Chapter 36

AJ was backstage in her locker room doing some last minute touch-ups on her 'Love Bites' shirt she was going to be wearing tonight. It was going to be a cut and dry promo with Dolph to further his feud with Punk. For the first time since she started with the company or wrestling for that matter she didn't want to be here tonight. She was up sick for most of the night and morning. Who knew morning sickness was really around the clock for some women? All she wanted to do was eat but she knew how that would end and it seemed like nothing agreed with her. It was evident in her face on how sick she was, the make-up artists were going to have to do their best tonight.

"Hey" Punk said entering the locker room and handed her a bottle of water

"Thanks" AJ mumbled weakly taking the water from him

"This is ridiculous AJ you're not feeling well just tell them" he insisted looking down at her

"I can do this" AJ defended "I'll be out there for ten minutes the most"

"You shouldn't be pushing yourself" Punk noted, concern laced his voice

"I'm not" AJ said flashing him a reassuring smile

"AJ-" Punk started

"It's fine" AJ said abruptly cutting him off "I'm fine. And after my segment we'll leave I promise"

"Alright" Punk said giving in but he still wasn't content with the outcome "Anything I can do?"

"No it'll pass" AJ told him with a smile. Ever since finding out she was pregnant he was extra attentive to her. Not that he wasn't always, but she could really get used to the idea of him waiting on her hand and foot constantly. She looked down at her freshly cut shirt and frowned

"What is it?" he asked noticing the displeasure in her eyes as she crinkled her nose at the clothing in front of her

"I won't be able to fit into there for too much longer" She said sadly "Or ever again" she said with widened eyes

"Don't be ridiculous after the baby is born you can go back to cutting up all your clothes" Punk said taking a seat on the couch putting on the TV

"What if I never get back down to this size?" She questioned lashing her head to face him from her position, horror written over her face "Some women just can't bounce back. You're going to think I'm ugly" Punk eyed her carefully, he had been warned about the hormones and he knew he had to choose his words very carefully

"I would never think you were ugly" Punk told her coolly hoping that would end the conversation

"You say that now because you have to" AJ shot back at him causing him to flinch at her tone "But when I'm at home taking care of the baby I'm not going to have time to workout as much as I used to and you're going to be on the road with all these beautiful women who will be throwing themselves at you and you're going to realize that the last thing you need is an ugly wife holding you back" his face remained hard through out the entire rant but once she finished he couldn't resist letting out a laugh that just infuriated her more "It's not funny!"

"It's very funny" Punk chuckled shaking his head

"You're not denying it" AJ pointed out

"Do I really have to?" Punk questioned raising an eyebrow "But if for some reason it makes you feel better everything you just talked about will never happen. You are my wife and that's that"

"Ok" AJ said with a soft nod seemingly accepting his response

The bell had rung and Dolph Ziggler's hand was raised in victory. He had just beaten Antonio Cesaro in a match and was in the ring celebrating with Big E. Right on cue AJ made her way down the ramp with her title on her shoulder and microphone in hand. Not to sound arrogant (maybe Punk was rubbing off on her after all) but the promo was great. She pleaded with Dolph to take her back, which he refused. And to add more fire to the upcoming story took a few more shots at Punk. Everyone seemed happy with the scene except for Antonio. His match was unexpectedly cut short to make time for the new added in promo. Kaitlyn's former pursuer was very frustrated. And he made sure everyone heard it backstage.

"This is ridiculous!" Antonio yelled at one of the writers "Why are my matches being cut short to make room for talking? Last time I checked this was wrestling not a soap opera!"

"You know how it is" the writer shrugged simply "You have a problem with it I suggest you try to get in touch with Mr. Levesque or his wife"

"How am I supposed to do that!" he shouted causing the writer to flinch at the tone of his voice "They don't want to talk to me!"

"What's going on?" Dolph questioned with AJ and Big E right behind him. "Was there a problem with the match?" he questioned Antonio narrowing his eyes at him

"A problem with the match?" Antonio mocked "What match? It was over in less then six minutes! But yet you were out there for another ten minutes" Dolph just nodded

"What's the problem then?" Dolph questioned rolling his shoulders

"Nick" AJ mumbled into his ear

"The problem is I'm not getting my due" Antonio shot back at him "I've been working my butt off in the company for years and the longer I'm here the less time I get"

"So why don't you stop your bitching and whining and do something about it?" Dolph challenged

"Well maybe if I was as friendly as you are with the former champs wife I'd be getting more air time" he said shooting daggers towards AJ who just glared back

"Or maybe if you had a better attitude you would get that air time you so desperately want?" Dolph questioned with a smirk

"I doubt that" Antonio spat back "Let me ask you Nick, how much truth was there to those photographs Paul Heyman took a few weeks back? Is that where this push came from? Is little ms. AJ whispering in the ears of the McMahons for ya?"

