What is this? An update? Is this real life? I know, I know. I'm a terrible person for making you wait so long for an update. I could go on with excuses that you could care less about or I could just ask for your forgiveness and hope you enjoy this chapter! Please, please review. Thank you to everyone that has reviewed, favorited, and alerted this story. That's what motivated me to get back to this one! Hope you like chapter 10! Next chapter: Maria's RAW debut :)

xoxo

Meg

It turned out that Phil had been right about it not taking long for their relationship to go public, but it wasn't because of the Divas Maria had told the night before. Apparently the cab driver that had dropped Maria and Phil off at Precinct posted about driving the couple online and now pictures were surfacing of them standing outside the restaurant together. Wrestling dirt sheets and discussion forums were all trying to figure out who the stunning red head on Phil's arm was.

By the time Maria untangled herself from Phil's sleeping form and got to her phone the next morning she already had five missed calls and one very angry voicemail from Graham. She walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind her to call him back in hopes of not waking Phil.

"What the hell are you thinking, Maria? Did I not just tell you to keep your personal and professional life separate? Do you have any idea how this makes my company look? I am not running a match making service, I am running a private sector agency! I thought I could trust you with this case!" Graham's irate voice shouted over the telephone and Maria had to hold her cell away from her ear.

When he finally stopped to catch a breath Maria jumped in to try and explain everything. "Graham, I wanted those rumors started. If you would give me two minutes I would be able to tell you that I think I have a lead on the case."

"What the hell kind of lead requires you to be photographed out with a member of the WWE's roster?" Graham asked, obviously still pissed.

"The kind that will hopefully turn the stalker's attention to me."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Graham's voice came back. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Maria explained her theory about the stalker's motive to her boss and her plan to divert his attention from AJ. "If I can let this creep get close enough for me to take him down without putting AJ in danger, then that's what I need to do. Don't you agree?"

"You do have a point, but trying to goad someone that is sure to be mentally unstable into following you isn't exactly the safest game plan." Graham conceded.

"I can handle myself." Maria said confidently. "I can take him down, but he has to get close enough for me to do that first. Besides, when have I ever chosen the safe route?"

Graham sighed. "Alright, I'll get on the phone with Mr. McMahon and clear everything up on this end. But Maria, when I tell him that this 'relationship' between you and one of his top guys is just for the case, that is the truth, isn't it?" She could practically see the air quotes he was bound to be making when he said the word 'relationship'.

Maria hesitated. She had never lied to Graham and she didn't want to start now, but she knew if he realized that what they were doing was not just for show he would call it off and send in another agent. "This case is my first priority, Graham. Nothing will change that."

"Okay. Keep me updated. I don't want anymore surprises." Graham seemed satisfied with Maria's answer, but his tone was firm.

"Yes sir, I'll talk to you soon." Maria hung up and rubbed her temples. She hadn't necessarily lied to him, but she also hadn't been one hundred percent honest and that had the potential to come back and bite her in the ass.

When they arrived at the arena for their last show before a coveted day off, Phil didn't wait to take Maria's hand until they were inside. Instead, in front of all the screaming fans and, more importantly, their cameras, he took Maria's hand as they walked from the bus together. Maria let a small smile grace her face at the gesture while Phil just looked smug.

"It's good to see you're really selling the whole 'relationship' thing." John Laurinaitis's distinctive raspy voice greeted them in the hall, noting their clasped hands. Immediately Maria pulled her hand away to the surprise of Phil.

"What do you mean 'relationship thing'?" Phil asked.

"He means the pretend relationship we're in for the case. You know, to turn the stalker's attention to me." Maria quickly answered. Obviously Graham had called Vince who had called Johnny. She had meant to talk to Phil about her conversation with Graham earlier, but Phil had had other, more pleasurable, ideas.

Phil gave Maria an odd look, but thankfully played along. "Right. You know I don't like to do anything half way."

John looked back and forth between the couple for a few seconds, but continued. "Right. Anyways, after talking to the Creative team we've decided to up you debut date, Maria. Next week's Monday Night RAW will be your first televised appearance along side Phil."

"What kind of appearance?" Maria asked, a tad nervous. Perhaps she hadn't thought this plan all the way through. She was prepared to be seen in public with Phil, but she hadn't thought about the fact that she would have to become an official Diva in order to attract the stalker's attention. She had not been back in the ring since her fall and she wasn't sure she was prepared for a match.

