A/N: Alrighty peeps, here we go…
The next day…
Punk woke up with a beating headache. He cringed at the pain. It was most definitely a migraine. He tried his dearest to lift himself out of bed in which he did. He slowly made his way around his bed and kicked his foot into the side bed post.
"Ah Ow God Damn It!" Punk yelled out in pain.
He continued walking his way to the bathroom when he slipped and fell on the hard floor of his bus.
"Ahhh what the-"
Punk screeched as he laid across his bus' floor. It was cold and hard and really uncomfortable.
"What is wrong with me today?" Punk said to himself. "Am I really this clumsy?" he thought.
Punk picked himself back up slowly and carefully trying not to cause any more injuries to himself. He made it to the bathroom where he turned on the light. He looked at himself in the mirror. What he saw was his wrinkled up forehead. His skin fading color...almost pale looking. Along with his baggy eyes. What he saw...was a failure. A man who failed to keep the love of his life safe and secure. That's all he promised her. And he couldn't handle even that little task.
"Come on Punk get yourself together you ARE NOT a failure!" Punk told himself.
He turned on the water and splashed the cold liquid onto his sensitive skin. Oh the chills it gave him. Punk did his morning routine and walked to the front of his bus where he saw Jake watching a repeat of Monday's Raw where AJ confronted Daniel Bryan. Punk placed his hand on his forehand and sighed…
"Oh come on Jake as if I don't have that night embedded in my brain. Enough of that"
Jake turned his head and smiled "Well good morning to you too sunshine" Punk didn't seem amused. "And from what I heard, you were sleeping while this segment took place" Jake reminded Punk.
Punk paused and hit Jake with a pillow. "Not funny bro, I feel awful. I feel terrible. You have no idea how I feel right now"
Jake shrugged "You're right, I don't know how you feel." Jake got up "But what I do know is that you have to face up to your mistake and go see AJ. Don't hide from it. Live up to it" Punk just listened. "That's just my advice to you man" Jake patted Punk on the shoulder and walked over to the fridge to get a drink.
Punk turned around and bit his lip "but what if she doesn't take it?"
"What your apology?" Jake thought.
"Yeah like what if she doesn't forgive me. It was an accident Jake"
Jake took a drink of his Gatorade and licked his lips. "Its AJ man, she isn't that crazy in where she'll leave you over an accident"
"Yeah but she might think differently. I broke her heart once before dude" Punk admitted.
Jake froze and then spoke up again "No need to bring back old garbage bro. Take my advice and face up to it. AJ is an open listener. That's what she'll give to you. Open ears. Take advantage of that" Jake sincerely told Punk.
Punk nodded and smiled. "Thanks Jake, you know I can always count on you. Especially for these sympathy sessions"
Jake chuckled "It's no problem; you are like a brother to me. I got your back. Just don't get use it, alright"
Punk chuckled back "Alright"
Jake stretched and walked to the front "Wait where is the hospital?" Punk asked.
"We're here already Punk, don't you see?" Jake pointed.
"Oh yeah of course...as if I was supposed to see that" Punk sarcastically noted. "I'll be back soon alright"
"Yep, take your time" Jake added.
Punk exited the bus and walked down the street to the hospital. Once inside he asked for AJ's room and was directed there. Once he reached her room he saw Jericho there sitting in the chair next to her, holding her hand. Punk gridded his teeth just at the sight. AJ was sound asleep. Jericho looked up and saw Punk standing in the door frame. He didn't move, he didn't smile. He just glanced at Punk and looked at AJ the rest of the time. That's when Punk stepped in which had awaken AJ.
AJ opened her eyes slowly and looked at Jericho. His eyes were on Punk. AJ turned her head slowly and saw Punk standing just 2 feet away from her with his hands in his pockets. He looked at her saddened. Feeling a sense of guilt and disturbance. AJ spoke up raspy.
