Chapter 25

Punk was lying in his hotel room with a stack of pillows under his injured knee. He watched as AJ rushed around the room, packing a small bag for the show tonight. Even though he couldn't work, Vince and the rest of creative wanted AJ there tonight.

"What am I supposed to do all night?" Punk questioned his wife who was in the bathroom packing up a few things, he watched as she stuck her head out the door

"Most normal people enjoy time off" AJ teased him lightly

"I would enjoy them" Punk started "If you were with me or anybody for that matter. I don't understand why I can't just be backstage"

"Because the doctor ordered strict bed rest for a few days" AJ reminded him "And you're going to get it. If you push too much on your knee you're going to blow your match at Wrestlemania"

"I can be doing the same thing there that I'm doing here" Punk told her and she let out a frustrated sigh

"Phil" AJ warned walking over to him, taking a seat next to him on the edge of the bed "Please for me just don't fight this. I'm worried enough as it is"

"Fine" Punk muttered after a few silent moments he couldn't disappoint her "But I thought you were going to take care of me? Why can't you take a few days off?"

"You heard Vince he needs me there" AJ told him and Punk just nodded. She was right, after last nights show AJ was the new head Diva of the company and it would be selfish of him to ask her to miss out on any time "And don't worry you won't be alone"

"What?" Punk asked confused "You got me a baby-sitter?"

"More like a nurse" AJ smirked hopping off the bed

"A sexy nurse?" Punk asked raising an eyebrow as AJ turned to glare at him

"Yes I called the hospital and asked them to please send over one of their most attractive female nurses to tend to my husband while I'm at work" AJ mocked with a laugh

"You'd have nothing to worry about" Punk smiled

"Right" AJ said with an eye-roll. After fifteen minutes there was a knock at the door, AJ stepped over and opened it as Punk mindlessly flipped threw the TV channels.

"Hey" Kaitlyn said entering the room "How are you feeling?" she asked Punk

"Like a million bucks" he mocked lightly "Are you my nurse?"

"What?" Kaitlyn asked confused still with a smile

"Don't mind him" AJ told her then turned to Punk "No you perv, she's my ride"

"Why don't you just take the bus?" Punk questioned her

"Because we're going literally ten minutes down the road, no need" AJ assured him before he could reply there was another knock at the door and AJ peeked threw the peep hole and smiled "Your sexy nurse is here"

"Goody" Punk replied with a smile tossing the TV remote to the side, as AJ opened the door in walked the un-sexiest nurse he had ever seen in his life
"You're not sexy" was all Punk could muster

"Really? I travel all this way just so you can insult me and beat down my confidence?" Colt Cabana asked him seriously then smiled at his best friend.

"What are you doing here man?" Punk asked his friend with a smile. He was genuinely excited to him. It had been a few months but they had kept in touch almost daily.

"I wanted to surprise you last night at the fight but I had to work" Colt said giving him a hug "You look like you got your ass kicked"

"I did, but I took two down with me" Punk assured his friend who slapped his shoulder

"I knew you would" Colt smiled then turned to AJ and lifted her into a tight hug "And Mrs. Brooks it's a pleasure as always" he said with a wink, he loved to flirt with AJ in front of Punk

"I was going to say the same thing" she smiled

"I saw your match last night" he started letting out a whistle "You looked damn good out there"

"Thank you" she said slightly blushing

"And marriage certainly agrees with you, you look like a million bucks-" Colt started before Punk interrupted

"She gets it- she looks good" Punk said causing Colt to let out a laugh

"You are so easy" Colt said plopping on the edge of the bed

"Take care of him tonight" AJ warned Colt as she walked over to Punk

"Of course" Colt promised "Miss. Kaitlyn" he said sending her a wink

"Hey Colt" She smiled back

"I'll see you after the show" AJ said kneeling over to be face to face with her husband

"I'll be watching" Punk assured her as AJ captured his lips with her own then slowly pulled away. Punk watched as AJ headed out the door with Kaitlyn then turned at Colt who was eyeing him suspiciously "What?" Punk questioned

