacho has grown attached to Punk"
"He sided with him!" AJ pointed out "He didn't even want to sleep with me last name he chose him"
"He likes him" Kaitlyn smirked as she applied some makeup
"He's a traitor" AJ just told her folding her arms in a childish manner
"You know Maria is here again" Kaitlyn informed her friend
"You're kidding me" AJ muttered "Why?"
"A guest of Dean's" Kaitlyn shrugged "I saw them arriving together earlier"
"Wonderful" AJ sighed "I want to have a word with her anyway"
"Leave it AJ" Kaitlyn warned "Punk clearly doesn't want you involved in this"
"I am involved in this" AJ reminded her "This is all because of me and I'm not going to hide behind Phil while he fights my battles"
"The stuff with Maria is his problem" Kaitlyn pointed out "Not yours"
"The stuff with Dean was my problem" AJ said walking towards the door
"AJ don't" Kaitlyn warned but AJ ignored her and left the locker room
Punk was walking around backstage when he spotted Maria talking to a producer.
"Phil!" She shouted then jogged over to him in her high heels "I really want to talk to you about last week-"
"I don't want to talk about it" Punk told her
"I thought you knew about it I had no idea that we were blindsiding you" Maria promised "I'm really sorry"
"What are you doing Maria?" Punk asked her
"Dean invited me" Maria told her unsure as to why he was asking
"Not here I mean with Dean" Punk clarified
"He reached out to me when I needed a friend" Maria told him honestly
"And you thought he reached out to you because he's this great guy?" Punk mocked "He did it to bother me"
"Does it?" Maria questioned looking up to meet his eyes "Does it bother you that he cares about me?"
"You were important to me Maria and that won't change and Dean isn't a good guy I'd hate to see you get hurt again" Punk told her honestly
"I thought you didn't care about me at all" Maria said to him "I knew you still did"
"Like I said you were a major part of my life but I've moved on with AJ" Punk told her and she nodded "And I know what Dean has to done to her and I wouldn't wish that upon anyway especially you"
"What happened with us?" Maria asked sheepishly "We we're best friends"
"People change" Punk shrugged
"I love that you're looking out for me" Maria admitted with a sly smile
"I told you he's not a good guy" Punk said to her
"I still love you Phil" Maria admitted as Punk rolled his eyes slightly
"-Maria" Punk started
"No I really do and if hanging around Dean Ambrose gives me the chance to see you then I'll do it" Maria told him "You don't still feel it?"
"No I don't" Punk told her bluntly after he said that Maria reached up to his face and placed a gentle kiss on his closed lips. Punk didn't respond as Maria kept her position for a few moments before finally pulling away
"You didn't feel anything?" she asked hopefully but he just shook his head no "I'll see you around Phil" she said walking away and Punk took off in the opposite direction
"That bastard" Dean whispered into AJ's ear. She had been standing a few feet away the entire time out of both Punk's and Maria's line of sight. Dean was standing behind AJ as well with a huge grin "That's your hero AJ, that's the guy you gave it all up for"
"Shut up" AJ muttered holding back tears
"Are you going to cry?" Dean smirked moving to look at her face and she was in fact holding back tears "Don't get mad or sad get even"
"It was nothing" AJ told him
"She kissed him and he didn't pull away. I wonder how he'd feel if you did the same thing?" Dean questioned
"Get away from me" AJ warned in a low voice, she was in mood to play his game
"I think he kind of liked it" Dean snorted "I wouldn't mind it either I mean Maria is gorgeous and not like a nerdy gorgeous- top model gorgeous" he noted knowing he was getting to AJ "I mean if he didn't like it he would have pushed her away, no?"
"This is what you wanted right?" AJ asked turning to face him "You wanted to drive a wedge between us and decided on using his sleazy ex to do so?"
"Really, AJ? I think you're past the age of name-calling. Maria is a lovely woman…inside and out and clearly Phil agrees with me" Dean smiled innocently "But if you would like to test the jealousy theory I'd be more than happy to help out"
"In your dreams" AJ sneered
"Actually that is true" Dean agreed with a nod "I dream about you all of the time as a matter of fact last night after I hit you with that chair I had a dream you came up to my hotel room and you had on nothing but-"
"Stop" AJ demanded "It will never happen"
"It almost did happen" Dean said to her "We didn't get to far but you got a taste of me and I think you liked it"
"Your hands on my body made me sick- literally" she told him coldly
"I'm pretty sure the illness came from all the drinks" Dean reminded her
"It took me six drinks to get me up to your room and even then I knew I could do better" AJ grinned knowing that dig got to him
"And that's what Punk is? Better then me?" Dean questioned starting to get angry
"In every sense of the word" AJ told him slowly
"I'll prove you wrong" Dean said pushing AJ her up against the wall then leaned in so his lips were brushing against her ears "Blow him off tonight like he did earlier to you and I'll show you-" AJ didn't even realize that Dean had been pulled away
"Great" Dean muttered
"What the hell is going on?" Hunter demanded "What are you doing?"
