CHAPTER 22:
AJ was being treated backstage by the medical doctor. "Girl I am so sorry that it had to go down like that" said Tamina. "Yeah thanks" said AJ. The doctor informed AJ that she had a minor concussion and would need 2 stitches. "Just my luck" said AJ as Roman walked over. "Baby, I saw you out there" he said. "I am so sorry that this happened to you". "Nikki Bella is a monstrous bitch" said AJ. "Damn baby she really did a number on you" said Roman. AJ had also sustained bruising to the left side of her face.
"Nikki fucking hates the shit outta me and I don't know why!" shouted AJ. Just then Brie showed up. "Great match" she said. "Only I'm sorry that my sister did that to you. She shouldn't have done that and I agree that she went way too far". AJ nodded. "Careful, babe-" said Roman as he paused. "I mean April" he corrected himself. Brie nodded as she walked way. "You think she hurt you, right?" asked AJ. "I dunno" said Roman. "I highly doubt it" said Tamina. After being cleared, Roman and Tamina helped guide AJ into her dressing room as she was fitted with an eye patch for left eye. It was blackened.
Meanwhile in Nikki's dressing room, she was standing talking to John about her minor bruising injury to her life side of her face. "I just really hate that bitch you know?" she said while fumbling through her cosmetics bag. "Well Nicole you did try to fuck her up" said John. "Yeah you did" said Brie as she entered. "How are you?" "I'm fine" said Nikki. "I may have lost on my first night back, but at least I'm in better shape then AJ". "I need to talk to you about something" said Brie. "I'll see you in 20?" said John as Nikki nodded. The two began their conversation after he left.
"What's wrong?" asked Nikki. "It's AJ" said Brie. "I think that your little problem you have with her should just disappear". Nikki's eyes began to glare at her own sister. "You have to fucking kidding me" she said angrily. "You know what Brie, I think you got hit in your head or something, maybe you should get checked out". Brie stared with a horrified look. "Nicole, now I don't know what your problem is but if you don't get yourself together…I just don't know anymore" she said. "I don't know if they'll even be a… you and me anymore". With that, Brie walked out of her sister's room, living Nikki even more angered.
Meanwhile back in AJ's dressing room, AJ was finally lead to a chair in which she rested in. "You know, when you get a payback match…Nikki Bella's going to fry" said Tamina. "More like die" said AJ. "Babe…you're not serious right?" asked Roman. "No Leati, I was metaphorically speaking" said AJ. Tamina took a look at AJ's prescribed pill bottles. "Damn girl you got 800mg of ibuprofen. You've got that good stuff" she said. "No, not exactly" said AJ. "God my body is so fucking sore". "I know" said Roman as he kissed her forehead. "Are you sure you don't want me to come over?" "I don't wanna be a burden to you" said AJ. "Nonsense April" said Roman. "You're not, and I'll come back to meet you after you're done". AJ nodded as he left, Stephanie entered. "Tamina, I'd like to have a word alone with April please" she stated. Tamina quickly left the two alone.
"What is that you want from me?" asked AJ. Stephanie took a seat on AJ's couch. "Look April, I'm sorry that you got hurt tonight" she said in a sincere voice. "I didn't mean for that to happen". "Oh yes you did!" said AJ. "You came out at the beginning of my match and turned into some sort of a…fatal four way brawl!" "April, yes it was supposed to be a fatal four way, but you weren't supposed to get injured in this way and I will be speaking to Nicole about it" said Stephanie.
"Really Stephanie?" said AJ. "Pardon my language, but I've been working my ass off in this company for the past 6 years and everything can come undone in a matter of moments simply because you have some personal sick vendetta up against me?" Stephanie was silent. "I don't have any vendetta's up against you April" she said. "But please know that Nicole will be punished for her actions tonight. I can completely assure you of this".
"How so?" asked AJ. "You've just gotta trust me on this one April" said Stephanie. "I fully apologize to you and I also been meaning to talk to you". "What about?" asked AJ. "About your little stunt last month" Stephanie said. "I've been meaning to talk to you about an idea Hunter had about you". "Go on" said AJ as her arms folded. "We want to put you back in your relationship with Seth Rollins" said Stephanie. "It's the reason why we've decided to allow for your return to be a month early". AJ froze. She didn't know what to say. Stephanie and Hunter still had no idea that she was dating Roman, given the fact that the relationship was only a month old and they wanted to keep the secret from everyone for a little while.
"I uh…" AJ stumbled. "Its ok" said Stephanie. "I've already spoken to Seth about it yesterday and he's completely ok with it. I just need your opinion". AJ didn't know what to say. Although she was still unaware of Seth's true feelings about her and Roman's acknowledge of that, she still felt that she should somehow alert him of it. "Can I have some time to think about it?" asked AJ. "I mean…surely it would only be fair to me. After all, I just got back and heavily beaten up…this is just a lot to take in".
"I agree with you" said Stephanie. "But the thing is I truly need to know right now. As you know we're filming "Main Event" tomorrow and I want you to be on commentary to speak about things". "Is this what's best for business?" asked AJ. "I know that this is a lot that you're taking in, but I must know tonight" said Stephanie. AJ sighed as she didn't know what to do. She had a bad feeling as to agreeing with Stephanie about the storyline but she realized that at the same time that not only could her bad feelings could be just all in her head, but she could really earn back the money she had lost in a month. AJ took one last sigh.
"Ok" she said. "I'll do it". "Good" said Stephanie. "It'll only be until Survivor series. It's a very temporary relationship". AJ nodded as Stephanie continued her speech. "I'll send you a fax by morning" she said. "Are you sure you'll be ok with it?" "Absolutely" said AJ. Stephanie nodded as she exited.
AJ could only hope that she made the right decision, despite everything in her gut saying that it was in her head.