Chapter 4: Fighting For You
AJ stepped into her hotel room after the Royal Rumble and she was exhausted. Trent decided since being let go from the company that he didn't want to be around live events and she knew their time together was dwindling down. She turned on the light and gasped when she noticed someone was already in her room.
"Punk" she said placing her hand over her chest. The sight of seeing her friend in pain both mental and physical broke her heart.
"Hi" he said softly looking up at her
"Are you ok?" she asked dropping her bag and rushing over to where he was sitting on her bed
"No" he admitted.
"Are you hurt?" she asked and he nodded "Where?"
"Everywhere" he admitted looking towards her and she could see his eyes were glassy.
"You had a great match" AJ complimented
"It sucked" Punk said almost bitterly "This whole thing sucks"
"You should be main-eventing Wrestlemania this year" AJ said to him. She knew that was what this was about.
"Not happening" Punk said to her "It's never going to happen. That's all I've ever wanted from this fucking place and I'm not going to get it"
"Maybe next year" AJ said to him hopefully
"I don't even think I'll make it to next year" Punk admitted quietly
"What can I do?" she asked him "Do you want me to get Amy?"
"No" Punk said to her "I don't need her"
"What do you need?" AJ asked quietly as she placed her hand on his slouched back
"You" he replied making eye contact with her "I just need a friend. Someone to listen to me and not tell me that I shouldn't be so ungrateful or that I don't need the belt. You get that"
"I do" AJ said softly
"You've always got me" Punk admitted and she offered him a very light smile
"Do you need ice?" she asked him
"No" he said to her shaking his head "I just need a safe place"
"You've got one" AJ assured him "You can stay here tonight" and he just nodded "I won't tell anyone"
"I know you won't" Punk said to her
"Are you sure you don't need anything?" she asked standing up "Water? Food?" she asked walking towards the phone be he grabbed her wrist gently. She looked over to him and knew what he needed it was the same thing she needed when she was booted off of NXT. It wasn't about sex at least not to her. They had a connection that she couldn't describe. She walked over and stood in- between his legs and leaned down and kissed him. She felt his hands moved to her back and when he fell back on the bed she crashed right on top of him.
They didn't speak a word that night they just filled each other which was what she needed as well. She never felt more alive or wanted then when she was with him. He weaved in and out of her passionately throughout the night and the only sounds were there heavy breathing and moans. It wasn't rough or dirty but tender and sweet. She took good care of him that night and he wouldn't forget it.
"Sorry I'm late" Randy said getting AJ's attention. She looked up and forced a smile as she was pulled from her thoughts
"It's fine" she said politely and watched as the man that was such mystery to her take a seat across from her.
"I'm glad we're doing this" Randy said to her with a smile
"I can't help but wonder why" AJ said bluntly. That statement was very 'Punk' like of her to say and she'd be lying if Punk's comments the previous day didn't have anything to do with it.
"I need a reason to get to know one of my coworkers?" Randy asked surprised with a grin
"I'm not stupid" AJ informed him "What is this all about?"
"I'm actually curious as to what Punk sees you" Randy said catching her off guard "And I was hoping to find a reason to not tell my friend Amy about you two" he said it so casually as if he hadn't just completely turned her world upside down.
"I'm sorry I think I misheard you" AJ said nervously
"I know about you and Punk" Randy said looking over the menu "I saw you two last week. If you're going to carry on an affair you should do that sort of thing behind closed doors" AJ was absolutely speechless "Wondering why haven't I told Amy?" and she nodded "I love Amy- as a friend of course. We worked together a long time and I respect her. I'd hate to have to break her heart."
"It's not what you think" AJ said to him "It was just a kiss"
"I see the way he looks at you" Randy informed her putting the down menu "I see how he watches you when you're not looking and I saw the way he wanted to kill me when he saw me talking to you."
"We're just friends" AJ defended
"No Amy and I are just friends" Randy corrected "You and Punk are sleeping together probably for a while now. You should be ashamed of yourself. Do you realize what this could do to your career?" Randy asked her and heart fell "I mean Amy got away with it years ago because we weren't PG back then now parents aren't going to want their children to watch and cheer on some slutty little woman"
"I'm leaving" AJ said standing up
"Stay" Randy said looking up at her "Don't be hasty just take a seat" she slowly sat back down in her seat "I'm sorry I didn't mean to name call"
"What do you want from me?" she asked quietly
"Is it still going on?" Randy asked her
"No it's over" AJ assured him "Please don't tell anyone"
"Why shouldn't I?" Randy asked coolly "Why should I tell Amy? What's in it for me? I don't like Punk, I'm not fond of you to be honest- so what's in it for me?"
