Feeling Beautiful

It took AJ almost two weeks but she finally built up the courage to call Billy, the kind photographer from the party and he anxiously invited her to his art expo where some of his photos were going to be displayed. She wasn't sure how dressy the event was and was actually kind of nervous she knew this wasn't a date but it was the closest she's come to having one since she started dating Phil.

She dressed in a cute little black cocktail dress that wasn't too dressy but also hugged her curves perfectly. She wasn't even sure if Billy was involved but when had that stopped her before? All she knew was that she was getting sick of sitting up in her room every night and reading romantic novels until she fell asleep.

"You look nice." Punk noted as AJ came down the stairs.

"Thanks." She smiled shyly.

"Date?" He asked her.

"No." She chuckled nervously. "Just a night out. I'm going to an art gallery with Eve."

"That's good." Punk said to her.

"Working tonight?" she questioned.

"Yea." He nodded. "Going to go to the gym first."

Punk smirked when he saw she was wearing her chucks with her cute dress.

"What?" She asked slowly smiling.

"Our first date you wore a dress and chucks." Punk remembered.

"Oh yea I did." She remembered. "I was trying to appear older."

"Then you told me you were 17." he remembered. "And that your dad was a cop and I just knew I was going to end up getting arrested."

"But you didn't." she laughed.

"I couldn't even tell you were so young when we first met." Punk smirked.

"Playing online video games has its advantages, you can hear me but not see me." she smirked.

That's how they first met, playing online games and they ended up talking online then over the phone until they finally met in person. AJ was wise beyond her years he had no idea she was only 17 especially since she originally told him she was 20.

"You wouldn't even hold my hand until I turned 18." AJ remembered.

"Your dad is a scary man." Punk said to her. "I did kiss you."

"After you swore you wouldn't." She added cutely.

"I tried." He smirked. "I don't blame your dad for being concerned but in reality you were much more mature than I was at that time."

"Isn't it funny? I feel like it's reversed now." AJ noted.

"You think I'm more mature?" Punk laughed.

"Now you are." She said to him and the doorbell rang.

Punk was closest to the door and opened it up to reveal Eve who stepped inside and gave Punk a kiss on the cheek.

"Sorry again about the party." Eve said to him and he laughed.

"You're not the first person to barf in my club and you wont be the last." Punk assured her. "It was two weeks ago just forget it."

"Rener was holding my hair back all morning." Eve groaned. "I think I'm still drink." she admitted and AJ laughed grabbing her purse. "Ugh change the shoes."

"I like them." AJ frowned.

"I like them too." Punk agreed.

"It's an art show not a concert at least put on flats?" Eve insisted. "They might not even let you in."

"Fine." AJ sighed and ran up the stairs.

"So an art show huh?" Punk asked putting on his gym sneakers.

"Yea Billy invited AJ who is dragging me along." Eve said to him and he just nodded.

"The guy from the party?" Punk asked.

"Yea he's also Denise's cousin. Apparently he's a genius photographer." Eve told him.

"He seemed nice." Punk forced out.

"I don't know much about him but he seemed alright." Eve agreed.

"Ok are these better?" AJ asked coming down the stairs in basic black flats.

"It'll do." Eve sighed.

"I'll see you later." AJ said to Punk and walked out the door.

"Nigh Punk." Eve said cheerfully and followed AJ out.

Punk was at the gym with Colt when he spotted Seth walk in.

"Why are you looking at him like that?" Colt asked him.

"How am I supposed to look at the man who had been sleeping with my wife?" Punk asked him.

"She didn't cheat on you." Colt reminded him.

"I don't care that he slept with her." Punk insisted and even Colt rolled his eyes not believing that all. "AJ got arrested for having coke on in her car and you know it wasn't hers."

"She's a big girl and she knew the risks of getting involved with a man like Seth." Colt pointed out.

"He didn't even fucking apologize to her." Punk said to him. "If she didn't have me she'd still be sitting in a cell."

"Well good thing she does have you." Colt reasoned. "Didn't you tell me she ended it? So why do you even care?"

"She had a date tonight." Punk admitted.

"A date?" Colt laughed.