"What the hell has been going on?" Colt asked his friend seriously

"What do you mean? Do you not watch the show?" Punk asked

"Of course I do but was that all real?" Colt asked "I'm just a little surprised is all because about six months ago I was meeting AJ for the first time and now you two are married"

"It was all real and what? You don't like her or something?" Punk asked him. Colt had always seemed to have gotten along with AJ and never said a bad thing about her

"I adore AJ and I think she's the best thing that has happened to you since you left home" Colt assured his friend "I'm just surprised"

"So am I" Punk said running his hand over his head "It was fast but I don't regret it"

"You never do" Colt smirked "Aside from the obvious bodily injury you seem happy"

"I'm very happy" Punk assured him "Happier then I've been in a long time. I've got a beautiful-"

"Hot" Colt corrected earning a glare from Punk. Colt just couldn't resist

"-wife, I had one of the most talked about matches of the year last night, that piece of crap Scott Page is gone and out of the company so I don't have to worry about him anymore. I really have nothing to complain about" Punk told his friend who let out a laugh
"Nothing to complain about? Is she drugging you or is this what marriage does to you?" Colt laughed at his friend

"Shut up" Punk said annoyed

"I just read something interesting about Scott Page today" Colt told Punk whose eyes widened

"What?" Punk questioned "Don't tell me Vince went behind my back and signed that sick piece of-"

"No, no" Colt said calming his friends nerves "TNA is considering signing him. They're pretty close to deal from what I've heard"

"You're kidding me" Punk retorted shaking his head "They'll sign anyone"

"Minus the insanity he's a decent wrestler" Colt told his friend

"Yea he had a lot of practice beating up my wife when they were together" Punk shot back

"I'm not defending him" Colt told him cautiously "I don't think someone like him should be in the industry at all and I'm surprised Vince let this fight happen"

"He didn't have a choice" Punk shrugged "I told him I'd walk"

"There's the old Punk" Colt smiled proudly "Do me a favor though"

"What's that?" Punk asked

"I know you have set plans threw Wrestlemania and I know you're going to get antsy after that for a title shot" Colt started "Don't let it screw with you. Be content with what you've got"

"I want the title again" Punk told Colt

"And I'm sure you'll get it. You're the most talked about Wrestler in the industry and after last nights fight forget about it. Just don't let it get in between you and AJ"

"I have never let the job come between us" Punk told him

"It's a little different now" Colt warned him "AJ's right up there with you. You're the top guy, she's the top diva now and is going to be in just as much demand as you are"

"We'll make it work" Punk replied emotionlessly

"Good because you're in a good place I'd hate to see you screw it up" Colt told his friend seriously

"I've screwed up a lot of things in my life. AJ isn't going to be one of them" Punk told him in a firm voice

Backstage at Raw AJ was in the Diva's locker room with Kaitlyn getting ready for the night.

"So tonight is the night huh?" Kaitlyn asked her best friend with a smirk lifting the Diva's title up slightly

"Yea I knew it would happen eventually" AJ told her. Truth was she was thrilled when Vince and Stephanie informed her she would be challenging Kaitlyn at Wrestlemania for the Diva's title. But she also knew how much the belt meant to her friend.

"Well if I have to pass it on to anyone I'm glad it would be you" Kaitlyn assured her friend "There will be no hard feelings"

"Who say's I'm going to even get it?" AJ asked her friend raising an eyebrow

"The fight is set for Wrestlemania" Kaitlyn reminded her "It's going to happen"

"We'll just have to wait and see" AJ shrugged not letting her hopes get to high "But I am excited to get in the ring with you again"

"Me too" Kaitlyn said to her with a smile "It will be an epic match"

"So the plan is I come out with you to your match, you beat Layla then I grab a microphone and come in" AJ said mostly replaying it in her head for her own good

"Yea" Kaitlyn nodded "We'll keep it friendly"

"That's what Stephanie said" AJ nodded "I think they're waiting on a heel turn until after Wrestlemania anyway"

"You really think they're going to turn you and Punk heel?" Kaitlyn asked her and AJ shrugged

"That's the rumor. I think it would be pretty cool" AJ said to her

"I think you two would be awesome" Kaitlyn agreed "This company needs a good heel power couple"

Back at the hotel Punk and Colt were watching the beginning of Raw and it was Cena shooting a promo on The Rock, which was set to be the main event once again for Wrestlemania.

