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: Nothing new to add at this time.

-x-x-x-

Fortunately, the trio made it back to the house before anyone else arrived. Of course, it was only a matter of seconds before the cars started pulling into the driveway, Lita standing on the front porch to greet them all. The first to arrive were Matt, Ashley and Jeff…the redhead presuming that Jeff must've sped to and from the airport to arrive back in such time. Jeff took care of introducing Ashley to Trish, an eyebrow raising when he spotted Trish's cousin lounging on the couch. Dawn and Victoria were next to arrive, Trish soon joining the redhead on the porch to greet the two women. And just as the four were getting ready to go back inside, a minivan pulled into the driveway; Tyson, Dave, Lillian and her two children exiting after a moment. Lita, Trish, Dawn and Victoria found themselves heading down the stairs while Lillian's children gaped openly at the house.. Tyson and Dave standing to the side for the time being. The two continued to look on as the five females involved themselves in a group hug, while John, Jeff, Matt and Ashley watched from the front porch.

Lita glanced between Tyson, Dave and the two still gawking children. "Why don't we take this inside…catch up over some sweet tea and maybe Jeff can show the kids around." She grinned over to Tyson and Dave. "That includes y'all too.. It might be the afternoon, but it's nice and cool inside."

Tyson blinked, "It's just two of you living in this house?"

Jeff nodded in confirmation, "She was livin' here by herself.. About to rent out some of the rooms when I told her I'd move in.. I mean why rent to weird strangers when you can rent to a weird step brother."

The bald man raised an eyebrow, "So who's related to who here?"

Dave just nodded to the house, "Inside Ty.. Just go inside."

At that, Tyson shrugged, following the rest of the human circus inside the house, heading through the foyer to convene in the gathering room.

"Okay," Jeff waited until everyone was at least seated, "as far as who's related to who.." he gestured first between himself and Matt. "That's my twin brother, Matt…and she," he thumbed to the redhead, "is our step sister."

Matt smiled over to Ashley, "And this is my girlfriend Ashley.. One of the few sitting here that didn't go to Tandem."

Trish was next to speak up, the blonde woman gesturing between herself, Dawn and John. "She's my cousin on my mother's side and his aunt married one of our uncles."

Tyson nodded slowly, "So why the big house for just two people?"

"Pets," Lita replied matter of factly, "we have three dogs, four cats, five birds, two fish tanks, one spider and a snake." She paused for thought, "plus we've got two horses."

Trish sent her a curious look, "So who was the one occupying the bed?"

"Dog or cat?"

"Cat," the blonde woman picked off a few cat hairs from her shorts, "the dog was under the bed."

Lita pursed her lips, "You're upstairs, back right.."

"The cat's Felix an' the dog is Brutus." Jeff spoke up for the redhead, "in the room across the bathrooms from yours but still on that side.. There's Sheba, Isis and Cleo."

"Felix," Dawn, Trish and John echoed in unison.. Curious glances sent then to Lita, while Trish asked. "You named one of the cats Felix."

Lita smiled wryly, "Felix is the most temperamental and annoying of all of the cats. He's worse than Isis and Cleo…and they're Siamese.. Sheba's a Burmese and I think Felix is just a mix."

"What about the other cat and dogs?" Lillian sent Jeff and Lita a questioning look. "And are they big dogs or what?"

"They're really sweet dogs, trust me Lil." Lita shrugged before continuing: "Brutus was a rescue dog from the shelter.. One we found abandoned on the side of the road."

Jeff nodded, "We named that one Othello and he's a golden retriever, the other dog is a Great Dane named Scooby."

"We had a little beagle mix that Jeff insisted on calling Snoopy, but.. He died." Lita pushed back a few strands of hair, "all of the other pets…except the horses…we got from people who were moving."

Trish shook her head, "I can't believe the cat is named Felix.."

Lita smiled, "The snake is named Anthony.. The spider has no name and you'll have to ask Jeff about the names of the fish. The horses are Apollo and Artemis."

John rolled his eyes, "I feel appreciated.. I have a snake and a cat named after me."

"Don't flatter yourself," the redhead informed him dryly, "I just felt that Felix and Anthony were appropriate names for an annoying cat and a snake."