"He didn't do anything" AJ told Hunter "He's just a bully"
"AJ?" Punk asked walking over to them and saw Hunter was standing in-between her and Dean
"Icing on the cake" Dean sighed ready for a fight
"What the hell-" Punk started but stopped when he felt a hard slap across his face. Punk was shocked when AJ's small but strong hand knocked the taste out of his mouth. Both Hunter and Dean were equally surprised "What did you do that for?" Punk demanded
"Maybe it was because you kissed your ex" Dean offered
"AJ…" Punk started in much softer tone but AJ turned around and walked away "AJ wait!" Punk yelled
"Doesn't feel so good huh?" Dean teased Punk pointing to his cheek
"Shut up" Hunter said to him
AJ had finally started to cry when she knew no one had followed her. She headed into an empty office and slammed the door. She was in there for only a minute when she heard the door open and without turning around she knew it was Punk.
"I don't want to see you Phil" AJ told him with her back still turned
"I'm not Phil" Nick aka Dolph Ziggler said to her "What's wrong shorty?"
"How'd you know I was in here?" AJ asked turning around to face her friend
"I saw you run in" Nick told her "Seriously what's go you crying?"
"I don't want to talk about it" AJ admitted taking a seat on a desk
"Was it that jerk Dean?" Nick asked seriously
"No he didn't do anything for a change" AJ admitted forcing out a sad smile "I saw Maria kiss Phil"
"That's Maria for ya" Nick said letting out a laugh "So what?"
"So what?" AJ mocked "I am his girlfriend and I live with him now, he shouldn't be letting his ex-girlfriend kiss him and he didn't even pull away!"
"Was he into it?" Nick asked
"What do you mean?" AJ asked back
"Did he run his hands threw her hair or pull her close?" Nick questioned
"No" AJ admitted "He just kind of stood there until she pulled away"
"He let her get out of her system a kiss is just a kiss" Nick told her standing in front of her
"I don't-" AJ started but stopped when Nick grabbed AJ by her face and pulled her into a kiss that she didn't respond to
"See?" Nick asked pulling away "It means nothing"
"Yea thanks" AJ muttered placing her fingers over her lips
"No problem shorty" Nick smiled heading to the door "Anytime you need a reminder let me know!" he laughed as he opened the door "She's in there" he said to Punk who walked into the office
"AJ" Punk said as AJ turned to look at him "It was nothing" he swore
"Then why didn't you pull away?" AJ asked him "You know how insecure I am when it comes to her"
"I didn't want to cause a scene" Punk admitted "And it wasn't even a kiss! There was no tongue" AJ just rolled her eyes
"It's fine" she said to him sadly "Nick explained it to me"
"He explained it?" Punk asked curiously
"You weren't into and neither was I" AJ told him and Punk nodded
"Right" Punk agreed "Wait what?"
"I'm sorry for slapping you" AJ said to him "That was rude"
"And it hurt" Punk said rubbing his cheek
"At least it got you to talk to me" AJ said to him as she stepped over to him and kissed his cheek that she had hit
"I didn't mean to ignore you" Punk said to her "I was just-"
"-I get it" she said cutting him off "Let's just forget it all"
"Ok" Punk agreed "So what do you mean by you weren't into it either?" he asked "Did Dean kiss you?"
"No Nick did" AJ told him with a laugh as she watched Punk's face fall "He was just proving that kisses don't mean anything and he was right"
"He-" Punk started but AJ pulled his lips onto hers to silence him
"Now that was a kiss" AJ told him with a smile once she pulled away
"You let Nick kiss you?" Punk asked pulling away slightly
"I let Nick kiss me just like you let Maria kiss you" AJ said to him
"I didn't let her" Punk reminded her
"Either did I" AJ smiled as Punk placed his hand behind her neck and pulled her lips to his "Let's not talk about it again"
"No talking" Punk agreed as he continued to kiss her
"I thought…we agreed…" AJ started but was distracted by Punk kissing her neck "…not to do this….here"
"I never agreed" Punk said as his hands moved to the hem of her shirt "I missed you last night" he said as his hands started to wander more
"You're the one that opted to sleep with Nacho" AJ reminded him as her eyes started to close and was starting to enjoy the sensation of Punk's hands and mouth
"He doesn't talk in his sleep" Punk teased lightly causing AJ to pinch his side "Ouch I'm sorry" he laughed as he lifted her and put her onto the desk
"You're mean" AJ muttered as she cradled his head as his head remained in the crook of her neck "But you feel.."
