Road Tripin'
The next day Punk trailed behind April as she made her way to the small graveyard. He watched from a distance as she kneeled before his grave and spoke. He didn't listen to what she was saying but he knew she was definitely talking. He kept peering around the grave to make sure no one was around but thankfully the town was so small and open he'd easily spot someone and so far there was no one. He checked the time on his watch and realized April had been there for close to an hour chatting with her dead brother. He didn't want to confront her with lying to him about how he died, it was truthfully none of his business and he was sure she had her reasons for doing it. Finally April stood up and walked over to him.
"There's no rush, April." Punk told her.
"Are you being sarcastic?" April asked annoyed.
"No." He said simply. "I mean it. You can take as much time as you like."
"I said all I needed to say." She said to him. "But we should probably hit the road now."
"Don't you want to say goodbye to your folks?" he asked as he walked her back to his rental car.
"I said my goodbyes this morning." April said simply as Punk opened the car door for her then walked around the side and let himself in.
"Alright." Punk said turning on the GPS. "You want to stop for coffee or snacks?"
"Nope." She said peering out the window.
"Your parents are real nice." Punk said after five minutes of silence.
"I thought you were big on 'comfortable' silence." AJ remarked glaring at him. "Now you won't shut up?"
"I like silence when I'm working. But I'm driving and it's a long ride to go in silence." Punk said to her. "I'm pretty sure we'll make it back to Chicago before the end of the day."
"I thought you were going to stop and take detours?" She asked.
"Changed my mind." he shrugged.
"Do you believe in God?" April asked out of nowhere.
"No." He said honestly.
"Me either." She admitted quietly.
"You sure spent a lot of time talking to someone you don't believe in." Punk remarked.
"I know he's not there." April said to him. "I know he's just a shell and his spirit is gone. I don't believe in the afterlife but sometimes it just feels like I'm talking to him even though he's not listening."
"Just because I don't believe in God doesn't mean I don't believe that there could be something there." Punk said to her. "Part of me thinks it just all goes blank. But then there are things that are hard to explain and make you question everything. Point is, it's not weird you do that."
"Do you do that at your brothers grave?" April asked.
"I've never visited." Punk said honestly.
"Why?" She asked.
"I just never wanted to I guess." He shrugged. "I was there when he was buried, I remember that much but I never wanted to go back and visit with my mom and I haven't gone back since."
"Today wasn't my brothers birthday." April confided.
"I know." Punk said as he continued to drive.
"You do?" She asked.
"Well, if you mother didn't tell me last night I would have figured it out by seeing the date on his headstone." Punk said to her.
"What else did my mom tell you?" She asked.
"Nothing that's my business." Punk answered quickly. "It really isn't my business but if you want to talk about it you can. It might make you feel better."
"The last thing I said to him was 'I hope you drop dead'." April told him. "We got into a stupid argument over taking out the trash. Can you believe that? Something so stupid and it wasn't just the last thing I had ever said to him it was the last thing he ever heard."
"You were a kid." Punk reminded her. "You didn't mean what you said and he knew that."
"He thought I meant it." April said to him. "That's why he killed himself."
"Is that what you really think?" Punk asked stunned.
"Why wouldn't I think that?" April asked him.
"Because it takes more than that for someone to come the decision to end their own life." Punk said to her clearly. "I mean, I saw all your brothers diplomas and trophies in the house and he wasn't stupid. He didn't just feel insulted by what you said one time and decided he couldn't live with himself anymore. He probably had it planned it out and decided for a while."
"I don't believe that." April said shaking her head. "I was in the house while he did it. I found him."
"I know. Your mom told me." Punk said not daring to look over to her.
"I didn't even hear him. I walked into his room to give him back the stupid chain he gave me earlier that day." April said to him and now he looked over to her.
"He gave you a present that day?" Punk asked.
"Yea, so what?" April asked.