"Anything you want" AJ said almost desperately
"Now do you want me to keep this a secret because you're afraid of losing your job or losing Punk?" Randy asked but she didn't respond "I have a story idea coming up" Randy informed her leaning over the table "I'm planning on it to starting in a few weeks and I need a Diva for it and not just any Diva the top one- which is you for some unknown reason."
"You want to work with me?" AJ asked surprised
"Yes I do" Randy said with a smile "I want to main event Wrestlemania next year and I need a big feud and big name to do it"
"Done" AJ said to him. She was going to miss working with Dolph and Big E but this was more important.
"You know AJ I have a lot of pull with Hunter and Vince" Randy reminded her "You work this story with me and I can get you a Diva's title match in a show of good faith"
"I just want you to keep your mouth shut" AJ said coldly to him "But I don't know why you feel the need to blackmail me into it. If you went to Hunter and asked to work with me I'd have to no matter what"
"I need you to play the part onscreen and backstage" Randy said to her "It needs to be real. I want to have what Edge and Lita had a few years back and that worked so well because Amy and Adam shared a real history"
"Whatever" AJ said to him
"Don't you want to know who I plan on feuding on with?" Randy asked "It might even make you more vested in this"
"Who?" AJ asked with an annoyed sigh
"Your boy CM Punk" Randy grinned "He really wants to main-event the big show doesn't he?"
"You know the answer to that" AJ said coldly
"And he'll get to" Randy said to her simply "And he gets to watch you cheer me on"
"Why?" AJ asked with a shrug
"Because it's going to kill him to have to work with you while you're with me" Randy said to her
"This is stupid" AJ said honestly "Really stupid actually"
"Or you can just sleep with me" Randy offered casually
"I'll work with you" AJ said quickly and Randy laughed
"I think we're going to get along great" Randy said still laughing
"He can't find out about this" AJ said to Randy
"Are you sure? Honestly if he knows it might be more fun and you two could sneak around all you want I won't rat on ya" Randy smirked
"He never finds out" AJ said seriously
"How admirable, you're going to sacrifice your story and personal life to keep his intact" Randy noted "You're loyal" he said in an almost sympathetic voice "I wonder if he'd be as loyal to you?"
"He's a good man" AJ defended
"Tell that to his girlfriend Amy" Randy retorted almost coldly "Now hurry up and order we have a lot to discuss"
Once AJ arrived back at the arena she sat down with Randy while he spoke to Hunter and went over his story idea. AJ didn't know what Hunter saw in Randy sure he was a good performer- great even but his story ideas could use some work. But Hunter hung on every word and agreed to it. She was going to have to break the news to Dolph and Big E she'd be leaving them.
"Would you look at that" Randy grinned standing next to AJ "Amy is here. I think I'll go over and say hi" he walked past AJ and saw Punk standing with Amy. Randy threw his arms around Amy and she happily hugged him back. Punk rolled his eyes and looked over towards AJ and saw she quickly walked away. Punk watched as she weaved past everybody and into the catering hall. Punk headed into the catering a few steps behind her and came up behind her on the buffet line.
"Didn't you just have lunch?" Punk asked as he watched her fill her plate
"I'm still hungry" she said not looking at him
"Is everything ok?" he asked
"We talked about this yesterday" AJ sighed still avoiding eye contact with him
"AJ stop" he said forcing her plate down "Did he upset you?" she again just looked away from him. She was a horrible liar as it was but Punk could always pick up on it. "Ok so here' s the deal you're going to tell me why you're so upset or I'm going to go talk to Randy myself and ask him" he whispered "I don't give a shit how much attention I draw either"
"Don't" AJ said to him then nodded for him to follow her over to a table "Nothing happened"
"I know you AJ please don't play games with me here" Punk said annoyed "Obviously something upset you"
"He invited me to lunch because he wants to work with me" AJ said to him
"Randy who refuses to work with any Diva since Stacey wants to work with you?" Punk asked stunned
"Yea and I'm not sure I really want to do it but I don't have much of a choice in the matter" she shrugged "It's fine. He was really nice to me about it actually"
"I'll talk to him" Punk said to her "I'll tell him you don't-"
"No" she said loudly surprising him "Don't talk to him" Punk just nodded and smiled
"You're really going to do this huh?" Punk asked with an amused grin
"Do what?" AJ asked innocently
"You're going to make me go into his locker room and ask him about your lunch" Punk said to her
"I told you it's nothing" AJ assured him "Please, please just stay out of this. This is my job and my life and I know what I'm doing"
"I want to help you" Punk said to her but before she could respond she saw Randy walk over
"Hey I was wondering where you snuck off to" Randy said to AJ causing Punk to slowly look up at the man annoyed "I didn't realize you were with Punk"
"That a problem Randall?" Punk asked him
"No it's just Amy was looking for you" Randy said innocently "And AJ and I have some things to go over"
"I was talking to AJ" Punk informed him "So you can run off now"
"It's fine" AJ said to Punk and he gave her an odd look.