"Amazing?" Punk finished as he moved to short jeans and unbuttoned them
"You sure you want to do this here?" AJ asked as she lifted herself off the desk slightly so he could remove her shorts completely
"Yes" he whispered
A half an hour later AJ was pulling her jeans back up when she looked over towards Punk.
"We can't do that again" AJ told him seriously
"You say that every time" Punk laughed pulling his shirt back on
"Where is my shirt?" AJ asked looking around
"I don't know" Punk shrugged pulling his phone out of his pocket and checking for messages
"Fine I'll just walk out of here looking like this" AJ threatened as Punk looked up at her
"I'll help" he insisted putting his phone back in his pocket "Here" he said passing it back to her
"Thanks" She smiled quickly putting it on "I've got to get Nacho I left him with E in the men's locker room" she went to leave the room when she felt Punk tug on her arm "Really? We can't again I don't have the time-" Punk just smiled and kept his eyes locked on hers while he zipped her jeans back up and buttoned them "Thanks" she said blushing slightly
"You're welcome" Punk smirked as AJ peeked his lips
AJ and Punk entered his locker room at the same time with Nacho while Colt was sitting on the couch.
"It's about time" Colt said annoyed "Where the hell have you two been?"
"We were busy" Punk told him simply
"Doing what?" Colt asked with a laugh
"Do you really want me to tell you?" Punk asked giving him a knowing stare
"Nope" Colt said quickly "Come here Nacho" he said as AJ handed him the dog "Looks like you're bunking with me tonight"
"So do you want to tell me what was going on between you, Dean and Hunter before you slapped me?" Punk asked as Colt's face lit up like a Christmas tree. The fact that AJ had slapped him bought him too much joy.
"Or you can back up and tell me why you slapped him" Colt offered
"Butt out" Punk warned
"Dean was being Dean" AJ shrugged not giving it another thought "He saw you kiss Maria too"
"You kissed Maria?" Colt asked stunned "In front of AJ?" AJ glared over to Colt now "Not that it matters whether you saw or not it was very wrong" he said scolding his friend to appease AJ
"She kissed Nick" Punk shot towards his friend
"What?" Colt asked looking at AJ
"He kissed me" AJ defended "And I thought we were not going to talk about it again"
"You're right" Punk agreed "So what did he say"
"He offered to help me get even with you" AJ informed him and Punk smirked
"I can't wait to work with him later" Punk smiled happily
"What are you doing with him later?" AJ asked
"I'm going to be attacking him during his match tonight" Punk told her "I get to beat him with a chair for a change"
"No promos?" AJ asked hopefully
"No not tonight" Punk told her
"Well I have a match tonight" AJ told him "That's right you didn't mishear I'm actually getting a chance to wrestle again" she teased
"Who are you fighting?" Colt asked
"Tamina" AJ told them "I was going to stop by the locker room but your ex is in there chatting up the girls"
"Maria is still here?" Punk asked surprised
"Yea I mean she's a guest of Dean's" AJ shrugged
"You think he's sleeping with her?" Colt asked the two
"I don't know or care" Punk told him
"He probably is" AJ told them "He's a pig"
"I just don't want her around constantly" Punk told them
"Should have thought about that before you slept with her a few months back" Colt offered as Punk gave him a look as if he was going to kill him
"It's fine" AJ told Punk "And he's right you shouldn't have but you did so we'll just deal with it" she said to him "I need to go get my shirt for tonight watch Nacho" she said then walked out of the locker room
"Marry her" Colt told Punk in a serious tone "Or I might"
"She is pretty great, huh?" Punk said with a stupid smile
"She really is" Colt agreed "I'd hate to see you screw it up"
"Maria kissed me" Punk told him annoyed "I didn't even kiss her back"
"You should have pulled away most women in AJ's shoes would have slapped you and then walked away" Colt pointed out
"I know" Punk said in aggravated tone "I don't want to screw it up, I know she's different and I don't want to screw it up, why do you think I moved her in so fast?"
