Part XXXVI: You Saved Me
After seven full days away from the chaos and the spotlight Punk and AJ were both ready to head back home and face the music. Punk knew he'd have to get in touch with Vince by the end of the week to start going over return plans but truthfully Punk would have much rather never returned and stayed home and enjoy his time with his new bride. Punk and AJ opted to take a taxi home and he was surprised to see his and AJ's cars back in the driveway and all fixed.
"That was so nice of Colt to bring them back" AJ noted as they stepped into the house
"Yea he really went out of his way" Punk said starring at the cars before following AJ back into their home
"We should go pick up Logan and Darla" AJ suggested happily "I've really missed them"
"You're not tired?" Punk questioned it was nearly ten at night but they were just on a ten hour flight
"They're our babies" AJ pouted "And if we leave them with Colt for this long he might keep them. But if your too tired I'll just go" she said grabbing her car keys
"I'll drive" Punk said snatching the keys from her "Can't we just go back to Brazil? We'll go grab the dogs and I'll book the flight right now and we can live there forever"
"That is tempting" AJ agreed "Brazil was beautiful but aren't you happy to be back in your City?"
"Yea I guess" Punk nodded slowly
"Besides there's still stuff I want to get done before we have to go back to work" AJ said to him as they headed back out the door
"Like what?" he asked as they crawled into his car
"My tattoo for one" AJ reminded him. He completely forgot she wanted to get the Nacho tattoo
"Oh that's right" he nodded "I'll set something up"
"Good" AJ smiled
Once they arrived at Colt's they noticed the lights weren't on at his place
"Maybe he's not home" AJ frowned as they approached his front door
"Where else would he be?" Punk mocked knocking loudly on his friends' front door
"Maybe he's out or working" AJ shrugged "He thinks we're coming tomorrow for the dogs"
"I'm sure he's around" Punk smirked "The Cubs are playing tonight and he's the only weirdo I know who would prefer to watch games on his TV" Punk knocked again and soon enough the light outside went on "See" Punk smirked towards AJ as they both waited for the door open and sure enough the door swung open and Colt was standing there. He looked shocked to see the two as he quickly put on his t-shirt
"That's how you answer your front door? You trying to scare people away?" Punk asked half dressed friend seriously
"Well not all of us can be as naturally attractive as the two of you" Colt smirked sarcastically but Punk simply nodded in agreement "What are you two doing here?"
"We're here for Logan and Darla" AJ said to him "Is this a bad time?" she asked noticing he was slightly out of breath
"Actually-" Colt started but another figure joining him at the door stopped him mid-sentence
"Is that the food?" Erica asked with a smile but was stunned to see her sister and Punk
"Erica?" AJ frowned
"Really?" Punk asked Colt biting on his lower lip
"How was the honeymoon?" Erica asked excitedly, she didn't seem bothered to see the two of them "Did you bring me back anything?"
"No but I would have had I known you'd be here" AJ said sweetly
"Surprise!" Erica laughed "Are you guys going to come in?" she asked waving them in and AJ followed her sister inside as Punk lingered a moment before crossing into the house to glare at Colt
"Dude come on" Colt sighed "She's hot"
"One thing" Punk muttered shaking his head before stepping into the house
"So what are you still doing here?" AJ asked Erica as they took a seat on the couch
"I took the entire week off and didn't feel like heading back home to many sad memories. Colt was nice enough to show me around the City" Erica said to her
"What a gentleman" Punk said smiling over to Colt
"Don't be mad at him" Erica insisted "We're just two friends having fun. I'm going back home tomorrow" she promised
"I thought you were going to be staying at our place until you went back home?" AJ asked
"I was and that's where I bumped into Colt" Erica said to them "He was having your cars fixed"
"Because I'm such a good friend and I'm sure you've noticed I had them returned to your home as well" Colt pointed out to Punk who just nodded
"Anyway we hung out there and had a great time and I didn't feel like leaving yet. Colt made Chicago sound so appealing" Erica told them
"I'm not judging" AJ promised her sister
"Thank you AJ" Colt smiled towards her
"I am" Punk said shooting a glare towards Colt "And please tell me you didn't have sex in my house" he said to Colt who immediately diverted his eyes up to the ceiling, AJ let out a laugh as Erica blushed "Are you kidding me?" he asked Colt "Where?"