"A fucking date." Punk clarified. "She was all dressed up and she had Eve pick her up."

"AJ is going out with Eve? Rener cool with it?" Colt teased. "Actually I'd be cool with it too..."

"It's not funny." Punk snapped. "First Seth now some new guy, she's lost it."

"Well at least this one is taking her out." Colt snorted. "Don't you think she deserves a good guy who will take her further than her car?"

"She deserves the best." Punk agreed. "This guy won't even pick her up at the house?" he scoffed.

"Maybe because her husband lives with her." Colt laughed. "You know who it is?"

"The photographer." Punk said to him. "He has an art show tonight or some crap like that."

"So it's not a date." Colt pointed out trying to laugh. "She's attending with Eve."

"It's a date." Punk argued. "She was wearing this black dress and chucks and she wore something similar the first time we went out."

"She's going to his art show I heard him talking about it with her at the party, he invited everyone." Colt laughed.

"It's not funny." Punk hissed.

"So first AJ was settling for losers and not even trying to meet anyone nice now she has and that pisses you off too." Colt argued. "What the fuck do you want her to do?"

"I don't know." Punk muttered.

"If you love her tell her it." Colt said to him.

"She knows I love her." Punk said to him.

"No not this past tense love you want her, you love her so fucking tell her." Colt argued. "Why can't you just be with her?"

"I'm not discussing this." Punk said to him.

"You started it." Colt said to him. "Oh and how's Maria by the way?"

"I don't know why I care I just do." Punk groaned. "Can't you be my fucking friend and take my side? You should be offering to camp outside this art show to watch her or something."

"Would you like to camp outside the art show?" Colt asked amused.

"Not anymore." Punk said childishly.

"If you're not going to be honest with her about how you feel at least let her live her life and find some kind of happiness." Colt reasoned.
"She does know how I feel. She's my best friend, the mother of my child and I love her." Punk said to him.

"She's also still your wife." Colt added.

"Only legally." Punk pointed out himself.

"Whatever man." Colt snorted. "If you're done making eyes at Seth can we get to work?"

"Yea, yea." Punk sighed.

"Look at this." Eve said in awe of a photograph. It was a sunset over the ocean. "Isn't it pretty?"

"It's typical." AJ noted. "I can take that photo." she snorted.

"This is why I liked you." a voice said from behind her and AJ turned to see Billy. "I'm glad you could make it, both of you." he said to them.

"Thanks for inviting us." Eve smiled.

"We haven't gotten to your photos yet." AJ said to him.

"Allow me." Billy smiled placing his hand on the small of her back and leaded her further away.

"Oh wow." Eve said in awe of the photos. He took photos of people and moments in time and they were beautiful. "AJ." she whispered and pointed to a picture of AJ herself from the party.

"I hope you don't mind." Billy said to him. "The way the lights were in the club and where you were standing was perfect."

"It's fine." AJ said looking at the picture.

"You look so sad." Eve frowned looking at the picture.

"I was just deep in thought." AJ said brushing it off.

"I told you that night I saw something about you." Billy smiled. "People love this photo. If you're up for it I'd love to take more of you."

"Oh no." AJ laughed.

"Why not?" Eve asked.

"Someone wanted to purchase this photo." Billy informed her.

"Really?" Eve asked with wide eyes. "You're like a model or something."

"How much?" AJ asked curiously.

"It doesn't matter I won't sell it." Billy said looking at it. "All of the happiness and joy surrounding you and stuck out. It's almost like you weren't even in the same room it's just so tragic."

"I wouldn't consider myself to be tragic." AJ defended.

"I'm not saying you are but there is this dark cloud hovering over you and I don't mean to be insensitive but it's beautiful." Billy said looking her in the eyes.

"You find sadness beautiful?" Eve asked offended.

"I find AJ beautiful." Billy corrected.

"We should look around some more." Eve said to AJ.

"I'd love to introduce you to some of the people talking about your photo." Billy said taking her hand.

"Sure." AJ smiled and let Billy walk her away from Eve who seemed to disapprove.