"So this stuff with Paul….is that all real as it seems on TV?" Colt asked friend who didn't remove his eyes from the screen

"Yea it is" Punk replied motionless. Colt could tell his break from Paul was hurting him slightly. Paul had become a father figure to him in the business and a brother on the road

"How are you dealing with it?" Colt asked Punk who rolled his eyes

"What is this? Dr. Phil?" he asked looking over to Colt "Did you really come all the way down here to talk about my feelings?"

"I'm just curious" Colt defended "I've known you a lot longer then most people and I know you and Paul were more then buddies, you were family. Are you sure this is what you wanted to do?"

"I didn't have a choice" Punk told his friend with a sigh "He wanted me to fight Brock and wouldn't take no for an answer. He put me in a bad situation"

"That's what Paul does" Colt shrugged with a smile "He knows what's good for business"

"He also hates my wife" Punk reminded him and Colt agreed with on that "Even if I could move past this stuff with him attacking me from behind and sending Brock after me week after week I can't forgive him for bringing Scott to the company"

"I'm not defending him" Colt started "But he didn't know"

"Have you been talking to him?" Punk asked surprised

"He's called a few times and I ignored most of them but I did speak to him two weeks ago" Colt told him "He wasn't aware that AJ and Scott's past was as painful as it was"

"Oh well if he didn't know then all is forgiven" Punk mocked "Why don't you call your good friend Paul Heyman and ask him why last weeks when Scott had AJ locked in the locker room he decided to blindside me instead of letting me help her"

"Look as a fan of the show no one knew that was real" Colt told him "Everyone thought it was scripted"

"Paul knew it wasn't" Punk told him "He crossed a line Colt. This guy hunted and cornered AJ like some kind of animal. And I can't forget about all the stories I've heard recently about Paul going after AJ behind the scenes. I'm not picking him over my wife"

"I didn't ask you to" Colt shot back "But Paul Heyman is a good guy to have in your corner"

"He was eight years ago" Punk replied sarcastically "I don't need Paul Heyman"

Back at Raw AJ was at ringside cheering on Kaitlyn as she fought Layla. The match wasn't very long- none of the Diva's matches really lasted past five minutes, six minutes max. Once the bell was run and Kaitlyn's arm was raised in victory AJ grabbed the microphone and headed into the ring.

"Kaitlyn I just wanted-" AJ started as Kaitlyn watched her friend. But noticed AJ was looking past her up towards the ramp. Kaitlyn turned and watched as Paul Heyman strutted down to the ring with his own microphone.

"With all do respect to the Diva's champion I'd like to have a word with AJ" Paul Heyman said entering the ring

"What the hell do you think your doing?" Kaitlyn questioned Paul, she knew he was just out there to ruin AJ's moment

"You can skip along now Kaitlyn" Paul said to her with an irritated tone but she showed no signs of backing down

"It's fine Kaitlyn" AJ assured her friend who just gave AJ a sympathetic smile then headed out of the ring "You have my attention"

"Great" Paul smiled proudly "AJ I just wanted to say congratulations to you. I watched your match last night and I am not ashamed to say I underestimated your in-ring ability" AJ just stood there with her arms folded and slight bored look on her face as Paul Heyman rambled on

"I also wanted to congratulate Punk on a job well done in his fight as well but I noticed he's not here tonight" Paul said with a frown

"Yea you see after his fight last night he got blind sided by some coward" AJ shot back as Paul grinned "He's resting up for Wrestlemania"

"And his health is ok?" Paul questioned "Brock would hate to miss him at the big show"

"I bet he would" AJ replied with a fake smile

"Look the reason I'm out here is to clear the air with you" Paul started "I know many of the fans have read things online and have come to their own assumptions so I think it's best if I was honest with everyone"

"You want to be honest?" AJ asked surprised

"Look" he said turning to face the crowd "It is true I got Scott Page signed to the WWE as an attempt to distract AJ which would in turn distract CM Punk from Brock Lesnar. An otherwise brilliant maneuver turned out to be a huge mistake. I was told by Scott Page that he and AJ had dated ever so briefly and it would be harmless and honestly fun-" Paul started but AJ knew where this was going. He was going to reveal everything on national TV. Only very few people knew the real details of her history with Scott Page and unfortunately Paul was one of them. She and Punk had even managed to keep the McMahon's in the dark about it for the most part and the reason for that was that she didn't want people to pity her or see her as weak. She pulled at his arm so he was facing her.

