Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Two days later and two more run-ins with her neighbor AJ decided finding her own place would be for the best. She planned on staying close but she was also getting sick of the couch as well. She started reading the paper looking for something nearby.

"Moving?" Punk asked pulling her from her thoughts. Punk went M-I-A after Maria stopped by and Jason told her he was blowing off steam for a few days. She knew he was probably hurting but she didn't know him well enough to press him. She was happy he freely walked into her fathers apartment to stop by though.

"Yea going to get my own place." AJ said to him. "David isn't here. Jason took him to the doctors."

"I know I just wanted to check in on you." Punk said pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"I heard you were out of town." AJ noted casually sipping her coffee.

"I went fishing." He smirked sitting across from her at the small kitchen table. "It helps me clear my head."

"For two days?" She asked and he nodded.

"I have a cabin not far out of town and I escape there sometimes." He said to her.

"Are you ok?" She asked almost fearfully.

"Yea." He said with a sigh.

"Good." AJ said looking back down at the paper.

"So, why are you leaving the building?" Punk asked her sipping his own coffee. "We've just gotten used to you always being around."

"It's just not working out for me here." She said truthfully. "And I need more space."

"I think there's a few free rooms here." Punk suggested and she froze. "They're not on this floor but I'm sure you could afford it and you'd still be close."

"No I think out of the building is for the best." She said with a laugh.

"Are you still going to come around?" he asked her.

"I plan on it. My dad is still here." She reminded him. "But I was hoping to convince him to maybe move out with me." She said surprising him. "I mean I doubt he'd go but it's worth a shot."

"What's going on?" Punk asked her.

"The guy Shane who lives next door, is he dangerous?" AJ asked him.

"Why?" He asked her.

"I don't want my dad living next door to that criminal." AJ told him. "He's getting weaker and I don't know if you heard but he's stopping treatments-"

"He's stopping his treatments?" Punk asked sadly.

"Yea." AJ said to him. "I just want him to be comfortable."

"He'll be comfortable here. He's lived here with your brother his whole life." Punk reminded her. "Are you ok?" he asked and she just nodded trying not to cry.
"You can cry." He encouraged.

"I don't think I even have a right to." She admitted dropping the paper. "I barely know him but you and Jason are his sons. I'm just some uptight princess who showed up too late."

"What?" Punk asked confused. "That's not true and David loves having you here so I'm sure he's going to be a little surprised to hear that you're moving out. Is Shane still giving you a hard time?" AJ just put her head down and picked up the paper again. "Tell me." He demanded.

"I know he's a friend of yours." AJ said shaking her head. "I don't want to cause any problems."

"He's not my friend." Punk scoffed.

"He told me that you, him and Jason grew up together." AJ said to him and Punk rolled his eyes.

"We did. And we were friends up until high school. He's a fucking criminal and believe me I'm not a saint or anything but I'm not Shane." Punk said to her.
"What's he doing? He coming by your place?"

"I keep bumping into him the hallway and he's just always saying disgusting things." AJ said to him. "He rubs me the wrong way."

"I'll talk to him." Punk said to her.

"No don't." She said quickly. "I don't need anymore trouble and neither do you. I'm just going to move."

"So you're going to let him run you out of the building?" Punk asked surprised. "Doesn't seem like you."

"I just want to be able to walk out of the apartment and not be pushed up against a wall for at least a night." She mumbled under her breath.

"He's touching you?" Punk asked darkly.

"Not like that." She said to him. "He's just pushing me around."

"Why didn't you tell me or Jason?" Punk asked her annoyed standing up.

"Because it's my problem." AJ said to him. "And I'm probably overreacting this is just how it is here."

"No AJ it's not." Punk said to her. "You can't be that stupid to think that's normal out here? I know you come from a different world but come on." He scoffed and her feelings were instantly hurt when he called her stupid.

"Just leave it alone I don't need you to defend me." She warned him following him out the door but he was already at Shane's door banging on it with his fist.

