New Adventure

When Punk woke up the next morning he stuck his head up and there was no sign of AJ. He saw Larry sleeping next to him where AJ had clearly vacated her spot. He crawled out of bed to find his phone and call her and saw a note next to his phone. 'Went to the office to follow up on some things, walked Larry already, coffee is hot xoxo'.

"Oh, Ape." He sighed. She really could never just turn it off and be happy.

He decided to shower, get his court suit on and head over to the office before he had to be in court.

AJ looked up from her computer when her office door opened and grinned.

"My, oh my, Detective Brooks." AJ grinned removing her glasses. "You do look good in a suit."

"Thank you." Punk had grin. "I was going to call the feds-"

"I already did." AJ said cutting him off. "I spoke to the agent on the case and he's actually flying out to meet me tonight. I've also gotten a head start on my next case. It's very productive to be up this early I see why you always wake up before dawn."

"Not today, I was exhausted." Punk sighed. "You want to meet for dinner after I get out of court?"

"I'm probably meeting with that agent around dinner." AJ said to him.

"I want to meet him with you." Punk told her and she eyed him.

"Why?" She asked confused. "You can't work this case."

"No I can't but you're invested in this so am I. I want to meet him with you as your boyfriend not as a cop." He told her. "You're not alone."

"Oh." She said smiling a bit. "That's really sweet."

"I'm a sweet guy." Punk agreed.

"Well, we'll meet at the apartment. So just rush home after court." She told him and he nodded.

"I ran into your girlfriend this morning. It's amazing I've lived there half a year and never saw her and now I can't stop seeing her."

"Not my girlfriend." Punk reminded her growing frustrated.

"Anyway, she needs a PI and she apparently has money. Yet lives in that dive apartment." AJ scoffed.

"Her parents have money." Punk corrected. "I'm sure they're fronting her the cash. What's the PI for?"

"I can't discuss that with you." AJ reminded him.

"You sure you want to take the case?" Punk asked her. "Working with my ex might make you uneasy."

"I need money." AJ reminded him. "Also, she really needs a PI. Someone who will care. That is me."

"You want to take this on right now while you have this stuff with your moms case hanging over you?" Punk asked her.

"I do. I can't stop living my life like I did last time." AJ shrugged. "And again, she really sounded like she needed help and that's why I do this."

"You're a good woman." He had to smile.

"I am." She agreed. "She's meeting me here soon."

"Would you like me to leave?" He asked her.

"Not yet." She told him. "I want to enjoy you in that suit a bit longer."

"You have to be tired." He said to her. "I don't think you slept at all."

"I get like that." AJ said to him. "I'm sorry if it kept you up."

"It didn't." He insisted. "I'm worried about you, not me."

"When my mind starts running that's it." AJ insisted. "I've been like that since I was a little girl."

"Yea?" He asked and she nodded.

"My dad used to work the graveyard shift so I'd wait up for him every night and I'd be so buzzed he'd let me hang out with him while he had dinner at 3am and we'd watch TV until I fell asleep." She confided.

"I've never heard you tell a positive story about your father." Punk said stunned.

"How positive is that story? He let me stay up all night and it turned me into a nut." She scoffed.

"Where did he work?" He asked her.

"The graveyard." AJ told him as she typed at her computer.

"No, not the shift where did he work?" He clarified and she looked up.

"The graveyard shift at the graveyard." AJ repeated and his eyes widened. "You're a cop and that scares you?"

"Yea it does." He cringed.

"He liked it. Said it was soothing." AJ told him.

"That's even creepier." Punk said to her seriously.

"He took me to work once." AJ told him and his jaw dropped.

"Yea, my mom had to work and there was no one to watch me and he couldn't afford to miss work and I never slept as it was." AJ recounted. "We played hide and seek in the graveyard at midnight."

"When we have children you better not take them to a graveyard and play." He warned her.

"It's a rare good memory I have with my father." AJ smiled. "It was so cool. I slept in a crypt."

"I have to go." Punk said not wanting to hear anymore.

"Are you like afraid of cemeteries?" AJ asked fully amused.