"Don't do this" AJ silently pleaded hoping Paul wouldn't stoop this low as to embarrass her like this. But who was she kidding? Punk wasn't there tonight and no one else knew where this was going.

"Relax this is a good thing" Paul assured her then turned his attention back to the crowd "Scott Page was both mentally and physically abusive to AJ in their past relationship. She was young and naïve and he was older and clearly very troubled-" AJ's entire face fell- there it was her big dirty secret announced on national TV. A private and personal time for her played out into a storyline just for the sake of ratings "It's nothing to be ashamed about honey" Paul said lightly patting AJ's shoulders "If anyone should be ashamed it should be him and me"

"Why are you doing this?" AJ asked weakly not speaking into the microphone

"I'm just trying to make things right" Paul told her in the same mocking tone "Anyway I am man enough to admit I made a mistake and I wanted to come out here and publicly apologize to you April for my poor choice. I want to assure you that after I heard the horrific stories from Mr. Page himself I felt sick to my stomach" AJ knew Paul wanted her to break down and she was very close to it but everyone was watching

"You did make a terrible mistake but so did I" AJ admitted "I never should have stayed in a relationship like that and now being a role model to younger women I want to assure them that it's ok to walk away and not make my mistakes but learn from them" she said towards the crowd as Paul watched on in shock that she didn't just crumble to floor "I'm very happy you bought this to light because it waved heavy on me. So thank you for that Paul" she said turning towards him looking him straight in the eyes

"So apology accepted?" Paul questioned with a shrug

"No apology not accepted" AJ shot back suddenly all of her sadness turned to anger "You came out here tonight with the sole purpose of humiliating me just like you had been doing for weeks. And not just on camera but backstage too. Why don't you tell the millions of people watching at home that you were so intimated by my relationship with your friend that you felt the need to drag my name threw the mud? Explain to them the real reason you and my husband no longer have a business relationship or personal one. Explain to them why you felt the need to hire Scott Page a man who was nothing more then a little angry boy hell bent on physically hurting me to try to scare me away. Then I want you to explain why you hired Punk's ex-girlfriend back in a sick attempt to draw a wedge in-between our relationship. And after you're done with all that explain to these people who have been stuck looking at your stupid face and listening to your annoying voice week after week why you are such a coward! You blindsided Punk last Monday aggravating an existing injury because you knew deep down he was going to beat Scott last night and you know that he's going beat Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania!" AJ didn't even realize how high her voice went or how long she was talking for but it felt good to her, now she knew why Punk always enjoyed these promos. With one last disgusted look at Paul Heyman who was in shock by her outburst she smiled sweetly towards him

"Pipebome" she smirked proudly dropping the microphone to the mat then walked under the ropes and down the ramp with her head held high as the crowd cheered for her.

AJ just walked past the curtain and was met by numerous stars and production team members and they were all applauding her.
"Good job girl" Sheamus said with a smile and wink

"Made me proud" Kaitlyn smiled also clapping her hands

"Nice job kid" John Cena said walking over giving her a hug "I'm sure somewhere not far down the road there's a very happy CM Punk"

"Thank you" AJ said to them, her body was still shaking from anger

"AJ" Stephanie said walking towards her extending her hand "I'm proud of you. These are the moments that stars are born"

"Thanks" AJ replied shyly. She wasn't used to all the complements and attention

"You did the Diva's proud tonight" Stephanie told her firmly

"I know I was supposed to challenge Kaitlyn-" AJ started

"Paul didn't give you much of a choice now did he?" Stephanie asked cutting her off "We'll work it out, don't you worry"

"I say we go out and celebrate" Kaitlyn said to her friend throwing her arm around her "You, me, Brie, Nikki, Layla- hell even Beth can come"

"Thanks maybe another night" AJ said to her trying to hold back her emotions "I really just want to go see Punk"

"Ok" Kaitlyn agreed "I'll take you back"

"Thanks I'm just going to grab my stuff" AJ said giving her a weak smile and headed down the hallway. She grabbed her duffle bag and saw she had two missed calls from Phil. She sighed and placed the phone back in her bag knowing she'd see him shortly.