"Open your fucking door!" Punk screamed banging harder until the door swung open but it wasn't Shane, it was his roommate. "Where is he?" Punk asked the smaller man.

"Who? Shane?" The nervous and twitchy man asked. "He got busted last night on a parole violation. He won't be back for a while so if he owes you money or promised you product-"

"How long is he gone for?" Punk asked him.

"I don't know Punk you know how it is. It could be a few weeks or months or years." The man shrugged.

"When he gets out tell him I want to see him." Punk said to him. "Until then stop harassing AJ."

"That's not my thing man." The man said nervously clearly intimidated by Punk. "Shane just likes to tease the girls around here-"

"When he gets out send him across the hall to me." Punk demanded and the man just nodded. "Problem solved." he said to AJ who looked pissed at him. "What I do?"

"I'm too stupid to comprehend what you're saying." AJ said annoyed and walked back into her apartment and slammed the door.

"AJ come on." He sighed trying to open the door but she actually locked it. "AJ!" he yelled knocking but she never opened the door.

At around midnight Jason walked into the closed shop and saw Punk was catching up on the work he had missed.

"Hey." Jason said to him and Punk just nodded at him. "You ok?"

"Yea." Punk said to him.

"You want to talk about what happened with Maria?" Jason asked him.

"She's moved to New York with Curtis." Punk told him as he worked on the hood of a car. "I didn't make enough money to keep her around or happy."

"I'm sorry man." Jason sighed.

"Me too." Punk said grabbing a towel and cleaning off of his hands.

"I spoke to my sister." Jason said to him.

"Yea I don't think she's talking to me." Punk said to him.

"Look I get you're upset with this Maria thing but don't take it out on my sister." Jason said to him. "She's having a hard time and not just being in Chicago and away from home for the first time but this stuff with our dad is killing her."

"How are you holding up with all of that?" Punk asked him. "AJ told me he's stopping treatments."

"I knew it was coming." Jason said to him. "We're moving up the wedding stuff. It's going to be in three weeks, small and I need you as my best man."

"You got it." Punk smirked. "I'm not taking this Maria thing out on your sister by the way. Did she tell you about Shane bothering her?"

"Today she did and I appreciate you looking out for her." Jason said to him. "But he's gone now so we can put it all behind us."

"Fine. I'll talk to her and apologize." Punk shrugged as he reached for his bottle of water.

"It's not just that." Jason said to him. "Don't use her."

"Use her?" Punk asked with a laugh.

"You're hurting over Maria and I get that but do not use my sister as some warm body to help you move on. She's not like that." Jason warned him.

"I wouldn't do that. You know I like AJ she's cool, I wouldn't use her." Punk said brushing it off.

"She seems very fond of you and if she didn't like you so much what you said today wouldn't have upset her so much." Jason pointed out. "Don't make my sister your rebound."

"I wouldn't use AJ." Punk said to him. "I'm not even thinking about other women right now."

"Really?" Jason chuckled. "You don't think I don't see the way you brush up against AJ or the way she looks at you or the way you'll find any reason to touch her?"

"If you don't want me around your sister just say it and I'll understand it." Punk said simply. "I'm not even good enough for someone like your sister."

"I don't think that one bit." Jason said honestly. "You're my best friend and I trust you with my life why wouldn't I trust you with my sister? I just don't want to see either of you get hurt if you rush into something."

"You're a little ahead of us." Punk laughed. "She's not even talking to me."

"She'll be talking to you soon I'm sure." Jason smirked. "Maria was wrong with what she said to you. It's not about the money or the apartment or the job. She was just shallow and not every girl is like that."

"Not that I'm even considering it or anything but for arguments sake, if I asked your sister out at some point in time you would be cool with it?" Punk asked as casually as possible.

"If you were doing it for the right reasons sure." Jason shrugged. "I know you like her."

"What are we in high school again?" Punk grunted.