"WHO ISN'T?" He asked her seriously.

"Most people. A cemetery isn't meant to be scary it's supposed to be comforting." AJ educated him and he narrowed his eyes at her. "Did you have a bad experience at a cemetery?"

"Yes, Ape, most people do." He said to her and she rolled her eyes.

"I'm adventurous." She defended. "Our children will be too."

"You're not adventurous you're crazy." He corrected.

"Then our kids will be too." She repeated and puckered her lips and leaned over and kissed her. "Good luck in court today."

"I'll be out as early as I can." Punk told her and she nodded.

Twenty minutes later Punk's ex girlfriend came strolling into the office.

"AJ?" She asked and AJ looked up and waved her in.

"Hey, sorry you're earlier than I thought you would be." She told her pointing to a seat.

"I appreciate you making time for me." Peyton told her. "Had I known I was living so close to a PI I would have done this ages ago. Well, you're not my first PI."

"No?" AJ asked curiously taking out her notepad.

Peyton pulled out a check and AJ stopped her.

"I want to hear your story first." AJ insisted. "We'll worry about the money after. Consultation is always free."

"Ok." Peyton said and took a picture out of her purse.

"Who's this?" AJ asked looking at the photo of a young boy.

"My son." Peyton told her and AJ nearly fainted.

"Your son?" She asked.

"He's older than that now." Peyton told her. "He's 15 now, that picture was from when he was 8."

"Ok." AJ said slowly looking at the picture hoping he didn't resemble her boyfriend and Peyton caught on.

"Phil isn't the father." Peyton assured her quickly. "I had Jack when I was 15, 15 years ago. I dated Phil two years ago."

"Of course." AJ said feeling relief. "You gave him up for adoption? You know, I get a lot of calls about this and I have to remind you that it isn't in the best interest of the child."

"No! I didn't give him up for adoption. I gave custody to his father." Peyton told her. "Full custody." She clarified. "I was young and naive and my parents didn't want me raising a baby. The father and his parents wanted to raise him."

"Oh, ok." AJ nodded looking back down at the photo. "Did you keep in contact?"

"I did." Peyton began to explain. "I stayed in touch with his father but far enough away from Jack where I wouldn't confuse him. A year ago we were talking about me finally meeting him and explaining everything to him since he was at an older age and could understand more and I never heard back."

"Just like that?" AJ asked and Peyton nodded.

"Look, I made mistakes but I love Jack and I did what was best for him. I wasn't in a place to raise him." Peyton told her.

"I'm not judging you." AJ said giving her a sad smile. "I respect what you did very much."

"I kept in touch weekly with his father for over fifteen years sometimes more. And then he not only cuts me out but he picks up and moves." Peyton told her. "I have no legal right to Jack I get that but why pick up and move? I'm no threat, Jack is already 15 and in 3 years he's old enough to do what he wants anyway."

"It is odd." AJ agreed. "Did you speak to the police?"

"I did but there's no foul play and I don't think there's foul play but I'm worried and I want to make sure he's alright." Peyton insisted. "I have no right to question where the father of my son took him when I haven't been part of their lives but I'm Jack's mother and I have to know or I'll go crazy."

"I understand." AJ said to her. "I need your exes information, name, birthday, last known address, everything and anything."

"So you'll take the case?" Peyton asked.

"Yea, I'll do what I can." AJ told her.

"I'm not going to turn Jack's life upside down but they all left so abruptly I just want to make sure he's well, that's all. I've been getting a progress report on him every week for fifteen years and now it's been two months and I haven't heard anything and I can't live like this." Peyton told her.

"I'll help." AJ offered with a light smile.

"Here." Peyton said passing her the check and AJ just eyed it. "My parents are funding this for me, they want to hear about Jack as much as I do so don't feel like you're robbing me."

"Alright." AJ said accepting the check.

"I also don't want to get into your business but I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Phil." Peyton told her.

"He knows I was meeting with you but not about the case. I never discuss my cases with him." AJ assured her.

"It's just we have so many mutual friends and I will tell them about Jack but when I'm ready." Peyton said to her. "I have to get to work, I'll bring by that list of his fathers name and stuff."

