Author's Note:

Well, guys, I guess it's official. CM Punk will not main event WrestleMania, despite being being WWE Champion for a full calendar year, as well as 434 days total, therefore letting WWE force feed to us the dogshit known as The Rock vs John Cena II: "TWICE in a Lifetime" *facepalms*

In addition to that, it looks like we're not getting AJ vs Kaitlyn at WrestleMania, either, making it look like it will be Layla, instead. What the fuck, WWE? Seriously. WHAT. THE. FUCK.

Add that also to Punk likely being fed to The Undertaker in a match that has no merit, Sheamus and Wade Barrett in a pointless WM feud over a fucking movie (or is he facing The Shield? Good job confusing the audience, WWE. :P), the dragging out of Team Hell No, and don't even get me started on how they're treating Dolph Ziggler and his MITB briefcase, and his whole entire faction with Big E and AJ.

Surprisingly, I may be only slightly intrigued for Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar 2 (only if it's violent and bloody), and ADR vs. Jack "WEED The People" Swagger, but other than that, WrestleMania 29 can kiss my funky ass.

But anyways, before I go on all day bitching about WWE, let's just get to some nice, comfy fanfic, and continue where we left off with Punk and AJ.

Enjoy! :)

Love, Honor & Glory

Part III

Chapter 2 - Rekindling of an Old Flame

Monday Night RAW - That same night

Parking lot area

AJ looked up with tear-stained eyes to see the Straight-Edge Superstar standing across the corridor from her, arms crossed and with a very not impressed look on his face. The chewing of his gum and clicking of his lip ring were the only sounds that filled the empty silence as the seconds flew by. Finally, AJ cleared her voice of any sadness, stood up and straightened herself out, so as not to appear weak, and found the courage to speak.

"Nice shirt you got there, Punk. Reminds me a little bit of Pikachu," she said, laughing a little, surprised at herself at just how she managed to blurt out a joke.

Punk couldn't help but allow just a small etch of a grin to curve on the right side of his mouth as he prepared to speak.

"Thanks, AJ. I wish I could say the same about you," he said, pointing at the shirt that AJ was still wearing. It was her cut-up version of Dolph's 'Stealing the Show, and Your Girlfriend' apparel that she had made for herself, one that she was quite proud of at that time.

"You know, you looked a lot better when you were sporting my gear last summer. I thought you had better taste than that, April," he said, clicking his tongue in disapproval.

"It's not my fault, Phil," she retorted sarcastically, figuring they were apparently still on a first name basis.

"I could have been wearing your shirts everyday, if you hadn't, you know, rejected my marriage proposal last summer," AJ reminded him with her arms crossed now, looking for a reaction anywhere in Punk, but still seeing nothing. Punk, on the other hand, was doing his best to hold his tongue in check. Something smart wanted to come out, but he prevented it out of respect.

It was a crazy time last summer, and things were pretty hectic for him. In between trying to fend off the tyrannical John Laurinaitis and his ridiculous People Power reign, and trying to retain his WWE Title on a night-in, night-out basis, somewhere in the middle, the feelings that he had once felt and had for AJ had gotten lost in the fold. Now, he was displaying the most unreadable poker face that you could ever imagine, one that would rival his mentor Paul Heyman.

"Yeah, you're right AJ. You could have, but I too was busy taking care of this," Punk said, flaunting the title on his shoulder. "You kinda were a bit of a less priority at that time. But I do see that you were able to find comfort in the guys after me. Speaking of which, AJ, how was John-Boy?"

While Punk had a smarmy smile on his face after that last pot shot, he could also see the hurt and anguish flash in the small Diva's eyes at the mere mention of Cena, as well as a bit of anger and rage too.

"Shut up, Punk," AJ spat out. "At least John cared for me in the beginning, or so I thought. But he was just manipulating my emotions, just like you did. You know, for all the time you spend insulting him, you two sure do have a lot in common," she surmised smugly.

If anything else didn't get a reaction out of the WWE Champion, that last comment sure as hell did. One of the worst things you can do to set off CM Punk was mention him as a mere equal to John Cena. But anyone with eyes could see that they weren't. Punk was the Batman to Cena's Superman. And besides, Punk didn't even think that Cena could hold his jock strap, let alone try and hold a candle to him when it came to in-ring ability. So to say his reaction to AJ's words were fiery, was a HUGE understatement.

"You're gonna compare me, ME, to that boy scout Cena? Mr. Five Moves? Mr. Hustle, Loyalty and Hypocrisy? Mr. Automatic-Title-Shot-After-Undeserving-Title-Shot? Vince's pet and personal Golden Boy? You get one thing straight here, missy. He and I are nothing alike, do you understand?! So, don't you ever insult me, as your reigning, defending WWE Champion, with such disrespectful words ever again!"