"I'm just saying the only time I've seen you laughing and smiling since this Maria mess is when you're with AJ." Jason said to him. "Just be careful with her. I don't think she's had a lot of boyfriends in her life."

"I'm not saying I'm going to ask her out." Punk reminded him. "And believe me I know the feeling. I've only ever been with Maria."

"Well if you do plan on asking her out I suggest you get her to at least talk to you again. She's a tad bit sensitive." Jason teased.

"She's upstairs?" Punk asked him and he nodded.

"Yea she's at my place though with Kate. They're looking at bridal stuff or some crap like that." Jason said to him. "I'll take over here." He said walking over to the car Punk was working on.

Punk walked into Jason's apartment freely and heard the girls in the living room chatting and giggling about something.

"Oh hey Punk." Kate greeted in a friendly voice.

"Hey." Punk said forcing a smile. "Mind if I talk to AJ for a minute?"

"Not at all. I have to get home anyway. Is Jason downstairs?" Kate asked standing up.

"Yea." Punk said to her and she looked over to AJ.

"I'll see you Thursday at the bridal shop." Kate told AJ who just smiled.

"I'll be there." AJ assured her.

"Night Punk." Kate said lightly squeezing his arm as she passed him and left.

"Bridal shop?" Punk asked.

"Kate asked me to a bridesmaid." AJ said to him. "It's polite to ask the siblings apparently."

"Look I just wanted to apologize. I didn't mean to call you stupid. I don't think you're stupid." He said to her nervously. He wasn't one to apologize but he didn't like her being mad at him at all.

"It's ok." AJ said standing up and grabbing her phone. "You're going through a rough time right now and you snapped."

"It's not ok." Punk said shaking his head and he grabbed her gently by the wrist and lead her back to the couch and sat next to her. "The shit with Maria had nothing to do with me going over to Shane's I would have done regardless because I have a problem with men who try to intimidate women especially a woman I happen to be very fond of. I have a lot on my mind but so do you and snapping like that wasn't cool."

"I said it was ok." AJ said giving him a soft but genuine smile. "You also have to understand that I come from a very strict home." She told him and he gave her his full attention. "I came to Chicago because I felt like I couldn't breathe half of the time and I want to prove that I can take care of myself."

"I get that." Punk said to her.

"Besides moving turned out to not be an option for me anyway." AJ said to him.

"Why?" he asked her.

"When my mother and step-father realized I wasn't coming home they cut me off." She told him.

"And you don't want to go home?" He asked her.

"For the most part I like it here." She shrugged. "I get to be part of my brothers wedding and I can be with my dad with whatever time he has left, I can't leave now. It does throw a wrench in my college plans but I'll figure it out."

"What about after everything?" He asked carefully.

"You mean after David dies?" She asked him and he painfully nodded. "I want to hang around here I mean there really isn't much keeping me here but I'd like to see what happens."

"If it means anything to you I'd like you hang around." Punk said to her and she felt her heart melt. "I like hanging out with you and as for work I'm sure David would give you a job downstairs." he added quickly before things got awkward.

"What would I do down there?" AJ laughed. "I don't even know how to pump my own gas." Punk let out a laugh.

"Are you serious?" He asked her amused and she shrugged cutely. "I'll teach you." he offered.

"How to pump gas?" She asked.

"Yea and about cars." He said to her.

"I don't want David to know my mom is giving me a hard time about staying here it will only upset him." She said to him.

"Why is she giving you such a hard time about being with David right now?" Punk asked her.

"It's not that. She likes David and all but when I told her I planned on staying after everything she wasn't too happy about it. She wants me back home and back in school." AJ told him. "But I don't want to think about 'after David'." She said shaking her head. "I'm just getting to know him again and-" She began to cry and Punk pulled her against his chest while she cried. "I don't want to miss anymore time." She sniffled against him. "I don't want to waste another minute."

"You won't." He promised her.

"I should get back." She said standing up quickly and brushing away her tears.

"Why are you so afraid to cry?" Punk asked as he could tell she was ashamed.

