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: M.. upped to be on the safe side as there's some stuff that's not so happy ahead.

Summary: A high school reunion answers questions and stirs up countless memories. When all is said and done, can they survive the aftermath? Or has the drama only just begun?

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-

Since Lita had gone up ahead, it took the others a good while to catch up with her. They could see one happy border collie playing with the other dogs in the gated area; Scooby and Othello tugging impatiently on their leashes so they could join him. And while they could all see Brutus, they couldn't see the familiar form of the redheaded woman. That puzzled them all, especially Jeff since he knew that Lita rarely let the border collie out of her sight. Even when she took him to the dog park, she was always near by. The green eyed man shook his head when he saw her shoe dangling from one of the tree branches; Jeff assuming that Lita had climbed up that particular tree. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw Brutus' leash at the base of the tree, glancing up to see his step-sister. The redhead still looked lost in her thoughts, balanced near perfectly on one particular branch in the lower part of the tree. Her left leg was drawn tightly to her chest, the right dangling freely, her hands resting in her lap. The afternoon sun was hitting the right side of her head, the tanned surface of her face and neck contrasting with the brighter hue of red. Jeff paused a few feet away, backing up to bring out the disposable camera he kept with him. No sooner had he taken the picture, did her attention shift to him.. The redhead frowning when she realized what he had done.

"I can't help it," he told her with a grin. "Ya just looked so.. Peaceful up there an' I know it'll make for a great portrait."

Lita rolled her eyes, "Whatever… if you could give me some warning next time--"

"If I do that, you won't sit still or you'll make some stupid face." Jeff crossed his arms, Scooby's leash handed off to Matt before he had taken the picture. "Come on, Li-Li, it was just one picture."

Lita snorted, "One of how many that you've taken without my knowledge, huh? And don't give me that look, Jeffrey.. I was at your most recent gallery showing.. Portraits of an Unknown Lady, my ass."

Jeff rolled his eyes, "Fine then.. I won't make it into another painting.. I'll sculpt it instead."

"Ugh," Lita tossed her hands up helplessly, "this is what I get for having some crazed, art freak for a step-brother."

He looked offended at that, "Who're you callin' a freak, ya freak?" Jeff tugged lightly on her shoe, "come on Li, I promise ya.. I won't go taking anymore pictures of you with the disposable."

"Empty promises, Jeff.. You have a ton of those stupid disposable cameras, plus your regular ones." She scowled when he tugged on her shoe again, "cut that out! I'm gonna lose my balance."

"Bullshit," he swatted at her shoe again, quite resembling a cat with a ball of yarn. "Ya got the balance to get your ass up there.. You ain't gonna fall."

"Jeffrey Nero.." she sent him a warning glare, one arm reaching to swat at his hand. "Cut it out!"

Jeff gave one last swat at her shoe, perhaps a little more forcefully then had intended, as Lita soon lost her balance. She braced herself for the impact, but that never came.

Lita frowned, muttering a thank you to the person who had, more then likely, inadvertently caught her. "You can put me down now."

John rolled his eyes, "If you'd let go of my shoulders, I'd put you down."

"Whatever," the redhead scowled heavily, her hands moving on their own accord as she was set on her feet. "And no thanks to you, jack ass.." she sent a look to her step-brother. "I told you I was gonna fall, did you listen? Of course not."

"Hey now," Jeff held up his hands in defense, "you make it sound like I was doin' that on purpose.. I honestly didn't think you would fall, Li."

"I don't care," Lita snapped, red locks swept over her shoulder with a flourish. "Keep an eye on Brutus, I'm taking a walk."

Jeff stared after her, a mixed look of confusion and mostly hurt, causing his normally bright green eyes to turn dull. "I'd never hurt her.." He sent a look back to his brother, "Matt.. I'd never hurt her on purpose.. She knows that."

"I know Jeff," Matt shrugged his shoulders slightly. "But it didn't look like Li was in a good mood to begin with.. I'm sure she'll be fine, just let her cool off."

Jeff nodded numbly, the green eyed man visibly upset by his step-sisters small outburst.

