Emergency Contact

A few weeks later Punk was in intense training and hit time with AJ was limited. She knew this was part of the deal and for the most part she only saw him at the gym for an hour or so after she got out of work during a break. His weekends were open but she worked the weekends, it was like they kept missing each other but she understood. She was currently sitting in the gym watching Punk roll when she checked her watch and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Punk asked stopping what he was doing and jogged over to her.

"I really need to get home and sleep." She said to him. She had spent a lot of time watching him at the gym but that was always after work and she was up early every morning and it was starting to catch up to her.

"If you give me ten minutes I'll take you home." he said to her.

"Don't be silly." she said to him. "Train."

"I'm not going to let you walk home alone at this time." he said to her.

"I called a cab." She lied.

"Don't waste the money I'll just drive you." he said to her.

"Punk we're losing time over here!" Paul shouted from across the gym and pointing at his watch.

"I'm taking my girlfriend home." Punk said to him and AJ looked mortified.

"Really Punk-" She began.

"Don't be foolish you're on a great roll here." Paul laughed. "I'll take her home for you."

"Nobody has to." AJ assured them.

"He won't be able to train properly if he's worried about you getting home." Paul said to her. "Allow me." he said grabbing his jacket.

"I'm sorry these nights have sucked for you but I promise I'll make it up to you." He said to her.

"You have nothing to make up for." she said putting on a smile. "This is your dream you just keep working towards it."

"All set?" Paul asked with a grin.

"Yea." AJ said zipping her jacket up and Punk leaned down and kissed her.

"I'll come by and see you in the morning." Punk promised her.

The minute she stepped outside she began to walk away from Paul.

"You don't have to take me but thank you anyway." She said politely to the nice man she barely even knew.

"I promised Punk I would." Paul said waving her over to his rental. "Just point in the direction you live in."

"I'm not that comfortable getting into a car without someone I don't know." AJ told him honestly.

"You're smart but I'm smarter. You think I would do something stupid knowing who your boyfriend is?" Paul teased. "I promise you I'm a nice guy." he said opening the passenger side door for her. "He'd kill me if is something happened to you and I'm enjoying working with him." he smirked.

AJ reluctantly got into the car and fastened her seat belt. Paul got in next to her and started the car.

"It's six blocks down then make a left." She said to him.

"Don't be intimidated." Paul smirked. "You don't strike me as someone who is easy to intimidate anyway."

"I'm not." AJ stated quietly looking at the road ahead.

"Why are you so uneasy around me?" Paul questioned with a laugh.

"Because I have a feeling that you're going to tell me that I'm distracting Punk and you don't want me around him while he trains." AJ told him bluntly.

"And if I did say that what would you say back to me?" Paul asked curiously as he drove.

"I would first tell you that my relationship isn't your business and I don't believe I'm holding Punk back at all and if I thought I was holding back from his dream I wouldn't be with him." AJ stated strongly but was too nervous to look back at him.

"I don't think you're holding him back." Paul said to her. "Actually I think he works better when you're watching. I think he tries to impress you." AJ blushed at the statement but couldn't hide her smile. "I just want you to understand this isn't going to be easy he's going to be getting very busy and he's going to need you at this side."

"He doesn't need me." AJ said to Paul.

"Oh I beg to differ." Paul snorted.

"Well if you felt that way you could lighten his schedule a bit so I can at least get one date night with him." She said to him.

"I will." Paul promised her. "I'll make sure you get your quality time in with him as long as you promise me that you'll stick this out."

"I have no intentions of walking away from him and I know you're trying to warn me it will be hard but I've been through a lot harder in my life." She told him finally looking over to him.

"I don't doubt it." Paul said turning left on her street.

"It's the second building." she pointed and Paul came to a stop.

"You know one day you'll be living in luxury." Paul said to her.

"I'm not here for the money or better life style." AJ said to him. "I'm here for Punk. Thanks for the ride." she then got out of the car and once she did Paul smirked.

