Moving Away

Another two weeks had passed and Punk still hadn't worked up the courage to tell AJ he loved her. He was now laying in bed looking up at the ceiling while his girlfriend slept soundly next to him. He looked over to her every once in a while prepared to wake her up and tell her but he froze every time. He sat up now and again looked over her as she was sleeping on her stomach as usual and was clearly in a deep sleep but he wanted to say it because he did feel the same way he just had never said it before.

"A-" he started but her phone started to ring on the table next to her.

"Huh?" she asked in a sleepy voice lifting her head.

"Your phone." He said reaching over her body and grabbing it. "I don't know the number." he said passing it to her.

"Just let it go to voice mail." She yawned. But a minute later the phone began to ring again and now Punk was annoyed and answered the phone.

"What?" he hissed into the phone as AJ rubbed her eyes open. "Oh, yea hold on. It's for you." he said passing her the phone and she gave him half a smile.

"No kidding." She teased. "Hello?" she asked in a sleepy voice. "Yes this is she...how bad?...yea I know where that is...ok I'll be right there."

AJ quickly threw the blankets off of herself and began to get dressed.

"Umm..." Punk trailed off cutely. "Going somewhere dear? Or am I supposed to just sit here and not ask why a strange man called for you?"

"It was a bartender. My dad needs me." AJ said to him and he groaned. "He got into a fight again and he's a mess."

"Where?" Punk asked getting out of the bed.

"The Lagoon it's a few blocks over." She said putting on her shoes and now Punk was getting dressed. "You have an early training day tomorrow I'll be fine."

"I know where it is and I'm going." Punk said putting on his own shoes. "I couldn't sleep anyway."

"You haven't slept well the last few nights." She noted. "Something you want to talk about?"

"No." He said shaking his head. "Ready?" he asked her and she nodded and grabbed her bag.

Punk and AJ walked into the bar together and the bartender pointed to the corner where her father was sitting and barely awake.

"Oh dad." She sighed walking over to him.

"I'm alright go." he said shooing her away.

"You're not alright." She frowned.

"Get his ass out of here!" a younger man, probably around AJ's age shouted from across the bar.

"I'll knock you on your ass again!" her father yelled back at him.

"Dad stop." AJ hissed at him. "Did you hit your head?" she asked kneeling down.

"I don't need any help." He said pushing her away.

"You need a lot of help old man!" the younger man shouted walking over to them.

"You're right, he's an old man why did you hit him?" AJ asked looking over her shoulder at him.

"Because he threw my drink in my face." The man said to him.

"He's an idiot." AJ's father told her. "Rooting for the White Sox- this is Cubs town!"

"They're both Chicago teams!" the man screamed.

"You got into a fight over baseball?" AJ asked annoyed. "What is wrong with you?" she asked her father.

"It was worth it." He chuckled.

"Tell him not to come around here anymore." The man said to AJ as Punk watched from the door not wanting to involve himself unless he had to.

"It's a free country." AJ defended. "Maybe you should pick on people your own size and age."

"He was picking on me." The younger man argued.

"You're lucky I don't call the police." AJ said standing up.

"Call the police? Call them on your old man who has been here since the morning." The man shot at her.

"He's not well you should know better." AJ scolded.

"I'm not your dad's baby-sitter." The man said then eyed her. "I'll tuck you into bed at night though." he grinned.

"Alright." Punk announced walking over. "Let's get him out of here." he said to AJ before she could respond to the man.

"Seriously your looks must have come from your mother." The man said to AJ.

"She was so beautiful." AJ's father said sadly as Punk tried to help him up.

"If I had known knocking you out would bring your daughter here I would have done it two nights ago." the man said to him.

"It's enough." AJ whispered to him.

"Come on." Punk said to AJ's father getting him onto his fight.

"I'm not going home." her father said to them.

"Yea you are." Punk said to him.

"I'll take you home sweetheart." the younger man said to AJ and then pinched her ass causing her to jump slightly.

"Are you insane?" she asked the drunk man.

"What is wrong with you?" Punk asked dropping AJ's father and shoving the man.

"Phil, just leave it." AJ said to him.

"Relax man." The younger man scoffed but Punk slapped the baseball cap off of his head. The man went to strike Punk who ducked and punched him square in the jaw sending him crashing to the floor.

"Hot damn." AJ's father's whistled then laughed.

"Phil." she scolded and grabbed his right hand he just used to hit the man. "You can't risk hurting your hand!"

"It's fine." he said annoyed shaking it off.

"It's all red!" she yelled. "I hope that punch was worth your career." she said to him then grabbed her father's arm and pulled him out of the bar.

Punk was driving AJ's father home who was in the backseat and AJ was sitting in the passenger seat clearly angry.

"Why are you the angry one?" Punk asked shaking out his hand again. "I'm the one who got into the fight."