Trish sent him a sympathetic look, "I'm sure she'll be alright Jeff.. She's probably just more embarrassed then anything."

"I guess," Jeff continued to look off in the distance, searching for her in vain. "It's just.. She's never snapped at me like that. Even when she was in one of her really foul moods."

The pretty blonde rested a hand on his shoulder, "Well.. It's like Matt said.. She was already in a bad mood.. I wouldn't worry too much though, Jeff.. She'll be fine." She frowned slightly when he shook his head, giving his shoulder a soft squeeze. "You and I know her pretty much better then anyone right? Trust me.. She'll be fine."

"Yeah I guess," Jeff ran a hand through his hair, mustering a lopsided smile to the blonde woman. "I just hate seeing her so upset, ya know? Especially when I can't do a thing about it."

'I know Jeff," Trish let out a soft sigh. "You aren't the only one who gets frustrated.. Believe me."

The two soon joined Dawn, Victoria, Matt and Ashley on a nearby bench.. Watching the dogs as they played in the gated grassy area.

Lita, meanwhile, had stormed off to a quieter part of the park.. Settling at the base of one of the two weeping willow trees. Hopefully she could find that much needed solace here, her eyes closing as a warm afternoon breeze filtered through the green leaves.

-x-x-x-

- Flashback -

Early Fall, 1993

Disregarding the fact that she had homework to start, Lita had this one habit of spending most of her time after school at the park. Of course that only happened on days that she didn't have swim practice or softball practice…and fortunately today was one of those days. To be more specific, she spent her time either at the base of a willow tree or in one of the branches of her favorite sycamore tree. Of course, she realized that climbing trees while wearing her school uniform wasn't the best idea.. But, since there wasn't anyone beneath her, she didn't care. Before she would escape to these spots to escape home.. But now…well now she just wanted to be alone. It was more peaceful in that tree then anywhere else in the park, people rarely came around this way, as they wanted to be near the more crowded areas. She had been alone a good fifteen minutes, content in the middle branches of the tree, with the birds above her. All was quiet…until she heard footsteps crunching leaves. Hazel eyes shot open, the strawberry blonde craning her neck to see who was approaching.. A sigh of disdain escaping her when she realized who it was.

"Ya know.. I could be a jackass an' tell the whole school that you wear," the teenage boy squinted, "red panties with little white stars on 'em."

"Do that and I will castrate you, Cena." Lita narrowed her eyes as he took another step, "why the fuck are you here anyway?"

"Duh.." John rolled his eyes, settling shortly at the base of the tree. "There's this project that's due for Advanced Placement History, ya know.. It's kinda due in three days.. And just as I was about to start it, I realized that my partner for said project had the actual assignment."

Lita made a face, trying in vain to shift her precarious position. "So? That still doesn't explain how you're here. It explains why, but not the how. No one knows I do come here so--"

"I followed you," he told her simply, a chuckle escaping him when he realized that she was trying to move. "Moving won't help you, dumb ass.. I can still see."

"Jerk!" Lita's anger grew as her face flushed. "Would you mind moving so I can get down?"

John shrugged, his hands bridging together behind his head. "I could do that, but I'm comfortable. I'm not stopping you from climbing down.. Go right ahead."

Lita fumed, her hands clenching into tiny fists. The only way down, without falling down of course, would take her over a set of branches that were directly above the brown haired teen at the base of the tree. But, he did have a point.. The first project for their A.P History class was due in three days, she had practice after school tomorrow…she assumed that he did too, which really left them today and maybe tomorrow to work on it. Friday's were always out because not only did she have practice, but she had other after school commitments.

"I would like to get this project started today, so that would mean that you'd need to move."

"Shut up!" Lita hissed tightly, the strawberry blonde slowly getting to her feet. "Did you start the Latin homework yet? Or the Spanish homework for that matter?"

"No," he glanced upwards, watching her idly. "I did get my Pre-Calculus homework done…you might wanna check your backpack when ya get home, by the way.. I'm not sure if I put that back in there."

"Leech.." she rolled her eyes, one arm extending above her to gain better balance. "Do you ever do your own homework?"