"Hey!" AJ shouted stepping in front of Dolph who tried to pull her back but she shrugged him off "Nick is where he is today because he has been with this company for almost eight years and has worked his butt off to be here! So don't you dare try to belittle his achievements or his long over due push he is getting right now!" Dolph and Big E both couldn't help but smirk at the petite Diva sticking up for Dolph at the moment. "Any maybe just maybe you're not getting the time on TV you want because you're simply not good enough" she added drawing out the last few words. She watched as Antonio's eyes flared up in anger, Dolph gingerly pushed AJ behind him

"April" the familiar voice of CM Punk caught the attention of all four people. AJ looked past Antonio's shoulder and saw her husband casually leaning against the wall "She has some mouth on her doesn't she?" Punk asked Antonio with a laugh as he walked towards the group slapping Antonio on the shoulder putting extra strength into just to leave a sting

"She really does" Antonio agreed glaring at Punk's amused face

"That's why I love her" Punk sighed looking over to her "Good promo out there guys" Punk said to Dolph, Big E and AJ with a smile "I was impressed and I don't impress easily, wouldn't you agree?" he asked looking at Antonio

"What?" he asked confused

"Don't you think they did a great job?" Punk questioned clearly teasing the superstar who Punk knew wouldn't mouth off to him

"Sure" Antonio muttered

"Tell them" Punk encouraged nodding his head in the direction of his wife, Dolph and Big E. Antonio just looked puzzled "Tell them what a great job they did, there's no shame in it" Antonio eyed Punk, the threat was not lost on Antonio at all. Just by looking at his body language and listening to the tone of his voice he knew there was no getting out of it.

"Great job" Antonio told them sarcastically then turned and headed down the hall

"You weren't all that bad either! You know from the four minutes you were on!" Punk shouted after him but he kept on walking

"You're the best" AJ smiled giving him a kiss on the cheek "Can we go to the bus now?" she was still under the weather and was just ready to get out of here already

"Yea I have to meet with Stephanie about next week it shouldn't take long" Punk said to her

"I'll walk you to your bus" Big offered and AJ smiled

"Walk me?" AJ questioned tapping her chin as Punk watched curiously. Then he saw Big E kneel down and AJ climb on his back

"Be careful" Punk mumbled nervously as he watched Big E give his wife a piggy back ride down the hall

"They always do that" Dolph said to Punk who nodded "She's gotten a little spoiled with it"

"Great" Punk said just imagining when she's eight months pregnant and expecting him to carry her to the bus "That'll be fun when she's further along"

"You didn't have to intervene with Antonio" Dolph informed Punk "I would have handled it"

"I saw you were" Punk shrugged. He had been carefully watching the entire altercation but didn't want to butt in. Even with his crude remarks about AJ it wasn't his fight. But once AJ started getting too mouthy and probably escalating a fight between Dolph and Antonio he felt he had to step in and repair some of the damage. "Consider us even from last night"

"Fair enough" Dolph said with a nod

"Punk I thought we had a meeting ten minutes ago" Stephanie said forcing a smile heading towards him

"Whoops" Punk smirked

Big E carefully placed AJ back on the ground once they reached her bus.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in for some food?" AJ asked her friend

"Nah just get some rest you look like you need it" Big teased

"Thanks" AJ mumbled. The doors were already open and with one last wave she headed onto the bus. She saw who she believed to be the driver Dave in the backroom

"Dave?" AJ asked walking towards him "Are you ok?"

"AJ" he said turning to face her and she froze in place it wasn't Dave but Scott Page.

"How did you get on here?" AJ questioned nervously inching backwards

"Stop inching away" Scott demanded "I just want to talk"

"Get off the bus before Phil gets back here" AJ said to him "I can't promise he won't hurt you if he finds you here"

"He got lucky last week" Scott scoffed with shrug

"Why are you doing this?" AJ asked sadly "Just leave me alone"

"I really wish I could and I have tried" Scott confessed "I just can't get you out of my head. How is it possible that you keep having all these great things happen to you and I'm just stuck?" he asked her but she remained silent "I mean getting to the WWE was one thing I had moved on accepted it. Then you went off and married one of the top guys, you're featured on both shows weekly, you have a belt and now a baby on the way? How could you leave me behind? Better question is how could you drag my name down so you could move up?"

