Chapter 55


Arriving on the bus Punk stepped on first and Kofi was already there ready to go.

"I saw the end of that match" Kofi laughed at his friend "You locked lips with the red-haired-" but couldn't finish his sentence as AJ stepped on the bus and glared coldly at her friend "-manipulative, evil woman" he tried to cover in a serious tone

"Good job" Punk puttered placing his and AJ's bags down "We're not going to discuss the match we already have"

"Good because it wasn't one of your bests" Kofi said than smiled towards AJ who smiled back

"Right" Punk said with a sigh "Let's-"

"No I want to hear Kofi's story" AJ said cutting off her husband

"He's really tired" Punk told her and Kofi shook his head no

"I'm wired not tired!" Kofi smiled at his friend "What story will it be tonight?" he asked taking a seat rubbing his hands together in excitement

"I want to know about the first time Phil ever saw me" AJ said to him

"How am I supposed to know the first time he ever saw you?" Kofi asked seriously arching a brow

"At Serena's match" Punk clarified and after a moment of thinking Kofi smiled wide

"I do remember that" Kofi confirmed with a grin


Punk and Kofi arrived at the taping for FCW late. Kofi in all honesty didn't even want to be there but Punk had insisted on being there to see Serena's match. Kofi wasn't much of a fan of the larger woman, truth be told he felt once Punk took her under his wing and had her join the Straight Edge Society she had gotten a big head. But being the great friend he was to Punk he went with him. Punk was of course recognized backstage as they searched for Serena. I mean it was hard to not notice a guy with long hair and a creepy beard. As they turned the corner they found Serena who was throwing some kind of a hissy fit.

"This is what I mean about her" Kofi whispered in his friend ear

"Give her a break" Punk sighed "Hey Serena!" he shouted stepping towards her and Kofi reluctantly following behind his friend

"Oh hey" She forced a smiled as her cheeks turned slightly red from embarrassment

"What's going on?" He asked her

"They want me to give up my crown" Serena told them shaking her head in anger "It's not right! I've worked my butt off for it!"

"Just calm down" Punk told her "You're better than a crown anyway you don't need it. You're on WWE television every week. I'm sure whoever is getting that stupid thing isn't going to be able to say that for themselves"

"Yea" Serena said with a slight smile, he was right. She was the one featured on Smackdown with Punk, not AJ "She' so small though, I would squash her in reality"

"It's part of the game" Punk reminded her "Just go out there and do exactly what that tell you to do"

"It's just ridiculous" Serena said folding her arms then rolled her eyes "Here she comes now" she said nodding towards a young AJ who was decked out in a Resident Evil game sweatshirt, a small batman backpack, converse and a simple pair of jeans. She had her headphones in and literally skipped right past the group of them. "How old does she look to you?" she asked the two of them

"I don't know 20? 21?" Kofi answered since Punk seemed too distracted to respond

"Punk" Serena said grabbing his attention

"Huh? What?" Punk questioned turning his attention back to Serena now that AJ was out of sight

"What were you looking at?" Serena questioned

"Nothing" Punk shrugged "She going to wrestle in jeans in that sweatshirt?" he asked her

"Oh please if she wanted to they would let her" Serena scoffed "They think she's god's gift to female wrestling. She has this sob story about how she worked her butt off to get here and slept in cars to pay for training" Serena just rolled her eyes again "She's got everyone wrapped around her little finger but she'll never make it"

"And why is that?" Kofi questioned challenging the diva. He really didn't like her…

"Look at the size of her" Serena said with a laugh "How many little Diva's make it like that?"

"Barbie" Kofi added casually

"She's tall and has long legs to use to her advantage" Serena defended "Miss. April over there wears kids clothes and shoes"

"It's about the size of the heart not the body" Punk finally chimed in

"Right" Serena said with a smirk "Anyway go grab a good seat out there and watch me sell this match"

"Good luck" Kofi said to her

"Luck is for losers!" Serena said with a smile quoting her mentor then turned and headed down the hall herself

"I know that's why I said it" Kofi muttered

"Was that nice?" Punk asked his friend

"She didn't hear me" Kofi said confidently as they headed towards there seats.

"I think she's passionate" Punk shrugged

"No the girl just wants to win" Kofi told him "She understands that there are times you have to job too. We've all been there"

"She's new cut her some slack" Punk said to Kofi "Besides that girl is small"

"So are you" Kofi said to him as Punk snorted a laugh

"Yea I guess" Punk said "I liked her getup" he admitted

"You would" Kofi laughed "A batman loving video game playing chick, right up your alley"

"Yea too bad she's like sixteen" Punk smirked

"That girl is not sixteen" Kofi said to him and that's when AJ was announced and made her way out to the ring. She was transformed from the geeky girl they saw minutes ago to a wrestling model. Her hair was long and flowing and had a nice shape. Punk watched carefully as she stepped up to the apron and wiped her feet before entering the ring…a sign of respect.