"Thank you." AJ said to her.

"No, thank YOU." She smiled. "What time will you be here till?"

"I have a meeting at around five at my apartment." AJ told her.

"If you don't mind I can bring the list by at around 6 or 7, depends on how busy I am at work." Peyton told her.

"No problem." AJ assured her and watched her leave. "I knew she was going to be too nice." AJ grunted.

At around six Punk was rushing home since court went over and he wanted to meet with the Agent on AJ's case. Sure he wanted to be supportive and play the role of loving boyfriend but he also wanted to make sure this Agent was taking AJ's case seriously. Punk rushed to the elevator and down the hall to the last door on the left which was the apartment they shared.

"Sorry I'm so late." Punk said noting AJ and the strange man in a suit.

"It's fine. We're pretty much done anyway." AJ assured him with a smile. "Agent Kirakiss and I went over everything."

"Well start over so I can hear it." Punk said taking his suit jacket off as he loosened his tie.

"You must be Phillip Brooks." Agent Kirakiss greeted sticking his hand out to him.

"Detective Brooks." Punk corrected him as he shook his hand.

"I'm well aware." The Agent smiled. "I'm Creed Kirakiss."

"They already retrieved the note." AJ explained to Punk.

"Where are you on locating Richard McCall?" Punk asked Creed and AJ sighed. He was going into full Detective mode.

"As I explained to April we're following every lead." The Agent told him. "And she was kind enough to go over with me the leads she's been following."

"He already followed up on the friend in Nashville." AJ told Punk.

"And?" Punk asked.

"We can't confirm they've been in touch but the friend is married to a famous plastic surgeon." Creed informed Punk.

"So his appearance might have changed is what you're saying." Punk said to him and Creed nodded. "Damn it." He hissed. "If he had extensive plastic surgery has to be on medication, no?"

"He would but so is half the country." Creed told him. "Richard McCall has money and now a new face, it won't be easy to find him but as I explained to April we will."

"Explain it to me." Punk insisted.

"I can't discuss specifics with you on the case you were removed for a reason." Creed reminded him.

"He thinks you might be a target since we're living together now." AJ told Punk. "What if this was a mistake?"

"I don't give a shit." Punk scoffed. "I want to live here with you and I don't care if that makes Dickie McCall angry."

"Point is to stay safe and diligent and try to keep in mind you might not fully recognize him." Creed told them both. "So, April's tip he was in Nashville makes perfect sense. You were on the right track."

"I had no doubt she was on the track. She's been very active in solving this case and is brilliant." Punk defended and AJ smiled a bit at him. He had no reason to be so hostile or defensive over this but he always had her back that was for sure. "Why is she doing the feds work?"

"She is not, at least not anymore." Creed told him and looked at AJ. "Tell him."

"I promised to let the FBI handle this case and butt out." AJ repeated with a roll of her eyes.

"But she's not going to." Punk told him bluntly.

"Phil." AJ scolded.

"I'm sorry, Ape but it's true." Punk said looking briefly back at her then back to the agent. "She's a private investigator, this is what she does and it's her sanity and safety at risk she won't be staying in. She will tell you she is and because she told you she would she's going to hide and do this now and I really need to be kept informed because I need to keep on eye her."

"I really have too many cases to follow this up." AJ assured Punk.

"I understand you're frustrated." The Agent said to Punk.

"He's a serial killer." Punk reminded him. "He killed 7 women out here plus Daria Mendez, almost AJ and god knows who else."

"We are not giving up." The Agent assured Punk. "We are following every lead."

"Stop giving me the standard bullshit." Punk warned him.

"You are a citizen when it comes to his case." The Agent reminded him.

"I'm a cop, I live with AJ who was a victim I worked the 7 other cases." Punk reminded him.

"And if I need a consult I'll come see you." Creed told him. "Have a good night. Ms. Mendez, I'll be in touch."

"Are you kidding me?" Punk asked following him to the door but AJ jumped in front of him.

"Relax." AJ insisted.

"Relax?" Punk mocked. "This guy told us nothing new."