"Sure I do," John's shoulders lifted lightly in a shrug. "I just find a little bit easier to check yours first in study hall.. Make sure I did mine right."

Lita could only shake her head at that, her lower lip drawn between her teeth as she tried to figure out how to get down. She could swing down there, but that might mean that her skirt would fly up and…well he'd seen it anyway but it was the principle of the matter.

John raised an eyebrow at her, "Are you going on the Italy trip this year? Ya know, the cultural immersion one for Latin class?"

"Yeah, I'm going.." she replied distantly, most of her concentration on finding the right placement for her Mary Jane shoes. "I think there's a trip to London this year too…for A.P History and A.P English."

"Why London?"

"Duh.. There are these people called pilgrims and they kinda came from England. Supposedly there's more to the trip then that.. Following an explorers route on the return trip…boat and whatever." One Mary Jane settled on a knot, "then there's the weeklong trip to Williamsburg."

"Plus the field trips for A.P Bio.."

She nodded absently, her left foot creeping down while her right replaced it's previous position on the knot. Of course, it would figure that these Mary Jane's were worn.. The traction not enough as she found another knot for her left foot.

"Shit.."

John was just on his feet when the strawberry blonde came tumbling out of the tree…half falling on him as he half caught her. And while she wasn't that heavy or anything, the fall resulted in both of them on the ground, the brown haired teen on his back. She was currently sprawled on top of him, oblivious to the fact that a few of the buttons on her blouse were gone.

Lita's eyes narrowed, her face flushed and her hair tousled. "What are you looking at?"

He averted his gaze, an eyebrow raising when he made eye contact. "You do realize that your missing a few buttons on your shirt, right?"

Her cheeks flushed darker, "You pervert," she tried to move, only to find that his hands had clamped on her hips. "Let go of me, Cena."

"Sorry.." he mumbled under his breath, letting her go seconds later.

The two were soon on their feet, leaves were in her hair and sticking to the back of his shirt. She made a show of picking leaves out of her hair, a smirk on her face at the array of leaves in his hair.

"What?"

"Nothing," the smirk on her face grew. "Just thinking that you look like a scarecrow."

"So? You got a whole bunch of leaves in your bra."

It was John's turn to smirk at the mortified look on her face. And maybe he had hit his head on the ground, but he couldn't help but think how cute she looked when she was embarrassed.. Or frustrated for that matter. Not that he would ever admit that to her, but he really started to think that he hit his head when his body acted on it's own accord. In one quick movement he was standing in front of her, her face cupped in his hands. Seconds after she realized what was going on, John found himself being shoved backwards. Lita was sputtering, one hand clutching the front of her shirt together while the other was dangling at her side.

- End Flashback -

Lita shook her head, wondering where in the hell that came from.. Most of the memories associated with him were bad…weren't they? Or had she forgotten about the rest of them. She had spent the better part of her weekends during Junior and Senior year at Tandem on the couch of her psychiatrist's office. That same psychiatrist had continued to see her through college until he had deemed her mentally healthy. Of course, that had lead to her forcing herself to forget about parts of her childhood and teenage years.. But it had never really occurred to her until now. Whatever the case, that had been the first time she had fallen out of a tree and John Cena had been there. They had both agreed to keep the incident to themselves, the A.P History project started awkwardly that evening as Lita had refused to look at him the entire time. But that day had changed things between them again. Sighing, Lita checked her watch, realizing that she should probably get back to the dog park…and apologize to Jeff. She hadn't meant to snap at him like that.. It just wasn't how they were. She was soon on her feet, wiping off the back of her shorts, the curtain of green leaves parted shortly.

"Well, well, well… if it isn't little Lita Dumas."

Lita cringed, stopping dead in her tracks. She knew that voice from anywhere..

"Aren't you going to say hi to an old friend?"

She whirled around, her eyes narrowing. "I have many words for you, Copeland.. Friend isn't one of them."

The tall blonde man shook his head, "Oh come on Lita.. I wasn't that bad to you, was I?" In two long strides he was standing closer. "How about a hug?"

"Fuck off," Lita clenched her hands into fists. "If you take one step closer, I swear to God, you will regret it."