"So what?" Punk mocked. "That and spontaneous outbursts of love are signs of suicide. He gave you a chain?"
"It was his. And before that it was my fathers then my grandfathers." April said to him. "He just said he didn't want it anymore and wanted me to have it because he knew I wouldn't lose it."
"He had it planned, April." Punk said to her looking at her face. "You didn't kill your brother that day. He was feeling down and had been feeling down. You could have thrown your arms around him and told him you loved him and it probably wouldn't have changed a damn thing. He had his mind set and was committed to his plan. Killing yourself isn't something you wake up and decide to do then do it immediately."
"How do you know so much about suicide?" She asked.
"Because I work in law enforcement and it's my job to know." He said to her. "I think you're too hard on yourself with this but that's just my interpenetration anyway. I really don't know you."
"You're right, you don't." She agreed. "But I did take mild comfort in what you said."
"Good." Punk said to her.
Six hours into their trip and April was already growing impatient. Punk decided two hours in that she was in fact the most impatient person he had ever met in his life.
"I can drive." April said to him.
"You mentioned that about seven times in the last hour." Punk said to her. "I got the hint, you want to drive."
"So, can I?" She asked.
"No." Punk said to her.
"You didn't sleep last night and now you're driving twenty hours. It's dangerous." April said to him.
"It's not because I'm not tired." Punk said to her. "I won't be tired."
"You're not invincible." April reminded her.
"I don't think that I am, but I know that I'm not tired and the sooner we get back to Chicago the better." Punk said to her.
"Why is that?" She asked. "That's where everyone is looking for me. Wouldn't it be smarter to go elsewhere. Like Hawaii?"
"Hawaii?" He asked with a laugh. "Why Hawaii?"
"Why not?" She asked. "No one would think to look for me there." she reasoned. "I've also never been and always wanted to go."
"I imagine you've only ever been to New Jersey and Chicago." Punk said to her.
"That is true." She said to him. "But seriously, why are you taking me back to Chicago when you know that's where they'll be looking?"
"That's where I am and that's where James Sawyer is." he reminded her.
"Promise me you won't put his life before mine." She said to him.
"You think I'd save him over you?" Punk asked her.
"You want him in jail. You want him to suffer for his crimes not just die." She said to him. "You don't believe in the afterlife so you know he won't suffer in
hell. You want me in Chicago to bait him clearly-"
"Woah, hold up." Punk said growing annoyed. "Who said you were bait?"
"That's the only reason I'm going to Chicago." April said to him. "I can't work or go back to my place so there's no reason for me to stay in Chicago, yet right after someone tried to kill me that's exactly where you're taking me."
"I'm taking you there because that's where I work. I don't trust other Marshal's with you." He told her. "And if you did leave state, they would find out. Chicago is my playground. I know it like the back of my hand and I'd rather have home field advantage."
April didn't respond to the statement and he noticed she didn't seem to believe him.
"I would never intentionally put your life in danger." Punk told her. "You are not disposable. I don't plan on using you to catch Jeremy then disregarding your life. This is the last time I'm going to tell you this: you are the most important person in this case. Everyone else comes second. Nothing outweighs your life. Nothing. I wish there was something I could do that proved that to you, you know, besides tossing a man over a balcony and killing him to protect you."
"I guess that was a pretty bold statement." April had to admit but mumbling it under her breath.
"Now there's something I have to ask you and I need you to be honest." Punk said to her.
"Alright." She said to him.
"What went on with you and Marshal Cena?" Punk asked her.
"Why? Is he in trouble?" April asked.
"No." Punk said to her. "But I have to know why he snuck you out of the hotel and made a mistake that nearly ended your life."
"I begged him to take me out of the room." April told him honestly. "I was very annoying about it. He didn't have a choice."
"There's always a choice." Punk said to her shaking his head in disapproval.
"Nothing ever went on past friendship even though I wouldn't really call it that since I didn't even know he was married." April reasoned.