"Don't worry it wasn't your room because let's be honest I think that room has seen enough" Erica laughed as Colt looked nervous "We cleaned up don't worry"
"It's not you I have the problem with" Punk promised Erica "It's you" he said pointing towards Colt
"Oh stop" AJ said to her husband "It's fine"
"How many women have you seduced in my home?" Punk asked Colt
"Just the one" Colt said to him "And in all fairness she seduced me"
"He's not wrong" Erica agreed lightly "I didn't give him much of a choice but hey you should get how persuasive Mendez women can be"
"I'm grossed out" Punk admitted "Where are my dogs so we can leave and forget we ever discussed any of this?"
"I'll go get them" Erica said standing up "They've been sleeping in the guest room"
"Why are they locked up in there?" AJ frowned standing up to follow her sister
"Because they chew on everything" Erica said as AJ followed her out of the room
"I'm sorry" Colt said to Punk "But you heard her- I couldn't resist"
"I don't want to talk about it anymore" Punk sighed "I am so beat right now I can't even think clearly"
"You look all tan by the way" Colt nodded "I would have assumed you two wouldn't even see the sunlight"
"We were in Rio de Janeiro of course we did a lot of activities outside" Punk said to him "I should have made it two weeks" that's when his phone started to ring. And he had to let out a laugh
"Whose that?" Colt asked
"Dean" Punk smirked clicking the green button "I was just thinking about how I was going to get in touch with you"
"Think no longer" Dean laughed "I think you and I have to talk…in person"
"I agree" Punk said to him coolly "Oh and thanks for trashing my cars"
"Oh I thought you were about to thank me for that awesome wedding gift I left for you, did you get it? Or did AJ hide it away?" Dean asked him
"No, no I got it" Punk said to him "Too bad you skipped out before I could properly thank you"
"You can do that when we meet up tomorrow" Dean said to him "Somewhere public I don't want you to get all crazy and try to beat me to death because I'd hate to have to mess up that pretty face of yours"
"You think I'm pretty?" Punk asked with a grin
"Well that's what all the girls say" Dean snorted "Anyway I just happen to be in Chicago isn't that funny?"
"Job hunting?" Punk probed and heard Dean snicker on the side of the phone
"Something like that" Dean said confidently "Anyway I'll be at your favorite Ihop at eleven sharp tomorrow and I think I have something you want so I suggest if you want to move past all of this you take me up on my offer. Also I wouldn't let AJ tag along if I were you she might not like what I have to say" he hung up before Punk could respond
"What did he want?" Colt asked as Punk slid his phone back into his pocket
"He wants to meet up tomorrow" Punk told him "He has something for me"
"When and where?" Colt asked anxiously "I have to drop Erica off at the airport at four so-"
"I appreciate the offer but I've got this" Punk told him
"Are you sure?" Colt asked surprised
"I've got this" Punk repeated
The next day Punk headed to the Ihop that Dean asked to meet him at but decided to show up early in hopes of surprising Dean. He wasn't sure what Dean was up to but he didn't want Dean to think he was in total control. He frowned when he walked and saw Dean had already beat him there. Dean looked up from his table where he was sitting on the middle of the restaurant and waved Punk over with a grin. The place was jam packed and there was no way Punk would be able to get to do to him what he truly wanted to. Punk slowly made his way over and took the seat across from Dean.
"You look good. Married life agrees with you" Dean said with a smile taking a bite out of his food "Hope you don't mind I went ahead and ordered without you."
"How about we talk outside?" Punk suggested ignoring Dean's comments "In private"
"So you could what? Beat me up?" Dean mocked "No thanks. I need it to appear we're friends and I can't have you get arrested for assault I've got plans for you" his arrogance really annoyed Punk.
