Tears in the Rain

Disclaimer: Vince owns the personas, people own themselves.. I own pocket lint and the story idea.

Spoilers: Nope… it's A/U.

Rating: PG-13 for now

Summary: A high school reunion answers questions and stirs up countless memories. .

Characters: Lita, Trish, Victoria, Dawn, Lillian, Stacy; Jeff Hardy, John Cena, Batista, Randy, Chris Jericho, Tyson Tomko, Triple H and Christian. Many others will also be making an appearance, but, my main characters are the ones previously listed.

Notes: See previous chapter for applicable notes.. I have nothing new to add at this time..

-x-x-x-

Lillian Garcia sighed heavily, glancing back to her two children…hoping that her fiancé's cousin wouldn't hurt them. Although, she really couldn't blame him if he did try.. They had done nothing but complain since they had left Washington D.C.. not that they were going very far.. But it seemed that the trip was already taking it's toll on her children and Tyson. Of course, if their good for nothing father had actually bothered to spend some time with them…then they wouldn't be sitting in the back seat. Shaking her head, she glanced over to her fiancé, silently pleading that they please stop at the next rest stop. Fortunately, for all five occupants of the mini-van… Dave got the hint. While he didn't find a rest stop.. He did pull off at the next exit…driving through until he found a park.

"Mom…he's touching me!"

"She took my crayons!"

The pretty blonde bit her lip, "Julianne…give the crayons back to your brother." She paused before opening the passengers side door, "Matthew.. Please, just leave your sister alone."

Tyson's eye twitched, "Are they always like this?"

Dave shook his head, "No.. they're really good kids most of the time." He glanced between the now quiet 6 and 4 year old. "They just don't do very well in cars."

"So I've noticed," the bald man stated with a shudder. "Can I drive the rest of the way…please?"

Lillian nodded easily, "I'll sit with the kids.. Maybe Dave can tell you more about Waynesboro."

The man in question raised an eyebrow, "There's really not much too tell, Lil.. Unless you mean telling him about the people we went to high school with. Which wouldn't make sense, because he won't be at the reunion."

"I know honey.. But, I have a feeling there's going to be at least one or two gatherings.." She pushed back a few strands of hair, "at least that way Tyson will know who's who."

The big man shrugged, his attention falling on his cousin. "If you hadn't gone to private school in another state, you'd know how these people are…but because I feel nice.." He paused, "Lil.. Did you bring your yearbook?"

She nodded, "It should be in my bag.." An eyebrow quirked, "but I know you don't need it to tell your cousin about our friends."

"Of course not," Dave leaned back against a tree. "We hung out with an odd group, but for the most part…they're pretty cool people.. From what I remember anyway."

"Dave," Lillian chastised from nearby, "be nice.."

Dave chuckled nervously, offering a smile to his fiancé before looking back to Tyson. "Why don't we sit in the car.." He lead the way back, the two opening the sliding door to sit in the middle seats. "Okay.. I'm sure Lil has a ton of pictures in this yearbook so.."

Tyson rolled his eyes, "Just get to the point, Dave."

"Alright," Dave opened the yearbook to the Senior class pictures, "the three in this picture here…are cousins. The blonde chick in the middle is Trish Stratus, the brunette is Dawn Psaltis and the would-be Vanilla Ice is John Cena." He pointed to a row of oddball teens standing off to the side. "The redhead is Lita Dumas, the one with rainbow hair is Jeff Hardy and the solemn one next to him is his twin brother Matt Hardy." Dave thumbed to the three standing behind them, "The chick is Victoria Varon, the blonde guy behind her is Adam but I don't think he'll be there… and the blondes on either side of her are Christian Reso and Chris Jericho."

"And where are you?"

"Back here," Dave pointed to a group at the way back, "the tall blonde is Stacy Keibler, the shorter blonde is Torrie Wilson, the blonde guy next to me is Hunter Helmsley and the cocky kid next to him is Randy Orton."