"Crying is a sign of weakness." AJ recited almost perfectly. "That's what my mother and Hugh always told me."

"They're wrong. It's a sign of being human." Punk said to her. "I like when you show your human. It's more than just crying, it's when you laugh and smile too."

"Thanks." She whispered blushing slightly as he stood up.

"Look I know the couch is hurting you so if you need a real bed mine is always open to you." he said then shut his eyes and mentally kicked himself as AJ giggled. "Obviously alone." He added trying not to laugh at his own choice of original words. "I'll take the couch at Davids for the night and you can have a good nights sleep- alone." He added again but seriously.

"Thanks maybe I'll take you up on it." She said opening the door and Punk followed her out.

"Tomorrow night the Hawks are playing the Devils." Punk told her as he walked her to David's door.

"You want to sneak into the United Center?" She teased.

"Oh hell no that place is impossible to get into." Punk said to her. "You should come over and watch the game." he offered.

"I'll bring the pizza." She said accepting his offer with a sly smile then walking into her apartment.

The next day Jason was at Punk's as he quickly tried to clean it up.

"This is where you're taking my sister on your first date?" Jason asked in disbelief.

"It's not a date." Punk said grabbing the clothing thrown around the floor and stuffing it into the hamper. "We're just watching the game together."

"Oh." Jason said to him. "So I can stay?"

"No." Punk laughed.

"But it's not a date?" Jason asked.

"It's not a date." Punk confirmed.

"Yet you just came out of the shower." Jason noted.

"I was filthy from working all day." Punk defended.

"You shaved." Jason added.

"I cleaned up my beard." Punk argued. "I always do that."

"You're also cleaning." Jason said watching him around.

"It's laundry I have to." Punk said to him. "Are you leaving?"

"Are you planning on having sex with her?" Jason asked him and Punk cringed.

"It's not a fucking date." Punk repeated annoyed. "It's just a game."

"Fine." Jason laughed standing up. "I've never given the 'brother talk' before so I'm not sure what I'm supposed to stay."

"Save it for when AJ has a real date. This is just two friends watching the game." Punk said to him.

"Alright I'll be across the hall with dad watching the game." Jason said walking out. "What should I say when he asks why you aren't there watching with us?"

"Not that I'm across the hall with his daughter." Punk suggested with a smirk.

"He's rooting for you two." Jason shrugged. "But alright, I'll be across the hall and don't worry I'll knock before coming back over."

"Just don't come back over." Punk said pushing him out the door and closing it.

"Oh hey." AJ said surprised to see Jason. She was holding a pizza box in her hands.

"Hey sis." Jason smirked. "Watching the game with Punk?"

"It's just a friendly game." AJ said to him hoping this wouldn't bother him.

"Sure." Jason smirked. "Don't hurt him ok? He's a good guy."

"I wouldn't do that. Besides we're just friends." AJ assured him and Jason just nodded.

"Have fun." was all Jason said as he crossed the hall and walked into Davids apartment.

Punk let AJ inside and they munched on pizza and both shouted at the game as they were both pretty passionate fans.

"I can't help feel like you're secretly rooting for the Devils." Punk said before the third period was set to start.

"I'm not." She laughed.

AJ had spent the entire evening laughing. No one had ever made her laugh like Punk had tonight. Her face was actually hurting from all the smiling she was doing.

"Hugh was a Devils fan but I always rooted Blackhawks." She assured him and Punk just eyed her. "I swear." She said holding up her left hand.

"I'm not too sure about you." Punk said to her suspiciously but clearly just teasing her.

"I'm pretty simple." She shrugged cutely and he grinned.

"Why do I find that very hard to believe." he said to her amused.

"It really is." AJ said to him. "I'm a Hawks fan. I even played street hockey when I was kid and wore the jersey David got me proudly every time."

"No way did you play hockey." Punk laughed.

"I did!" She laughed. "I played a few times and I was awesome."

"Why did you stop?" he asked her.