"I thought it was so you can watch her walk around naked and I wouldn't blame you for that" Colt said fondly
"Don't think about her naked" Punk warned
"I can't erase what I saw" Colt defended
"Colt" Punk warned
"You're right, sorry" he said quickly
"I'm so used to not putting anything into a relationship because I didn't really care and now I think I'm trying to hard" Punk confided
"I think you're doing alright you know up until you tongued your ex in front of her" Colt told him honestly
"There was no tongue" Punk told him sternly "I felt nothing and believe me there was time where I would have just gave into her but it's like AJ has turned me off to all other women or something" he said rubbing his head "It's weird"
"It's love" Colt told him with a grin
"Yea I guess it is" Punk agreed
AJ was chatting with Brie and Nikki while waiting for Sandra to get back to her station.
"So what's her deal?" Nikki asked "John told me she didn't sign a contract but Dean is insisting on having her around"
"She won't last back here" AJ told them "She kissed Phil earlier"
"She what?" Brie asked surprised
"I hope you slapped the taste out of her slutty mouth" Nikki said to AJ who just looked away "You did nothing?"
"I slapped Phil" AJ offered hopefully but Nikki just shook her head
"I'm sure it wasn't his fault" Nikki said to her "She's been waiting to get her hands back on him for years"
"Hey girls" Maria said walking over. She was wearing a cut up Shield t-shirt
"She's not only moving on your man but also your style" Brie whispered into AJ's ear
"Nice outfit" Nikki remarked with an eye roll "It looks familiar"
"AJ I wanted to-" Maria started ignoring Nikki's comment
"You wanted to what? Apologize for kissing my boyfriend?" AJ asked folding her arms
"I really think that's something for Phil to apologize for" Maria replied
"I saw the entire thing Maria" AJ said to her "You should really just leave because you're not wanted here"
"Dean wants me here" Maria told her "And so does Phil"
"Is that what he said?" AJ asked surprised
"He didn't have to" Maria told her "Look Dean was right about you, you're very sweet and sort of stupid"
"Excuse me?" AJ asked offended
"You're a baby AJ" Maria told her "You're not woman enough for Phil and he's eventually going to look for a better way to keep satisfied"
"I didn't hear him complaining an hour ago" AJ shot back as both the twins just looked on and smiled proudly at AJ "Clearly the only one who wasn't woman enough for him was you and as for being stupid I would also say you fall under that category because Dean is just using you"
"I'm not complaining" Maria replied with a sly smile "As a matter of fact Dean offered to let me walk out with him tonight"
"We'll see about that" AJ said to her confidentiality "By the way if you're trying to make a comeback here trying coming back as your own character and not mine" she said eyeing Maria's outfit
"I've been around a lot longer than you April" Maria pointed out smugly
"Yea and I've made a bigger impression then you ever had" AJ shot back holding her ground "I'm the highest selling Diva this company has ever seen, I am respected by not just the girls back here but even the men and more importantly I'm better in the ring then you ever where. There's a reason you were an interviewer when you first started"
"Damn" Nikki said proudly
"It doesn't matter who wore it first" Maria informed AJ "It matters on who wore it best"
"And that's you?" AJ asked challenging Maria as she took a step forward
"Everything ok over here?" Stephanie asked walking over with a smile
"Maria is going out tonight?" AJ asked Stephanie who looked confused
"Dean invited me" Maria told Stephanie who she had considered a friend
"That's all well in good but Dean doesn't get to have a say on who can work while not under contract" Stephanie told her politely
"About that…" Maria started
"Let's talk in private" Stephanie offered nodding her head for Maria to follow her
Later that night Dean had a match against Mark Henry and thankfully Maria was not at ringside. Actually after her meeting with Stephanie, Maria was nowhere in sight. AJ was watching from the locker room with Colt and Nacho and enjoyed Punk casually walking down to the ring without his music and a chair in hand. Once Dean won his match Punk crawled into the ring and started hitting Dean with a chair. Roman and Seth came down to the ring and started and Punk knocked them out with the chair as well.
"That was great" AJ smiled standing up "I'm up next, watch Nacho"
"He keeps going to the door" Colt noted
"He's waiting for Phil" AJ said to him as she smiled at her dog
"It's weird" Colt said shaking his head "His obsession with him is unhealthy just like yours"
"Love it's an obsession" AJ told him then smiled wickedly "Well I guess it is kind of an obsession"
"Just go get ready for your match" Colt said as AJ giggled walking out the door
Even though AJ was scripted to lose her match tonight she was going to give it all she had. They were giving six minutes, which was unheard for a Diva's match during Raw. And AJ did enjoy working with Tamina, since she was bigger AJ could do a lot more and since they were friends they worked remarkably well together. When the match was four minutes in AJ noticed someone walking down the ramp.
