Chapter 20: Taking It All In

Punk's heart was racing looking at that framed picture…why did she have it…what did it mean by her having it? That's when it all clicked in…slowly but surely with everything that Natalie had been doing there was a purpose. There was a reason…and he fell for it…all of it.

Punk broke the frame and grabbed the picture out of the frame…cutting one of his fingers in the process. Punk didn't even care that he was bleeding…that didn't matter right now. What mattered was AJ…and he had to find her before it was too late.

"How could I be so stupid…I should have known better" Punk thought running back to his car peeling out quickly.

She was destroying him…he was just too stupid to realize it. It all made sense...her making her move when he was at his lowest. The anger she felt when he took AJ back…the anger in general she had for AJ.

"Now you stay here and keep your mouth shut" Natalie said tying AJ to a chair inside an old abandoned office.

"Why did you bring me here…who are you really?" AJ retorted harshly

"When the time is right…you'll know soon enough" Natalie replied with a smirk

"Please let me go…I won't tell a soul just please my baby…I" AJ was cut off by Natalie's hand slapping over her mouth

"You took something from me…something that I loved. Now it's my turn to take something from you…both of you" Natalie replied sternly

AJ's eyes widened in fear…there was something so sinister in those glowing blue eyes. She had seen that look before…those eyes were the first thing that caught AJ's attention when she first started working for the Chicago PD.

AJ felt the tears running down her cheeks as Natalie removed her hand and she broke into sobs.

"You feel that…it's horrible. It's the same thing I felt…horrible feeling" Natalie replied with a smirk.

He knew where he was going…he vowed to never go back but now he had no choice. Everything that went down in that place…the pain and fear he felt just heading that route.

Punk's heart felt like it was about to jump out of his chest…he felt like he wanted to puke his guts out just thinking about everything.

Passing every single read light…Punk was close he knew he was. After another fifteen minute drive he had finally made it. Getting off the car he took in a deep breath and shut his eyes. Upon closing his eyes a horrible flashback popped into his head…Punk opened his eyes and turned around.

He could see it all…he was pulling his out of the car. Punk only had that one chance to get away. He was so stupid to look back…Punk could actually hear the snap when he fell and broke his wrist.

"You can do this…you have too. Be strong…for both of them" Punk whispered clutching at the wrist he had broken that day.

It didn't bother him…well every now and then when the Chicago weather got insanely low then his wrist bone would hurt. It was nothing that he couldn't handle of course.

Punk grabbed his gun in the glove compartment and shut the door. Punk took in a deep breath and began his walk inside the place that still haunted his dreams. He never thought he would ever had to be in this position again…he never thought AJ the love of his life would be taken in such a way.

Punk walked inside and was met with the same coldness hitting him in the face just like last time. He felt shivers go up his spine just looking around this place…he felt weak just standing there.

"Well well…looks like you got great looks and brains. Same not a lot of men have that" Natalie said with a chuckle.

Punk looked around but he couldn't see her…it was so damn dark.

"Where are you?" Punk replied softly

"Closer than you think Punk" Natalie replied seductively

"Natalie please I just…" Punk's words were cut off by the feeling of arms wrapping around his waist.

"It didn't have to be this way...you chose this" Natalie whispered into Punk's ear

"I chose this…how" Punk replied trying to keep his composure

"You took her back…you made a fool of me. I will not be made a fool of…I took care of you…I fell in love with you and you didn't want me" Natalie replied softly

"You were the one who said all you wanted was friendship" Punk replied sternly

"I was never supposed to fall in love with the enemy…but you oh you. You just swept me off my feet…silly me I thought you cared" Natalie whispered softly

Punk was growing annoyed…they were standing in darkness. Not only that Punk hated the fact Natalie was assuming he didn't care. He did care he truly did…she was there for him when no one else was and he truly did value that.

"I do care…you know I do. I told you that I would never shut you out and I offered you my friendship…you were the one who changed" Punk replied sternly

"We wouldn't be fighting like this if she wasn't in the way" Natalie replied softly

"Where is she Natalie" Punk asked sternly

Finally after all the talking Natalie stepped into the light…even though the light was that great Punk could see her blue eyes glowing. Locking her gaze with his she smiled and walked ahead of him.

"You want her…come get her" Natalie replied walking towards a staircase

Punk felt like something could go wrong at any minute but he didn't even try to test it. Hesitating a little Punk followed Natalie up the staircase…both had finally made it up the stairs. Punk looked around…no AJ

"Where is she Natalie…tell me" Punk said angrily

"She's here…but you can only have her on one condition" Natalie replied with a smirk

"What…no. I just want her back" Punk replied harshly

"I know…but give me what I want and I'll give you what you want. It's only far seeing as you took what I loved most…your lucky I haven't killed you and her" Natalie replied with a glare

"Show me that's she's here and I'll give you what you want" Punk replied thought clenched teeth

Natalie smirked and walked to a door that read OFFICE. Opening the door there was AJ tied to a chair tears rolling down her face and a bruise on his cheek. Natalie walked back to Punk leaving the door wide open for AJ to see.

"What do you want" Punk whispered

Natalie smirked.

"No…I can't" Punk replied realizing what it was that she wanted

"You want her to live don't you…you want your daughter to have her mommy right?" Natalie replied softly

Punk knew that he could easily get control over Natalie…but to put AJ and his child at risk wasn't worth it. He just couldn't afford anything getting out of hand with AJ being here.

"Well" Natalie said inching closer to Punk

"Fine" Punk replied harshly

"One part of my condition though" Natalie replied with a smile

"What" Punk replied angrily

"I've always wanted an audience" Natalie replied with a smirk

That was the reason Natalie left the door open…it was bad enough he felt guilty for doing it behind AJ's back. But to do it in front of her face was just horrible…he had to think of something and fast.

*Wow…shit just got real folks!*