"You did that to yourself" AJ let out quietly

"No you did it!" Scott shouted causing AJ to jerk back more "See what you do to me? I didn't want to fight"

"Then just go" AJ said to him "I promise I won't tell anyone you were here"

"Do you know how difficult it was to get here April?" Scott questioned "I have to wear a wig and sneak around! You took everything from me including my identity. Do you know what it's like to walk down the street and have people shout horrible things at you because your ex went on national TV and lied about you?"

"They weren't lies" AJ told him softly "And I didn't say anything that was all Paul Heyman"

"Damn it April! Take some responsibility for your actions!" He shouted grabbing her arm roughly and tugging her close to his body
"I'm really not feeling well" AJ said weakly trying to pull away

"Boohoo" Scott mocked "I haven't felt well in months! I can't get a job! My friends won't even talk to me!"

"Maybe it's more your personality" AJ couldn't help but let that comment slide but winced when the hand around her arm got tighter "You're hurting
me!" she shouted finding some energy to try and pull away but she knew she couldn't do much, she didn't want to risk falling

"I want an apology from you" Scott said in a low dangerous voice. His face was only inches away from hers "And I want it now"

Triple H was in the back talking to one of the producers when Bill approached him

"We've got a problem Paul" the loyal and older security guard informed one of his bosses "And it can't wait"

"What?" Triple H asked excusing himself from the producer

"Scott Page is here" Bill told him bluntly

"What? Where is he?" he asked in a low angry tone

"We were looking back at one of the cameras and saw come in. But he was wearing a wig, hat and a security outfit we don't know where he went after that" Bill admitted

"No one leaves or enters this building" Triple H ordered "Where's AJ?"

"I don't know" Bill shrugged "I ran by her locker room but it was empty maybe her and Punk left for the night"

"Punk is in a meeting with Stephanie" Triple H informed him then ran his hand over his head.

"I'm heading back to the camera room we'll find him" Bill assured him literally raced down the hall. Triple H spotted Dolph Ziggler out of the corner of his eye and headed for him

"Nick" he said grabbing his arm "Where's AJ? Have you seen her?"

"Not since after the segment. She was going back to her bus-" Dolph told him but couldn't even finish his sentence before Triple H abruptly turned down the hall and ran as fast as he could towards the exit.

"I'm sorry" AJ said as tears started to fall from her eyes "I'm so sorry"

"You don't mean it!" Scott shouted shaking her violently "Why can't you ever do anything right!"

"Please I'm really not feeling well" AJ repeated

"What is the baby making you sick?" Scott mocked "It makes me sick too! The thought of you being able to bring a child into this world while you're still one. You just flushed you're entire career down the drain because you couldn't keep your pants on! What I wouldn't give to have your opportunity and here you are typical selfish April willing to dump it all. And you have the nerve to say I've made mistakes!"

"Hey my baby isn't a mistake!" AJ shouted, venom in her eyes. She wasn't sure what came over her

"Oh it's a mistake alright" Scott said with a laugh "I don't know if I feel worse for you who has to give up all this for it or that poor kid who is going to be raised by a selfish lying whore and a lunatic of father. This kid doesn't stand a chance just do it and yourself a favor and end it before it's too late" he seethed. He was waiting for AJ's tears but instead was stunned when AJ quickly pulled away from him and started slapping and scratching him in the face. He used as hands as a shield but that wasn't good enough.

"Don't ever talk about my child!" She shouted continuing her assault

"You're still a crazy bitch!" he yelled pulling himself together trying to grab her arms, she jerked away from him again and this time stumbled and fell to the floor of the bus. Scott looked down stunned and surprised.

"Hey!" Triple H shouted causing Scott to turn and see him standing at the entrance and the only exit from the bus. He took a chance and tried to race past him but Triple H grabbed a hold of him but Scott fought back. Triple H's first instinct was to chase after him but he saw AJ on the ground and decided to make his way towards her.

Scott Page ran down the steps of the bus and had a clear passage to his rental car but was taken by surprise when he was tackled to the ground. He looked up and saw the blonde 'show stopper' himself on top of him. Him and Dolph rolled around fighting for a few minutes but he got a cheap shot in on him and tried to take off running again. But as he looked towards his car he noticed he and Dolph and caused quit the scene and many people were making there way over towards them. He quickly tried to catch his breath and turn in the opposite direction but Dolph pulled him back down again

"Where are you going!" Dolph shouted getting a hold on him

"Get off of me!" Scott shouted trying to get out of the tight hold

Inside Stephanie's office her and Punk were just about finishing up their meeting. He was pleased as to where the story was going.

