Again, I am SO sorry it has been so long! I finally have a little break so maybe a can write a few things… Thank you sooooo much to miss_sophie_rhodes.x, rebelwilla, rkofan2012, Glamagirl and zackryderlover for the reviews! The more reviews I can get, the better I feel about continuing on with my writings

NOTE: Obviously, a lot has happened with Punk (i.e. Cut hair, Nexus) and Maryse (i.e. Ted) on RAW since I started writing, but I'm pretty much going to act as if none of that has happened… Haha. I hope that's ok!

Disclaimer: I don't own the WWE or the people in it.

Chapter 8

Her knees were bouncing franticly as she sat in the passenger seat. The blonde beauty filled every spare moment brushing through her straight locks, pulling down her tight black bandage dress, or tapping her fingers nervously over the dress' short hem that hit high on her perfect thighs. Maryse's shoulders hadn't stopped quivering since they had left the hotel, even with Phil's jacket draped over them and the heat on high. Punk knew better than to know that it was just from the chilly Philadelphia air.

The bearded superstar could almost feel the fear burning from her body and he could definitely see it on her face. Inside, he was feeling just as conflicted. His feelings for this girl had grown tenfold from their "breakfast date" this morning, and now he just had no idea what was going on. To say she was FAR from his type might be the understatement of the century. That was the least of the concerns right now, though. His main concern right now was keeping her safe from Mike, though he didn't really know what about him he was protecting her from… The drugs, obviously, but was there something else terrible happening because of him?

"Say something," Maryse murmured nervously. The phrase was so quiet that it almost didn't shake Phil's out of the noise of his loud thoughts.

"Um, what?" He questioned hesitantly. More questions rushed to the forefront as he began to think he'd done something to upset the already disturbed woman.

"Please, Punk," she said, this time turning to connect her pleading eyes with his. "I don't care what it is, just say anything."

"I tried some sketchy Chinese food one time with my friend Colt Cabana and it gave me the worst diarrhea of my life."

Wow. Punk quickly took his hands off the wheel to smack himself in the forehead and hide his face in shame. REALLY DUDE! He thought, practically shouting inside. She asks you to say something, and you think talking about bowel movements is the way to go?

Luckily (or perhaps unluckily) for him, he heard the now-familiar cackle explode from the French Barbie next to him. He looked to the right to see her doubled-over in almost painful laughter. Well at least the fidgeting had stopped for a minute…

As her giggles began to subside she curled back up and said, "Ok, what else?"

Oh boy he thought. This could get interesting…

This was about when it hit him how much he cared for the French diva. Sure, he's known for being sarcastic and cracking jokes, but they are almost never at his expense. With her, he is more than willing to be the butt of the jokes if it makes her smile.

"Umm… One time I tried ice skating? That was a joke within itself…"

Her loud laughter was back as soon as the word "skating" was out of his mouth. "Tell me you wore one of those little outfits, too," Maryse quipped between chuckles.

"Not a chance," he retorted. "That diaper I wear to the ring every week is as much of a costume as I'll ever try." This time, he was more than happy to join in the fits of laughter.

"Say something else Punky," Maryse said, flipping her hair back as she readjusted in her seat. This time, he decided to take the conversation in a bit of a different direction.

"You're gorgeous, strong, intelligent, funny and intriguing," He began, staring straight ahead at the road so as not to lose his nerve. Her perfect, almond eyes could stare holes through him sometimes.

They pulled into the parking lot of the arena and he pulled into the space farthest from the entrance. He cleared his throat and shifted a bit before continuing, "And I like spending time with you."

Using all the courage he could muster in his tattooed body, he slowly turned to face the object of all of his recent thoughts. He was definitely right; those dark eyes were threatening to burn holes right through his own. Damn, he thought. I really need to work on the whole "Not talking before you think" thing…

Right as he was beginning to regret letting the words spill out of his mouth, her pouted lips turned up into a small smile.

The blonde bombshell tossed her hair one more time before asking, "And?"

Phil chuckled softly as he looked down again to collect his thoughts. He used one hand to steady himself as he took the other towards her face.

Leaning forward, the straight-edge superstar pushed some of the platinum hair out of her face and whispered softly, "I want to help you, Princess. I want to take away the sadness that you're feeling by taking away your need for the drugs you depend on. I want to comfort you as you struggle and I want to worship you when you succeed. I want to understand your past so I can prevent that pain in the future."

His breath began to hitch and his heart was practically beating out of his chest as he saw the tears welling in her eyes. It was as if the floodgates had opened as he spilled his true feelings to this vulnerable girl.

"I want to be here for you every time you feel less than perfect," Phil continued. "Because, dammit, I think I'm beginning to fall for you, Princess."

Punk let out a big breath as he finished his unplanned but heartfelt speech. He was prepared himself to feel the pain of a smack in the face, but was instead met with the feeling of the world's most perfect lips crashed against his. His eyelids flew open in shock as she grabbed the back of his head to better control the kiss.

It was the single most wonderful confrontation Phil had ever experienced in his life. As soon as it had begun, though, it was over. Maryse leaned back into her seat and wiped the corners of her lips before letting out the soft giggle that Punk had begun to live for. She then reached to wipe the corners of his lips as she replied, "Well, Punky, you're in luck because I think I am falling for you too."

With their feelings hashed out and both on emotional highs, both Phil and Maryse felt completely ready to tackle any task thrown their way that evening. Even a task as unpleasant as dealing with Mike.

Review, pretty please! Seriously, those reviews are what keep me confident enough to keep writing. If I'm feeling good about this chapter, I will update again before my break is over. Thanks in advance, friends.