"OK" Punk laughed standing up and gestured for Randy to take his seat
"Why thank you" Randy said in a mocking voice
"I don't know what the hell is going on here but I'm going to find out" Punk informed the two of them then walked away
"This is going to be more fun than I thought" Randy laughed "You're doing great kid"
"He's going to ask you about our lunch" AJ said to him "You're not going to say anything right?"
"Darling my lips are sealed" Randy said to her seriously "Did you say hi to Amy? I'm sure she's dying to know how you think she tastes" he replied crudely causing AJ's eyes to widen in disgust. She stood up and resisted the urge to throw her drink in his face. She took the higher road and just stormed out of the room. "She is so sensitive" Randy mumbled
Later that night Punk was still bothered by whatever it was going on between AJ and Randy. She was obviously holding back from him but it was clear she wasn't going to be honest with him so he went to the next best person.
"Why would I tell you anything?" Celeste asked with a huff folding her arms
"Because your friend is getting in way over her head and AJ needs me to help her" Punk said quietly as he and Celeste spoke quietly near the loading area
"AJ doesn't need you for anything" Celeste told him coldly "I know what you two have been up to and I know she's the only one hurting here"
"AJ knew the deal" Punk said and was actually afraid Celeste was going to swing at him "Look I care about AJ a lot that's why I want to help her"
"AJ needs you to back off" Celeste told him seriously "You're no good for her" he'd by lying if the statement didn't sting him a bit
"I know" Punk admitted quietly "That's why I ended it"
"No you ended it because you couldn't handle your lies. You were selfish" Celeste said to him "You don't care that this little affair could have cost AJ her job or her heart. I mean after everything she just went through with Trent you laid this on her basically five minutes after"
"I never even thought about that" Punk admitted. AJ was technically now going through two breakups
"Of course you didn't because you're selfish, spoiled little boy" Celeste seethed "Stay the hell away from her"
"Do you think Randy is going to help her?" Punk asked her honestly
"Randy may have a reputation for being an asshole but at least he's upfront about it" Celeste said to him coldly "And no matter what Randy's intentions are I'm sure they're a hell of a lot better than yours" she then stormed off and left Punk standing in shock by the outburst. The fact that it was all true made him feel worse.
"There you are" the voice pulled Punk from his thoughts and he saw Amy smiling as she walked towards him "What are you doing back here?"
"Just thinking" Punk said to her
"What's on your mind?" she asked sweetly
"Randy Orton" Punk admitted and Amy looked surprised
"What about him?" Amy asked him "Don't tell me you two are having another pissing contest" she sighed "I know you don't like him but he's my friend" she secretly loved the fact that Punk commented about her friendship with Randy so often. It made her feel like he still cared.
"He's been hanging around AJ lately" Punk said to her and Amy just rolled her eyes "She's my friend Amy I'm sorry"
"Why is it such a problem?" Amy asked folding her arms
"Because he's an asshole" Punk reminded her seriously "He's also a steroid using lose cannon"
"No he's not" Amy scoffed "He made a mistake one that a lot of guys back here have made"
"Why is he sniffing around AJ?" Punk asked her bluntly
"I don't know" Amy defended "Why the hell would I care? And why do you care so fucking much? She's not your girlfriend the last time I checked."
"She's my friend" Punk said and Amy laughed bitterly
"I'm so sick of this shit and I'm sick of you saying that to me" Amy said to him harshly "I know she's your friend why don't you get tattooed across your head for Christ sakes!"