"P-Punk"
Jericho jumped in…
"No AJ it's okay sweetie. You don't have to talk. Go back to sleep." Jericho soothed.
AJ just glared are Punk who was staring at her with an apologetic look. A tear drew from her eyes. She mouthed to him…"Why"
Punk turned his head in shame. He knew AJ remembered what happened as if it just happened seconds ago. He failed her. And she is telling him that. Right there and then. Jericho got up slowly and kissed AJ on the forehead and smiled.
He motioned around the bed and walked up to Punk motioning Punk to follow him. Punk glanced at AJ before bowing his head and following Jericho out the room. Jericho walked down towards the end of the hallway. A look of anger and disappointment washed across his face. Punk nodded.
"Chris, I know what I did. You don't have to remind me ten million times." Punk spoke softly.
Jericho shaked his head in total disbelief "Do you realize what you've done Punk?" Punk just looked at him. "You once again broke AJ's heart. You once again allowed your ego to get in the way and ruin your relationship, well congratulations Punkster…you win. You got your wish, you-"
Punk cut him off "Hold on one minute Jericho...You wanna talk about egos? Don't get me started because I'm in no mood." Jericho folded his arms. "Yes, I made a mistake, AGAIN. One that will probably cost me my relationship but have I ever not owned up to it?" Punk hissed.
Jericho chuckled "If you call walking up in AJ's hospital room, staring some sympathy into her and not saying a word owning up…your ego has really become foolish Punk" Punk licked his lips. "Save the sympathy speech for someone who cares Punk, it won't work this time Junior"
Jericho walked away but Punk caught his arm. Jericho looked down and back up at him. "Listen Chris…I know my MISTAKE, let me fix it…PLEASE" Punk pleaded with his eyes.
Jericho took a deep breath and yanked his arm away from Punk. He shook his head in despair and walked back to AJ's room.
Punk walked back seconds after and saw AJ sitting up in the bed. He walked over to her and bent down. AJ looked over at Jericho who was still staring at Punk. AJ swallowed and bowed her head. Punk spoke up.
"Listen AJ, I am soooo sorry with what happened last night on Raw. I should've been awake and fully aware." AJ's head was still bowed down. Anger washing over Jericho. Punk licked his lips. "And because I wasn't I risked your life. I put you in danger and I apologize for that. I really am sorry." Jericho hissed and jumped in "I'm sure your nap was damn sure worth it now wasn't it? What you dream about, huh Punkster...you headlining WrestleMania cuz I'm sure you care a whole lot more about that than-"
"CHRIS GET OUT!" AJ demanded.
Jericho was taken aback…"What, AJ but-"
"No Chris, leave…I want to talk to Punk…privately" AJ interrupted.
Jericho gawked in surprise but got up and walked out still eyeballing Punk. AJ huffed and looked at Punk. It took her a few seconds to speak but she did. She had to.
"I'm hurt Punk. I almost died…because you weren't there. I-I...Daniel was going to kill me…and you weren't there" AJ cried out.
Punk leaned over and hugged AJ, rubbing her back and comforting her.
"Shh...AJ I'm soooo sorry. You have no idea how sorry and upset I am with myself. I let you down. I let the world down. I let Chris down." Punk sniffled "I would kill myself in a heartbeat if it meant keeping you alive."
AJ tugged on Punk's shirt and hiccupped as she cried consistently. Punk looked down into her eyes. "AJ…" she looked up into his eyes. "I won't EVER let that happen again. I promise" Punk sincerely added.
AJ hugged him tightly "I love you Punk, I want you to know that…always"
Punk smiled and kissed AJ's forehead "I love you too AJ, always and forever"
AJ sat up and kissed Punk on his lips. She looked at him and lightly smiled "I forgive you"
That right there made Punk's heart jump. It sent shivers down his spine. That was the last thing Punk thought he would hear AJ say. That she forgave him. Punk kissed her back and replied, "Thank You!"