"Because it was stupid." AJ snapped. "That fist could be worth millions!"

"Wow." AJ's drunk father awed.

"I mean you couldn't have just left it alone?" AJ asked him.

"When someone grabs you like that? No I can't just leave it alone." Punk defended.

"What if your hand is broken?" She asked him.

"I didn't hit him that hard." Punk scoffed.

"What if he would have called the police? What if he was also a fighter and beat the crap out of you?" she questioned.

"None of that happened." He shrugged.

"It could have." She argued back. "You can't just hit people like that!"

"I do." Her father chimed in and she rolled her eyes.

"I didn't forget this was all your fault." AJ said looking back at her father. "If his hand is hurt I'll never forgive you."

"It's not hurt!" Punk laughed.

"What are you a doctor?" her father asked.

"We've been dating for a few months and now you want to know what he does?" AJ asked her father who just shrugged.

"I'm a fighter." Punk said to him and her father seemed impressed.

"I'm going to call you up when I'm at the bar." her father teased.

"Phil doesn't drink." AJ informed him. "He thinks it's unhealthy and poisons his body but punching random people is ok."

"The guy grabbed your ass." Punk again pointed out. "I'll hit any man that grabs you like that."

"He was drunk." AJ reminded him.

"Doesn't give him a free pass." Punk said back to her. "Now he's learned some manners."

"He won't even remember getting hit tomorrow he was that drunk." AJ said to him. "I would never forgive myself if you got hurt tonight."

"I didn't." Punk again said to her. "My hand isn't even swollen."

"You might not get so lucky next time." She told him.

"She's bossy." Her father said to Punk.

"I'm not bossy." AJ snapped.

"Sometimes." Punk said to AJ's father and she glared at him. "But I like it." he added shooting AJ a wink who just rolled her eyes.

"This is his house." AJ said to Punk and he pulled over.

"Don't make me go in there." Her father sighed. "Take me back to your place."

"AJ is at my place tonight." Punk said looking at him and now AJ was turning red.

"Oh." Her father said to him then looked at her. "You didn't mention how serious this relationship was."

"You've never asked." AJ pointed out. "I can take you back to my place." She said seeing how sad her father looked.

"And you'll sleep on the floor? No." Punk said to her.

"He's right." AJ's father said opening the door. "Thanks for the ride."

"I'll help you in." she offered.

"No I've got it sorry I bothered you both." He said getting out of the car and closing the door.

"Maybe I should just take him home." AJ frowned as they waited for him to make it inside.

"He's a big boy AJ." Punk reminded her. "You need to stop taking babying him."

"He's my dad." AJ whispered sadly as she watched him stumble inside and close the front door.

"Is this where you grew up?" he asked her.

"Yea." AJ said to him. "It's not much but it was home." She said looking at the very small home that clearly wasn't kept well. The grass was grown out, weeds everywhere, paint chipping off of the house and even a broken window in the front.

"Crappy neighborhood." Punk pointed out.

"How would you know?" She asked him.

"Because I grew up right there." he said pointing down the street.

"Are you kidding?" She asked him and he shook his head.

"We were neighbors." He smirked.

"I don't remember you." she said to him.

"I moved out when I was fifteen." Punk reminded her. "And you're a few years younger we probably just missed each other."

"That's so weird." AJ said to him.

"Yea." He agreed pulling away from the house. "AJ your dad-"

"I can't get into this right now." AJ said cutting him off. "I know what you're thinking and I'm just too tired tonight."

"Ok." Punk said letting it go.

"He's my only family." AJ said looking at him.

"I get that." He sighed. "But you can't be running out to bars in the middle of the night like this anymore. You have your own life."

"I wouldn't have a life if it wasn't for him." She pointed out. "He wasn't always like this. He never drank when I was younger, he's never hit me, he used to take me to Cubs games and my dance recitals- he's my dad and he's sick and he needs me."

"Alright." Punk sighed wanting to argue but was willing to let it go for the night at least. "You used to dance?"

"Yea it really helped me out when I stripped to help pay for college." she said and he hit the brakes on his car causing her to burst into a fit of laughter. "I'm kidding!" she said laughing "You think I would strip?"

"I don't know AJ it's late and that's a mean joke to play." He said defensively.

"I used to do dance and gymnastics up until my mom got sick." AJ confided.

"Did you like it?" he asked her.

"I did." She smiled remembering.

"That's why you're so flexible." Punk smirked.

"And to think people used to tell me I'd never use anything I learned from those classes later in life." She smirked.

AJ was working at the pet store the next day with Celeste who had been so busy with finals she hadn't been to work in a while.

"So you told him you loved him and he hasn't said it back?" Celeste asked as AJ filled her in on everything.

"No he hasn't." AJ said to her. "That's weird isn't it?"

