Cloud Nine

AJ and Punk drove about twenty minutes the next day to see the house that he swore to her would be the winning one. AJ noticed the difference from being in the City and being where they were. It was a short drive but it was so different. It actually reminded her a bit of New Jersey.

"I thought we would stay in Chicago." She said as he pulled over down a beautiful block and she turned to see the house they were parked in front of. It looked like a ranch house. Small but they didn't need a big one. It had no steps to even lead up to the front door and the amount of property they had didn't seem like much but at least they had a driveway. It was also pink and that would have to go.

"Oh, wow." AJ forced out. "It's cute."

"Yea?" Punk asked. "This is Naperville Illinois by the way."

"A ways from work." AJ said taking her seat belt off.

"Twenty minutes same as it is in the apartment if there's traffic." Punk said getting out of the car as she did and he stood next to her as she looked at the Easter egg colored house.

"I don't like the color." She told him bluntly. "But I can get used to it."

"We can paint it." Punk shrugged.

"Right." She forced out walking towards the house and he grabbed her hand.

"This isn't the house." He laughed. "I just couldn't resist."

"Oh thank god." She said relieved.

"Across the street." He pointed and her face fell.

It was truly a house she'd only ever dream about. So much grass and a big weeping tree in the front. Two door garage and the cherry on top, a patio that wrapped around the house. The house color was a stone beige and she was speechless.

"Ape?" He asked trying to get her attention and he waved at the realtor. "If being outside of Chicago isn't what you want then we'll keep looking. I just thought this was the best of both worlds. You can have a piece of New Jersey here and still get the busy city for work-"

"It's amazing." AJ gasped in awe of it.

"You haven't even looked inside yet." He laughed.

"Can we really afford this?" She asked skeptically. "I don't want to look at it if we can't."

"We're not paying for it outright." He laughed. "There are these things called mortgages." He teased.

"Phil this is ridiculous we can't afford it." She insisted and he took her by the hand and lead her across the street.

"I know what we can afford." He reminded her. "Let's just look inside and see the yard."

"How did you know about the patio?" She asked.

"Dean." He admitted. "If you would have just told me what you'd like I could have avoided asking Dean behind your back."

AJ and Punk toured the house that was up to date on appliances and paint. The kitchen looked brand new, there were french doors that lead to the spacious yard and patio. She'd be able to plant like she'd want to. There were four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Punk told her one of the bedrooms could be an at home office for her so she didn't always have to run into work. The master bedroom was bigger than the studio they were in now and the area was safe and kid friendly.

"What do you think?" Punk asked her standing in the empty living room after the tour and she turned to him. "I'll put an offer in but we have to do it fast because-" He began and she jumped into his arms.

"I want it." She told him desperately. "This is where we can grow old together it's perfect."

"Alright." Punk said relieved. "Let me talk to the agent."

"Ok." AJ smiled and looked around the house. This was something she never expected in life. "You wouldn't believe it. Mom." AJ said more to herself. "I wish you were."

"You say something?" Punk asked poking his head into the living room.

"No." She smiled shaking her head. "What are the chances we get this?"

"It looks good, we'll know in a few days I just have to sign a few things." He told her then headed back into the kitchen.

"Ok." AJ said eagerly.

AJ and Punk decided on a date night this evening. They were going out with Renee and Dean and celebrating Renee finally taking the job with homicide. She and Dean had decided it was for the best since they were growing more serious.

"So, murder cases are probably more exciting than working with these two." AJ said to Renee as she sipped her wine.

"Oh, I don't know about that but change is exciting to me." Renee told her and Punk and Dean munched on breadsticks.

"Hey, I know the DA's office hires PI's sometimes-" AJ began to suggest.

"Yes and I will recommend you for sure." Renee assured her.

"Great, now she can solve murder cases." Dean remarked.

"They're used to find potential witnesses and whatnot to solve the case." Renee reminded him. "So, have you two set a wedding date?"

"We'll know in a week because we finally put an offer in on a house and are waiting to hear." AJ told her.

"You didn't tell me that." Dean said annoyed.

"I figured you two would have gossiped about it by now." AJ shrugged showing Renee pictures on her phone of the house.

"I didn't see him all day." Punk shrugged.

"Is it the one with the patio?" Dean asked and Punk nodded. "Garage?"

"Two door." Punk responed as Renee and AJ watched the interaction.

"Central air?" Dean asked.

"Oh, yea for sure." Punk told him.

"Sweet congrats." Dean said to him and Renee eyed him.

"That's all you want to know? Not how many bedrooms or the structure inside?" Renee asked.