Adam smirked, "All of your little friends are over there, Lita.. What are you gonna do?"

"You don't want to find out, asshole." Lita huffed, counting backwards in her head. "Never mind though.. You aren't worth my time." She shook her head, turning on heel to head back to the dog park.

He caught her elbow before she could leave, "Come on.. I just want to talk, alright?"

"Bullshit," she spat out quickly. "You've never just wanted to talk." Lita tried to wrench her arm free, "let go of me."

"I don't think so," he pulled her back to his chest, "don't you remember the last time we were here? I want you to think about this very carefully, Lita.. It's important… after that one party.."

Hazel eyes widened in fear, "You…. Bastard, let go of me!"

"No."

Lita squeezed her eyes tightly shut, forcing herself to forget that damn party.. She remembered going there…remembered getting separated from everyone else. Everything started getting blurry at some point and when she came to.. She was at the hospital…the doctor asking her if she had anything to drink..

Jeff turned his head when he heard someone screaming. "What the fuck.."

Trish blinked, "Was that someone screaming?" Her forehead furrowed, as this unknown person started screaming out names. "Oh my God.. It's Li."

Jeff could only see red, yelling for Matt to stay there, running as fast as he could with Trish on his heels.

Lita was soon flung to the ground as Jeff came charging over, tackling the taller man. Trish had reached the redhead not long after, her arms wrapping securely around her friend.

"Fucking bastard!" Jeff screamed in rage, his hand rearing back only to strike quickly at Adam's face.

"Jeff!" Trish shrilled at the top of her voice, "Jeff.. Come on, he's not worth it!" Helping the redhead to her feet, Trish bit her lower lip. "Li honey…everyone else is at the dog park, can you make it?"

"I got it," her cousin spoke up from behind her.

Trish barely had time to blink as Lita buried her face in John's chest, but instead of questioning it she focused her attention on getting Jeff out of here.

"Mother fucking.."

"Jeffrey!" Trish ran over to the two, her arms wrapping around one of his. "Jeff.. Come on, Li is gonna be fine and he's not worth it!"

The green eyed man growled in frustration, spitting on Adam's face before he moved. "If you ever come near her again…if you even try to talk to her, I swear I will rip you apart."

"Jeff.." Trish sighed, her arms still clenched to his, "lets get out of here and get Li home."

"He wasn't supposed to be here.. And I ran her off.. I--"

"Stop it," Trish commanded softly. "It wasn't your fault." Cautiously, she slipped one of her hands in his. "Jeff.. It wasn't your fault.. Adam's just an asshole."

Matt raised an eyebrow as Trish and Jeff returned, "What the hell--"

"Not now," Trish cut him off quietly. "Let's just get the dogs and go.." Her gaze shifted to Lita, the blonde woman frowning softly, but more out of worry then anything else. "Is she--"

John shook his head, one hand rubbing the redhead's back. "Later Trish.. Save it until later."

"I want to go home.."

Unconsciously, his arm tightened around her. "That's where we're going, Li. Won't take us long."

Matt, Ashley, Victoria and Dawn took care of gathering the dogs; the raven haired woman taking Othello while Matt and Ashley handled Scooby. But just as Dawn had finished hooking up Brutus' leash, he dashed over to Lita. The leash was shortly in John's hand, the three taking the lead for the walk back. Trish and Jeff brought up the rear of the group, the blonde woman not noticing that she was still holding Jeff's hand. Her mind was too focused on figuring out what the hell had happened .. And where her cousin came into the picture. It was apparent to Trish that, there was a lot that she didn't know about.. But why did John? Like Jeff, Trish had been there for Lita through all of her rough spots…or so she had thought anyway. Now it seemed that there was a big chunk that she and Jeff had missed out on. Flustered, Trish sighed.. Not sure why that had happened when she and Jeff had supposedly been Lita's best friends. How was it that they had been left out of things when John apparently knew about them? Naturally, she knew she couldn't question the redhead about it now, but that didn't mean she couldn't question her about it later.. Or John for that matter. Trish couldn't help but wonder how much she had missed.. How many times she hadn't been there when Lita had needed her.