"I don't know he's a guy." Celeste shrugged. "Maybe you scared him."

"I thought so too but apparently not. He punched a guy in the face last night for me, spent every single night with me since I said it and the day after I said it he brought me flowers." AJ said to her. "I don't think I scared him."

"He's probably just afraid to say it back." Celeste said to her. "Guys have such problems being open and honest."

"But we talk about everything." AJ said to her. "Maybe he just doesn't feel the same way."

"If he's punching men out at bars for you and sleeping next to you every night he must feel that way somewhat." Celeste pointed out. "Maybe he thinks you only said it because you had an orgasm."

"That's not why I said it." AJ argued.

"Are you sure?" Celeste teased.

"Sex with him gets better and better every single time but I don't love him just because of it." AJ defended. "I meant what I said but it was probably way too soon to say it."

"I'm sure he's just chicken shit." Celeste assured her and AJ frowned. "He still wants you to go to his fight right?"

"Yes and about that are you sure you don't mind working alone that weekend? It's in Vegas and we're flying out Thursday and back Sunday but if you-" AJ started.

"It's fine." Celeste assured her cutting her off.

"Maybe he doesn't love me." AJ said out of nowhere clearly still thinking about her 'love' situation.

"Maybe he doesn't." Celeste agreed. "How do you feel about that?"

"Um, terrible." She said almost mockingly.

"Would you break it off with him?" Celeste asked.

"No." AJ said not even thinking about it.

"So don't worry about it so much." Celeste said to her. "He does have a lot going on."

"I know." AJ sighed.

"You should be worrying more about your dad anyway." Celeste said to her.

"He stopped going to meetings I can't do much more." AJ said to her.

"What if you marry Punk?" Celeste asked her. "And then you have children, are you going to leave in the middle of the night to go drag him out of bars?"

"You're sounding like Phil now." AJ groaned.

"It's true." Celeste insisted. "You can't keep babying him."

"I'm not babying him." AJ argued. "I can't just leave him not only is he the only family I have but I'm literally the only person in this world he can depend on."

"He's selfish." Celeste told her bluntly. "You have your own life. What if Punk would have hurt himself last night?"

"I won't bring him when I go get my dad anymore." AJ shrugged.

"You don't think he's going to notice you slipping out of bed at night?" Celeste asked. "And you shouldn't be in bars at that time alone anyway."

"I can't just abandon him." AJ said to her.

"What if Punk has to move?" Celeste asked her. "You told me Paul has been pushing for him to relocate to a better gym."

"Then I guess he's moving." AJ said sadly.

"What if he asks you to go with him?" Celeste asked her. "Are you going to say no because of your dad?"

"I don't know." AJ said to her. "I work here."

"You can work wherever he goes." Celeste pointed out.

"He hasn't even told me he loves me so if he's moving I'm sure it's without me." AJ said to her.

"I don't know." Celeste teased. "I think he's the one."

"It's way too soon to be saying stuff like that." AJ said to her.

The door chimed and in walked a man with a huge bouquet of flowers.

"Is there an AJ Mendez?" The man asked.

"That's me." AJ said and he passed her the flowers that were in a vase already.

"Have a good day." he smiled and then walked out of the shop.

"I'd ask who they're from but I'm sure I already know." Celeste teased as AJ read the card.

"Because you're beautiful, Phil." AJ read aloud. "How could he afford these?" she asked admiring the flowers.

"Who cares they're gorgeous." Celeste grinned sticking her nose in the flowers.

"He didn't even write 'love' Phil." AJ noted.

"But he still sent them." Celeste pointed out.

"Yea." AJ said with a sweet smile. "No one has ever given me flowers before."

"You should go next door and thank him." Celeste encouraged.

"I don't want to bother him." AJ said to her.

"Go next door and thank the man." Celeste demanded pushing her to the door.

AJ walked into the gym and Dean told her Punk was in the office with Paul. The door was open on a crack, she didn't mean to eavesdrop but curiosity got the best of her.

"I know you love it here but this gym in Vegas is the best." Paul assured him. "You'll get the best training! You've outgrown everything and you'll be in a place that breed champions and that's what you want isn't it?"

"Of course it's what I want." Punk admitted. "But-"

"But nothing." Paul said cutting him off. "I'll rent you a beautiful home you'll have it all. These guys will always be your friends but they're not winning you anything. You're in a rut here and it's my job to get you out of it. You'll be getting trained by former champions and some of the best coaches in the entire world. They don't just take anyone I had to cash in a lot of favors to get you in here."

"It's one thing to ask me to move it's another thing to expect me there in two weeks." Punk argued and AJ frowned.

"This is the best thing for you." Paul assured him. "You need to do this."

"I know." Punk admitted and AJ could feel her heart break.