"Oh really?" Punk questioned with a laugh
"You're going to help me get my job back" Dean informed him "And we'll get our match. All of this publicity of me 'getting fired' and you and AJ 'walking out' is just going to add more fuel to our story. I'm actually hoping for a Wrestlemania match"
"I'm not going to help you with anything" Punk shot back "Maybe I'll help you get a new nose"
"You're still peeved about the hotel incident? I don't blame you. I feel bad about that but I haven't had a drink since that night" Dean told him seriously "I apologize for scaring AJ"
"Scaring her?" Punk mocked "You tried to rape her"
"That's her story" Dean told him simply "I don't really remember much of it"
"Where's the apology for trashing my car? And AJ's?" Punk questioned
"I have no comment on that" Dean grinned "Anyway so did you like your wedding gift?"
"I have the urge to punch you in the face right here and now and I don't care about getting arrested" Punk warned
"That was what I'd like to call a 'tease'" Dean said using air quotes ignoring Punk's commnets "The real gift is in my possession. See all that stuff I had, I have more"
"So?" Punk asked "Keep her clothes you dirty pervert"
"The pictures didn't bother you?" Dean asked
"They do" Punk agreed "But you've already made that public so you can't exactly go to the press with it"
"I have a video" Dean told him with a huge smile
"Excuse me?" Punk was hoping he misheard him
"A video of that night" Dean told him as he picked up his phone and clicked a few buttons the next thing Punk knew his phone vibrated but he didn't look to check it "That's a copy of it. Not the original obviously" he said with a laugh taking a bite out of his food "Since you don't want to watch it I'll give you some idea of what's in it. It takes place after AJ threw up all over my floor. I wanted to take the video and embarrass the hell out of her with it but what I got was even better. I mean don't get me wrong it's embarrassing trust me" he said with a chuckle "She talks about you a bit, she strips in it as well"
"That's illegal" Punk said trying to contain his anger
"It is" Dean nodded "But she was willing participate actually and even if I did get in trouble for it I wouldn't care because it would be so worth it" he laughed taking another large bite out of his food "It proves I didn't touch her that night as well so there's the proof you've been digging for" Dean just frowned and watched as Punk's entire face turn red "Look you don't want this video to go viral trust me and after you watch it because I know you will- you'll see why. I honestly don't think AJ's reputation would ever recover to be honest because everyone will see your new wife for what she is- a trashy, drunken, loser" he said as Punk balled his fist and slammed it on the table
"What do you want?" Punk managed to get out
"My job back" Dean told him simply
"I don't have that kind of pull" Punk said to him
"I suggest you find a way to get it done or in a few days your wife is going to the laughing stalk of this entire industry" Dean warned "It would truly suck to be her, or her husband for that matter"
"Vince hates you" Punk told him coolly
"Find a way to fix it" Dean told him coldly "Tell him how much money he'll make off of us working together. This whole me 'getting fired' and you and AJ 'walking out' have only added fuel to the fire. It will be epic, possibly Wrestlemania worthy" he suggested
"It's not going to happen. Vince McMahon is one of the most stubborn people I know" Punk told him cruelly "I'll pay you"
"I can't be bought Punk" Dean informed him smugly "I want my job back. It's all or nothing" Punk picked up his phone and clicked on the message to Dean to see if this was truly legitimate. After only watching a minute of six minute video he closed his phone and now he knew it was real "AJ made so many bad choices that night. First was drinking, second was coming up to my room with me and that's something she never would have done if you didn't blow her off like you did" Dean reminded him "This is all because of you. All of her pain and suffering is all on you"
"Shut up" Punk warned in a low voice
"I'm just being honest Punk" Dean shot back "You made this mess so I suggest you fix it"
"Let's just say I get your job back am I supposed to just trust the fact that you give me your only copies?" Punk questioned
"I'm a man of my word" Dean promised "But I suppose that's a chance you're going to have to take because you know if I don't get a call from WWE by the end of the week that video is definitely going up" Punk just bit on his lower lip and glared towards Dean, he was right. "Are you a gambling man, Punk?" Dean put his fork down and folded his hands on top of the table "Better question is how much do you love your new wife?"