"That's like a little 'punk' in there" Kofi said with a laugh "You do that don't you?"

"Its respectful" Punk told his friend "Real passionate competitors get it" Punk was just in awe of the young woman before him in the ring. He didn't even pay attention as Serena came out

"Too bad little…." Kofi started than stopped "What's her name again?"

"AJ I think" Punk said concentrating on the match

"Yea too bad little AJ wasn't around when you were looking for someone to join your weird cult" Kofi said noticing his friends infatuation with the young wrestler

"Nah" Punk said "Her hair is too nice to shave off" Kofi couldn't help but let out a laugh

"You act like you've never seen a woman before" Kofi said to his friend

"She's good and interesting to watch" Punk defended

"Right" Kofi smirked "You want to meet her after the show?"

"Nah" Punk said to him "I'll meet her later on"

"When?" Kofi questioned amused by his friend

"When she comes to WWE" Punk shrugged

"You think you'll be seeing her in WWE?" Kofi questioned

"I know I'll be seeing her" Punk told him confidently "She is going to be a star"

"You're getting all of that from this match?" Kofi questioned disbelievingly

"Yea" Punk said with a firm nod "Look at her moves, her facial reactions- she's got it"

"Ok" Kofi smirked "I bet you twenty bucks you never see her again after tonight"

"Deal" Punk said shaking his hand


"Ow!" Kofi yelled rubbing his arm. AJ had punched him in his arm right at the end of the story "What was that for?"

"You didn't think I'd make it?" AJ questioned with a frown "How could you say that?" Kofi looked towards Punk for some kind of back up but he just shook his head 'no'. Kofi would have to get out of this all on his own

"Of course I knew you would make it" Kofi said to her "Didn't you hear how I said size doesn't matter?"

"Doesn't matter you bet Phil money he'd never see me again" AJ reminded him

"Just to try to get him to go back and talk to you that night" Kofi defended and it was the truth. Kofi didn't want Punk blowing a chance on meeting this girl he clearly was attracted too

"Oh that reminds me. You owe me twenty bucks" Punk said extending his hand

"Damn" Kofi muttered pulling a twenty out of his pocket and slapping it into his friends hand

"Serves you right" AJ said to him

"Come on AJ" Kofi sighed "You're my favorite Diva here and you know that"

"You're just saying that" AJ muttered still feeling slightly insulted by Kofi

"I'll tell you another story" Kofi teased and AJ immediately perked her head up

"Oh god" Punk muttered "It's late-"

"Since when do you sleep?" Kofi asked Punk annoyed "You go to bed and I'll stay up and talk to AJ"

"Yea" AJ smiled "Another story?"

"You got it" Kofi smirked

"What other stories do you even have?" Punk questioned

"I've got stories" Kofi said in an almost threatening voice "But now that I think about I'd like to hear a story from you" he said looking towards AJ

"My stories are lame" AJ smirked

"Oh no, no they're not" Kofi said quickly "You see you are privileged enough to know a side of Punk that I don't. And since you didn't invite me to your wedding it's the least you could do"

"There's really no story to our wedding" AJ shrugged "We told you everything"

"No I want to hear about the first date" Kofi said to her and he could hear Punk grunt "After your date he refused to tell me what happened"

"Really?" AJ questioned looking past Kofi towards Punk "Why? I thought you were so sweet"

"AJ" Punk warned

"Don't be silly it's a great story" AJ said to him in chipper voice "Well you know all the long preparation that went into it for me as Kaitlyn has already shared that embarrassing story"

"Yup" Kofi confirmed "But I've got to know what actually happened and why Punk never told me what happened"

"Alright it's really sweet though" AJ warned with a smile as Kofi looked towards Punk with his own grin.

"I'd love to hear about how sweet Phillip really is" Kofi said anxiously


After drying out her hair to the best of her ability it was still wavy but not much she could do with it. AJ decided to throw on a pair of jeans, chucks, and gamer t-shirt. He said casual she just hoped she wasn't underdressed. Right on cue there was a knock at the door. Kaitlyn grinned over to AJ.

"What a gentleman" Kaitlyn said getting off of her bed "He's right on time"

"He should be, he's staying one floor above us" AJ teased. Kaitlyn opened the door and there was Punk looking very similar to AJ. Even Kaitlyn had to smirk at the similarities between the two.