Jeff smirked, "And you love that cat to pieces…and vice versa.. He won't go near me. Spoiled little thing."

"I thought you were going to show everyone around, Jeffrey.." An eyebrow raised slightly, "Remember? Tyson and Lillian's kids haven't seen the house. And while you're doing that, I can show everyone else the new stuff on the property."

Jeff nodded his agreement, the green eyed man on his feet when one of the cats wandered in to the room. "Ahh.. And here's Felix." He took a step towards the cat, Felix hissing when Jeff got close. "See what I mean? He hates me."

Lita rolled her eyes as she scooped up the cat, "If you'd leave him alone, he might not hate you so much." The redhead glanced down at the cat in her arms, "Isn't that right Felix.." she was rewarded with a meow, "and I got you your favorite cat food…you spoiled kitty you."

"Anyway," Trish glanced between the two step siblings. "What have you had done to the property? I thought I saw something in the back but I wasn't quite sure.."

"That would be Jeff's ATV track," Lita explained, the cat curling up in her arms as she lead the way through the house. "We had a shed built for the ATV's and snowmobiles…and the barn is still there of course."

-x-x-x-

Those following behind the redhead fell silent as they trekked through the house. Everyone soon finding themselves looking at the ATV track and the barn. From their viewpoint they could also see a riding ring and what appeared to be an obstacle course. Lita explained that the obstacle course was for Brutus, the border collie…Jeff having the crazy notion that Brutus would be an agility dog. They could also see the pond from the back, along with a recently added backyard eating area.. The redhead explained that the eating area was covered to ward off the mosquitoes.. And the greenhouse in the distance had their small collection of Venus fly traps. Through the entire tour of the back, Felix remained content in the redhead's arms…until someone got to close for his liking. The temperamental feline swiped out at Dawn, Victoria and Trish…the three wisely keeping their distance from the redhead. And while the tours were being conducted, two more people were on their way to the house. These two, however, had not called in advance like the others.

"Are you sure we should be just dropping by?"

Chris Jericho rolled his eyes, "Isn't that what we did all the time? Lita's mom always had an open door policy, Christian…and you know it."

"But still," Christian kicked up his feet, shoes resting on the dashboard. "I think we should've called or something just to let Jeff and Lita know we were just crashing on over."

"Christian.. Trust me." Chris flicked a glance to the clock on the dashboard. "It's not like we're heading over right at dinner time or anything…and besides, we're just stopping by early to see them before the reunion." He then sent a pointed look to the next sign along the highway, "and it's not like we can stop anywhere to call.. This is our turnoff point."

"Whatever," Christian ran a hand through his hair. "Are you looking forward to the reunion?"

Chris half shrugged, "I can't say really.. Some people I guess, but for the most part? No chance in hell."

The shorter haired blonde nodded his agreement, "And now I understand why Adam didn't want to go."

Chris snorted, "Adam didn't want to go because most of the kids at our school wanted to beat him up.. And most of the kids at our school did beat him up. But not without good reason."

"I know," Christian shook his head, "if he wasn't an absolute ass to everyone or if he didn't try and spread rumors about people or--"

"If he didn't try to sleep with half the female population.." Chris finished with a pointed look. "Look man, I know he's your cousin and all that, but he's a complete ass."

"I'm not arguing that," Christian frowned slightly, the car soon passing a Welcome to Waynesboro sign. "I remember that one time.. Jeff wanted to kill him because of the rumors Adam was spreading about Lita."

Chris smiled at the memory, "Jeff wasn't the only one, Matt wanted to kill him too.. But neither of them had the chance."

"I know," Christian turned his attention to the passing landscape, "Cena beat him up really bad that day."

"Uh huh," Chris shook his head, the vehicle currently at a stop light. "Adam stopped spreading rumors about Lita after that day too."

Christian nodded ahead, "I see the house from here.. I can't believe Lita and Jeff still live here."

"Waynesboro isn't that bad," Chris stated as the light turned green, "I can't say I blame either one of them for wanting to stay in the area."

"Jeff's teaching art and I think Lita said she was teaching English.." Christian frowned in thought, "I'm not sure about everyone else though."