"I'll see what I can do" Punk reluctantly choked out
"That's great" Dean smiled "I'm sure you'll come through" he said "Just know I'm not leaving until I see you drive away, still don't trust that you won't try to jump me" he smirked "You understand I'm sure" Punk stood up slowly still glaring at Dean wanting nothing more than to pounce on him
"Oh one more thing" Dean said stopping before Punk could leave "Once you get my job back like I know you will and we have our epic match I want you to put me over" Punk wasn't surprised that was part of his demands but it only made his blood boil more "And please give AJ my best" Punk wanted to respond but Dean had way to much on AJ at the moment so for her sake, he turned and walked out slamming the door open and almost ripping it off in the process
Once Punk got into his car he drove back to his house and stayed parked for a few minutes later and clicked on the video to watch it in it entirety. Dean wasn't lying the video was not flattering. He watched as AJ attempted to clean herself up after getting sick and Dean just mocking her while shooting the video.
"You are so gross" Dean laughed "Why did you even bother to drink clearly you can't handle yourself"
"I told you why" AJ said bitterly "I miss him"
"Well I'm sure mister Straight Edge would be thrilled to see you like this now" Dean said seriously, clearly AJ had no idea he was filming her the entire time
"You don't know him" AJ said shaking her head and kicking off her shoes "I don't have my room key"
"I told you that you can stay here on the little couch" Dean reminded her "Unless you want to join me in my bed" AJ ignored him as she removed her shirt and then her pants "Is that a yes?"
"In your dreams" AJ muttered "I need to sleep" she said crawling into the bed
"I'll let you call me Punk" Dean chuckled "Just one night baby come on" he said walking over to her but she was already partially asleep and he leaned down and kissed her but once AJ realized what he was doing she pulled away
"Ugh go away" AJ sighed in a sleepy voice "I'm already sick to my stomach"
"Come on" Dean said reaching his arm to help AJ sit up "I think you'll more comfortable out of this bra" he said unclasping the bra for her
"Stop I said" AJ muttered losing the will to fight and that's when Dean leaned in and kissed her mouth again and his hand disappeared under the comforter
"I know you like this" Dean whispered into her ear but Punk was able to pick up on it. Dean even glanced towards the camera he was holding with his free hand and grinned proudly into it "See just let yourself feel it" he encouraged as he continued his movements
"Stop!" AJ yelled giving him a hard shove "How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"You're the one who is naked under my blankets" Dean pointed out getting up from the bed to give AJ her space, she rolled over and then fell into a deep sleep "She is no fun" was the least thing Dean said before the video shut off
Punk shut his phone and tried to contain his anger. He didn't want AJ to see how pissed off he truly was. He wasn't sure if he should just pull out of the driveway and head to the gym to let off steam, go to Colts or tell AJ everything. Should he even tell her about the video? How would he explain trying to get Dean's job back to her? One of the worst part about all of this was the fact that Dean was right he did cause this. He was the reason AJ was so upset and now he had no other option but to fix it. How would he get Vince to agree to any of this? Punk leaned his head against the seat and shut his eyes tightly trying to get some of the anger out of his system but he was only get angrier. He opened his phone up again and searched for a number.
"Hey it's me" Punk said into the phone "No I'm not alright….I need your help…I'd rather do it in person, yea I'm home….ok great" he said then hung up and got out of his car.
Once Punk entered his house and saw AJ on the floor with Darla and Logan and she seemed so happy.
"Look Darla lost a tooth!" AJ cheered holding up the small tooth
"I didn't realize dogs did that" Punk remarked tossing his keys onto the table
"There babies of course they lose their teeth" AJ smirked petting the dog "Are you alright?"
"Yea, yea I'm good" Punk promised "I'm going to go to the gym, you want to come with me?"
"Yea just let me get changed" AJ said standing up and stopped short in front of Punk "Are you sure you're alright? Is your sister alright?" she asked since that's who Punk was supposed to be meeting with earlier at least that's what he told her
"Yea" he said forcing a smile "Nothing for you to worry about"
"Ok" AJ said unsurely before heading up the stairs.