Punk was anxiously playing with his phone as Colt watched in amusement

"What are you so worried about? She was great! Totally held her own" Colt told his friend who just shook his head

"You don't know her" Punk sighed "She didn't want that getting out especially like that. I can see it written all over face. Tonight was supposed to be the start of her Diva's championship story and he ruined that and dragged her down all in one shot!" he shouted slamming his fist on the bed

"She picked herself back up" Colt reminded him "You should read all the great stuff they're saying about her online. And the look on Heyman's face when she tore into him? Come on man you had to have enjoyed that"

"Not at her expanse" Punk told him and that's when they heard the door open and AJ appeared dropping her bag to the floor

"I'm going to head to my room, I'll see you both in the morning" Colt said immediately standing up noticing the look on AJ's face she clearly needed to speak with Punk. So he brushed past both of them without so much as a good-bye

"Are you ok?" Punk asked sitting up as AJ shook her head no and slowly made her way over to the bed as the tears that she had been holding on started to pour from her eyes. She crawled over towards Punk who instinctively wrapped his arms around her as she buried her head into his chest

"You did great out there"

"I hate him so much" AJ muttered threw her sobs "This was personal Phil"

"I know" Punk said stroking her hair soothingly with his free hand

"How could he do this to me?" AJ asked pulling away "When is it going to be enough? When I completely break and just quit?"

"He's not going to break you" Punk told her firmly "Do you have any idea how well you handled that?"

"Don't get me wrong I want to help people so they didn't have to suffer like I did- I really do I just wanted to do it on my own time table" AJ said still crying "I had this great win last night and then Paul came out to make me look weak"

"Yea he tried" Punk agreed "And he failed" he added quickly "You're strong and that's exactly how you came across. Don't let Paul place that doubt in your head. I am so proud of you"

"Look at me" AJ replied sadly "Crying in your arms like this, breaking down-"

"This is what I'm here for. I'm supposed to be the one to hold you and make you feel better" Punk told her in a sweet yet firm tone

"I don't want you to think I'm weak" AJ admitted softly and Punk let out a slight laugh

"Sweetheart in the last few weeks you've been hit in the head, F5ed and glamslammed and with each hit you took you got right back up and fought. You killed it last night in the first strap match in years and not once did you let fear back you down. The last thing I think you are is weak…a zombie? Possibly, but weak? Never" Punk told her looking directly into her eyes. His zombie comment won him some points when she chuckled

"You swear?" AJ asked as her tears stopped falling

"I have a lot of faults" Punk admitted "But lying just isn't one of them"

"I love you" AJ said pulling him into a sweet kiss

"I love you too" Punk smiled as she pulled back

"I really hate him" AJ sighed with exhaustion snuggling into Punk

"He got his" Punk smirked as AJ starred up at him curiously

"What do you mean?" she questioned

"You didn't see what happened?" Punk asked her

"No I kind of rushed out" AJ admitted

"Well after your segment your new twitter friends The Shield had their match and they came out first while Paul was still in the ring. He got a real nice power bomb" Punk said as AJ smiled

"That makes me feel better" AJ smiled

"Yea well I can't let your new boyfriends have all the fun now can I?" Punk questioned as AJ raised an eyebrow

"They're not my boyfriends" AJ said with a laugh as Punk looked un-amused. He still couldn't grasp the idea of their alliance and loyalty to AJ. "And what do you mean?"

"Paul wants to dig up the past and throw it around I can do the same" Punk said with a sly smile as they both laid together and watched the rest of the show

A/N: Thank you so much for all your kind reviews! If you have the time let me know what you thouht of this chapter. :)