"I like her." He laughed to himself pulling away once he saw her walk inside.

When AJ walked into her apartment she gasped when she saw her dad lying on her couch.

"Dad?" AJ asked.

"Hi honey." he smiled and she could smell his breath from across the room. "Used my key." he said closing his eyes.

"You have blood on your shirt." She frowned checking him over then saw his face and he was bloodied and bruised. "What happened dad?"

"I don't remember." He groaned. "I got into it with a few guys during the hockey game."

"You are too old to be acting like this." AJ sighed walking over to the sink and wetting a towel and walking back over to him.

"Don't call your old man old." He laughed as she applied the towel to his forehead over the cut. "Where have you been? I've come by the last few nights."

"I'm seeing somebody." AJ said told him knowing he wouldn't remember this conversation tomorrow.

"No kidding." He said with a soft smile. "Good for you honey."

"Do you remember the man who helped bring you home a few weeks away?" She asked him.

"No." he said feeling ashamed. "Is he good to you?"

"He's the best." AJ said with a smile.

"That's all I need to know." Her father sighed leaning back.

"You should really go to the hospital you have a bump on your head." AJ said to him.

"No I don't want to go." He groaned.

"I won't be able to sleep tonight I'll be up worrying all night and checking on you." She said reaching into his pocket and pulling his phone out. "I'm calling a cab."

"I hate hospitals." He reminded her.

"I'm not a big fan either but looks like I'm going to be there with you." AJ said dialing a number.

"You look tired honey, I'll be fine." He said closing his eyes.

"No stay awake." AJ hissed shaking him. "Yes I'm here I need a cab please..." she trailed off into the phone.

The next morning Punk stopped by the shop to see AJ with a cup of coffee as he did every morning. He was surprised when he saw an older man behind the counter.

"Can I help you?" The man asked kindly.

"I was just looking for AJ." Punk said looking around.

"She didn't make it in this morning." the older man said to him. "But I'm the owner Joe and could help you with-"

"Why didn't she come in?" Punk asked cutting him off. "Did something happen?"

"She left me a message that she had an emergency and wouldn't be in today." Joe said to him. "Are you a friend?"

"Her boyfriend." Punk said to him.

"She sounded fine on the phone." Joe assured him.

"And she didn't say what happened?" Punk asked him.

"No I missed her call it was pretty late when she called." Joe said to him. "I keep telling that girl to get a cellphone."

"Here." Punk said passing him both coffees then walked out of the shop.

"Oh good you're early." Paul smiled getting out of his car.

"Did you take AJ home last night?" Punk asked him.

"Yes I did." Paul said confused.

"What happened? She's at the hospital." Punk said pulling out his own phone.

"I watched her walk inside." Paul defended. "Look-"

"I can't train until I know she's alright." Punk said cutting him off.

"I know which is why I'm going to help you call hospitals and see which one she is in." Paul said pulling out his own phone. "I'm sure she's fine."

"Are you sure you took her home?" Punk asked him again.

"Oh come on." Paul laughed.

"I don't know you from a hole in the wall and I shouldn't have let you take her home." Punk snapped. "I knew I should have done it myself."

"I would never-" Paul began but Punk just walked off.

At noon AJ and her father were making their way back into her apartment building.

"All night to just tell me I'm fine, I told you it was a waste of a trip." Her father scoffed.

"Well I have peace of mind, doesn't that mean anything?" she asked her now sober father.

"Yea." He grunted as they made it up the stairs she saw Punk sitting in front of her door.

"Punk?" AJ asked surprised and he stood up.

"Jesus AJ." He sighed walking over to her. "Are you alright?"

"Yea I'm fine." She said to him. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you training?"

"I went by the shop this morning and Joe told me you had an emergency and was in the hospital." Punk said to her. "I called every hospital out here looking for you."

"It was my dad." AJ said to nodding to the man standing next to her. "You remember my dad don't you?"

