The Empty Woman
Punk was back at the club but he was extra miserable, the happier AJ became the worse he felt. Sure he wanted her happy but not with another man. He actually heard her singing in the shower this morning and she was whistling as she headed out to work. Maria on the other hand was getting fed up with Punk and how grumpy he was becoming. Actually everybody was seemingly avoiding Punk as he fell into darker ways.
"Knock knock." Someone announced as they helped himself walking into his office. "You're Punk right?"
"What?" Punk asked the man annoyed as he looked up.
"Great club you run." He said stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I mean the lighting and everything is just perfect."
"Right." Punk forced out. "Thanks."
"I'm Billy." he greeted and now Punk recognized him.
"Is AJ ok?" was the first thing Punk could think of.
"Yea she's great." He said sitting in the chair across from his desk. "I just thought it was time we met."
"Excuse me?" Punk asked slowly.
"I mean aren't you curious as to who your wife spends time with?" Billy asked casually.
"Not really." Punk forced out. "Unless the person she spends time with is a psychopath."
"I'm not." He laughed a little too hard at that and Punk couldn't even begin to imagine what AJ saw in this man. "I have an art show tomorrow and I'm here to personally invite you."
"No thanks." Punk said to him. "You can go now."
"I won't take no for an answer." Billy grinned.
"Does AJ know you're here?" Punk asked him.
"Oh god no." Billy laughed. "But we're all adults here and I really think you should come to the show and see the pictures I've taken I think you'd appreciate them."
"I don't know what you're hoping to achieve here but AJ and I don't do this sort of thing." Punk informed him. "You want to hang out with her? Be my guest but don't invite me out with you two because I'll never ok with that."
"Why is that?" Billy asked him leaning back in his chair. "I'm sorry if this is intrusive but this whole dynamic is fascinating to me."
"So talk to her about it." Punk said to him. "Leave me out of it."
"I really think you want to see these pictures." Billy said in a low voice leaning over his desk. "I think it could help."
"Help with what?" Punk asked him.
"You'll see." Billy said standing up. "Hey, I like the Hawks too I think you and I have a lot in common besides our taste in women." Punk was speechless as the strange man places a flyer on his desk and smiled at him. "Directions for tomorrow night and feel free to bring a date or a friend."
Punk didn't say anything as he watched the man walk out of his office and wave as he closed the door.
AJ was home with Eve looking through bridal magazines and talking about her upcoming wedding.
"I was thinking you and the girls could wear royal blue." Eve said passing her a clipping from a magazine. "Isn't this a pretty dress?"
"Oh yea it's gorgeous." AJ agreed. "I really like the cut of it."
"So no date with Mr. Photographer?" Eve teased.
"No, not tonight." AJ smiled coyly. "Tomorrow has a show though, you should come."
"I don't know." Eve said shaking her head.
"You don't like him." AJ frowned.
"It's not that." Eve smiled. "I'm sure you know him better than I do."
"I've only been seeing him for two weeks but he's been great." AJ said to her. "He doesn't press me about PJ, he doesn't judge me for being married and he asks for my thoughts and opinions and really listens to me."
"That's good." Eve said to her. "I just don't think he's the right guy for you."
"You're the one who wanted me to find somebody better." AJ pointed out.
"I did and I'm sure he's fine I just don't know him well enough." Eve defended.
"So come to the show tomorrow bring Rener and you can get to know him better." AJ smiled. "Come on, please? There might be more pictures of me." She teased.
"Ok fine." Eve smiled.
At that moment the door swung open and slammed closed and AJ saw Punk walk in. She looked at the time and knew he was home way too early from work.
"Something wrong Phil?" AJ asked concerned.
"I need to talk to you right now." He practically hissed.
"I'll go." Eve offered grabbing her magazines. "I'll see you at the show tomorrow." She said to AJ.
"Me too." Punk grinned sarcastically and opened the door for Eve and closed it behind her.
"What's wrong?" AJ asked standing up.
"Your boyfriend came to see me tonight." He told her as calmly as possible.
"What?" AJ asked stunned.