"Come on in" Kaitlyn said stepping aside to let Punk in

"Kaitlyn" Punk smiled then saw AJ "AJ" he smiled as he saw her throwing something her bag

"Hey Phil" she said with in a shy voice

"I want her back by 11:30 no later or I'll hunt you down. And there will be no funny business or touching on this date. A kiss on the cheek will do." Kaitlyn teased

"You love making things uncomfortable for me don't you?" AJ questioned her friend who let out a grin

"It's what I do" Kaitlyn shrugged

"I won't have her back too late I know you both have an early flight as for the funny business there will be none of that- at least on my part but I can't make any promises about the 'no touching' because your friend here is irresistible" Punk told her playing along. He glanced over and saw AJ's cheeks turn a bright red. He loved that.

"Let's go" AJ said grabbing her bag and pulling on Punk's arm towards the door

"Have fun you two crazy kids!" Kaitlyn laughed as AJ rushed out the door with Punk.


Punk and AJ headed to the elevator without saying a word. They knew they didn't want to flaunt their relationship out in the open for many reasons. One being AJ was still kind of new and she didn't want her co-workers getting the wrong impression of her. Two being Punk didn't feel like getting ribbed or having someone use AJ to get under his skin. Obviously he had taken a liking to her and people picked up on it. Such as Cena, Kofi and Kaitlyn but he trusted all three of them. As the doors opened Punk gestured for AJ to step on the empty elevator before him. He followed behind and once the doors closed Punk grabbed AJ by her face and pulled her into a deep, heated kiss. They both had wanted to touch each other again since the show when AJ pulled Punk into a kiss. Punk gently pushed AJ up against the elevator as she held onto his neck for dear life and standing on her tippie-toes to reach his face. His hands were freely roaming her slender frame but stopped right at her hips. As he continued the kiss and slowly started to massage her they didn't hear the elevator doors open again. It wasn't until they heard a cough that stopped Punk in his tracks. This was not the way to keep the relationship a secret. Almost to his relief Punk turned his head slightly and saw the one and only John Cena. John was looking straight ahead at the doors, Punk didn't need to see it for himself he knew John was standing there with a big stupid grin on his face.

"My lips are sealed" John assured the two still avoiding contact with the duo "But uh- maybe you should work on sealing your own respective lips if you want to keep this all hush/hush" he teased in a serious tone. Eventually the elevator beeped again and the doors opened to the lobby and John stepped off.

"We almost got caught" AJ noted "Already" she said the doors closed again

"Yea but it was worth it" Punk smirked wickedly at her.

"Were we supposed to get off? Or are we just going to make out in the elevator all night like teenagers?" AJ questioned "I'm not complaining if that's the plan by the way" she said seriously. Punk just smiled at her as he bit his lower lip

"It's nice to know you're not high maintenance" Punk told her as he pushed a button on the elevator sending them up "As much as I'd love to sneak around with you and pin you against that wall all night, I promised you a real date"

"Don't tell me you're a closeted romantic?" AJ questioned as Punk raised a brow

"I've been known to be romantic from time to time" Punk confirmed causally "It's no secret though. They don't call me chick magnet because of my good looks"

"Actually I think they do" AJ said with a chuckle

"So you think I'm good looking?" Punk questioned coolly as if he had that line prepared

"You're ok" AJ shrugged casually as Punk looked towards her and smirked. He knew this girl was going to be a keeper.


As the elevator doors opened Punk grabbed onto AJ's hand. They waked into the restaurant that had a view of the City. It was beautiful but just by looking around, AJ knew she was underdressed and so was Punk. But he clearly didn't care. He walked in like he owned the place with such confidence. She was in absolute awe of him.

"Mr. Brooks" the host smiled shaking his free hand. "You're right on time" he said to him and looked towards AJ "This is the special lady you told me about?" he questioned and again AJ felt her cheeks start to blush. Punk loved to embarrass that's for sure…

"Yea this is the very special lady I told you about it" Punk said furthering AJ's embarrassment. She was confident in the ring but outside he could tell she had a lot of insecurities and he was going to fix that. "Isn't she beautiful?" Punk asked the host as AJ's eyes widened

"Yes very beautiful. A face of an angel" The older man agreed studying AJ's face.

"Thanks" AJ barely muttered the word.

"Follow me your table is ready" the host said stepping in front of them to lead them to where they would be sitting.

"Ow" Punk smirked feeling AJ pinch his side "What did I do?"