Tyson raised an eyebrow, "So if you were one of the jocks.. How were you friends with those kids there?" He gestured between the groups of cousins, Lita, Jeff, Matt and Victoria, Chris and Christian. "And where's Lillian?"

"She was absent that day," Dave said with a shrug. "As for how we were all friends…growing up in the same neighborhood will do that. Small town, small schools.. Pretty much everyone knows everyone else." He paused as he put the yearbook away, "plus Lil and Lita were co-captains of the swim team.. They also worked as life guards at the community center."

His cousin nodded, "Gotcha.. So long as I'm not being quizzed on this later.. I think I've got it straight."

Dave rolled his eyes, opening his mouth to say more when Lillian, Julianne and Matthew appeared.

"Alright, they've gone to the bathroom.. Julianne and I are going to play 'I spy' and Matt's going to color." Lillian sucked in a breath, a serene smile soon appearing on her features. "We're ready to go."

Tyson and Dave nodded to that, Tyson taking his place in the driver's seat while Dave took passengers up front.

"How much further to Waynesboro?"

"Another hour," Dave replied as he buckled himself in. "We just passed Orange.. Trust me, it's not much further."

"Whatever you say," Tyson started the mini van, glancing back to make sure everyone was buckled in. "I might have been born there and I might have spent my summers there, but I don't remember anything about it… or many of the people I met." He waited a beat, "Why are you guys staying there, though? It's not like it's that far or anything."

Dave raised an eyebrow, "Maybe not.. But it's easier since we have the kids with us. Besides which, we haven't been back home in awhile so.."

Tyson said nothing in response, the occupants of the mini-van falling silent as he drove back to the highway.

-x-x-x-

While Dave, Lillian and Tyson were on their way to Waynesboro; Victoria Varon and Dawn Psaltis were just arriving at the airport. Of course, that was partly by coincidence as the two women just happened to live in the same city. Granted, they didn't know they were living in the same city until a few months ago, but they did know now. As such, the two had agreed to travel together for the reunion…both women also planning a trip to the Dumas house. But that wasn't until tomorrow, the two first heading to a nearby hotel after they picked up a rental car. It was on the way to their hotel that they discussed the events for the reunion. Starting tomorrow -- or Friday -- would be the ice breaker dinner. Saturday was also planned out for those who wished to have a scheduled day…but if not, the replica prom would be held that night. And technically, the reunion was stretching to three days with a farewell brunch on Sunday morning.. But, much like the planned activities for Saturday, brunch was optional.

"Are you going to the brunch?"

Victoria shook her head, "Probably not.. If I go anywhere for brunch, and that's assuming that Li isn't…I'm heading back to her place."

The pretty brunette nodded, "That's what I was planning on.. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it'll be fun and what not, but.."

"Yeah," the darker haired woman slid into the passengers seat, "are you going to any of the Saturday things?"

"I'm not sure actually," Dawn buckled herself in, checking the rear view mirror before she pulled out of the parking spot. "It'll probably depend on what everyone else is planning on."

Victoria sat back, slipping her sunglasses on. "I can't believe it's already been ten years.."

"Don't remind me," Dawn sighed softly, the car soon leaving the rental lot. "Ten years since we all graduated and … I've only kept in touch with a few people."

Victoria arched an eyebrow, "And you still haven't told me what you've been up to.."

The brunette snorted, "I have a wonderfully boring job as an accountant.. I want to get out of it, but.. I'm not sure if I really want to go back to school."

"I feel your pain," Victoria shook her head, "I'm actually going back to school.. Or I will be in August.. I was in a lovely dead end job as a banker."

"I understand that Li is teaching.." Dawn pursed her lips in thought, "English.. I think she said. Lillian is teaching kindergarten in D.C. and Li told me that Jeff's teaching art."

The darker haired woman nodded, "Chris is reporter for a local television station in his area and I believe Christian is teaching history at the college level."

Dawn smirked, "It's funny how many of us became teachers… John's a gym teacher and football coach. Or he was anyway."

Victoria sent her a questioning look, "What happened?"