"It's a house and has four walls and a roof." Dean said to him.

"That's all there is for me to say." Punk agreed.

"You two are the worst." Renee said and went back to looking at pictures. "So are you waiting to get the house to have the wedding there?"

"No I still want it on a roof. I love a view. We just want to know for sure on the house because otherwise if we're still in the apartment we'll have the wedding on that roof." AJ explained.

"I get it." Renee nodded. "I might be able to help you find a roof for your nuptials."

"Really?" AJ asked.

"Yea I have a friend who runs a museum and they have this high roof and sometimes it gets rented for parties. But it's private so you have to do the work of decorating and cleaning." Renee told her.

"That sounds amazing!" AJ said to her. "Can I meet your friend?"

"Kirk." Dean said to her with a smile. "What a guy he is."

"Dean hates him don't let it taint you." Renee warned typing on her phone. "I'll send him a text."

"Kirk?" Punk asked Dean.

"Little nerd who drools every time Renee breathes around him." Dean told him. "Thinks he's so smart."

"He has a PHD." Renee reminded him.

"Yea, I know." Dean said with a roll of his eyes. "Never saw a baseball game or heard of boxing but he's brilliant."

"He's very jealous." Renee told AJ who nodded.

"Sounds it." AJ agreed.

"Or maybe the guy has no street smarts." Punk defended Dean.

"Thank you." Dean said relieved.

"You two are annoying together." Renee mumbled under breath.

A few days later AJ was at work in her office when Peyton stepped in.

"AJ there's a man here to see you." Peyton informed her. "He doesn't have an appointment but he really wants to see you."

"Ok." AJ said unsurely. "Let him in." She said said she was already reaching for her top desk drawer where she hid her office mace.

"Ms. Mendez." A nicely dressed men greeted. He had to be around Punk's age, salt and paper hair slicked back and his suit had to be Italian and custom. This was the kind of client she needed in her life.

"Yes. How can I help you?" AJ asked standing up and shaking his hand.

"My friends the Monroe's hired you a while back to locate their daughter and recommended to you. I'm Kevin Scott."

"Nice to meet you, please sit." She said gesturing for him to sit.

"Your reputations precedes you." Kevin said to her. "When my friends gave me your card I looked you up, you were abducted almost a year ago."

"Yea that's me." AJ forced out. "Not something I like to think back to."

"I'd imagine." Kevin frowned. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"It's ok." AJ waved it off. "How can I help you?"

"My wife, Claudia." Kevin began as he shifted in his sit. "She's cheating on me and I'd like you to prove it."

"I'm sorry about your marriage." AJ began.

"Please, Ms. Mendez I don't need sympathy. My wife and I haven't been in love in a long time. We've stayed in the marriage because she gets half of my money if we split unless I can prove infidelity." Kevin explained.

"You seem like you have enough money to go around." She forced out a bit and he smiled a bit.

"You do catch on." He teased. "And I have no trouble making sure my ex is comfortable financially, she was with me for a long time I want her to live well. I do not want her to live on my yacht in Italy though."

"I always vet potential clients." AJ warned him.

"To make sure I'm not some monster looking to hunt down an innocent woman?" Kevin asked.

"So to speak yea." She admitted bluntly.

"I'd expect nothing less." Kevin smiled. "Please contact the Monroes for a personal reference and if here is a list of more honorable people who will vouch for me." He said passing her a printed piece of paper.

"The Mayor." AJ noted.

"I have a lot of important friends." Kevin remarked.

"The last Mayor I dealt with wasn't charming." AJ remarked.

"I'd imagine not. I'm not like Mayor Daniels and I do know him he runs in similar circles as I do." Kevin smiled a bit. "I don't like him."

"What do you do for a living?" AJ asked him. "And don't lie to me because I'm going to search it."

"I'm in business tech." Kevin told her. "I helped design programs such as safe rides, social media platforms, one of my inventions was purchased by the US military. I was born and raised in Chicago and I am self made. I've worked very hard for my career and money and I am not about to lose it."

"Understood." AJ nodded.

"I'm sure once you are done vetting me we will be working together." Kevin informed her.

"We don't work together. I work for you and I work alone." AJ informed him.

"I'd also like to discuss your pricing." Kevin said to her.

"It really runs case by case but I won't rip you off." AJ assured him.

"I know what you charged the Monroe's and I want you to know money is no object. Not only do I need your services but I'm all about helping small businesses." Kevin informed her. "When you decide to take my case you can call me directly." He said passing her his card. "And I'm sure you'll use discretion when calling my references."