"You're embarrassing me" AJ warned but Punk just smiled

"I can't help the fact that people find you to be so pretty" Punk shrugged innocently. AJ couldn't stay mad at him she just gave him a weak smile and felt him grip her hand tighter. As they passed through the main restaurant the waiter led them to a private party room almost. It would be a good size for a wedding or birthday celebration. But the room was almost completely empty except for one small single round table and candles lit all over the floor.

"Wow" AJ said in shock. Punk looked down at her face and all the money he put into making this happen made it her shocked face worth it all. "This is amazing"

"I think it's too much" Punk said looking around. He didn't even want candles but he let the overly romantic manger talk him into it.

As they took there seats at the table AJ was still admiring the beautiful room.

"I can't believe you went through all this for me" AJ said surprised

"Why?" Punk asked casually "You are special to me and you deserve to have someone who treats you good" AJ smiled weakly as she pushed out thoughts of her last relationship.

"No one has ever even taken me out on a date" AJ admitted and Punk let out a laugh

"You're kidding" Punk said to her but her silence gave it away "You're not kidding"

"Nope" AJ said taking a sip of water

"You've never had a boyfriend?" Punk asked her curiously

"I've had boyfriends but our dates consisted of a quick bite at the local fast food place or grabbing a slice on the way to practice" AJ said to him with a laugh

"And come to think of it I always paid for them"

"Then it's not a date and your boyfriends were losers" Punk told her bluntly "I'll show you what you've been missing out on"


"I have no doubt" AJ smirked at the man who was quickly capturing her heart with every word he spoke.


Surprisingly AJ found this date to be relaxing and fun. She laughed for probably the entire evening and all of her fears and nerve were washed away. It was as if she had known him her entire life. The food was good and the service was fantastic. The waiter was friendly and Punk was cracking jokes with the young man who was clearly a wrestling fan. The privacy of the date was also a relief to her. She didn't want people approaching or interrupting them the entire night or in fear of going on Twitter and getting hate messages from all of Punk's fangirls. Punk was never handed a bill she assumed that the bill was included in whatever outrageous price he paid to rent the hall but he did pull the young waiter aside and leave him a generous tip. He was really the perfect guy. The waiter was also thrilled.

"Thanks but this is too much" The waiter told him

"You're in college right?" Punk questioned and he nodded "Go buy a couple of books or something"

"Thanks" The waiter said with a smile "I've got to tell you you're much nicer then that other wrestler that's here"

"What other wrestler?" Punk questioned. Who was he going to have to avoid or kiss up to so word didn't spread around the locker room

"The guy who was in TNA, Scott Steiner" The waiter said with a disgusted look

"That's not even real wrestling" Punk said with a laugh "Have a good night" he said patting the kid on the shoulder then headed towards AJ who was by the door of the hall.

"Dinner was great" AJ smiled at Punk

"I'm glad you liked it" Punk said giving her a soft kiss on the lips

"What's next on the agenda?" AJ questioned "I still have an hour before curfew" she teased

"It's a surprise" Punk said throwing his arm around her shoulders. He looked over and saw the manager of the restaurant across the room. "Just give me a minute" He said to AJ who knew what he wanted to go over and thank the manager. For such a tough guy persona he really was a marshmallow deep down

"I know you" A voice said from behind AJ. AJ of course recognized the man immediately it was Scott Steiner. He was notorious for his buff body and horrible attitude.

"I know you as well" AJ smiled extending her hand to the man "Big poppa pump"

"That's right" Scott said with a laugh but didn't accept her hand as if he was too good to shake her hand "You're getting a lot of air time I've noticed it must be nice to step in and over so many people. You must be hanging out with the right crowd back there"


"Excuse me?" AJ asked still holding a smile. She wandered her eyes across the room and saw Punk was laughing with the manager and had no idea she was stuck with Scott Steiner. She wasn't the type of girl who would run and hide behind a man but in the case she would totally welcome it. She had heard all the stories from Kimberly Page and the other female wrestlers about working with this man.

"You know what I mean" Scott Steiner said with a laugh "Anyway I think you've got talent kid"

"How nice of you" AJ forced out

"But you've got to sex it up a bit" Scott told her seriously

"Um-" AJ said unsure how to respond. Scott Steiner stepped over and brushed her hair behind her hair

"Show a little more of your face, pull that hair back" Scott said to her "You look like an emo Marcia Brady. I can see it in your eyes you have it in you to let it all go"

"Let it all go?" AJ questioned tilting her head slightly. She again glanced over and saw Punk caught her eyes. She nodded towards Scott and she could see Punk's scowl from a mile away.

