Title: Staring At It

Rating: T-M, depending on the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own World Wrestling Entertainment. It's superstars or divas, and I am not part of the WWE Creative team. (That may be up for debate since they're hiring one at the moment).

A/N: Well…wasn't that Monday Night Raw (from last week) just…I have no words. I about died and I can't wait to share the behind the scenes look this story will give because I promise it's going to be explosive. This week's show was alright but didn't have the fallout I expected from Punk's claims last week. I'm guessing it was simply to fill for the week while John Cena recovers, so hopefully they'll get their shit together by next week.

Real quick, I've noticed that some of you are confused as to why I started the story the way I did with the way 'All Fall Down' ended before it. Here's the thing, we all know it doesn't take much to make or break a relationship, at least that's the way I see it. So I had AFD end on good terms but since the next day the proposal happened I struggled with how I would work that into the angle and that's just how it happened. I wanted to show it as the driving force behind why Punk is the way he is today, that badass heel we love. I'm taking AJ in a new direction as well for a bit so we'll see how this goes.

Another thing: I don't think people are getting this, but I try to tell my story as if the WWE is real. Yes! I know its scripted and choreographed and blah blah blah. But I want these stories to be accurate and make it seem like these characters actually exist and what is happening each and every week to them inside and outside the ring is really occurring. Of course, I'm mostly providing behind the scenes shit for what happens every week, but hey, its fanfiction.

I hope that clears a few things up, if not, you have my permission to PM me with questions.

Enjoy and FEED ME MORE REVIEWS! *Rolls Eyes* Damn it Ryback! Get out of my story!

(Seriously, grateful for all the reviews thus far. Much love)

July 30th, 2012

"You're giving him psychiatric treatment?"

Even if she was the most powerful figure on Monday Night Raw, AJ looked up with a slight nervous expression at her boss, Triple H. She always respected him as a wrestler, champion, business executive, and family man, but all those things she admired him for made the Cerebral Assassin even more intimidating. Images flashed behind her eyes though of the past few months and no matter how she felt a small twinge of fear in his presence, she'd certainly faced worse.

"Yes," she replied lifting her chin a fraction. A small physical movement, almost barely noticeable, that showed she was justified in making such a call. An action that didn't go unnoticed by the King of Kings.

He released a frustrated sigh at her answer and ran a hand over his face while she eyed him curiously, tilting her head in that crazy way. She didn't mean for it come off looking like she was missing a few of her marbles, rather she was trying to gage his reaction and that just happened to be how the action came across. Her fluttering eyelashes, and the blank look in her eyes didn't help matters, but this is what his father-in-law wanted. He wanted AJ Lee to be in charge and though he didn't understand it fully, the Chairman's decision was not to be trifled with.

"Keep an eye out…and back her every decision." Vince had said to him after officially offering her the deal.

He'd always regarded Vince as a man who was a bit unhinged in his own right and giving AJ the reigns for their flagship show had legitimately proven what he already knew of his wife's father and for that he couldn't help but feel a small amount of guilt for driving him to crazy town for many years in his early days with the company.

Ever the woman, he knew she'd take the deal without argument. She'd be…well, crazy not to. But he still had a responsibility to make sure she didn't cross a line with the talent, no matter how much that talent had screwed her over in the past.

"I know the man humiliated you many times over," he began as she crossed her arms defensively, "but do you really think this is the right course of action?"

She smirked at his concern for her decision. Hunter was always one to look out in the best interest of business, and at the present moment so was she, that didn't mean she couldn't have a little fun at Daniel's expense.

"Relax," she spoke waving her hand around following the movement with her eyes, "I'm not going stop him from competing. I'm merely giving him a taste of his own medicine." She stopped to examine the black polish covering her usually bare nails before returning her eyes to him. "But don't forget that he tried to have me committed on our wedding day."

"Touché."

He couldn't help but smirk back at the small woman and her plans for the American Dragon, the man she formerly claimed to love and had planned on marrying only seven days ago. It amazed him how quickly her world had fallen apart and here she stood one of the most powerful women in World Wrestling Entertainment, save for his wife of course.