"Discretion is my middle name." AJ remarked smugly.

"I look forward to hearing from you." Kevin said standing up as did AJ and he shook her hand again.

AJ walked Kevin out to the waiting area where Punk was sitting and he stood up when he saw the man.

"Phil." AJ greeted surprised as Kevin stopped in front of him. "I wasn't expecting to you."

"Looking got a PI?" Kevin asked him.

"Looking for my fiancee." Punk corrected and Kevin stuck his hand out to him.

"It's been a long time, Punk." Kevin said pulling him into a hug and Punk hugged him back.

"Five years at least." Punk said pulling away.

"This is your fiancee?" Kevin asked surprised.

"She is." Punk confirmed and Kevin nodded.

"Small world." Kevin laughed a bit. "Then I know she's good people."

"She's the best." Punk confirmed.

"I'll get out of your hair." Kevin said to them. "It was good seeing you and nice meeting you, Ms. Mendez."

"You too." AJ smiled a bit and left the office. "He's nice."

"He's an asshole." Punk remarked following her into her office. "I hope you overcharge him he can afford it."

"You hugged him!" AJ laughed. "Is he like a criminal? Should I not take his case?"

"Unless being a douche is a crime then no he's not a criminal." Punk said to her. "He grew up on my block. He dated one of my sisters when they were in high school. He created some software for cars or some shit and he forgot where he came from. He lost everyone's numbers and became a rich prick. But take his case and make some money off of him it's the least he can do."

"How kind." AJ smirked. "So what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Where we supposed to meet for lunch?"

"No. I just heard back about the house." He told her with a frown. "I wanted to do this in person-"

"We got it!" She cheered. "You're trying to do that fake out we didn't get it but we DID get it!"

"No, Ape." He said sadly and her face fell. "I'm kidding, yea we got the house." He said and she jumped into his arms. "We're about to be home owners."

"I can't wait." She said happily hugging him with her legs wrapped his body.

"We have to wait to close it will be a few more weeks." He warned her.

"So we can still get married on the roof?" She asked tilting her head.

"Is that what you want? We can wait and use Renee's friend or do it in our yard." He suggested.

"No." She said shaking her head. "The roof." She insisted.

"If you want it, you got it." He told her and she kissed him deeply.

"We really got the house?" She asked and he nodded. "So everything is just perfect?"

"It is." He confirmed. "Wedding, dream house, dream man." He added in teasingly.

"Yes." She said kissing him again. "You know, I left a lot of stuff in storage in New Jersey."

"And now you have a big house to fit it." Punk agreed. "You pick a weekend and we'll rent a truck and drive back whatever you want."

"I love you, have I mentioned that?" She asked.

"Not today but you can." He grinned.

"I love you." She told him with a silly wide grin.

The next day AJ woke up with a big grin on her face. She was truly getting it all and nothing was going to take it away from her. She had her dream job, her dream guy, her dream house, her dream dog. She sat up still a bit lightheaded from the previous night celebrating with Punk their new house and his side of the bed was cold. She peered over and saw Dean and Punk whispering in the kitchen.

"It's a little early for work, no?" AJ asked from the bed and they looked over.

"Sleep it's still early, we got a lead on one of our cases." Punk told her.

"I can't sleep because I have to pee and I can't pee because I have no clothes on under here and Dean is here." AJ told him.

"We'll just step outside." Punk smirked.

"Gross." Dean added as he followed Punk out.

"Let me see those pictures again." Punk said taking a file from Dean and opening it.

"It's not for sure but it does resemble what Dickie McCall's new face is." Dean said.

"And this was how long ago?" Punk asked examining the photos from a gas station.

"Two weeks ago." Dean told him. "Right here in Illinois."

"Why is he hanging around town?" Punk asked him.

"I could tell you he's still here because he doesn't think he'll be able to sneak out. But he did leave to get the surgery then circled back." Dean said to him. "I think we both know why he's still in the state."

"Why?" Punk asked him. "What does he get out of killing her?"

"Evidence gone?" Dean suggested. "She's a witness. Probably thinks without her Eliza's word against his is nothing. I don't know."

"I didn't feel good about him being out but I feel worse knowing he's still around." Punk frowned looking at the pictures again.

"He's had opportunity." Dean reasoned. "She's at work most of time alone she'd be easy to grab there. He knows she lives here and you're not always here with her."

"I don't get it. Something is wrong." Punk said to him.

"I sent the stuff to the Fed on the case." Dean told him. "Are you going to tell her?"