"Just an in ring segment." John replied either unaware or uncaring of the woman's apprehension.

"Okay...what kind of segment?" This time it was Phil stepping in to ask the abrasive senior producer.

"That's yet to be determined. Someone will be in touch. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some other business to attend to." John stepped between Maria and Phil and continued down the corridor without waiting for a response.

When Phil was sure they were out of earshot he turned to Maria. "Pretend relationship, huh?"

Maria rung her hands nervously. "I meant to tell you before we got here, but then you dared me that two people couldn't fit in that shower and..well..you know what happened after that."

"I really didn't think you'd fit." Phil said, feigning innocence.

"Whatever." Maria shook her head. "I had wanted to tell you that I talked to Graham and he knows about us. Well, he thinks he knows about us. I told him about my idea to draw out the stalker, but there's no way he would allow us to actually be together while I'm working. He would have pulled me out and sent another agent in. I guess he already spoke to Mr. McMahon."

"And we both know that nothing stays quiet for long in this business, don't we?" Phil smirked.

"Exactly. So, you're not mad?" Maria looked up at Phil from under her long eye lashes.

"No, I'm not mad."

"Good." She smiled at him.

"If I was mad, though, how would you make it up to me?"

"You're insatiable." Maria shoved Phil's shoulder playfully.

"You like it." Phil insisted.

"Or I'm just a masochist." The red head teased, laughing at Phil's face and hurrying away before he could do anything about it.

Maria should have known the moment she walked into the women's locker room she would be bombarded with questions. She barely got the door shut before Layla and Eve were practically on top of her.

"Maria! Oh my God! How'd it go? We want to know everything!" Layla's British accent was thickened because she was talking so fast. AJ and Kaitlyn were right on their heels and bouncing with excitement as well.

"Hi Layla, it's good to see you too." Maria said sarcastically, but with a genuine smile.

"Don't try and change the subject. There's no getting out of this! Now spill!" Eve said without missing a beat.

Maria sat her bags down. "I will, but first I have to tell you something else. AJ, I think I finally have a lead on your stalker."

"Oh my God. What?" AJ's mood visibly changed from excitement to trepidation.

"I'm not one hundred percent sure, but I think the reason he is targeting you has something to do with your relationship with John."

"John? Why would John have anything to do with it?" Kaitlyn asked.

"I think the stalker believes that because AJ is dating John Cena she's getting special treatment-"

"But I'm not!" AJ interrupted.

"I know, I'm not saying you are." Maria jumped in. "But, he thinks you are and that's what matters right now."

"So what? I'm supposed to break up with him?" AJ's voice was full of emotion and Kaitlyn put her arm around her friend to comfort her.

"No, of course not." Maria assured. "I have a plan, but I'm going to need all of you to help pull it off."

"Whatever you need." Eve volunteered and the other three women nodded their heads in agreement.

"I'm going to draw the stalker out by becoming his new target. If he finds out I'm dating Phil and all of a sudden become RAW's newest Diva with absolutely no credentials it will piss him off. We're going to make him think that I'm getting special treatment because of my relationship. The only catch is, if my boss were to find out that Phil and I were really seeing each other he would pull me off the case. So, as far as bosses go Phil and I are strictly together on a professional basis." Maria explained.

"But you really are together?" Layla asked.

"Yeah. I guess we are." The red head smiled.

"Your secret is safe with us." AJ assured Maria. "But, are you sure pissing off this guy is the best thing to do? I mean, he's already broken into my car."

"I'm sure. Like I've already told Graham, I can take care of myself. Besides, I know he's going to show up eventually. And when he does, I'll be ready."

"This is where you live?!" Maria looked up at the white washed stone building with reflective tented windows situated in downtown Chicago.

"Yep, this is me." Phil held the door open for her to walk through before shutting it behind them. "Home sweet home."

Maria climbed the stairs to reach the main floor and dropped her bags. She felt like she was walking into a home and garden magazine. Light flooded the open space thanks to the wall of windows looking out on the street below. The living room furniture was neutral and a huge flat screen TV hung above a fireplace against the far wall. The kitchen had top of the line appliances and was completely open to the living room and dining room, a long bar the only separation. A ten seat dinning room table was next to the kitchen. The whole place was made of clean lines and sleek wood and metal.