"We weren't expecting new information. I just wanted to remind him of the note." AJ reminded him.

"And what did he have to say about it besides the fact that they had no DNA on it?" Punk asked.

"Nothing. He did seem really interested in Finn's involvement in finding me." AJ explained and Punk eyed her. "I think he thinks Finn is the only one who has decent morals and possibly sent me the note."

"If Balor had decent morals he wouldn't have sent you to a crack house." Punk retorted.

"I'm not saying it is him, it's just what Agent Kirakiss was hinting at I think." AJ said to him.

"I hate not being part of this." Punk said shaking his head.

"How was court?" She asked changing the subject.

"Boring." He told her. "How was work for you?"

"Interesting." She admitted. "Want to order pizza and watch Batman?"

"A woman after my own heart." Punk teased.

"First let's help you out of that suit." AJ said removing his tie fully.

Twenty minutes later AJ was on top of Punk panting as he struggled to catch his own breath.

"Jesus, Ape." Punk groaned.

"No good?" She teased looking down at him as their noses were an inch apart.

"Too good." He corrected. "Like….fuck." He sighed trying to control his breathing.

"Don't have a heart attack on me now." AJ warned nipping his lips.

"You'd be the one to give me one." He remarked and she looked deep into his eyes. "What?"

"When did you meet Peyton?" She questioned and he rolled his eyes.

"Two years ago maybe three. I don't really remember." He told her and she felt relief.

AJ believed Peyton but just wanted to make sure she was being honest.

"I'm taking her case. Are you ok with that?" She asked him.

"Would it matter if I wasn't?" He asked her seriously.

"You matter to me." She reminded him. "I value your thoughts and opinions and I wouldn't want to do anything that would make you uncomfortable."

"That's very sweet of you actually." He said surprised and she glared at him and he kissed her lips. "It doesn't bother me at all. Do your job."

"Ok, good." She said rolling off of him.

"You don't want to tell me what it's about?" He asked.

"Nope." She said opening the dresser and pulling out one of his t-shirts and let it fall to her knees.

"What if you need police help, like running plates or something?" He asked curiously.

"I'll ask Dean." AJ shrugged. "It's her personal life and it's not my place to share her business with people who know her."

"It's not like dangerous, is it?" He asked nervously. "I mean I can't think of what she'd need you for?"

"You don't have to think of it." AJ said looking back at him as Larry jumped on the bed.

"Your mom drives me crazy." He told the dog as he pet him.

"Do you want to walk Larry, or shall I?" She asked and he eyed her in just his shirt as he got dressed.

"I'll go." He said with a smirk.

"I would have put pants on." AJ defended.

"I should hope so." He said to her. "You can order the pizza."

"Doing it on my phone now." She said typing away at her phone then heard a knock. "I got it!" she shouted running to the door knowing Peyton was coming by.

"Hey." AJ greeted and Peyton smiled.

"Here's the information you asked for." Peyton said passing her a folded piece of paper.

"Great, I'll get started." AJ assured her.

"I appreciate this so much." Peyton said with a light smile.

"I'll be in touch." AJ told her and Peyton smiled and walked away.

"What's that?" Punk asked behidn her causing her to jump.

"Wow." AJ said glaring at him. "Lurk much?"

"We live in one big room it's hard not to overhear." Punk said to her.

"It's for my case." She said holding the paper closer to herself.

"Fine." Punk said to her as he grabbed Larry's leash. "I don't want to know about your case anyway."

"Yea. Go back to boring court while I do more of the police's work." AJ said to him smugly.

"Police work, eh?" He asked curiously leaning against the counter. "If a crime has been committed you can come to me. She doesn't have to hire you-"

"No crime has been committed." AJ assured him sensing him going to cop mode. "It's personal and private."

"Fine." He said whistling for Larry who ran over. "Good boy." Punk grinned putting on his leash. "I'll be right back."

"I'll be waiting." She smiled and when he left she opened the piece of paper and pulled out her laptop. She was prepared to fully help Peyton Prescott and would make sure she'd get the piece of mind she needed for her son.