Later after the gym Punk and AJ headed home. The gym really helped Punk get some of his aggression out which was exactly what he was hoping for but the longer they were home the more anger he felt. And he wanted to be really careful not to misdirect towards AJ because he wasn't mad at her he was again mostly mad at himself but he knew if they got into it right now he'd say things he knew he wouldn't be able to take back.
"Are you sure you're alright?" AJ questioned as Punk sat in the living room watching the TV with a stone cold face
"Yup" was his response without even taking his eyes off of the TV
"Did I do something?" AJ asked but before Punk could respond the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it" Punk said standing up and walked right past her without making any form of eye contact and opened the door "You're here sooner than I thought" he said stepping aside
"I told you I was in town for an event" Paul Heyman said stepping in "Hello AJ" Paul smiled
"Paul I didn't know you were coming" AJ noted giving Punk a confused a look
"Really?" Paul asked surprised
"Can you give us a minute?" Punk asked AJ still avoiding eye contact with her
"Yea sure" AJ said in a similar tone and headed up the stairs to give the two privacy
"What's going on?" Paul asked concerned "Are you two fighting?"
"No" Punk said nodding for Paul to follow him into the kitchen. He gave one last glance around the living room to make sure AJ wasn't in ear shot
"Married life not working out?" Paul asked nervously
"No it's Dean" Punk told him as Paul took a seat
"What about him?" Paul asked with an almost disgusted face "He still giving AJ a hard time?"
"I met up with him earlier" Punk started "After he trashed my car and snuck into my house on my wedding by the way" he said surprising Paul
"You want me to have to talk with him?" Paul offered
"No I need to get him back into the company" Punk told him causing Paul to sport a worried look
"You and AJ walked out until Vince agreed to fire him, why the change of heart?" Paul asked
"He has something on AJ" Punk informed him in a low voice so AJ wouldn't hear
"Worse then the pictures?" Paul asked and Punk just nodded "What is it?"
"A video" Punk told him "It's from that night"
"Ok" Paul said with a slow nod "Are you sure he really has this video?"
"He sent me a copy" Punk informed him "I've seen it"
"And he wants his job back or else he's posting the video?" Paul asked and Punk nodded "Is the video that bad?"
"Yea it is" Punk told him "Both of their careers would be over but Dean has nothing to lose, AJ does"
"Crap" Paul muttered placing his hand on his hand trying to formulate a plan "I don't think Vince is going to go for this. He hates Dean"
"I know I need you to help me think of a way to get Vince to change his mind" Punk said to him
"I just don't think it's possible" Paul admitted "You might have to look into other options. A gag order perhaps?"
"He'll post the video anyway this guy doesn't give a damn" Punk seethed "He wants to come back, he wants our match and he wants to win"
"This is going to be a tough sell Punk" Paul said with a sigh "I just-"
"I need you to stop telling me it can't happen and help me make it happen!" Punk shouted startling Paul slightly "I'm sorry, I'm just a little tense"
"I don't blame you" Paul said to him with a frown "I'll help in anyway I can"
"I can't let this happen her" Punk said in an almost desperate tone "She will never live this down. When those pictures went up I didn't think she'd ever leave the bus but if this becomes public she'll be done. I don't even think there will be a way for Vince to save her from this"
"Does she know?" Paul asked
"No" Punk told him
"You should tell her in case this goes south" Paul encouraged "Like I said I'll see what I can do but I just don't know if even I can pull this off"
"You know what really drives me crazy about this?" Punk asked Paul who remained quiet "He is the wrong one. In that video he is all over her and she's clearly not in the right state of mind but all anyone will see is her" Punk said to Paul who just listened to his friend rant "Even though she's the victim she'll be the one paying for this not him"
"It's a tough business" Paul agreed "But you should really talk to her"
"She thinks its over" Punk told him "How am I supposed to tell her it's not?"