"You just need someone to loosen you up" Big poppa pump told her with a grin "I'd have absolutely no problem helping you out" he said running his hand up and down her bare arm. AJ's eyes moved towards his hand and quickly slapped it away

"Don't touch me" AJ warned in a still friendly tone "Ever again"

"Oh calm down princess" Scott Steiner laughed "Don't be all dramatic now"

"Scott Steiner calling someone else dramatic how fitting" Punk said stepping next to AJ

"CM Punk" Scott Steiner said with a laugh "I see you still don't hit the gym"

"Oh no I just hit faces. I see you still take steroids" Punk retorted quickly

"You better stop spewing that crap" Scott warned pointing at Punk

"Why? It's not like you could get fired. You'd have to have job first" Punk told him coolly

"Oh I'm sorry is this your little girlfriend?" Scott Steiner questioned eyeing AJ. And so it begins Punk thought. Punk could tell just by the way Scott Steiner was openly eyeing AJ and biting on his lower lip he was going to say something that would cause him to fly off the handle. Scott Steiner was going to be the first person to use AJ to get to him.

"We're leaving" AJ said also knowing how this would end and tugged on Punk's arm but he didn't budge. He stood there waiting for Scott's comments. As sweet and romantic as Punk was tonight he was still a fighter at heart.

"Don't go baby" Scott smiled at her as Punk watched him carefully. Scott pulled a key card out of his pocket and tried to hand it to AJ "When you're done with him tonight use this key to come into my room and I will gladly show you what it's like to be with a strong man. Like I told you I'll gladly loosen you up a bit because you seem to be wound up tight but after one night with me that innocent little glow will be long gone" he promised AJ as he tried to hand her his key card again "Come on girly" he laughed then looked towards Punk who had a smile on his face. As Scott went to grab AJ's hand and place the card in it forcefully Punk shoved him back knocking him into a table. Before it got out of hand security and employees rushed over to break up the fight.


After apologizing to the manager Punk walked AJ back to her room. They were standing outside her hotel room door and he had been quiet since the restaurant.

"What's wrong?" AJ questioned "I thought we had a good night"

"We did" Punk agreed "You know until I lost my cool, I'm sorry if it ruined your first date" he smirked

"Ruined it?" AJ questioned with a smile "That was the hottest thing I had ever seen" Punk's eyes widened. Nope. AJ was not your typical girl.

"You are one strange animal" Punk smirked as AJ pulled his face down to meet hers

"Tonight was one of the best nights I have ever had" AJ told him "You were a perfect gentleman, romantic, funny, sweet and protective. You did it all tonight"

"What can I say I wear many hats" Punk grinned pulling AJ into another kiss "But I've got to say the thoughts in my head aren't all that gentlemanlike" he whispered into her ear as nipped on her ear lob

"I'm not feeling very ladylike myself" she teased back as his mouth moved to her neck "Actually I'm never really ladylike. Let's go back to your room so I can thank you for this wonderful evening." she said taking the first bold move. Punk groaned into her neck taking one last taste then moving his head up to make eye-contact.

"You don't have to do" Punk assured her

"I know but I want to" AJ said biting her lower lip slowly "That is if you'll have me" Punk's response to that was quickly grabbing her hand and leading her down the hall towards the elevator again


"You didn't need to add that end part" Kofi said to AJ seriously who was laughing at Kofi's facial reaction as he felt AJ shared a tad too much

"It's part of the story!" AJ defended "You were so romantic that night" she said looking over to Punk who was playing a video game

"I'm always romantic" he replied not taking his eyes off of the screen

"That was a really great first date up until the end" Kofi said to her

"Yea the Scott thing was kind of damper" AJ said then made a face "What is it with me and men named Scott?" she muttered to herself

"No I mean that not only did Punk get lucky on the first date but he didn't even have to try, it was you looking for it" Kofi said to her shaking his head "I always pictured Punk running around begging you or something"

"Shut up" Punk warned turning off his game "I also wasn't trying to get laid on the first date it just so happened that way but if I was trying I think renting a small hall and having it covered in candles would have qualified as 'trying'"

"You would have gotten lucky if you took me to a Wendy's" AJ told him confidently

"I don't know how to feel about that" Punk admitted as Kofi laughed

"I never had much experience with men but like I have told you numerous times, I've wanted you since I was sixteen" AJ reminded him "I'm not easy never have been but there was just something about you" she said gazing into her husbands eyes "I just couldn't resist"

"Oh no" Kofi muttered, he knew how this night would end for him. Sleeping with his headphones on.

"How about you take me to bed right now?" Punk questioned as AJ stood up

"I thought you would never ask" AJ teased grabbing his hand and heading towards their bedroom.