"I got hit in the face with a stick and had to get stitches and my parents freaked." AJ said remembering.

"Where did you get hit?" He asked curiously.

"Right here." She said pointing to her bottom lip. "I still have a scar."

"I don't see anything." Punk said looking.

"Here, look closer." She said adjusting where she was sitting and moved closer to him and he was inches away from her lips, where he did see a faint pale scar. "See it?"

"Yea I see it." He said gently cupping her chip and brushing his thumb over the scar which sent shivers down AJ's spine.

AJ's eyes met his and he leaned in and kissed her. She knew the night would end like this and both seemed relieved to get the kiss out of the way. It was inevitable and both were anxious to do it. Punk's tongue slid across her lips asking for access which she granted and she loosely wrapped her arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss. His hands were around her body as his fingers gently ran up and down the curve of her spine over the thin material of her shirt.

The kiss was magic to her and she regretted opening her eyes briefly because at the end table was a framed photograph of Punk and Maria kissing at what looked like to be a bar. He still had photos of her up in his place and no matter how much she was enjoying the kiss she couldn't stop thinking about the picture and pulled away and jumped up.

"I'm sorry-" Punk began and he could tell she was startled.

"Don't be." She said putting on a smile as she reached for her chucks which she kicked off to get more comfortable when she first arrived. "I wanted the kiss too."

"So why are you running out of here like the place is on fire?" Punk asked her. "Was it bad?" He asked trying not to laugh.

"No it was really good. Perfect actually." she said putting her shoes on.

"So what's wrong?" Punk asked confused and followed her eyes and looked behind himself to see the photo she was looking at. "AJ I just forgot to take it down that's all." He said pushing the picture face down on the end table.

"I feel like I'm taking advantage of you. You just broke up with the love of your life and here I am throwing myself at you." AJ said walking to the door and he quickly followed her.

"You didn't throw yourself at me." Punk said pushing the door closed as she tried to open it and she turned around so her back was against the door and she was face to face with him. "And we broke up a long time ago. I had clothes all over my apartment before you got here and probably something on top of it. I didn't even realize it was still out." He said to her. "Don't run out like this, don't ruin a good night."

"It's late." She reasoned.

"The game is still on." He pointed out.

"I really should go back across the hall." She said to him and he dropped his head in defeat.

"Don't tell me I fucked this up already?" He asked her.

"You haven't." She assured him.

"It's a mood killer I'll give you that." Punk agreed.

"No kidding." She mumbled.

"Let me make it up to you." He offered. "Let me take you out properly."

"I don't know Phil-" she hesitated.

"Please?" He asked cutting her off. "You're not a rebound girl you're not filling anyone's place and trust me you're not taking advantage of me."

"Where are we going?" She asked him breaking out a tiny smile.

"You actually gave me a really good idea earlier." he said to her and she seemed confused. "You'll love it, trust me."

"Ok." She said to him and he reached next to her and placed his hand on the doorknob and she moved forward so he could open it without hitting her but pressed right against him now.

"Tomorrow at ten." He said to her.

"Ten?" She asked.

"Past your curfew?" He teased not wanting to kiss her and risk ruining anything further.

"Funny." She mocked walking out of the apartment. "What should I wear?"

"Jeans and a t-shirt." He said simply and even though she was used to a lavish lifestyle that seemed to make her happy.

"It's a date." She said reaching behind her and tried to smoothly open the door but it was locked and he laughed and leaned in his doorway. "It's jammed I'm sure." She mumbled turning around and shaking the doorknob.

"Sorry." Jason said opening the door. "Forgot I locked it." He said and AJ walked in an tripped over her own feet slightly further embarrassing herself. She wouldn't even look back at Punk who she could hear laughing. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing." Punk said to him.

"Game is still on." Jason noted. "Want to come over and watch the rest of it?"

"That would probably make AJ pretty uncomfortable." Punk said to him. "Yea ok." He said with a shrug and walked across the hall.