AJ spent the entire evening with Billy and found everything he said to be so deep and sensitive. His circle of friends or associates as he referred to them were all the same. Part of her felt she wasn't even smart enough to partake in conversation with them but she just smiled and nodded along. After the show Billy offered to take her and Eve out but she had bailed earlier so it was just AJ. He took her to park but there was no touching or sexual contact. She sat on the roof of his car and watched him take photos and then took a few of her. This was the first time in a long time she had gone out and completely forgotten all of her trouble.

AJ was dropped off at home at 5am and as Billy drove off and she searched for her keys she heard Punk's car pull up into the driveway.

"Late night." Punk noted getting out of his car.

"I didn't even realize it was so late, or early for that matter." AJ blushed which didn't go unnoticed by Punk.

"Right." he said slowly. "Did you and Eve have fun?"

"I had a great time." She admitted following Punk up the stairs as he unlocked the door. "How was work?"

"Same as it is every night." Punk shrugged letting her in first.

"I'm going to go to bed." AJ said to him and he frowned.

"Don't you have to work?" Punk questioned. AJ never missed a day of work in her life and she never slept past six.

"I'm calling in sick." She said to him. "I think I deserve a day."

"You do." Punk agreed. "It's just not like you that's all."

"I've taken your advice." She said surprising him. "I've been in a funk and I have to get out of it. I don't want to be the sad girl anymore."

"Good for you." he forced out. "You must have spent the evening with some good people. I saw Eve at the club with Rener so I just assumed you came home early."

"Eve wasn't into the pictures but I met some amazing people last night." She said to them. "The way they view the world is so different." she said to him and he nodded. "I really need to sleep though, night." She said kissing his cheek then skipping up the stairs.

"You should have seen her." Punk said to Colt as he spotted him at the gym. "She was smiling and blushing."

"She had a good night, that was the goal wasn't it?" Colt asked him.

"Maria's been itching to go away with me and I think for her birthday I'm going to take her." Punk said to him.

"So AJ has one good date so now you're going to retaliate by going away with your girlfriend?" Colt laughed. "Just like when you saw the hicky on her neck then invited Maria inside to fuck you on the couch? Is this how it's always going to be between you two?"

"Who told you about the couch?" Punk asked.

"AJ did." Colt said sitting up. "You're just going to one up each other until you drive whoever you're with completely insane?"

"I just think going away with Maria would be nice." Punk defended.

"Hey." Seth greeted walking over to them.

"Now isn't a good time." Colt said quickly standing up knowing how Punk felt about the man sleeping with his wife.

"I'm looking for AJ." Seth said to Colt and he sighed knowing this was going to end in a fight.

"Why? You looking for the coke you dropped in her car? It's in police custody." Punk said to him and he looked confused. "AJ didn't tell you how she got pulled over and arrested for that?"

"No she didn't but this isn't about that." Seth said to them. "This is about the photographer she went out with last night."

"How do you know about that?" Punk asked him. "You fucking stalk her now?"

"Chill out man this isn't about me." Seth said to him. "The guy is Denise's cousin and he's sick and she should know."

"Sick?" Colt asked and Punk snorted.

"I'm serious." Seth said looking at Punk. "He's bi-polar and when he's not medicated he's a scary guy."

"AJ didn't seem scared last night." Punk said to him.

"The guy is a creep." Seth told him. "Trust me."

"I don't fucking trust you." Punk spat. "You're just jealous that AJ dumped you."

"She told you about us?" Seth asked surprised.

"No you piece of shit I figured it out." Punk said to him. "Stay out of her business and the fuck away from her. She could have had a permanent record because of you."

"It's not about that." Seth defended in a soft voice. "She's so fucked up in her own head that she's not even going to see it."

"What did you say?" Punk asked grabbing him by his shirt.

"Let's all calm down." Colt said prying Punk's hands off of him.

"Don't disrespect her like that to me." Punk warned him. "You're jealous of whatever it is she has going on but I'll give you heads up, she doesn't like jealous men so I suggest you come up with a new game plane but what I would really suggest is realizing she's way out of your league and moving on."

"I don't want her." Seth assured him. "But I care about her and Denise wanted me to talk to her and she's not taking my calls so I'm telling you. I've done my part, I tried to help and now it's out of my hands." he told them as he backed away.