If he was supposed to feel bad for his actions based on the crowds booing him all the way to the back he wouldn't be one of the best wrestlers in the business today. So pushed it all aside and continued to feel numb. Vickie praised him to no end for smacking the Ayatollah of Rock-N-Rolla with the blue briefcase and he'd taken the compliments in stride.

Strutting back to his locker room he smiled to himself as he reached into his duffel bag to grab his phone. He'd sent Kaitlyn a text earlier in the day suggesting they enjoy a candlelit dinner out in the busy night life of Cincinnati. Seeing that he hadn't received a reply, he grew concerned quickly. She'd been avoiding him since their reconnection last Monday. She felt as good as he remembered, writhing beneath him, nail scrapping down his back…screaming his name.

The things that little Texas native could do, he needed to calm himself as the tightness in his groin started to form. Breathing deeply he pushed all thoughts of her toned body and moans away.

"Best to save those for later tonight," he said aloud to himself.

He felt his phone vibrate in his hand and quickly shot in his password and opened the message application. Hoping it was from the blonde-brunette that occupied his mind, his face turned into a scowl when he realized it was from Vickie. He rolled his eyes and deleted it, just like he did all the others. He'd make up an excuse for when she'd screech at him later about it, but right now he wanted to sulk.

Throwing the phone back into his back he racked his hands through his stringy bleach blonde locks, "Fucking old jackal," he spat.

"I'm younger than you actually."

Dolph jumped turning to face the voice. His eyes narrowed, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Just wanting to inform you of the match you're scheduled for a week from today," Alex Riley said, a cocky smirk taking over his lips as he crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway.

Dolph kept his feet firmly planted and crossed his own arms, "Good. Unlike you I'll always have a match scheduled for any show this company has."

Alex chuckled running a hand over his face revealing a huge smile that the Show-Off hadn't been prepared for. "I'm glad you feel that way. Really, I am."

The former cheerleader eyed him suspiciously as he took a step inside and shut the door. He noticed the dark glare form in the rookie's eyes as he clicked the lock into place. He'd never seen Alex Riley with this much intensity, his face was growing red with rage as he took another step closer to him prompting the blonde to take a step back.

"Next week," he spoke in a low voice that caused Dolph to flinch slightly, "I take back my dignity. Next week…I take back everything that you, the Miz, and everyone else took from me, because next week, it's me versus you."

Dolph's jaw dropped at the revelation and the tone he displayed. Something made Alex Riley snap in the few weeks he'd been gone. In the back of his mind, he wondered if the younger man knew of his little tryst with Kaitlyn only a week ago. No doubt that would send a shattering blow to his hard creature he'd become or perhaps it would make him more vicious then he looked at the present moment.

"You really want to do that whole song and dance again?" Dolph said trying to sound unafraid of his warning, "You know, I should have thanked you for being so weak the last time we faced each other." He laughed, "I mean, if it wasn't for you being the pathetic waste of talent you are I wouldn't have become the holder of this little baby right here."

He held up his dented blue briefcase and gave it a good pat while watching Alex's face scrunch into disgust as he looked to the object for a moment before looking back to Dolph.

"I don't care," the young man said seething, "I don't care about what happened at the Great American Bash. I don't care about your beef with Chris Jericho. I don't care about your shitty blue man purse and most importantly…I don't care about you."

Shock had silenced him as he watched Alex's chest rise and fall with each heaving breath. Dolph looked almost petrified as his piercing eyes glared a hole through his face.

"What do you care about then?" He asked after a good long while, "Seems to me you abandoned everyone that gave a shit about you."

"This isn't about everyone else. This is about me."

"Bull! Will you cut the crap and just admit it," he yelled throwing the briefcase to the ground, "This about you trying to prove to her that you're the better man."

A sudden evil shadow cast over Alex's attractive face and before he knew it, Dolph had been shoved against the lockers with remarkable impact. He didn't have time to release a cry of pain before a forearm was pressured against his esophagus. If Alex had meant to frighten him with his hard gaze a few moments ago, it was nothing compared to being nose to nose with him right now as he gasped for air beneath the hold.