"Yea he dropped by to invite me to his art show because he thinks it could help me." Punk laughed mockingly but AJ knew he was really about to blow. "What the fuck does he even know about me? Besides that he thinks we have a lot in common."
"I never talk about you." AJ assured him.
"Really? Because he knows a lot about me apparently and I know nothing about him." Punk said to her. "See?" He said pulling the flyer out of his back pocket. "Personal invitation."
"I have no idea why he would do that." AJ frowned taking the flyer from him. "I'm so sorry Phil."
"We had an agreement AJ." He reminded her.
"I know and I don't know why he went to you." AJ admitted. "I'll talk to him and it won't happen again."
"I just want to know if you told him to do this." Punk said to her.
"Why would I ask him to see you?" AJ questioned.
"Maybe you wanted me to be fully aware of your relationship or maybe he swung by to mark his territory." Punk said coldly. "I'll tell him and I'll tell you, he doesn't want to play this game with me."
"I really have no idea why he did this." AJ reasoned.
"Maybe because he's fucking crazy?" Punk asked her. "You are my territory- no matter who you date or fuck you still are legally my wife." he reminded her.
"I know." AJ said to him. "I'll talk to him I swear it will never happen again."
"Don't worry about it I'll talk to him." Punk assured her and her face dropped. "Tomorrow at his art show."
"You're going?" AJ asked.
"He insisted I attend and I would love to see the pictures." Punk remarked.
"Don't." AJ blurted out.
"Why?" he asked her.
"You won't like it and you don't like him." AJ said with a nervous smile.
"You're right but I'm curious." Punk said to her.
"Phil don't do this." She sighed.
"Don't do what?" he laughed. "Your boyfriend was gracious enough to invite me to his show. I can't wait." he then walked up the stairs leaving AJ with a knot in her stomach.
AJ walked into her room that Punk was painting for her. They had just decided to start sleeping separately and even though she kept the master bedroom they shared she didn't want the memories so he offered to paint it for her.
"I was doing the laundry and found this." AJ said placing a bra on her bed. "It's not mine."
Punk looked over and placed his paint brush down.
"AJ look-" He began.
"I'm not a good wife." AJ interjected. "We don't have sex anymore I don't blame you for looking it for it somewhere else."
"I don't know what to say." Punk admitted sitting on her plastic covered bed.
"We're not married to each other we're just roommates." She said to him. "I want you to find something better."
"I'm not dating." Punk said to her.
"Like I said I don't blame you." She said to him. "We're just not working out but we can't both live celibate our entire lives. We'll stay married on paper but that's it."
"Have you been with anyone else?" Punk asked her.
"No." AJ said to him. "That's not to say I won't."
"Yea." Punk forced out. "It's for the best."
"It is." She agreed.
"I didn't bring her here." Punk said to her. "It must have mixed up in my gym bag."
"It's ok but I would prefer not to do her laundry." AJ said to him.
"I'd never bring it home."He promised her. "I'll keep whatever it is I do far away from you and the home we shared with our son and I hope you pay me the same respect. Even though we're not together I don't think I'd be able to stand seeing you with another man." He admitted honestly. "It sounds crazy but-"
"I get it." AJ said cutting him off. "I'll keep it to myself and you'll do the same." She agreed. "It's not like we'll ever meet people who will get us anyway." she teased sitting next to him on the bed.
"You mean no one will be interested in a long term relationship with a married person?" Punk mocked.
"We're fucked up." AJ had to laugh.
"We are." Punk agreed laughing along with her. "I know this isn't how you envisioned life. This isn't the fairy tale I promised you."
"Life isn't a movie." She said simply. "We both made mistakes."
"But you know I love you right? I always will." He assured her.
"I love you too." She smiled.
The next night AJ was first to arrive at the art show. Billy was ignoring her calls and she knew why. She found him by the bar and pulled on his arm.
"What the fuck were you thinking?" AJ hissed.
"You have a filthy mouth sweetheart." Billy smiled and leaned down to kiss her cheek but AJ jerked away.
"Why did you go see Phil?" AJ hissed.
"Why not?" Billy questioned.