"You don't think she'll be curious when you and I are talking to Vince about getting Dean back?" Paul asked "That might throw her off a bit"
"I know" Punk groaned
"Don't take it out on her" Paul said to him "She's going to be the one suffering as it is. She made this choice and she's going to feel horrible about it. She needs you as her husband to support her"
"You're right" Punk muttered
"I'm going to leave now and try to get in touch with Vince. I'll tell him your onboard with this idea for now you just go upstairs and talk to that beautiful wife of yours" Paul ordered
"Thank you" Punk said to him. No matter what he could always count on Paul to understand and help him
"Don't thank me yet" Paul said as Punk walked him to the door "I'll be in touch" then walked out the door
Punk headed upstairs and found AJ lying in bed playing a game. He admired her for a few moments watching as her face scrunched up during a hard part. She caught him starring at her but turned her attention back to the game.
"What are you playing?" Punk asked stepping into the room
"WWE 2k14" AJ informed him. Punk glanced at the screen and saw she was playing as Kane and fighting his own character. Punk let out a laugh
"You really picked Kane over me?" Punk asked her and she simply shrugged
"He's big enough to hurt you" AJ informed him coldly
"I'm sorry" Punk sighed taking a seat at the edge of the bed. That's when AJ got the pin as Kane over Punk
"I win" AJ said smugly to him
"You always win" Punk muttered "I need to talk to you"
"Ok" she said sitting up so she was sitting cross legged on the bed "What's up?"
"I got a phone call from Dean last night" Punk started "He asked to meet me today and that where I was this morning"
"Why didn't you tell me?" AJ asked
"I wanted to see what he wanted first" Punk shrugged "It's not good kiddo"
"Anything involving him usually isn't" AJ agreed slightly "What is it?"
"He has a video of you from that night" Punk told her and she just nodded slowly
"Oh" She said in a low voice "I don't remember any video"
"You wouldn't because you were really out of it" Punk informed her
"So you've seen it?" AJ asked
"Yea" Punk said to her
"That's why you've been mad at me" AJ said putting the pieces together "I don't know what I did in that video but I'm sorry"
"I'm not mad at you" Punk promised "He's blackmailing me AJ"
"What?" AJ asked stunned "What does he want?"
"His job back" Punk told her coolly causing her eyes to widen "If he doesn't get asked back the video is going online"
"So let him post it" AJ said to him "Don't let him push you around I can handle it"
"AJ you don't want this video to go viral and I don't want this video to go viral" Punk informed her
"It's that bad?" AJ asked
"It is to me" Punk shrugged "I uh- I didn't like seeing you like that, I didn't like you being like that and at his mercy I also wasn't a fan of being the cause of it"
"You weren't" AJ promised "I can't believe this. One night I make one mistake and it's been haunting me ever since"
"I'm going to get him his job back" Punk told her "That's what Paul was doing here he's going to help us out"
"Vince will never go for it" AJ said to him
"We'll have to make him go for it" Punk said to her "There is no other option. I just wanted you to know so you weren't surprised when he came back"
"If you can't do it that's fine" AJ assured him "I did this to myself and I'll live with the consequences. I mean plenty of wrestlers have bad videos and after time people forget, right?"
"Yea" Punk agreed slightly "But we'll try to avoid it"
"Do you have the video?" AJ asked
"Yea I do" Punk told her quietly
"I want to see it" she demanded holding her hand out to take his phone
"Ok" Punk agreed taking his phone out of pocket and placing it in her small hand. She found the video and played it. Punk focused on her face, which remained still as she watched the six-minute video once it was over she, passed it back over to Punk.
"I'm sorry" AJ said to him but he just shook his head "No I'm sure that wasn't easy to watch because if it was reversed I wouldn't be able to stomach that. And I'm sorry he came to you with it"
"We're married now right?" Punk asked "We'll deal with it together"
"I feel like an idiot" AJ said sadly as a single tear fell down her cheek "I never should have let it get to that point."
"It happened and we can't change it" Punk told her simply "All we can do is try to shut him up"
"By giving in to all of his demands" AJ sighed "I hate that I can't remember that night. I hate that he was touching me-"
"It won't happen again" Punk said cutting her off and cupping her cheek "Believe me it won't"
"I know" she said sadly as he gave her a sweet kiss on the lips "I promise you I'll make this up to you"
"You don't have to" Punk assured her
"But I do" she disagreed lightly "You have no idea do you?" she asked but remained silent "You've saved me"