damnfireworks - A Nikkipunk Oneshot. With all the hype for UFC 182, I am super excited! So I thought I would try my luck at this ship. It's just a drabble. Sorry for those expecting smut-related things. Review, fav, and more importantly follow as I may update more UFC related Nikkipunk oneshots to this. Lastly, follow me on tumblr at miniatureanchorcat

Chapter 1 - First Round

Pacing back and forth in his hotel room. CM Punk was high on adrenaline. He just announced to the world that he would be joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world as a fighter. Not a commentator, though he could talk and talk well. No, he was going to be an official fighter under the UFC.

When he announced it live at UFC 181, the news shocked the nation and fans worldwide were going crazy over social media. Whether they loved him or hated him, his big news ultimately stunned the world. They were already fantasizing who his first opponent would be, what weight he would be fighting at, who was to train him. He couldn't believe how much chaos had come from it but Dana and Lorenzo would be ecstatic. At the end of the day this was a business.

He was glad to see that friends and former colleagues had tweeted out their support for his new MMA career.

But it was one tweet that stood out to him.

One tweet that rocked him to the core.

One tweet that forced him to bring everything into question.

One tweet that had him fumbling over words.

Staring at his phone that laid in the middle of the stark oak table. He grabbed it and looked at those words one more time.

CMPunk I'm rooting for ya. X - N

He thought the brunette diva had forgotten about him. There was never any doubt in his trust with Nikki Bella during his time in the WWE. In fact, she was one of the few he talked to when he was frustrated with the company. But ever since the Chicago-native left, the two hadn't talked.

They had no reason to. Their common thread undone when he finally decided to walk away.

It should have come to no surprise to CM Punk that his former co-workers in the WWE would distance themselves from him. Hell, there was John Cena, Randy Orton, a long list of superstars in the locker room that he would chat with on occasion. But now? Not one word uttered since his departure.

Yet those people didn't affect them. They didn't matter to him.

Nikki Bella did.

Not hearing her voice, not being able to turn to her when he was finally happy. This affected him. Because out of everybody, she was the most understanding about his situation. She too was frustrated. The women weren't given the same opportunities as the superstars despite that many of the girls could out-wrestle most of the guys.

This was just a tiny fracture within the company that frustrated him. So he would finally say good riddance. But she loved wrestling and he now absolutely dreaded it. He hated being miserable in a toxic environment.

So he had made his decision and Nikki Bella had made hers too. They were both moving on without each other. At least, that's what he thought.

There were a ton of things racing through his mind at the time but The Chicago Native let out a breath.

Gathering himself together, he worked up the courage to dial her number.

Waiting patiently, when she finally picked it up. It was a sigh of relief for him.

"Hello? Phil?"

"Yeah, it's me. Why wouldn't it be?"

He could hear her shrugging her shoulders.

"I don't know? I just thought you would be doing a lot of press right now?"

It felt good to hear her voice again.

"Nah, I filled out my media obligations so Dana let me go early."

"That's awesome! You must be stoked. You're like… a legit fighter now Mister Phil "CM Punk" Brooks."

He could envision her smiling as she teased him.

"Did you mean it Nikki?" He asked, referring to her tweet. "Are you really rooting for me?"

A bit taken back, the diva answered immediately.

"Of course! I'm happy for you. It's the clean break you always wanted and from what it sounds? You're finally happy."

Smiling over her words. It was hard not to love her all over again.

"Thanks Nik, you know? I haven't heard from you in a while." His voice calm. "I was starting to think that you forgot about me."

"I did but then you broke the internet with your huge announcement and I couldn't upload my latest selfie on Instagram" she laughed.

"Thank God, Twitter was working." Punk chimed in.

"Thank God, Twitter was working" Nikki repeated with a winning grin.

"How's life?" he asked. He loosened his tie at the neck.

"Well a lot better now that I'm the Divas Champion" she began.

Still listening, he walked to his room and climbed onto his bed. Resting his back against the head board, he closed his eyes. He imagined that she was sitting right beside him.

"You'd hate the way the match was booked but we were the last match before the main event. It's not a huge change but its progress."

"Yeah? I bet Vince is still an asshole. Same with Triple H."

"Hey! I still work for them you know" she pointed out and he could picture her poking her tongue at him.

"You don't have to." Punk simply said.

"And do what? Quit and jump to UFC like you?" Nikki joked.

"Everybody needs a little bit of Nikki Bella in their life."

They both loved to use their own words against one another. Tonight Punk capitalized on it. Nikki laughed.

"Whatever Punk."

"I know I do." He said.

The colour of her laughter disappeared into a nervous giggle. Punk ran his hand through his hair waiting for her response. He could hear her hesitation to answer on the other side of the speaker.

"Yeah, something tells me I'll get seriously hurt." She finally spoke up.

He deserved that jab but determined not to dwell on it, he quickly recovered.

"I think you have the capacity to be a great fighter here."

Catching his drift the fearless Bella made a light joke.

"I think I'll get eaten alive." A casual laugh. "Besides, I'm finally the Champion and I'm finally in a good spot."

"Can't say I'm disappointed but I'm happy for you. I truly am. You were always good to me and I don't think I ever got to thank you for it."

Letting the words sink in, Nikki Bella thought carefully about her response. Every warning sign in her mind screaming no. But she knew in her heart that she owed herself and Punk a new start.

"Thank me at the octagon when I watch you fight your first fight."

"You sure Vince will let-"

"Fuck Vince." Nikki cut in. "I miss you."

And with that Punk smiled. "I miss you too."