Chris smirked as they neared closer to the house, "Something tells me we'll find out soon…take a look at the driveway."

Christian laughed, "You'd think the reunion was being held at the house or something.."

Chris shrugged in turn, the two falling silent as they finally reached the house.

"Should we ring the doorbell or knock?"

Chris rolled his eyes, "You're acting like we're total strangers to Jeff and Lita.." He pressed the doorbell as he spoke, an eyebrow raising as they heard one of the dogs barking. "I see that hasn't changed.."

"Brutus!" They heard Lita chastise from inside, "down boy.. You're scaring Felix." The doors were flung open shortly after, the redhead blinking in surprise. "I thought you two were arriving tomorrow?"

Christian shrugged, "Change of plans.. That and we couldn't find a hotel with any open rooms so.." He tried to take a step forwards, only to have Felix hiss angrily. "Umm.. Would you mind setting down the attack cat?"

The redhead stepped back, so the two could come inside. "If I do that.. Your clothing will be turned to shreds.. Felix is a very picky cat."

"Hey, Li who was--" Jeff cut himself off as he walked into the foyer, "hey you two! I thought y'all were coming tomorrow." He backed away from the redhead then, "everyone else is out back."

Chris raised an eyebrow in question, "Everyone?"

Lita nodded, "Everyone as in Trish, Dawn, Victoria, Lillian, Lillian's kids, Dave, Dave's cousin Tyson, Matt and Ashley." She paused to catch her breath, "Trish, Matt and Ashley are staying with us tonight and Lillian, her kids, Dave and Tyson are staying down the street."

Jeff rolled his eyes, "Trish and Dawn's cousin John is also here.. Ran into Trish and Li while they were at the store."

Chris nodded slowly, "So who's the hell cat there?"

"Felix," Lita replied as she lead the way to the backyard, "he's my temperamental and annoying hell kitty."

"And the attack dog?"

Lita snorted, "That was Brutus and he's by far an attack dog.. He just gets a little antsy when we have a lot of people over."

Jeff held open the back doors, "Y'all stayin' for dinner? We're havin' burgers, corn on the cob, potato salad an' fruit salad."

"Chris! Christian!" Trish greeted with a wave, the blonde woman making her way over to the pair. "How long has it been?"

Christian shrugged, while he pulled her in for a quick hug. "A year or two at least.. How've you been Trish?"

"Living," she grinned as she pulled back, only to be pulled into another hug from Chris. "And how've you two been?"

"Same," Chris replied, a wave soon sent to Victoria, Dawn, Lillian, Dave, John and Matt. "Work keeps me pretty busy, but I love every minute of it."

Ashley offered a smile to the two blonde men, "I'm Ashley Massaro.. Matt's girlfriend."

Christian touched a hand to his forehead, "Christian Reso…friend of the peanut gallery."

Chris waved, "Chris Jericho.. Card carrying member of the insane asylum."

Ashley blinked, "Insane asylum?"

Victoria rolled her eyes, "That was what we called ourselves.. It was me, Chris, Christian, Jeff, Matt and Lita."

Matt nodded solemnly, "It was better than callin' ourselves Two Bi--"

"Matthew Moore Hardy," Lita sent a pointed look to Lillian's kids. "Not the language to be repeating."

John sent him a look, "Your middle name is Moore?"

Matt raised an eyebrow, "What's so bad about Moore? Jeff's full name is Jeffrey Nero."

John smirked, "An' y'all used to tease me because of my name.."

Chris shook his head, "And some things never do change.. Though, I do have to wonder Li.. Why did you name your cat after him?"

Lita rolled her eyes in response, the hell cat in question jumping out of her arms as she explained the meaning behind Felix's namesake. Nervously, everyone else watched on as Felix circled the backyard, the cat apparently looking for a lap to occupy. Much to Lita's delight -- and John's chagrin -- Felix decided to use his pants as a makeshift scratching post before leaping up. And when John asked for some assistance with moving the finicky feline, everyone else decided to ignore his request. The cat remained in his lap until it was time to eat.. Felix soon leaving the area to head back inside where his food was. At that, the others decided it was time to eat, the gathered taking the time to catch up with each other over dinner.