He spoke in a dark whisper with half lidded eyes that danced with amusement at the man firmly pinned against the metal, "Maybe you're right. Maybe that was the case then, but now…now it's just about time you get what you deserved then."

Dolph sank to the floor, clutching his throat as he coughed trying to regain color while gazing up as Alex smirked above him before turning his back.

"See you next week," he called over his shoulder after pulling his bag off the chair for good measure, sending all its contents scattering across the floor.

He let out another hard cough before standing and watched as the door slammed shut leaving him alone once again. He rubbed at his collar bone feeling a bruise would form after the assault from Riley's forearms but chose to ignore it and mentally prepared for the impending questions he'd receive from his cougar manager about the black and blue mark.

Shaking his head he started to pick up the items spread across the room and placed them back in their proper place within his duffel. Hearing the chime from his phone, he'd forgotten he placed it back in the bag before the younger superstar walked in. Thankful it didn't break, he unlocked it and checked the message he received. He resisted the urge to throw it across the room as his eyes scanned the words.

There is a prior engagement that requires my immediate attention. Much more important, but nice try. –Kaitlyn

Maybe it was the fact that he was now in a triple threat match for his championship at SummerSlam. Maybe it was Jerry Lawler's last words at the end of the 1000th episode of Raw still whirling about inside his head. Maybe it was the pain shooting through his shoulder from the Big Show throwing John Cena over the announcer's table, thus causing the two to collide. Or maybe…just maybe, it was all because of her.

Maybe it was his close stance as he glowered down at her for making such a match that could potentially screw him. The blatant disrespect, the way his body was still pulled to her like a magnet, the subtle kiss she blew him before skipping off backstage making his eyes widen in surprise. Whatever it was, it pissed him off. So he scoured the arena hoping to find her small form and question her actions, as well as her mental capacity.

He didn't miss the way her eyes flared slightly as the word she hated the most rolled off his tongue. He had no filter, he couldn't help it. She knew that, she knew damn well his mouth was never connected to his brain. But was he sorry? As much as his heart said yes, his stubborn mind took the helm and shouted no much like Daniel Bryan had been doing for the past couple of weeks.

She drove me to it, he told himself over and over again as he looked left to right for her bouncing brown locks. She brought this soon to be verbal lashing on herself. He was the WWE Champion and that meant he was above the law. AJ Lee may be the new sheriff in town but that didn't mean he fell under her jurisdiction. She never held a championship…unless you counted his heard. He pushed that thought away as quickly as it flashed into his mind. She didn't know, no one knew what it truly meant to be a champion other than him.

CM Punk had been the best since day one. He'd been a champion since day one and maybe it was time she got a reminder. Quickly choosing a random direction as he came to another intersection of hallways, his face turned from simply annoyed to blazing and angered when he saw her exiting what he assumed was her office.

"AJ!" His stomping feet echoed throughout the hall as he stalked forward.

A coy smile spread onto her face and remained when she finally turned her head to face him. "Yes, Champ. Can I help you?"

The patronizing tone of her voice made his eyes narrow when he stopped in front of her, letting his title fall to the floor beside him uncaringly. "What the fuck are you trying to pull?"

She giggled, twirling a piece of her hair around a single finger as she stared at him. "Whatever do you mean?"

Obviously questioning her wasn't going to get him anywhere. He had no idea what possessed him to release a command next but figuring it was better than nothing he clenched his teeth. She squeaked in surprise when he roughly gripped her biceps, spinning, and pinning her against the wall viciously. The impulsive move of such fierceness from him made her eyes widen in fright for a moment before resuming the cool exterior of indifference onto her face.

"Cancel the match," he said with authority. He couldn't ignore the violence that surged through him as he glared at her. Everything in him at this moment wanted to cause her pain, the way she had caused his pain for the past two weeks.