"This is incredible." Maria looked behind her to find Phil smiling.

"I'm glad you like it. The interior decorator would be pleased that someone else is finally getting to see it."

Maria walked over to the counter and ran her hand along the cool granite. "Are you kidding? I would never want to leave."

Phil chuckled. "Come on, I'll show you around." Maria took his outstretched hand and let him lead her up some more stairs. The first of three bedrooms overlooked the living room and had its own fireplace and sitting area. A massive four poster bed occupied the middle of the room made up with more pillows than she could count. The bathroom that belonged to the room was even more impressive. With double sinks, a huge jet tub and glass walk in shower the room was larger than Maria's current bedroom back in L.A. Maria was already looking forward to a long hot bath in the enormous tub. A large office that held Phil's championships and action figures finished off the second floor. The third floor held two more bedrooms that were equally stunning with bathrooms to match. A final set of stairs led them out onto a rooftop balcony with a fire pit and lounge furniture.

"You can see the whole city." Maria marveled, turning in a slow circle to take in the incredible view of the Chicago skyline.

"This might be my favorite spot." Phil said.

Looking out as the sun started to set Maria was surprised when she felt tears forming along her waterline. It had been ten years since the last time she had been in Chicago. As soon as she had turned 18 and could legally be on her own she left her grandparents and the city that had stolen her parents from her and never looked back. Over the years there had been a few cases that would have brought her back to the Windy City, but Graham always found someone else to take them. Turning away from Phil she quickly wiped at a tear threatening to escape. It had been 16 years since her parents' death and Maria had carefully constructed a wall around that horrible memory to protect herself, but now, being back in the city where she grew up, in a city that held so many memories of better times that wall was starting to crack. More tears formed and this time she couldn't stop them from falling.

"You're awful quiet over there." Phil's voice broke into her thoughts.

"I miss them so much." Maria's voice broke as she turned to face him, tears freely falling down her cheeks. Phil's brows furrowed at the sight of her tears and immediately she was in his arms. Despite the fact that Maria hadn't mentioned her parents, he knew instinctively that's what this was about and he ached seeing her hurt like this. He also knew from experience that if you kept feelings like that bottled up inside of you, eventually that bottle would break and there was nothing anyone else could do. So he held her, whispering words of comfort in her ear and running his hand up and down her back. Maria's small body shook with sobs and her fist clutched Phil's t-shirt. She cried for her mom and her dad and the childhood that was taken from her with their deaths. She cried for all the failed relationships she had been in and the cold person she had become before meeting Phil. She cried until she had nothing left to cry about. Pulling her head back she noticed the sky had darkened and the sun had been replaced with stars.

Phil wiped the last few tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "Feel better?"

Maria took a deep breath and let it out before answering. "Yes. God, I can't remember the last time I cried." She wiped at her face. "I'm sorry about your shirt." She gestured to the tear stain at his shoulder.

"Don't worry about the shirt. I've got plenty more where this came from." Phil assured her.

Maria smiled shyly. "I'm sorry you had to see that. I don't know what happened."

"It's okay to be sad, Maria. It's part of what makes you human."

"I'll try and remember that from now on."

"Why don't we go inside and I'll fix you something to eat?" He suggested.

"That sounds good." Maria let him lead her back into the house and down to the kitchen. "I'm going to go get cleaned up." She motioned to the mascara lines running down her face and grabbed her bags.

"Don't be too long." Phil said, rummaging through the fridge.

"Have you seen your bathroom? A girl makes no promises when she has access to that."

"Don't make me come up there." He shouted as Maria ascended the stairs.

"Mmm, maybe I will take my time." She shot back.

"Tease."

"Who said anything about teasing?"

A flash of red came fluttering down from the bedroom balcony overlooking the living room and kitchen that caught Phil's eye. Walking over he picked it up and recognized it as the shirt Maria had been wearing. "Lose something, Maria?"

"Oh, don't mind me." Maria said nonchalantly, tossing the matching blood red bra she had been wearing over the ledge and laughing when Phil caught it out of the air. "Oops. Heads up."

"Oh, something's up, but it's not my head." Phil replied, coming up the stairs, his hungry eyes locked on Maria's bare chest.

Maria smiled as she shimmed out of her jeans, leaving her red thong on. "Think you could show me how to work your shower?"