"Are you serious?" AJ asked him. "He's coming here tonight he was right behind me actually."
"Good that's what I wanted." Billy smiled wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Stop it." AJ hissed pulling away from him. "What game are you playing here?"
"I'm not playing a game AJ I told you I find your life fascinating and I like you a lot and thought getting to know your husband was appropriate." Billy said to her. "I didn't mean any harm, was he upset?"
"Of course he was." AJ said to him. "I begged him not to come but he insists."
"What's he going to do?" Billy laughed.
"Hit you." AJ blurted out.
"Why if you two are only married on paper?" Billy asked her.
"Oh not this shit again." AJ groaned.
"Relax, tonight is going to be a good night." Billy assured her. "A time for healing."
"Oh crap." AJ mumbled seeing Punk walk in the door. She grabbed Billy's hand and pulled him away.
"Anxious to see my photos?" Billy teased.
"Oh yea super anxious." she remarked.
AJ dragged Billy through the exhibit until finding his section.
"Oh my god." AJ muttered and didn't even see Eve and Rener were already there.
"AJ we should go." Eve said to her trying to block her view.
AJ's face fell as she saw photos of herself which she expected but it was the photo of PJ's nursery that caused her heart to drop. He had the photos staged in a way that showed AJ's sadness and the empty nursery in the middle.
"Why did you do this?" AJ asked holding back tears.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Billy asked her.
"The empty woman?" AJ asked reading the title of the exhibit.
"It's dedicated to you baby." Billy smiled. "You're my muse."
"How could you?" AJ asked horrified looking at the pictures. He also had a picture of PJ's teddy bear, some of his clothes and even his headstone.
AJ looked around and saw people looking and shook her head.
"No." She whispered backing towards the wall.
"AJ it shows your sadness." Billy reasoned. "It's art and it's-"
"It's my life." AJ cried out. "It's not art!" she yelled.
AJ turned and saw Punk looking at the photos and he looked as devastated as she did. Seeing Punk look like that just reminded her of how she failed him and their son. She ran to the wall and started ripping the pictures down.
"AJ stop!" Billy yelled grabbing her.
"Don't touch me!" She screamed pulling away from him. "I am not empty nor am I art!" she screamed and realized she was causing a scene.
"I think you're overreacting." Billy said calmly.
"AJ let me take you home." Eve offered but AJ backed away from her too.
"I'm sorry." She said to Punk who still look devastated. AJ ran out of the exhibit and didn't look back.
"This ladies and gentlemen is called 'art coming to life'." Billy told the crowd.
Punk was about to say something else and noticed more pictures of AJ. A few were taken in her bed so clearly AJ had brought him back to their house and slept with him under his roof. He then looked towards Billy who was picking up the photos AJ ripped down.
"Give them to me." Punk demanded holding his hand out.
"These are mine." Billy reminded him.
"They're of my house, of my son." Punk pointed out coldly. "Give me the fucking pictures or I'll break your wrist."
"Fine." Billy said to him then watched as Punk pulled down the rest of the photos of AJ. "Why those?"
"She's also mine." Punk reminded him.
"You're walking away with my entire show." Billy laughed.
"She's not a show she's my wife." Punk told him. "She's also not empty how fucking dare you." he hissed. "Using my wife and son to gain a few points with your hippie weirdo friends."
"Your wife is in terrible agony." Billy said to her. "I find that to be incredibly motivating and arousing."
"What kind of sick bastard are you?" Punk asked him seriously.
"I'm a healer." Billy informed him and Punk eyed him as if he was crazy.
"No you're a bi-polar psychopath who clearly enjoys watching people suffer." Punk said to him. "Stay away from my wife and oh one more thing." he said then hit Billy as hard as he could across the face sending him crashing to the floor.
Punk walked into the house in search of AJ. He knew she was home since her car was there and walked up the stairs. He saw the light on in PJ's nursery and stepped inside and saw AJ sitting on the floor holding his teddy bear.
"I'm sorry." She cried. "I didn't know he took pictures."
"It's alright." He assured her walking into the room and sitting next to her.