"Yea of course." Punk sighed trying not to seem to angry. "Mr. Mendez."

"Hi there." He smiled. "I'll be inside." He said to AJ then used his key to get in.

"You didn't think you should have called me?" Punk asked her.

"I didn't remember your number off the top of my head." She said to him. "What's the bid deal? Why are you so angry at me?"

"Because I was terrified something happened to you that's why I'm angry." he snapped. "I didn't know if you were hurt or dead. I know you're not used to being with someone but you are and that someone would like to know if you're in trouble."

"I wasn't." She said to him. "My dad got into a fight at the bar and he had a bump on his head I wanted to take him to get checked out but we had insurance issues and then they had to run all of these tests-"

"I'm not mad that you wanted to help your father I'm mad that you didn't tell me what was going on." Punk said to her. "I would have taken you at least."

"You were training-" she began.

"I can stop training for a few hours AJ." He argued. "Training is important but if you need me you shouldn't be afraid to call me."

"Sorry." She whispered and he saw her eyes were glassy. "I'm just really tired I thought I'd get at least one night where I could sleep but I promised to go in and close the shop for Joe-"

"Don't be ridiculous you need to sleep." Punk argued.

"I can't even if I wanted to because my dad is here anyway." AJ reminded him. "He needs to sleep off his hangover."

"And what about what you need?" Punk asked her.

"I need my dad to be ok." AJ said to him.

"Is he?" Punk asked and she nodded. "So I'll take him home so you can sleep."

"I already told you I have to get to work." AJ said walking to her door.

"AJ wait." he pleaded quietly grabbing her hand gently.

"I'm sorry I made you worry." She said reaching up to kiss him sweetly. "Forgive me?"

"Always." he said unable to stay mad at her. "Can I do anything to help you out?"

"Just get back to training because I want to see you win your next fight." She smiled weakly.

"I suppose I should apologize to Paul." Punk said thinking about it.

"Why?" AJ questioned.

"I accused him of doing something to you." Punk admitted and AJ's jaw dropped.

"Are you insane?" She asked him now angry. "He's your manager and he was very nice to me you better go apologize or maybe I should do it on your behalf since it was my-"

"I'll take care of it." he laughed and kissed her again. "Try to get some sleep at least."

"It's alright maybe I'll get to sleep tonight at some point." She shrugged. "I really do want to set some time aside though to see you and be with you and I'm not talking about in the gym."

"I will. This week." He promised and that's all she needed to hear and Punk noticed how her entire face lit up, he had no idea he had that effect over someone.

"Bye." She said giving him a shy smile then headed into her apartment.

That night when AJ made it to work it was around five but when she got there the gate was down with a sign 'will re-open tomorrow' hanging in the window.

"What the-" she started.

"Joe thought you needed some rest." A voice said and AJ turned to see Punk leaning against the hood of his car that was parked in front of the store. "I agree."

"I have to work." she argued.

"He closed." Punk shrugged pushing forward. "Come on." he said taking her hand.

"My dad is still at my place-" she started.

"You can sleep in my bed." Punk offered. "I have to come back tonight to workout anyway so you'll be alone, except for Larry of course." he smirked.

"Did you make up with Paul at least?" she asked.

"You need to worry about you for a few hours but yes I did." He assured her. "I'm going to feed you then put you right to bed."

"No food. Just bed." She practically ordered getting into the car.

"What did you eat today?" He asked curiously.

"I don't even remember." She laughed and he looked over to her.

"Do you have food in your house?" he asked her.

"Of course I do." She said to him. "I've just been busy."

"Well you need to eat because I need you healthy." Punk said to her. "I'll swing by a McDonalds."

"Really Punk-" She began.

"Can't I at least buy you some fast food?" he asked amused.

"I guess." she said sitting back.

"You don't even have a house phone?" Punk asked her.

"I really don't." She said to him.

"Don't you think that's dangerous?" he asked her.