AJ snuggled into Punk's chest and soon fell asleep. About an hour later Jericho walks back in and sees AJ snuggled in Punk's chest. He folds his arms and shakes his head.
"Unbelievable" Jericho whispered to himself "Not even a day later and they already made up"
Jericho huffed and walked out. A few hours later Punk woke up, AJ was still snuggled into his chest, sleeping soundly. He smiled. He looked at the clock "5:30pm.
"Shit time flew" Punk thought to himself.
AJ groaned and opened her eyes. Punk rubbed her back and smiled "Hey, how you doing honey?"
AJ shrugged "Alright, just exhausted" she admitted.
Punk nodded "You want to go back to sleep?" he asked.
"Will you stay?" AJ asked.
Punk bit his lip "I want to but I have to get back to the bus, Jake is outside and we have to head to Cleveland for the next show"
AJ pouted "Can I come with you…please"
Punk looked at her worried "Are you alright to leave?"
AJ nodded "Yeah I'm fine, just tired. Daniel didn't hurt me that bad" she lied.
Punk huffed and nodded "Alright I'll get the doctor and get you out of here alright" Punk smiled.
AJ smiled back "Alright"
Minutes later Punk came back with Dr. Earl who had a concerned look on his face.
"Ms. Mendez is it true that you are asking to leave here this evening?" Dr. Earl asked.
AJ nodded "Yes, I am fine"
Dr. Earl shook his head "Ms. Mendez your neck isn't stable. From the X-Rays we took earlier today you have minor tears and a possible fracture in your upper back. You can't leave tonight"
AJ withdrew the covers from the bed and got up "No doctor I'm fine, really. See, I can walk-"
"No Ms. Mendez please lay back down you aren't stabilized yet"
AJ shook her head "No, please doctor I'm fine. I want to be with my boyfriend, please" she pleaded.
Dr, Earl looked at Punk giving him the eyes to talk some sense into her. Punk walked up to AJ and sat her down.
"Look AJ, sweetie. Dr. Earl's right. You aren't stable and you need to be taken care of, here. If something happens to you out there, I'd hate myself even more."
"But nothing will happen to me because I'm fine"
Punk huffed
"Please Punk….I just want to be with you" AJ cried.
Punk kissed her passionately and nodded "Okay"
"Dr. Earl I'm sorry but my girlfriend is coming with me" Punk told him.
Dr. Earl shook his head.
"IF anything happens I promise I'll rush her back to the hospital quicker than road runner." Punk joked.
Dr. Earl nodded "Very well then. Just sign these papers and you'll be set to go"
Punk nodded and AJ smiled "Yay!"
Once the papers were signed, Punk walked AJ out and put his jacket around her. "Hold onto me AJ"
They got to the bus and walked inside. Jake was sleeping on the couch which cracked AJ up. "Hey Jake" AJ poked at him.
He wouldn't budge "JAKE!" AJ yelled.
"WHAT?!" Jake jumped.
"Hi" AJ perkily said and walked back to the bedroom.
Punk laughed hysterically and patted Jake on the back. "Gotta love her"
Jake needed a minute to catch his breath "Oh yeah sure, give me a heart attack and put me in the hospital, Jesus"
Punk walked in to find AJ under the covers snuggled in. She looked at Punk and smiled. "I miss this bed"
Punk chuckled and took off his shirt "I miss you in my bed" he gestured.
Punk climbed into bed and cuddled up with AJ. "Ahh and I miss this" Punk whispered as he wrapped his arms tightly around AJ and snuggled into her hair.
AJ breathed lustfully "Me too Punk" she smiled and drifted off to sleep.
Punk laid there happy and grateful that AJ was here and still with him. After everything, she forgave him. He was really lucky. Something still worried him though. The fact that AJ's stability isn't 100% yet and also Daniel Bryan's raving vengeance. What will he do? What else can he do really? One thing he does know, he'll do anything to keep AJ safe. Never will he break her heart. Tomorrow, will be the start of something new.