"So I'll see you Monday" Stephanie said to him and he nodded "And please make sure AJ gets some rest the poor thing looked exhausted tonight"

"One thing I've learned over the last week of her being pregnant is to not comment on how she looks ever" Punk told her seriously and Stephanie let out a laugh

"She's already at that stage huh?" Stephanie questioned "I hate to break it to you but it only gets worse"

"I can't wait" Punk mocked as Bill walked into the office without even knocking, the look of urgency on his face alarmed Stephanie

"We were in a meeting" Stephanie told him

"We've got a problem in the parking lot" Bill told her and nervously glanced at Punk who noticed and stood out of his chair. "Scott Page made it into the lot and onto one of the buses" he told Stephanie but Punk didn't wait to hear anymore and he raced out of the office and down the hall ignoring everyone who watched curiously

When Punk made out back the lot was already filled with police officers and even ambulances. He looked around and saw AJ lying on a stretcher and raced towards her.

"Sir you can't come back here-" one of the officers started but Punk ignored him and headed towards his wife

"AJ" he said and was relieved when she seemed fine

"Hey I'm ok" she assured him "This is just a precaution" she told him

"What happened?" he asked her then looked over and saw Triple H making his way over

"Scott Page was on the bus waiting for me after the show" AJ told him and Punk shook his head in surprise "We got into an argument and I fell, I feel fine but they want to take me in just to make sure"

"Where is he?" Punk questioned looking up at Triple H

"Getting read his rights" Triple H told him hoping that would calm down the easily angered superstar but he knew it really wouldn't. He watched as Punk looked around and found Scott Page being placed in the back of a police vehicle and ran towards him

"Hey!" Triple H shouted trying to grab on to him

"You stupid son of a bitch!" Punk shouted but felt more arms grab him and a few officers stepped in his path but that didn't stop him from trying to get through them all "You better hope they lock you up Page!" he yelled not caring that he was making threats in not only in front of other superstars but cops as well "Pray when you go back to the station that I can't get to you!"

"That's enough" Triple H warned in a low voice his ear "There are cops here and AJ needs you" he reminded him "Your baby needs you, you're going to be a father- calm down" after a few more moments of eyeing Scott Page who was also glaring at Punk he shook off the people holding him back and headed back towards AJ.

At the hospital Punk was waiting in the waiting room nervously playing with his fingers and looking down at the floor. How could he be so careless as to let AJ get on the bus by herself? How could he live with the guilt if something happened to her or their baby? He hated to even think at a time like this Paul Heyman was right; he was and always be a selfish punk. He shook his head trying to rid his mind of the thoughts and remain positive for AJ. As he was looking down he saw a pair of feet that stopped in front of him and looked up and saw Dolph Ziggler standing in front of him.

"How is she?" Dolph asked with a voice laced with sympathy

"I don't know yet" Punk muttered running his hand over his hair "She said she wasn't in pain but I really don't know how this all works" Dolph just nodded his head not sure what to say "What are you doing here?" Punk asked noticing the lump on his head

"I saw Page trying to make a run for it and we brawled it out" Dolph admitted casually not wanting to get into too many details

"You get hurt?" Punk questioned

"Nah I didn't want to come down but the police convinced me to so they could put it all in their report" Dolph shrugged "The more evidence against this guy the better, right?"

"Yea" Punk said with a nod

"I've got to go I have a flight but let me know how AJ is" Dolph said and Punk nodded

After a ten more agonizing minutes that felt like hours the doctor came out to get Punk.

"Mr. Brooks?" She asked waving him towards her and he followed her into the exam room AJ was in. He looked over at her face and saw she seemed relieved.

"Everything ok?" he asked nervously looking from AJ and then to the Doctor

"Yes your wife and child are in perfect health" the doctor promised with a smile

"See? I told you I was fine" AJ smiled extending her hand to Punk who took it and lifted her hand up and kissed it

"Does she need to be on bed rest or anything?" Punk asked the doctor and AJ couldn't help but roll her eyes at him

"No" The doctor said with a laugh "Mrs. Brooks is in a hundred percent health and so is the child whatever she is doing is fine" she assured Punk who nodded "I'll give you two a few minutes before the officers come in and take your statement" the doctor smiled then left the room. Punk rolled over a chair and sat next to AJ

"Did they get him?" AJ asked him. She was so caught up in worry and people attending to her in the parking lot she wasn't sure what happened with Scott.