"He likes to get in pretty girls' beds. I just thought he knew better than to risk a witnesses life for it." Punk said to her.
"Please stop calling me 'witness'." she groaned.
"Sorry." He apologized quietly.
"He wasn't trying to get me into bed. I annoyed him into taking me out. It wasn't his fault." April told him. "Don't be mad at him."
"He should have known better. I didn't insist you stay in the room out of some kind of enjoyment. Everything I say an do is for your own good." Punk told her.
"Whatever." AJ shrugged as she looked ahead at the open road. "I think you're too hard on your team."
"Not hard enough apparently." Punk remarked. "Once we get back, no more sneaking off."
"I learned my lesson. No more fresh air." April said to him annoyed.
"You're not going to prison. My place is ok." He told her.
"Is there a terrace I can sit on?" April asked.
"No." Punk admitted "But there's access to the roof and you can go up there. It's a great view of the City."
"I think I'll keep my distance from ledges from now on." April said to him and he smirked. "What about my apartment? I have bills."
"We're taking care of your rent and electricity while you're under our protection." Punk told her. "The only thing I can't guarantee is your job but I already told you I'll help you out after this is all over. I have friends who work in the media."
"It's writing." April told him. "Journalism. I don't want to be on TV I want to write pieces that change people's lives."
"You can be on TV and change lives." Punk said to her.
"I have what the media would call 'a radio face'." April laughed. "No TV for me."
"A radio face?" Punk asked laughing. "You don't have a radio face. Radio faces are reserved for old bitter men who talk shit and don't back it up."
"You have a vendetta against radio personalities?" April asked.
"No. It's just the truth." Punk said to her. "Regardless, I'll help you. But like I said until then you'll be working at the office."
"Fun." She remarked forcefully.
"Pretend to be a little interested." Punk said to her. "It's boring clerical work but you'll get to read about old cases and the people in the office are ok."
"I'm grateful for the work." April said to him. "I was going to have to get something to help me pay my bills anyway. Free internships seem fun until you realize how expensive Chicago really is."
"Compared to your tiny little town it is." Punk agreed. "Even though there's something to be said for peace and quiet."
"Is this a subtle dig to get me to shut up?" April asked and he laughed.
"No!" he assured her still laughing. "But I thought it was pretty peaceful out there. No sirens or street noise, a lot of field, a lot of peace."
"You ever think about leaving Chicago?" April asked curiously.
"Sure." Punk said watching the road. "I'd like to imagine after retiring I'd move just right out of the City. Far enough where I can't hear the noise but close enough to travel to games. Maybe get a big dog and let it run around."
"So, you're not married since you're envisioning your life with a dog." April noted.
"I am not." Punk said to her. "I'm more of a dog person."
"Please tell me you have a dog now that I can pay with at your place?" She pleaded anxiously.
"No." Punk smirked as her little face dropped. "I don't really have time for a dog. I barely have time for myself."
"A dog would make you happy." April said to him.
"Who says I'm not happy?" Punk asked her.
"No one had to tell me. You just don't seem like an overly happy person." She shrugged. "It's not meant to be an insult."
"I think you just want me to get a dog so you could play with it." Punk said.
"That's true." April said honestly. "I love dogs. I've always had them growing up."
"My apartment building isn't dog friendly." Punk told her.
"I don't understand that." She said to him. "I didn't realize animals weren't allowed in places until I moved here. Animals should be everywhere. The world would be a happier place."
"That would solve crime? More puppies?" Punk asked amused.
"Don't be ridiculous." She remarked with a roll of her eyes. "But it was bring it down at least 50%."
"Interesting." Punk said with a smile as he drove on.
Hours later they were back in Chicago and Punk lead her into his apartment building. It was pretty swanky in comparison to her apartment building. There were doormen and everything just seemed a lot more secure. She already felt better. Punk's place was not like she expected. A bricked wall apartment that definitely looked more like a loft. There was a small spiral stair case that lead up to the loft/bedroom that was completely open. The walls had framed comic book posters which intrigued her greatly but it was very dark for such an open modest sized place.