"It's not." she cried out as if she was in intense physical pain. "I broke our agreement, he was in our sons room touching things...what kind of a mother am I?" she asked him. "What is wrong with me? I really am empty and that's why he died."
"No." Punk said shaking his head then kneeled in front of her.
"Yes it is." She cried. "I was cold and empty and he didn't think I loved him-"
"Of course he did." he told her as if she was crazy.
"You blame yourself but it was me." she told him. "I wasn't old enough to be a mom I didn't even think." she cried. "I didn't know a mattress or crib bumpers were such a big deal-"
"AJ please." he pleaded not wanting to hear it. "I was the one home with him you were out."
"I shouldn't have been!" she yelled out. "I should have been watching him." She cried.
"Stop." he begged. "We can't keep living like this."
"Billy was right." AJ said calming down and cleaning her face with her hands. "He's right, Seth is right- they're all right. I'm as cold as ice."
"Fuck them." Punk hissed. "They don't even know you."
"You pulled away from me." AJ said sadly. "After he died you couldn't even look at me you saw it too."
"No." he argued. "I pulled away because I couldn't face you. I loved you so much and you were in so much pain and I couldn't handle it, it wasn't you it was never you."
"I just want to feel." she sniffled. "I just want to feel something again and I keep trying but I can't."
"I know what you mean." he admitted quietly.
AJ leaned forward and without thinking kissed him. It wasn't like their usual quick peck on the lips it was a deep and passionate kiss. Punk knew she was vulnerable but he didn't care, so was he and he was too selfish to end the kiss. She sat up on her knees and he wrapped his arms around her and when he stood up she did so with him without breaking the kiss. She jumped up into his arms and had her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck.
Punk kept his eyes closed as they continued kissing and pushed open his bedroom door. He knew this was a bad idea and this could ruin them but he needed one more night with her- just one. Punk moved towards the bed and laid her across it and quickly pulled her shirt off of her then his own before climbing back on her and kissing her. His 'issue' with Maria clearly wasn't one with AJ because he was already hard and aching for her and they had just gotten started.
AJ's mouth moved over his colorful and tattooed cover chest and her tongue teased his nipple as he kept himself off of her using his arms. She kissed back up and over his scruffy his neck and dropped his weight onto her gently and kissed all over her face. Her knees were bent and she pushing up into his hardness through their clothing giving him the approval she knew he needed. She felt more in these few minutes then she had felt the entire last five years.
Punk couldn't stand it anymore he pulled her pants and panties down her legs and kissed up her left leg until he reached her thighs and ran his tongue over her moist slit. He wanted to do more but he needed to be in her more than anything. He sat up and kicked off his own pants then teased her entrance with himself. She moaned as he slowly penetrated her.
"Yes." She moaned arching up immediately. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he used his hips drop into her body.
"That's so good." AJ moaned.
"Fuck AJ." He groaned. "You're still so fucking amazing. Just like I remembered."
He kissed over her neck and buried his face there as he dropped into her and rotated his hips so he moved inside of her. Her legs now wrapped tightly around his waist as moaned his name repeatedly. He again began to thrust into her.
"Oh fuck." She groaned feeling herself orgasm begin to approach. A few more thrusts and AJ came but he wasn't done and she didn't want to stop. She didn't know if this was going to be the last time or the first time of many...
AJ pushed Punk over so he was on his back while still inside of her and even though he was laying on his back he reached up and ripped her bra off of her body. AJ's hips were moving at record speed until her legs gave out then Punk began to thrust up into her as her body dropped. He took one her nippled into his mouth and again rolled over so she was beneath him.
Punk opened his mouth but she didn't want to hear what he was going to say out of fear of what it was. Instead AJ grabbed him by the back of his neck and pulled him into a kiss and it slowed his thrusts dramatically. His short but powerful thrusts were just as pleasurable and she tried to keep the kiss going but she began to moan as he moved inside of her.
"I'm so close." He warned her as she bit on her bottom lip to try not to scream out. "So, so, so fucking close I don't want it to end." he admitted trying to control his pace but AJ was matching his thrusts and she clenched him tightly as she came again. Punk groaned loudly as he came finally.