"Fucking hell. You're going to be the death of me." Phil couldn't help his gaze from sweeping over her flawless body.

"Oh well, I'm sure I'll figure it out." Maria shrugged and started walking towards the bathroom adding a little extra sway to her hips.

Phil closed the distance faster than she thought he would and pinned her to the wall, his lips closing around hers before she could make another teasing comment. Maria's hands went to the base of his neck, running through his short hair. His tongue found hers and she moaned at the contact. She could feel his arousal against her stomach making her belly clench. Grabbing her ass Phil hoisted her up so she could put her legs around his hips giving them both the friction they were looking for and ripping a groan from him when he felt her heat. Maria pulled his shirt over his head and ran her nails down his chest as his lips and teeth nipped and sucked her neck.

"Fuck." Maria threw her head back against the wall and rolled her hips against his. She needed more. "Shower."

One word was all the direction Phil needed. Holding her up he walked them into the bathroom, never breaking their kiss and pushed the shower door open, quickly turning on the hot water. He divested himself of his pants and shoes while the water got warm and Maria pulled her panties off, tossing them to the corner before stepping into the shower. The water was hot against her are skin and she hissed, stepping out of the spray. Phil followed her in and shut the door while simultaneously adjusting the temperature. Pushing her against the tile wall their lips reconnected. Maria's hands couldn't stay still as their tongues battled for dominance, roaming every inch of wet skin she could reach. Phil's hands were having a hard time deciding where to go too. One massaged her breast and the other dipped between them to cup her sex before sliding a finger into her wet heat.

"Jesus, you're wet Maria." Punk groaned, adding another finger.

"I want you." Maria pushed her hips down onto his hand, trying to find relief for the fire that was building in her stomach. Phil worked her with his hand until she was right on the edge before pulling back. "Phil! Don't stop!" Maria pleaded, her voice shaking with need.

"Don't worry baby. I'm gonna take care of you." Lifting her up she wrapped her legs around his waist again. Positioning himself at her entrance he waisted no time before thrusting in. Maria's eyes rolled back and her nails dug into his shoulders. "You feel so fucking good baby."

Maria moaned her agreement. They moved together easily like they had been together a thousand times before, not just twice. She met him thrust for thrust, her head thrown back against the shower wall. Water mixed with sweat and she swore she could do this forever and still not get enough.

"Harder." Maria meant it to be an order, but it came out more like a strangled whine when he hit that spot inside her that made her toes curl. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

Phil was happy to oblige and pushed into her supple body harder and faster. The sound of skin on skin filled the room along with their pleasure filled cries. Maria's back slammed into the wall with each upward thrust, but the pleasure masked the slight twinge of pain. She closed her eyes, her breathing uneven and coming out in pants.

"Oh my god, oh my god. Phil! Fuck!" Her orgasm slammed into her and pulled a scream from her throat that made her glad they were alone and no longer on a tour bus with a driver. Phil's thrust became more erratic and quick and he soon followed her over the edge. After they both came down from their high Phil helped Maria back onto her shaking legs.

"Mmmm, thank you." Maria smiled, completely sated.

"You are more than welcome." Phil replied, pushing her hair out of her face. Slowly they cleaned themselves up before finally stepping out of the shower. Phil wrapped a towel around his waist and handed Maria one of her own.

After towel drying her hair Maria slipped into her silk pajama shorts and camisole while Phil changed into sweats, deciding to forgo a shirt. "So, how about that food you promised? I seem to have suddenly worked up an appetite."

Phil chuckled. "Let's go see what we can come up with."

They spent the next hour cooking and eating before returning to the bedroom to finally get some sleep. When they had all the decorative pillows out of the way the crawled into bed and let out a sigh of contentment. "Good luck getting me out of this thing tomorrow." Maria warned, luxuriating in the softness surrounding her.

"I'll worry about that later. For now, I want to go to sleep in my own bed with my girl." Phil said, pulling Maria into him.

"You better be careful, I would hate for the world to know that CM Punk is a softy that likes to cuddle."

"Trust me, no one would blame me for wanting to cuddle with you." Phil said.

Maria rolled her eyes even though she knew he wouldn't see the gesture. "Goodnight Phil."

"Goodnight."

"Softy." Maria whispered, giggling when Phil flexed his arms around her. "Don't worry, it'll be our little secret."

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