Ricardo paces. He grits his teeth, staring up at the screen listing flights coming and going, willing it to update with news on his own flight... but there's no news. He groans and slumps down in the nearest seat, kicking uselessly at his bag. Robotically grabs for his phone, dialing WWE to alert them he's going to miss Raw and why. This done, he texts Alberto to alert him so he won't worry as well. "Kick some extra ass for me tonight," he adds at the end of the text with a smiley face, hoping that Alberto will take it to mean that Ricardo has faith in him. Which he always had and always will, no matter what.

He's watching Raw in the airport lounge, waiting for an opportunity to talk to staff to exchange his ticket to a flight for the city that Smackdown is being held at later in the week, when Alberto's next attempt against Sin Cara begins. Ricardo is sure that tonight is his night, watching on the edge of his seat... until Alberto takes a powerbomb from the top rope wrong, landing on his head. "Ay, no!" he exclaims, ignoring the people milling around as he jumps out of his seat and stands as close to the TV as he can, staring on in horror until the match ends. There's no question, El Patron is hurt and he's stuck in this horrible airport. Gritting his teeth, he walks determinedly back to the desk and waits to be paid attention to.

"How may I help you, sir?" a man finally asks boredly and he all but slaps the ticket down on the counter, the man's attention finally piqued.

"My flight was canceled, so I need this ticket exchanged to the next available flight to the same city, as soon as possible," he says coolly, taking all of the things he's learned as the person who typically books all of Alberto's flights and hotel rooms and using it to his advantage to make this airport bend to his will. He may not have Del Rio kinds of money but he did have the strength to be Alberto's right hand man for years and sometimes, like now, he draws upon what remains of that willpower to get what he needs. And right now he needs to be by Alberto's side as soon as possible.

Unsurprisingly, the man listens and looks into the flights, quickly exchanging it for him with as little said as possible. "There you go sir," he intones, handing him over a new ticket and itinerary.

Ricardo reads it without moving away from the desk, uninterested in the people behind him who are waiting impatiently for their turn. "Looks right. Thank you," he says simply, turning and walking off. His flight, unfortunately, isn't until morning, so he goes to find a nearby hotel room to hole up for the night, counting the hours until he can go and see for himself that Alberto is going to be alright. He always has a terrible time with insomnia but tonight is even worse, the young man unable to take his hand off of his phone, texting anyone he can think of to tell him anything about Alberto. Brodus is the only one who responds, promising to keep an eye on his former employer.

This eases a little of Ricardo's turmoil. Brodus is, generally, a good guy, and dependable enough. Also, Alberto trusts him more than anyone else in the business so he's sure he's in good hands. Still, he can't sleep, his eyes gritty and red when it's finally time to return to the airport. This time, thankfully, things go fine and he's on his way to Alberto's side within a couple of hours. He sits at attention, tapping his fingers anxiously and denying anything the flight attendants offer him.

When the plane finally lands, he's one of the first ones off, walking as quickly through the airport as he dares. Grabs a rental car and drives to the hotel, his teeth gritted together as he goes. The woman behind the desk looks bored, barely blinking when he walks up. "Excuse me," he says tensely. "I'm Ricardo Rodriguez. Is Alberto Del Rio staying here?" He could've called and gotten Alberto's room number but the thoughts of disturbing him when he's probably resting has always been something Ricardo avoids, so this is his next best option.

She chews some gum lazily, still peering at him. "He told us you'd probably be in today," she says. "Left a keycard for you." She finds an envelope and hands it over to him, his name scrawled on it in Alberto's handwriting. "Room 325."

Ricardo nods, flushing a bit at how well his former employer knows him. "Thank you," he says distractedly before walking to the elevator. The trip to the third floor and the time it takes to walk down the hall to his room is torturous but it all washes away when Ricardo unlocks the door and walks inside to find Alberto sitting on the bottom of the bed, looking up at him with a faint smile. When he stands shakily and holds his arms out to Ricardo, the ring announcer drops everything and walks hurriedly to him, hugging him. "El Patron," he breathes out. "I was so scared."

"Me too," he mumbles. "I knew you'd be here, but when I first woke up, and you weren't here..." He presses his face into Ricardo's soft black hair.

"I'm sorry," he whispers. "Stupid airlines. I got here as quickly as I could." He pulls back and smiles sadly at Alberto, taking in how pale and exhausted he looks. "What did the trainer say?"

"Concussion," he sighs. "When they clear me for flight, I'm to go home and get checked out by my personal physician." Ricardo nods solemnly, carding his fingers through Alberto's hair soothingly. "You're ok with staying here for awhile, si?"

The ring announcer laughs weakly and pulls Alberto into him, kissing the top of his head. "No question, El Patron. Anywhere you need me to be."

"Gracias," he murmurs into the warm fabric of Ricardo's black sweater, listening to his heart beating. "I'm so tired."

Ricardo immediately moves, helps Alberto up towards the pillows, where he tucks him in and kisses his forehead. Wandering around, he collects his bag and puts it by the wall so they won't trip over it. Adjusts the drapes to keep the sun out and makes sure the Do Not Disturb sign is on the door before toeing his shoes off, followed by his jeans. After changing into much more comfortable black sweatpants he joins Alberto, wrapping his arms around him and holding him close. "It's alright, I'm here now. Beunos noche," he murmurs, smiling when Alberto stirs and peeks at him.

"It's afternoon yet."

He laughs warmly and tsks at Alberto, kissing him. "Yes, well, it's nighttime for us because we're going to sleep for a nice long time. Close your eyes, El Patron."

"That does sound nice," he concedes, giving in and doing as Ricardo says with a soft sigh. "Beunos noche, mi valiente. I've missed you."

"I missed you too," Ricardo breathes, nuzzling closer to him. He watches and listens as Alberto slowly falls asleep, his breathing evening out. With a small smile, Ricardo relaxes and, slowly, follows his lead.