The brunette made a face, "The district he was teaching at decided to downgrade their employees instead of upgrade.. He was told he wouldn't be needed for the upcoming school year…so up until a few weeks ago, he was living with me."

"Well that really sucks.." Victoria blinked, "so why didn't he come with you?"

"He's off visiting family in Italy.. Distant relatives on his mom's side or something.." Dawn half shrugged, "he said he'd be here for the reunion though."

Victoria was silent for a moment, taking in the passing landscape. "Have you ever thought about moving back to Waynesboro?"

"It's crossed my mind," the brunette replied honestly. "I do miss the area…it's just so pretty there." She waited a beat: "You wanna go back now instead of heading to the hotel? All we'd need to do is call Li and see if we can stay with her overnight or something.."

Victoria brought out her cell phone, "What do you think?"

While the dark haired woman wanted to speak with Lita right away, the phone line was busy. A good five minutes passed before she finally got through to the redhead.

"'Ello?"

"Hey you!" Victoria rolled her eyes, "yes it's Victoria.. Me and Dawn got into Richmond about half an hour ago.. We were going to head over to the hotel but…"

Lita grinned, "I'll just have Jeff take a trip to the store.. Or me and Trish can go…whatever… Dave, Lillian, her kids and Dave's cousin are on their way from D.C."

"Great." The dark haired woman glanced over to Dawn before she continued. "We're about ten minutes outside of Charlottesville so it shouldn't be long."

"Well, I'm still at the old house so…as long as you didn't forget.."

"How could we?" Dawn spoke loudly, "that house was a second home."

Victoria shook her head, "We'll see you in a bit, Li."

The redhead turned to Trish and Jeff as she set down the phone, "Well.. That was Vikki…she and Dawn flew into Richmond half an hour ago and they'll be here in about fifteen minutes…or something like that."

Jeff set down his glass of iced tea, "I have to pick up Matt and Ashley from the airport.. Otherwise I'd run to the store.."

Trish moved from the porch swing, "I'll come with you Li.. Just give me a minute … I have to use the ladies room."

"I'll be in the living room.." Lita grinned to the blonde as she passed, hazel eyes falling back to Jeff. "So.. I need to pick up more ground meat, more veggies, more rolls now.." She raised an eyebrow, "anything else?"

"Coffee, milk, soy milk and orange juice." The green eyed man paused for thought, "oh yeah.. An' we'll need some breakfast cereal and English muffins."

"Gotcha," she ducked back inside the house, the air conditioned living room a welcome relief from the humid afternoon weather. "Are Matt and Ashley staying with us?"

"To the best of my knowledge.." Jeff paused, moving from the porch swing to head back inside. "Why?"

His step-sister smirked, "Because I have this funny feeling that Dawn and Vikki are staying overnight."

He let out a low whistle, "House'll be packed then.. Just like it used to be."

"Pretty much," Lita jammed her hands into the back pockets of her shorts, attention turning to Trish soon enough. "I have a feeling that Dawn and Vikki will be staying overnight."

Trish giggled, "Well it'll be just like old times then.. Except now we're in our late twenties, working and not having to worry about teachers who hate us."

Lita rolled her eyes, grabbing the keys to her car so she and Trish could leave. "It's our own mini-reunion before the actual reunion.. And you guys get to meet Ashley… she's really nice, so don't worry Trish.. I'm sure everyone will get along great with her."

At that, Trish nodded…the two heading back out to head to the grocery store. As of that moment, most of the gang was well on their way back to Waynesboro.. With John, Chris, Christian and Randy the only ones not yet present. But, they were all supposedly coming for the reunion…though they wouldn't know for sure until tomorrow evening. All they knew right now, was that, Victoria, Dawn, Lillian and Dave would be home within the next half hour.. And that alone was exciting enough for Lita and Trish.. It was rare when they all got together like this…certainly they saw each other once in awhile, but they hadn't really gotten together since Lillian's baby shower for Matthew.. And that had been a little over four years ago. So, if anything, the reunion was a great chance for them to get together…even if they weren't looking forward to seeing some of their former classmates.