"The bedroom is right up those stairs." Punk said pointing to it. "That's where you'll be sleeping."
"Where are you sleeping?" April asked.
"On the couch." he said to her.
"That doesn't seem fair." April said to him.
"It's safer if I'm closer to the door anyway." Punk said to her. "The stairs only lead to the bed, the closet and bathroom are over there. The kitchen here is pretty empty but if you leave me a list I'll pick up whatever you life." he told her.
"Do I start work tomorrow?" April asked him. "I need to get my clothes from my place."
"Beth already bought them over." Punk said to her. "They're in that closet." He said pointing "This is only temporary. I just want you to be comfortable enough so you don't run off again."
"I appreciate it." April said with a tired smile. "I'm going to wash up and go to bed."
"Good. I'll see you in the morning." She told him.
"I'll bring you into the office tomorrow and HR will get your paperwork done." Punk told her. "You can hang out in my office and get familiar with the building."
"Thank you." April said to him. "And not just for the job but I'm pretty sure you're going above and beyond the call of duty to keep me safe."
"It's my job so don't thank me for it." Punk told her. "You got pulled into this and it wasn't fair. You're an innocent victim in all of this."
"I really think I should at least sleep on the couch." April said to him.
"I usually sleep on the couch anyway." Punk said to her. "You'll get a good nights sleep up there."
"Ok." She said then turned and walked up the the tiny spiral staircase.
Punk peered up and saw April inspecting the room closely. It was a small space that only fit the bed and two small lounge chairs but she still tried to find something. She was desperate to learn something more personal about her anti-hero.
"There's nothing to snoop for up there!" Punk yelled up amused and April peered over the railing to look at him. "You won't find anything of interest in here actually."
"I wasn't snooping. I was familiarizing myself with my temporary living arrangements." April said looking down at him.
"Also, try to remember there's no walls to this room so I can see what you're doing." Punk reminded her.
"Why would you point that? What the hell do you think I'm going to do up here?" She asked disgusted.
"I don't know. But privacy is limited, that's all I'm saying." Punk shrugged.
"Thanks for the reminder but I have no reason for privacy, clearly." She said annoyed then disappeared from him visual.
"This is going to be a long case." Punk mumbled to himself. "If you're hungry I can order some food!" He yelled up and she appeared again.
"It's like 12 at night." April noted.
"Yea, so what?" Punk asked. "I'm starving and I'm ordering wings."
"I like wings." She said with a shrug.
"Anything else?" He asked.
"I wouldn't turn down fries." She said to him.
"Wings and fries." Punk said to her. "Just get situated, make yourself at home."
"Ok." She said.
The next morning after a stop for coffee, April was being introduced at the Marshal office. Just as Punk imagined, she was a big hit already. Everyone enjoyed her free and happy spirited personality which was a welcome breath of fresh air for the usually stuffy office.
"How did you convince her to come back?" Adam asked as he walked into Punk's office.
"I pleaded and bribed." Punk said honestly. "She's doing ok out there?"
"Oh, yea everyone likes her." Adam told him. "She's funny."
"Not during a twelve hour car ride." Punk remarked sarcastically.
"She's staying at your place too?" Adam asked and Punk nodded. "Isn't that against protocol?"
"It is. But I promised her parents I'd do everything to keep her safe and she's safest with me and in my place." Punk told him simply.
"It's just unhealthy for you." Adam reasoned. "We don't know how long this is going to go on for and you're bringing your work home with you- literally."
"She's just work and that's fine because all I plan on doing is working until I get Jeremy Sawyer and an added bonus would be getting his father too." Punk told him.
"That could take moths or years" Adam reminded him.
"It won't." he said simply. "I've never been more motivated to solve a case before. It's going to be over sooner than you think."