A few nights later AJ was invited to Billy's apartment that was small but beautiful. It was truly an 'artists' den.

"I got the most beautiful photo of you." Billy said passing her the picture. "It's from the night of my show."

"I just don't see it." AJ shrugged.

"It's a shame when you can't see the beauty right in front of your face." Billy sighed sitting close to her on the couch. "Can I use it for my exhibit?"

"Of course you took it." She shrugged passing it back to him and drinking her water out of her champagne glass.

"You're one of the most beautiful women I've ever photographed." he insisted invading her space. "But why are you so sad?"

"I'm not." She said brushing it off with a forced smiled.

"You are." He corrected. "Tell me about your life."

"I don't really know you that well." AJ reminded him and put her glass down on the table across from the couch.

"I'd like to take more photos of you." Billy said to her.

"I can't model." AJ laughed.

"Even your laugh is filled with tears." he frowned. "You're like this beautiful mystery."

"There's not a lot of mystery." AJ shrugged. "But you should probably know that I'm married."

"I wasn't expecting that." Billy laughed. "How long?"

"Five years." AJ told him.

"He hurts you?" Billy frowned.

"Oh god no." AJ said shaking her head. "He's wonderful."

"So why are you here in my apartment wearing a short dress and smelling like a rose garden?" Billy asked casually as his hand moved onto her bare knee. "You like the thrill?"

"No. My husband and I have an understanding." AJ said to him.

"An open marriage? I thought those were extinct." He smirked.

"It's complicated." she shrugged. "But we're both happy with our choices."

"Funny because you seem anything but happy." Billy frowned as his hand pushed higher now.

"He's my best friend but we just can't be together." AJ confided.

"He's gay?" Billy asked and AJ roared a laugh.

"Anything but." She said still laughing. "It just didn't work out for us."

"Maybe that's why you're so sad." Billy noted as his hand was fully under her tight dress now and moved to the inside of her thigh. "Tell me to stop April."

"Don't." she encouraged and he smiled.

Billy pulled her panties right down her legs then stood up and she questioned what he was doing. He grabbed her panties and placed them right to his nose.

"Billy-" she began.

"Take off your dress for me." Billy said to her. "I want to see how beautiful you truly are.

This was very different to AJ but she found herself aroused and decided to do as he told her. Normally she was the one who was always in charge except with Phil, he always took charge and she preferred it. She stood up and unzipped her dress and let it pool around her feet. She was only wearing her bra and Billy's eyes were filled with lust.

"Perfect." he whispered studying her body. "Absolute perfection." He repeated quietly and without even asking placed his hands over her abs.

"Stop." AJ whispered and he looked at her. "I don't need foreplay or to be romanced." she informed him.

"I'm not trying to." Billy assured her. "I just can't help but admire you."

"Try to because I don't like it." She told him bluntly.

"Ok." Billy said stepping forward and kissing her.

Punk was in his room packing a bag. He was taking Maria to New York for the weekend and even though she was elated he was dreading it. AJ walked by his room and saw him packing.

"Leaving?" AJ questioned.

"Just for the weekend, going to New York." he told her then looked up and saw she was all dressed up but her hair was a bit messy. "Have a good date?"

"Wasn't a date." AJ said to him walking over to his bed and pulling out the shirts he put in there and began to properly fold them.

"Is it this Billy guy?" Punk asked her.

"It might be." She said keeping her eyes on what she was doing.

"Seth said some things about him." Punk didn't take anything Seth said to him seriously and knew he was just jealous of AJ's new relationship but for some reason he felt the need to tell her.

"Yea? Like what?" AJ asked pulling his pants out now to fold.

"He's sick like bi-polar." Punk clarified.

"He seems fine to me." AJ shrugged.

"Just be careful." Punk insisted.

"He's nice to me." AJ admitted looking up at him. "He calls me beautiful and respects me."

"That's all that really counts then isn't it?" Punk asked with a forced smile.

"You brought this up." AJ pointed out knowing he was unhappy about this conversation.

"Did I say anything?" He snapped and snatched his clothes out of her hands. "I don't need your fucking help."

"And you're upset." She said to him. "What do you want from me?"