"You can't bring your friends with you to the top you have to do it alone." Paul reminded and Punk nodded. "No one is saying forget them but you can't hold yourself back for them either."

"I know." Punk muttered. "I love it here though."

"I know you love Chicago and no one is saying you can't come back. When you're on hiatus you can always come back and by that time you'll be able to afford a much better place out here too." Paul said with a grin. "And you should see the place I have set up for you in Vegas."

"You already set me up in a place?" Punk asked.

"Of course." Paul scoffed. "I used to live there and it was the perfect bachelor pad."

AJ had heard enough and turned around and raced out of the gym as quickly as possible.

"I want to bring with AJ with me." Punk told him.

"Of course." Paul said to him. "I had assumed she'd be joining you."

"I haven't asked her or anything yet I don't know how she'll feel leaving her father." Punk said rubbing the back of his neck.

"There could be a lot of opportunities out there for her too." Paul said to him. "I could get her a job working events and stuff if she wants and there's plenty of pet shops and shelters out there for her."

"I'll talk to her." Punk said to him.

"What if she says no?" Paul asked.

"I really don't know." Punk admitted. "I want her with me."

"I know you do but remember you're asking for her to give up a lot." Paul noted. "If she says no then you look at the bright side, you can enjoy your new fame with lots of beautiful women."

"I don't want lots of beautiful women I want AJ." Punk said to him. "I can't explain what it's like to come home from a late night of training and knowing she's there with a bag of ice or just massages my back- I don't even know how to do it without her anymore."

"Tell her that." Paul suggested and Punk nodded.

"It's a lot to ask of her." Punk said to him.

"She lives in a dump." Paul pointed out. "I also guarantee she works off the books and doesn't even get paid minimum wage. This could be a whole new start for her too."

"Still." Punk said to her. "Why would she give up everything so I could better myself? I just don't feel right asking her."

"Sounds like you're getting cold feet." Paul smirked. "You clearly want her there but don't want to ask her, what do you want?"

"I want her with me." Punk clarified. "I just don't want to let her down. What if I move out there she comes with me and I fail?"

"You will fail." Paul said bluntly. "At some things." he added quickly. "And you'll succeed in other aspects but I am putting a lot of money and time into you and I'm going to make sure you succeed. Now man up and go talk to your girlfriend." Paul said slapping his arm.

"Alright." Punk said then walked out of the locker room.

Punk walked into the shop and Celeste narrowed her eyes at him.

"Hey." He said a little nervously.

"Phillip." Celeste remarked coldly.

"Where's AJ?" he asked looking around.

"She's in the office." Celeste said to him.

"Oh she got my flowers." Punk grinned.

"She went next door to thank you." Celeste said to him.

"I didn't see her." Punk said to her.

"Well whatever you said sent her right back in here and I can hear her crying." Celeste said to him. "So you better fix it."

"Crying?" Punk asked then it hit him, she was listening to him and Paul.

Punk walked to the office door and tried to open it but it was locked so he knocked.

"AJ it's me." Punk said but she didn't respond. "AJ please let me explain."

"Let you explain that you're leaving?" AJ asked him through the door. "Just go. Go to Vegas, live in your bachelor pad and don't worry about me."

"What are you talking about?" he asked almost amused.

"I heard what Paul said!" AJ yelled through the door. "He got you this awesome bachelor pad!"

"AJ-" he started.

"And those flowers were to soften the blow." AJ said to him and he could hear her sniffling. "I get it now."

"Get what?" he asked.

"It's why you don't love me." she said and he frowned from outside the door. "I get it Phil, go to Vegas and I know you'll be great just don't make this is any harder than it has to be."

"I want you to come with me!" He yelled out.

"No you don't!" she argued and he laughed.

"AJ, I want you to come with me. If you would have stayed and listened to the entire conversation you would have known that." Punk said to her. "Please open the door." he pleaded.

"You don't have to say it because you feel bad." AJ said still not opening the door.

"I'm not just saying it." Punk insisted. "You and Larry need to be there with me. The flowers were to butter you up, not soften the blow." he said to her. "I know your dad is here and your job is here but we can get you a job out there Paul already has a bunch of ideas." he said to her. "Please open this door." he begged now. "I love you and I want you to move to Vegas with me."

Those were the magic words because the door opened right after.

"What?" she asked with a sniffle with glassy red eyes.

"I love you." he said to her. "I don't think I could do this without you." he admitted. "Please come to Vegas."

"What if I say no?" She asked him.

"Then I don't go." He said and she was taken back. "I want to fight but I can fight anywhere it doesn't have to be in the UFC but I really want it to be but I want you more."

"I'll go." She said without giving it much thought.

"Really?" he asked thinking this would have involved a lot more groveling.

"I'll go." She smiled and he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off of her feet. "I'd go anywhere with you." she whispered.