"I must say this is a change of pace," she sneered unafraid, "What are you gonna do if I don't? Be a macho badass and hit me? Go ahead." She coaxed in a whisper, "I dare you."

He couldn't help but stare at her mouth as the words left her full pink lips. He shut his eyes to force back the lustful thoughts…good God, those lips. Had it only been a couple of weeks since he felt them beneath his own?

He tightened his grip at the thought, making her squirm in discomfort as his fingers dug into the flesh of her arms. The realization that he was hurting her finally struck when she released a small whimper he could barely hear. Forcing his eyes open, green intensely met a sad deep brown.

She was resolved to hold back her tears and focused to keep her gaze unwavering. There was no way he would receive the satisfaction of knowing he'd broken her. Feeling his grip loosen she quickly shoved his hands away, her eyes fired as she glared up at him before she stood tall on her toes to get in his face.

"Don't ever touch me again," she snarled feeling her muscles tense, "you should be so lucky that I don't strip you of your title."

He released a bitter laugh at her statement. She wouldn't dare. "I think you'd rather strip me of my clothes before even thinking of touching my gold."

Rather than grab her roughly again, he chose to back her up against the same wall and place his hands on either side of her head. He admired the way she kept that perfect mask of hate on her face as he leaned his head down close to hers.

They were nose to nose before she responded, "You lost that right as well as that chance."

"Think of how good it would be though," he whispered moving his head to her ear, "you and me. I'm sure Daniel Bryan never knew where to put his hands. That why you left him at the altar?" He questioned, trailing a single finger up her arm to her shoulder carefully avoiding the bruises that were beginning to form from his vice-like grip.

She shuttered beneath his touch, feeling his warm breath ghost down her neck. He smiled at that and took a long whiff of the scent that lingered through her hair. That aroma of vanilla that to this day stained the pillow on his bus he couldn't bring himself to wash. He couldn't bear to wash her away completely just yet.

"Get the fuck off of her!"

Their heads turned at the booming voice but their distance never wavered. Punk had to resist the urge to move her behind him as John Cena stalked toward the pair, his muscles tense as he glared at the WWE Champion.

"This isn't your concern John-boy," he spat.

"Your actions out there and as of late make it my business," he shot back finally closing the distance and shoving him roughly off their new boss.

"Oh yeah! Who are you to question my actions?" He responded shoving him back with just as much if not more strength.

Seeing him broaden his shoulder and recoil, AJ jumped inbetween the two superstars and placed her hands against John's heaving chest. "No, John."

Both men gave her a hard and questioning look. It took him a moment to notice, but eyeing her up and down he saw the purple finger shaped marks beginning to form on her tan skin. His eyes widened as he processed where they must have come from and his gaze shot back to the Voice of the Voiceless in disgust.

"You son of a bitch," he growled stalking forward before feeling a pull on his wrist.

"Stop it," AJ said quickly moving to stand in front of him again. Her arms outstretched to keep him distanced from her former flame. "John, just go please."

"AJ look at your arm," he said deeply, "I'm not stupid enough to believe he wouldn't stoop to a new low."

"You don't know anything about me Ce-"

"Stop it!" She screamed squeezing her eyes shut, her body shaking as the screech went through her. Calming herself she look back up at John's face, pleading silently with him. He looked between her and the man that he would face at SummerSlam before nodding at the brunette after sending him a glare of warning.

She gave him a curt nod back and stepped up to his side to grab his hand within her own and began to walk down the hall.

Punk could only stare at the sight of the pair leaving. Feeling a wave of emotion course through him. His irrational side spoke up first: She'd moved on to John Cena, the filthy slut was slumming it with his long standing rival. While the balanced side within his heart was a bit more hopeful: Look back, he silently pleaded to her. Look back, AJ.

When she didn't, he hung his head turning his back and walking the opposite direction unable to bare the site of the two hand in hand.

Unbeknownst to him and the Boston native, she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes softening as she read the back of his t-shirt.

Best in the World.

There you go. A little AJPunk moment…promptly interrupted by John Cena. So typical. Anyways, go check out 'This Is War'. Thank You.