"Yea he was arrested" Punk said softly "He's not going to a problem anymore"

"He was so angry" AJ admitted "He said the most awful things"

"Don't even think about it anymore" Punk told her. He wasn't sure he even wanted to hear the things he said to her because his anger was already at an all time high and was having a hard enough time containing it as it was.

"How long do you think he's going to stay locked up for?" AJ questioned

"I don't know" Punk admitted "But it won't matter because we won't have a problem getting that restraining order anymore"

"Good" AJ said letting out a breath

"Are you sure you're ok?" Punk asked studying her face

"It's just so surreal you know?" she started "I mean you read about these things and see it on TV but I never thought I would be in-trapped on a bus by some lunatic before. I think I'm still in shock"

"I'm sorry I didn't go with you to the bus" he told her still holding onto her hand "It was stupid"

"How were you supposed to know he was on there?" AJ asked "And it's fine. No harm done"
"I wish I was able to think that way" Punk admitted as AJ frowned at him

"It's ok" AJ promised giving his hand a tight squeeze "But after I get out of here I really don't want to get back on the bus, could we just get a hotel room for the night?"

"Whatever you want" Punk promised

"I'm glad you said that because my stomach is starting to feel better and I really want ice cream" AJ said seriously. Punk couldn't help but smirk at her "And a hamburger with fries"

"Ok I'll pick up dinner and ice-cream" Punk promised

"No the dinner is ice-cream and the dessert is the burger in fries" AJ told him seriously and he just nodded along with her.

Punk stayed in the room while she gave a very detailed play by play of her altercation with Scott Page. She remembered every hateful word and even described the deranged look in his eyes. He couldn't help but proud of the women he married. It wasn't too long ago she was terrified of this man and now he got to listen as she stood up to him. After giving her statement he took her to eat and watched her eat her ice-cream and burger and fries. Then he watched her eat his dinner because truth be told he had no appetite at all. He was still so angry on the inside and she knew it was killing him on the inside. They headed to a hotel for the night.

"That was so good" AJ said with a smile walking into the room

"I'm glad you enjoyed it" Punk smirked "Actually I'm glad the baby enjoyed and you haven't thrown it up yet"

"Give her time" AJ said playfully patting her stomach. She was still set on the fact that they were having a girl. "I'm not even tired anymore"

"Bed" Punk told her firmly "I did everything you asked but you honestly need to get some rest now"

"Fine" AJ sighed unzipping her bag then gave Punk a crooked smile "I left my pj's on the bus"

"Here" he said unzipping his bag and pulling out a pair of sweats and band t-shirt

"Thanks" She smiled grabbing them from him. She loved his clothes, whenever she had the chance to sleep in them she took it. Why were his clothes more comfortable then her own? She started shimmed out of her pants and pulled her top up over her head and froze when she caught a glance of herself in the mirror. Hand marks on her body from Scott Page were very present. He had grabbed her arms, shoulders and wrist so harshly she knew they would bruise. She couldn't stop looking at herself. She was remembering all that time years ago she would have to cover up those marks. She thought those days were done and over with.

"AJ?" Punk questioned from the corner of the room. He saw she was frozen in place but couldn't see what she was looking at exactly "AJ?" he asked again then decided to walk towards her to see what had paralyzed her. It paralyzed him as well. He saw the dark red finger marks slowly changing color. He could feel the rage inside of him slowly start to boil over but he knew this wasn't about him or how felt, his main concern and job was to help his wife. He bit his bottom lip and pulled himself out of his own thoughts "It'll heal" he said standing behind her and looking into the mirror at her. He gingerly ran his hands up and down her marked arms

"It never heals" AJ said shaking her head. Punk eyed her reflection carefully trying to decide what to say next to help her. He wasn't even sure there was anything to say. Instead of speaking he moved slightly and lifted her arm and examined the marks then slowly lowered his head and kissed the marks. AJ closed her eyes tightly and let the tears roll down her cheek as Punk continued to comfort her. Once he was finished he stood in front of her to block her view from the mirror.

"Thank you" AJ sighed tilting her head as Punk used his thump to wipe away her tears

"You're welcome" he said pulling her into a kiss

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story so far! Let me know what you thought of the newest chapter :)