He didn't move but looked down at her. She was out of breath as he carefully pulled out of her causing her to wince slightly and dropped next to her. The room was filled with silence and he tried to figure out what the hell just happened. All of these years they never slipped like this but he was happy it happened.
"Did you feel that?" he asked tilting his head to look at her and she did the same and met his eyes. He was expecting her to run out on him or tell him what a mistake this was but she actually giggled. He hadn't heard her giggle in years.
"I did." She admitted.
It was like this veil was pulled off her face and the real true happy go lucky AJ that he had known and loved was finally back. It may have only been for a few moments but it made him feel good to see her so not only happy but seemingly relaxed. She adjusted herself so she was laying on her stomach using her elbows to prop herself up. She placed a hand on his check and rubbed over the stubble on his face.
"Thank you." She said as if he had presented her with an amazing gift.
He didn't even know what to say instead he rolled onto his side and kissed her again. This kiss wasn't rushed but just an intense. She grabbed onto his arms and pulled him back onto her body. Her hand moved between their bodies and she began to stroke him lovingly as he kissed her tenderly. It was going to be a long night...
The next morning Punk woke up and reached over and the bed was empty. Now he was sure he just had a really good dream last night and she was never there. He sat up and rubbing his hands over his face and saw her clothes were still littered around his room, her broken bra was flung and hung over his lampshade and he grinned. It wasn't a dream and he did have her again. He searched for his boxers that were gone so he grabbed his sweats and headed across the hall to her room but it was empty.
Punk practically raced down the stairs and smelled bacon coming from the kitchen and when he walked in it was just like the old days. She was sporting his Blackhawks t-shirt and boxers as she cooked at the stove. He didn't even want to make a sound as he took in the sight.
"Morning." She smiled catching his eyes. "I was making breakfast are you hungry?"
"Starved." He grinned walking further into the kitchen and sat at the stool. Punk couldn't keep his eyes off of her toned and tan legs as she worked at the stove.
"There you go. Scrambled just the way you like it." AJ presented him with the dish then she placed his coffee in front of him.
"AJ." He started before taking a bite out of his food. "What's happening?"
"I don't know." She admitted turning the stove off. "But last night was..."
"...amazing?" he finished for her and she blushed.
"Yea." she smiled.
"Why have been fighting us for so long?" Punk asked her. "That was not only amazing but it felt right."
AJ walked over to him and cupped his face and smiled as she looked into his eyes.
"Don't stand there and tell me last night was a one time thing." He almost begged.
"I don't want it to be." She admitted and he felt relieved. "But we haven't been together in years we've changed and even when we first started dating we didn't really date."
"You want to date?" Punk smirked and she nodded. "Like I have to pick you up and ring the bell and stuff?" he teased.
"Well that seems silly." She giggled. There it was again and she could see his face light up. "What?" She asked amused.
"Your giggle." he noted. "I haven't heard it in so long. If you want dates we'll date even though we're married."
"We've said for years we were only married on paper and we are." She pointed out. "Let's get to know each other again."
"Alright." He smiled.
"But there's one thing we have to do first." She said to him and now she was serious. "I've been thinking this morning and after everything I don't think we'll both ever fully move on if we keep PJ's nursery."
"You want to take it down?" Punk asked sadly.
"Of course I don't want to but I think we have to." She said to him. "It's not healthy. I don't want to be cold and empty and that room-"
"I get it." He reluctantly agreed. "It's not going to be easy."
"I know." She said with a sad smile. "We have to stop suffering." She almost cried. "I want to be happy again Phil."
"I want you happy again too." he agreed.
AJ leaned in and kissed him. He was still sitting and he pulled her against him as she cupped around his neck and continued to kiss him. His hands were wandering as one moved to her ass and gave it a squeeze.
"Woah." a voice gasped and AJ jumped away from Punk. Colt was at the kitchen door with a huge grin on his face. "Hello guys." He said coyly stepping into the kitchen. AJ's face turned beat red as she turned and walked back to the stove.
"Are you hungry Colt?" AJ asked.
"Sure." Colt said taking the seat next to Punk. "I like your outfit, it looks familiar." He said to AJ but was looking at Punk.