"Oh my god" AJ muttered at the sight of Dean Ambrose holding Nacho in his arms
"What the hell is he doing?" Tamina whispered
"Just end it now" AJ said to her signaling for her to end the match. When AJ turned to face Tamina she got kicked right in the mouth causing Tamina to get the 1-2-3 and the victory. After Tamina left the ring AJ sat up and looked down at her hand that was covering her mouth and saw it was covered in blood, she must have lost a tooth.
"Hey AJ!" Dean yelled with a smile from outside the ring "Lookie who I've got!" he said taunting her with Nacho. AJ watched helplessly still holding her bleeding mouth as Dean walked around the ring and towards the announcer table.
"Don't" AJ said crawling on her knees to the other end of the ring but Dean just laughed. AJ noticed the crowd start to cheer and saw from the corner of her eye Punk running down to the ring but Dean was already over the barricade and headed threw the audience with Nacho still in his arms
"Come on AJ" the doctor said entering the ring "You're bleeding pretty bad we need to get you to the back"
"My dog" AJ said to the doctor
"Phil's getting him" The doctor said nodding as Punk climbed over the same barricade and chased after Dean
Backstage AJ was still covering her mouth and refusing to get checked out.
"AJ seriously we need to look at your mouth" the doctor told her
"Dean has my dog" AJ said shaking her head "Where is he?"
"That was really your dog?" The doctor asked
"Yes!" AJ shouted "And I need to make sure he doesn't hurt him"
"Look here comes Punk" The doctor said as Punk walked over to AJ with Nacho
"I got him" Punk said
"Did he hurt him?" AJ asked using her free hand to pet him
"He's fine" Punk said to her "Nacho ran out of the locker room when I opened the door and I was looking everywhere for him, I didn't even know Dean had him until I saw him walk in on your match"
"I'm going to kill him" AJ muttered
"Can we go look at your mouth now?" The doctor pleaded slightly
"Yea" AJ said to him "Are you sure he's ok?"
"He's fine I won't let him out of my sight" Punk promised
"Ok" AJ said as the doctor lead her into the trainers room
"It was a joke!" Dean said with a loud laugh as he walked with Hunter "It was funny!"
"It wasn't scripted" Hunter told him
"And you weren't given permission by the dogs owners" Punk told him
"Oh you own Nacho now?" Dean asked annoyed
"Yes I do" Punk shot back "And he hates you, he's all traumatized now" Punk said petting the dog
"It was harmless" Dean said to Punk then looked towards Hunter "Come on you thought it was funny"
"No I didn't because while you were distracting AJ she took a misstep and ended up with a bloody mouth" Hunter told him
"It's not my fault AJ doesn't know how to wrestle" Dean mocked
"Shut him up or I will" Punk said to Hunter
"How could you do that while you're basically holding your girlfriend purse" Dean mocked nodding towards Nacho who growled towards him
"Enough, my office now" Hunter said grabbing Dean by his arm and leading him away from Punk.
Punk headed into the trainers' office to check on AJ.
"Are you sure he's ok?" AJ asked Punk as the doctor was writing something down
"Yes I'm more worried about you" Punk said to her "How is she?"
"She lost a tooth in the back" he told Punk "Make sure she's a dentist tomorrow before the show"
"Will do" Punk promised "Are you sure it was just one tooth? That was a lot of blood"
"Yea it knocked into her gum as well" The doctor told him "Tomorrow AJ" the doctor said handing her a slip of paper
"I can't believe he got his hands on Nacho" AJ said extending her arms for Punk to hand over Nacho which he did "You're supposed to bite strangers" AJ scolded her dog lightly and Punk just smiled "Thank you for chasing after him"
"I love Nacho" Punk told her simply
"You really do, don't you?" AJ asked with a smile
"Of course" Punk smirked kissing the top of AJ's head "How's your mouth feel?"
"Like someone kicked me brutally" AJ sighed rubbing the side of her jaw "Okay it hurts really bad"
"Let's get you back on the bus" Punk said extending his hand to her and helping her off the cot
"You need to give Nacho a bath" AJ told him as they walked out of the office
"What? Why?" Punk asked annoyed
"Dean had his hands on him" AJ reminded him "His filthy, tainted, disgusting hands. He needs to bathe and my mouth hurts too much"
"Fine" Punk said threw gritted teeth
"You're the best" AJ smiled
"You know I'm just going to make Colt do it, right?" Punk asked as she let out a chuckle "It's his fault he wasn't watching him close enough"
"As long as it gets done" AJ said with a shrug