"To make smarter choices." Punk said bluntly. "I know you're still upset but that doesn't excuse your choices. I'm not always going to be around to clean up your messes."

"Messes?" AJ asked taken back.

"Forget it." Punk said to her. "I really have to get going. I'm staying out tonight and leaving first thing in the morning."

"Have a safe trip." she said to him then walked to his door.

"AJ wait." He sighed. "Do whatever makes you happy ok?"

"I will. I hope you do the same." She said with a light smile then left.

Little did AJ know she was the key to making him happy...

With Punk gone the house felt empty so AJ decided to invite Billy over. She and Punk had an understanding but his place was so far and Punk was out of town with his own girlfriend, where would the harm be? She ordered Chinese food for dinner then the two ended up in her bed.

"I wish you wouldn't do that." AJ groaned shielding her face from the flash of his camera as he sat up and straddled her naked body with his own. He loved photographing her.

"You can always see someones true colors right after sex." Billy defended and AJ grabbed a pillow and covered her face.

"Alright, alright." Billy said getting off of her. "I have another show two in weeks."

"I'll be there." AJ said to him.

"You're the star of my show." Billy grinned.

"Ugh." She groaned and watched as he got out of the bed and walked around freely naked.

"Your husband?" Billy asked picking up the prom photo.

"Yea." She said to him.

"Where is he?" Billy asked her.

"He's away with his girlfriend." She told him.

"You have such a fucked up life." Billy laughed jumping onto the bed.

"Yea I guess I do." She admitted thinking about it for a moment.

"It's ok so do I." Billy told her.

"Are you sick?" AJ asked him.

"Sick? In the head? All artists are." Billy teased.

"No I mean are you bi-polar?" AJ asked him bluntly.

"I am." Billy nodded. "Who told you that?"

"My husband actually." She told him honestly. "I think he heard it from Denise."

"It's not something I hide." Billy said to her. "I think it helped shape my mind into the artist I am."

"You take medication?" AJ asked him.

"Of course I do." Billy smirked. "Do you ever plan on divorcing your husband? I just assumed that since you were asking questions I could as well."

"No." AJ told him honestly. "Unless he wants it. It's a money thing."

"Ah." Billy nodded. "It's not about your son?"

"What?" AJ asked surprised.

"Denise told me about that." Billy said to her. "I'm sorry for your loss but I understand your sadness now."

"I don't talk about him." AJ said to him.

"I respect that." Billy said to her and AJ moved on top of his body.

"No more pillow talk." AJ whispered and placed her finger over his lips.

Punk was laying in bed in the swanky hotel he had booked with Maria and both were looking up at the ceiling.

"It's ok." Maria assured him refusing to look at him.

"I must be sick or something." He said shaking his head. "This has never happened before."

"Is it me?" Maria asked him.

"Baby you're naked and hot." Punk smirked. "It's not you it has to be me."

"Can I help?" She asked rolling onto her side to look at him. "I can try going down on you again."

"It's just not going to happen." Punk said getting out of the bed. "Maybe it's because I'm in a strange hotel I don't know. I'm going to shower." he said then walked into the bathroom.

Punk had never had issues getting hard before but he couldn't be in the moment with Maria he kept thinking about AJ and about how happy she seemed with her new 'friend'. He was losing her and he could feel it. Of course he hadn't had her but the fact that she seemed smitten with another man that openly talked about only made him think that soon she was going to leave for good. Ask for a divorce and just up and leave him behind.

This entire weekend was now tainted with AJ and images of the creepy photographer. He wasn't sure how he'd hold onto her but he had to figure out a way. He knew their marriage was over but there was a thought in the back of his head that they'd be together forever. He loved her more than anything but he knew he disappointed her. He was selfish because all he wanted was for her to be happy but he also didn't want to give her up. Living in the house together unhappily married at least kept her close to him now he wasn't so sure he'd even have that.

"Are you alright?" Maria asked from outside the door.

"Yea." Punk grumbled. "Why don't you order up some room service?"

"Ok." Maria said and Punk frowned.

He knew this was a complete letdown for her but he couldn't help that his mind wasn't into it...

A/N: Coming up...

Billy & Punk meet