"Say what you want to say." Punk said to him.
"Say what?" Colt asked innocently. "I just think you both seem pretty happy this morning." he shrugged. "It's nice to walk into a happy home for a change that's all."
"What are you doing here so early?" Punk asked him.
"It's already noon." Colt noted. "I was voted to come over and check on you two. I heard about the art show."
"What did you hear?" AJ asked him.
"That your friend Billy is a psychopath and Punk punched him out." Colt said and AJ looked at Punk.
"You hit him?" AJ asked.
"Be happy that's all I did." Punk said to her.
"I really didn't know that he took those pictures I never would have let him." AJ said to him.
"It's not your fault." Punk assured her.
"Eve also hit him." Colt laughed. "Rener had to drag her out of there. So." he smiled looked between the two. "What did you two do last night?"
"We're going to start dating." AJ announced and Colt started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Punk asked seriously.
"Seriously?" Colt laughed. "You two do realize that you're married right?"
"We never had the chance to enjoy dating." AJ reminded him. "I got pregnant our first time then we ran off and got married, we want to do this right and take it slow."
"You're married." Colt repeated slowly to them. "You two clearly fucked last night and what about your boyfriend?" he asked AJ then looked at Punk. "Or your girlfriend?"
"I forgot about her." Punk admitted.
"I bet you did." Colt scoffed as AJ placed a plate of eggs in front of him.
"Phil if you want to wait and talk to Maria or think us over-" she began.
"No." He said almost too quickly. "I'll end things with her tonight." He said to her and Colt slowly smiled.
"He's been waiting for this for years." Colt said to AJ and Punk glared at him.
"Really?" She asked Punk. "Why didn't you talk to me?"
"I don't want to get into this right now." he said then nodded towards Colt.
"Yea save some conversation for the first date." Colt teased.
"I have to go take a shower." She said to them.
"You're not eating?" he frowned.
"I did already." She smirked and cupped his face gently and kissed him.
"I need a shower too." he said to her and Colt grinned from ear to ear.
"Me three." Colt added and Punk looked back at him.
"You want to shower with me?" Punk asked him.
"You want to have dinner tonight before you go to work?" she asked him and he nodded.
"I'll take you out." He offered.
"Ok." she smiled. "I'll see you later Colt."
"Bye sweetheart." Colt smiled and watched her walk away. "How the fuck did this happen?" he asked Punk once she was gone.
"She had like this breakdown last night." Punk remembered. "We both did and we didn't say much but we both said things we needed to and it was like this weight had been lifted off of us it was just weird. I think seeing those pictures last night and the way they were set up really helped her realize that she was unhappy and decided to change it. It was like an epiphany or something I don't know and I'm not complaining about it either."
"What about Maria?" Colt asked him.
"With all due respect to Maria she isn't my wife." Punk said to him. "AJ has given me the green light and there is no competition. I feel bad about hurting her but I don't think she'll even be surprised."
"Why's that?" Colt asked him as he ate his food.
"I'd rather not say." Punk said and Colt looked at him.
"Fucking tell me." Colt demanded.
"I haven't been able to..." Punk trailed off. "Perform with Maria."
"You couldn't get your dick up? I get you didn't love her but she's still fucking ho" Colt said to him seriously.
"I thought I was fucking sick but last night with AJ I had no problems as a matter of fact I couldn't keep my dick down." Punk admitted grinning and Colt rolled his eyes.
"Alright forget I asked." Colt said disgusted.
"Look uh- AJ wants to take down PJ's room." Punk told him.
"That's the healthiest thing I've heard her say since he died." Colt said shocked. "Maybe she really is ready to be happy."
"I might need your help." Punk said to him.
"Anything you need." Colt said seriously. "I'm here for you both."
"Thanks." Punk said to him sipping his coffee.
"You seem happy." Colt told him happily. "You're entire vibe is different man I like it."
"I am." Punk admitted. "She's happy, I'm happy and we're able to do that together. I mean this is all happening very fast I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop."
A/N: It's not going to be all rainbows and butterfly's...this is where the story really begins.