"I'd hate to." Punk admitted. "She's so happy right now. She feels like everything is falling into place and Dickie coming back isn't just a threat to her but it's a reminder of what happened to her mom. But I also can't send her out to work blissfully ignorant that this could be close."

"Sounds like a debacle." Dean nodded. "Let me know how to works out for you." he said slapping his shoulder.

"You're not going to tell her with me?" Punk asked.

"And crush her whole mood? No." Dean laughed. "Good luck though."

"Prick." Punk muttered under his breath looking at the pictures again. "Son of a bitch." he hissed.

Punk walked back inside and saw AJ dressing in the middle of the loft and eyed her.

"What if Dean walked back in here?" Punk asked.

"Who cares." She scoffed. "I'm so happy it doesn't even matter now." She grinned. "Can we go back and look at the house? I want to get better pictures so I can decide what I want to do in each room. I've never had a whole house that was mine to decorate."

"Of course." He told her with a light smile.

"I also want to show Renee and Peyton the house." She told him.

"Yea you can do that." He said to her.

"And I was thinking about it and we don't need too much from Jersey. I just want a few antique tables my mom had." She told him.

"Ape, whatever you want we'll bring and decorating is your thing. I just need a comfortable couch." He told her.

"And we can see Celeste and I can tell her about the house and engagement." She said to him.

"You didn't tell her we got engaged?" He asked.

"I've kind of been a lousy friend." She admitted. "I've been so busy working and we keep missing each others calls."

"Well you're going to get the chance." Punk told her.

It weighed heavily on him as he listened to her ramble on happily about how things were perfect and she was about to have it all and he would keep this from her if he was able to lie to her. But could he maybe keep to himself for a few extra hours so she remained blissful?

"Hello?" AJ asked getting his attention.

"What did you say, I'm sorry." He frowned and she eyed him.

"I said where did you see him?" She asked and he eyed her now. "I know your faces pretty well. You got a lead on Dickie didn't you?"

"That's annoying that you can do that." He remarked and she snatched the file he was holding out of his hand.

"You sure this is him?" She asked looking at it.

"No." He told her honestly. "It could be though. It's really hard to tell since he had surgery."

"I wish I could see his eyes better so I could tell you for sure." She said squinting at the photo. "His eyes. I've come face to face with those cold dark eyes enough times to never forget them."

"AJ." He sighed. "We don't know if it's him for sure but we got a tip with the flyers that have gone up and the owner of the gas station showed up with the video."

"Where is he?" She asked.

"This was two weeks ago." He told her. "He was closer to Chicago-"

"It's not him." She said passing him back the photo.

"How can you be sure?" He asked her.

"If he was this close two weeks ago he would have killed me by now." She informed him sternly.

"Maybe-" He began.

"Maybe he decided that he was going to lurk around town and not kill the woman he promised to kill?" She asked with a laugh. "No chance. Dickie McCall isn't that methodical I think you and the feds are over thinking."

"What do you mean?" He asked curiously.

"He's a killer." AJ reminded him with a bitter laugh. "He doesn't plot and think out he just does. He told me about killing my mother, he told me how he was ordered to kill her an hour before he did. He didn't plan it out he just did it. He didn't put thought into grabbing me off the street, why do you think it was so easy for you and Finn to find him? He didn't have a secret place or think much into it. And if he was this close to me he would have killed me and anyone who got in his way." She told him. "He doesn't have this vendetta against me where he wants to stalk and scare me. He see's me as a witness who can send him to jail and wants me dead and I would be if that was him."

"You've really given this some thought." Punk noted quietly.

"Of course I have. It's hard for me not to think about it." She said to him. "The man killed my mother and he's walking around free with a new face. I think he about him everyday. I try to think back of my time with him and anything new I can remember I call Agent Creed."

"You call Agent Creed?" Punk questioned.

"Of course I do. He's working the case." She said to him.

"And you don't tell me?" He asked her.

"It's not like that." AJ said shaking her head.

"What's it like, Ape?" He asked. "I know I can't officially work the case but I'm doing the most of what I can and even if I wasn't a cop why wouldn't you tell me? We're going to be married you can't just keep things from me."

"It's not keeping a secret." She insisted.

"I would have told you." He said hurtfully. "Sometimes I feel like I'm the only honest one in the relationship. I can't bare to keep anything from you that's not how relationships work."

"Phil." She sighed. "You're reading too much into this I just don't think it's worthy of your attention."

"When will you understand that anything involving you is worthy of my time and attention?" He asked her. "I have to go into work." He said to her and she frowned.

"Phil, wait." She insisted but he grabbed his things and walked out the door anyway.