"You wanted to know why I was asking that's your answer" Punk replied coolly "Not my fault you didn't like the answer"
"You're a real asshole you know that?" Amy asked
"Maybe I should get that tattooed across my head" Punk replied coldly
"I don't know why he's hanging around your little girlfriend Punk" Amy informed him "But it's not your business and if you value our relationship at all you'll stay out of it because to be honest Punk you're really pushing this. And it's not just about AJ it's a lot of things. If you want us to work you're going to have invest half the time in us that you do in AJ"
"I'm not invested in AJ" Punk groaned
"I'm not stupid" Amy informed him in a low voice "I know what's going on everyone talks about it back here. I'm not around a lot and I know you're not exactly alone at night"
"Are you accusing me of cheating on you?" Punk asked with a laugh pointing at himself
"No Phil because I already know" Amy said to him sadly "I'm not a saint either Phil. We've both made mistakes but I want to move past them and I'm hoping you do to"
"I can't talk about this right now" Punk groaned
"Can we talk later tonight?" Amy asked looking into his eyes "I mean really talk, put it all on the table? You owe me and this relationship at least that much"
"Yea" Punk agreed quietly
"I love you" Amy said pulling him into a kiss
"I know. I love you too" Punk said resting his forehead against hers
Punk and Amy talked the entire night. She had a feeling about AJ and Punk and he didn't admit to sleeping with her but he did tell her he was attracted to her, as a matter of fact she told him last night she'd forgive him if he admitted to cheating on her with AJ but he still denied because he knew that secret getting out would hurt AJ's career. He had his opportunity last night to walk away from the relationship but he just couldn't. He shared such a long and rich history with Amy he couldn't walk away from her. He owed it to her to make things right and they agreed to start fresh and to try harder. He was going to be in Atlanta for at least two weeks while he was off and things went well he was planning on asking Amy to move in with him. She should have walked away from him last night after he admitted to cheating on her but instead she listened to him and cried and told him how much she loved him and wanted to work on things. She was fighting for him something that AJ hadn't done, something he had wanted her to do. He knew today he was making the right choice.
The next day Punk went to SmackDown even though he wasn't working the show. He had promised Amy to cut all ties with AJ and honestly he didn't blame her. Amy made it clear she didn't trust him around AJ and honestly he didn't trust himself around her either. He saw her heading out of the locker room and stepped in front of her causing her to run right into him.
"Sorry" AJ said looking up and realized it was Punk "Punk" she said surprised "You're working tonight?"
"No" He said "I came here to talk to you" he nodded for her to follow him to a more quiet room where they could be alone.
"What's going on?" AJ asked "Look about yesterday-"
"It's not about yesterday" Punk said cutting her off "But I was wrong to ask you to tell me what you were doing with Randy"
"What's this about?" AJ asked already knowing what was coming
"I spoke to Amy last night" Punk said to her "We talked about a lot of things"
"You didn't tell her about me, did you?" AJ asked quietly
"No I mean sort of" Punk sighed "I told her I liked you but I lied I told her we never did anything even though she gave me a free pass on it if I admitted to it"
"Why did you lie?" AJ asked
"It would hurt your career. I don't want be the reason for a black mark on your career you worked too hard" Punk said to her. Yet another lie- well not a full lie. That was part of the reason but the real reason was he didn't want to taint their relationship. He valued it way too much. "And it's best she doesn't know. She said free pass but she'd probably kill me and then you"
"Well thanks for that" AJ said forcing a smile
"I can't see you anymore" Punk said to her and she nodded slowly "We can't talk we can't do this" he said to her
"So the other day when you told me I was in your life for good that was a lie?" AJ asked him
"I'll always care about you" Punk said to her "But for everyone involved we need to stay away. I'll stay out of your business with Randy you two could do whatever you want" she just nodded "I need to focus on Amy right now and after Wrestlemania that's all I'm going to be doing and I can't do that if I still have you in my life"
"So you're cutting me out cold turkey huh?" AJ asked bitterly as a tear escaped her eye.
"Something like that" Punk said to her honestly "I care about you too much"
"Yea I can tell" AJ said coldly "Can I ask you something?"
"Yea" Punk said to her
"Why did you pick her over me?" AJ asked him
"I didn't even realize you were an option" Punk said to her honestly "I made promises to Amy last night and she's been fighting for me every day. I let her down enough I can't do it again"
"It's good to have someone willing to fight for you" AJ said with a cold smile as more tears escaped her eyes he took a step towards her but she stepped back holding her arm up to keep him away "Just go Punk"
"I am sorry AJ" Punk said to her
"Me too" AJ replied and watched as he walked out the door.
A/N: Wow! Thanks for all the reviews! So is Randy a bad guy or is he just a lovable asshole?