"Not really." She shrugged.

"I need you to have a phone AJ." Punk blurted out. "I can put you on my plan."

"No-" she began.

"Just for now." he said to her. "For my sanity. When I'm out of state for a weeks time what am I supposed to do? Never talk to you?"

"You can call the store." She suggested.

"What about at night?" he asked her. "I think I'm going to put you on my plan."

"You can't afford that either." she reminded him.

"My bill will go up like ten bucks." Punk shrugged.

"Fine." She said to him. "But only if I can pay the difference in the bill."

"Can't you consider it a birthday present?" He asked her.

"I could but I'm not since my birthday past already." She told him.

"When was your birthday?" he asked her.

"The 19th." she told him.

"Of what month?" He asked slowly.

"This one." AJ said as if it was nothing.

"That was like ten days ago." He argued. "Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?"

"I forgot." She said to him and he glared at her. "I mean it." she added knowing he wasn't buying it. "I haven't celebrated my birthday since my mom died my dad doesn't even remember it."

"I would have remembered." He said shaking his head.

"You've been-" she began.

"Please don't say training because training isn't my entire life." Punk warned cutting her off. "You're important to me AJ." he said looking at her briefly before his eyes went back to looking at the road.

"It's just going to take some time for me to get used to being with someone." AJ admitted. "I'm not used to people worrying about where I am or caring about my birthday."

"That's fine as long as you know I'm here for you." Punk said to her.

"I know that." she said to him.

"You know Paul really likes you." Punk told her. "He said you're spunky."

"I think spunky is a fair analogy." She teased.

"I have to go to LA in two weeks." He told her. "Specific training."

"Oh." she said to him.

"Paul also wants to introduce me to some people, bring me to a UFC show in Vegas and stuff." he said to her.

"So you'll be gone all week if you're doing LA and Vegas." She noted.

"Are you sure you don't have a vacation week saved up at work?" he asked her.

"You'd really want me there?" she asked him.

"Yea I do." he said to her.

"If I can't afford a phone I can't afford a trip to LA and Vegas." She said to him.

"Paul is paying and he thinks it would be a good idea if you came along." Punk said to her.

"I'll talk to Joe." AJ said to him and he smiled. "It's not a yes." She warned him. "He might not let me go."

"He seems reasonable." Punk smiled. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

"I've never been out of Chicago." She admitted.

"You're going to have a great time." Punk assured her.

At two in the morning Punk got home from the gym and his truly exhausted. When he walked into his bedroom he forgot AJ was sleeping in his room and he smiled to himself as he kicked off his shoes. There was something about having her in his bed waiting for him that gave him such a good feeling. He was about to get in his bed and saw Larry was sleeping right next to AJ.

"Out." Punk said snapping his fingers and Larry stuck his head up to acknowledge him but then put his head back down. "Are you fucking kidding me?" Punk mumbled under his breath.

Punk peeked over and saw AJ was laying on her stomach and the bed sheet was covering her from the waist down leaving her back open which showed off the bra she was wearing since that's how she slept. He looked back at Larry and again snapped and pointed for him to get off the bed. Even though he had no intentions of waking his girlfriend who was so exhausted she almost fell asleep during dinner, he still wanted to be close to her.

"That's it." Punk said reaching to pick up the dog who started to growl but Punk didn't care and placed him the floor and quickly slid into the bed.

"Hmm?" AJ groaned slowly opened her eyes.

"It's just me go back to sleep." he whispered kissing the top of her head.

"You make me very happy." She smiled with her eyes still closed.

Punk didn't respond because she was already back to sleep but he planned on showing her how happy she was making him. The fact that she was going to be taking this trip with him meant everything to him and made him less nervous. He felt like she was the first person to actually be in his corner for better or worse, someone who wanted the best for him always and he was not going to screw this up...so he hoped.

A/N: Yes, AJ knows his name lol we'll be getting to that within in the next chapter or so.