Punk was starting to grow red in the face and was now in AJ's face, glaring as well. AJ simply cocked her head to the side and finally formed a complete smile on her face.

"Ooh, someone's a little touchy," she ribbed.

Punk couldn't hold his tongue anymore. That comment was the last damn straw, and had pushed him over the edge. She messed with the bull, so no she was gonna get the horns.

"Yeah? Well, you obviously took a step down the ladder, pun intended, by helping out Dolph at TLC. And now you're sucking face with him all over the damn place. But where has it gotten ya? Absolutely nowhere. Not only is Mr. Ziggles still not World Champ, but now he's not even winning matches! Do you know how many people are laughing at him backstage, because they can't even take him seriously now? And now his loser spell is starting to rub off on you. So tell me, AJ, how is that working out for you?"

At the rapid flow that the words spewed out of Punk's mouth, part of him wished that he hadn't said that, because now her smile had disappeared and was now replaced with a bitter, fractured, and broken frown. "I... I don't know," her voice cracked out. "I thought he loved me," she said, finally breaking down a fit of deep crying.

Right in that moment in time, AJ fell face forward into Punk's arms, holding onto him tightly, crying her eyes out and searching for some sort, any sort, of security and protection. In that moment, unaware of his actions, Punk's taped hands subconsciously wrapped around the tiny brunette, and as his left hand held the middle of her back close to him, his right hand stroked her long dark, beautiful brown hair.

It was at this point that the memories started to flood back into Punk's mind. 8 months ago, the two of them had shared a similar moment just like this. Punk had just beaten up AJ's ex, Daniel Bryan, putting him in the Anaconda Vise to make him suffer, and AJ had taken very deep pleasure and great satisfaction in watching such a painful act be delivered unto that conniving, goat faced jackass.

Now, here they were again; and once again, AJ had suffered yet another bad breakup, and he was comforting her yet again. A weird feeling started to stir in the champ's chest, but he mentally kicked that feeling out quickly and allowed himself to come back down out of his thoughts.

"Hey, AJ," he called to her, hoping to bring her out of her sad state. She heard him, and slowly raised her head to meet his concentrated eyes with her wet ones. Punk had to stop himself from laughing. This was exactly how their interaction together started all those months. Is this really happening again?, he thought inwardly. Can lightning strike twice?

"Nobody likes that wanna-be Ken Doll anyway," Punk said. "You can definitely do way better than him. Even I know that, and you know I never lie about anything."

He pulled her head back and wiped the sad tears from those beautiful brown eyes of hers. "Now go back to being the ass-kicking crazy chick that I know and-" he paused, catching himself. After a momentary pause, Punk was able to correct himself, and instead finish with, "The WWE Universe loves."

As AJ nodded, seemingly thankful for Punk's encouraging words, a voice from around the corner had called Punk's name out very loud, and the two of them knew exactly who it was.

"What is it, Paul?" Punk shouted back.

"Champ, you gotta come check out these events I got set up for you for tonight! Everybody wants to congratulate you! I'm talking from the Chicago Cubs all the way to the President!" Paul yelled back, very excitedly.

Punk groaned, before responding, "Be right there Paul!"

AJ lightly giggled just a bit, catching Punk's attention. "Looks like Mr. Walrus is calling you," she said with a small smile.

"He's done more for me than you could ever imagine, AJ. Everything I have ever accomplished and achieved since arriving here, I owe to him. If it wasn't for him taking a chance on me in the first place, I'm probably not in the position I am right now."

AJ paid close attention to how genuine and sincere Punk was just now when talking about Paul. He truly was a close friend to him.

"And just wait until tonight's festivities. You're gonna be in for quite a show," Punk soon said, a small grin now showing on his whiskered face.

"I'll be watching," AJ replied, with a tiny grin herself.

Soon, the pair wished each other luck and and the best for tonight's show, and after a brief handshake, they prepared to go their own paths. But Punk could move, however, AJ placed a quick peck his cheek, halting the champion dead in his tracks, and causing him to look her way before she flashed him with her signature megawatt smile.

Soon after that, she turned on a heel, and proceeded to do her trademark skipping down the halls, around the corner, and on her merry way. Punk, still stunned and caught off guard once more due to the actions of one AJ Lee, stood there for a few extra moments, letting what had just happened simmer in. It was only after Paul's repeated yells that Punk was able to start walking again in the other direction.

But still, that last action that AJ had done was weighing heavily on his mind, and only one question was in his thoughts at that precise moment:

What the hell just happened?

Author's Note:

And with that, we are underway! Stay tuned till next time, folks! :)

#PunkleeNation

#BoycottWrestleMania29