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 really…just the actual reunion starts with this chapter.

-x-x-x-

The entire walk back to the house was in silence; Dawn, Victoria, Matt and Ashley glancing between the two at the front and the two at the back. So many unanswered questions where filtering through their minds and with Trish and Jeff. It was plain to see that Lita was shaken up.. Granted, she wasn't talking to anyone, but she hadn't left John's side since the park. That fact only caused more questions… especially with Trish, Jeff, Matt, Victoria and Dawn. For as long as they could remember, save for a few moments here and there, John and Lita had always been at odds. But as they all knew, there had been a few moments that stood out. Times when the two had worked together and actually helped each other instead of arguing with each other. And they could all look back one particular day… things had just started out bad, but when they thought it couldn't get any worse.. It did.

- Flashback -

Saturday Detention, Winter, Sophomore year

While one person had been the cause of it, somehow, nearly every student in Mr. Malenko's third period English class ended up in detention. And it wasn't just after school detention…they were all stuck in Saturday morning detention. But, even that wasn't the case.. They weren't there for the morning, they were stuck until the late afternoon. Because of the circumstances, and the unusual number of people in detention, they had been split to different places in the school. The lead troublemaker was isolated in Mr. Malenko's office with Freshman Dean Heyman keeping watch. The usual suspects -- Randy, John, Matt, Jeff, Chris, Christian, Victoria and Lita-- were in the library with Mr. Malenko, along with three not so usual suspects in Dawn, Kurt and Trish. The blonde bombshells -- or blonde ambition or ditzes r us -- were in the classroom.. That group consisting of Andrew Martin, Scott Steiner, Hunter, Torrie and Stacy. The remainder of the class, Molly Holly, John Layfield and Dave Batista were in the assembly hall with Headmaster McMahon. Only Stephanie and her brother Shane had gotten out of the detention…but that was because they were Headmaster McMahon's children.

"Cut it out," Lita hissed to the boy behind her, "I swear.. If you snap my bra one more time, I will break your hand."

"I'd like to see ya try," John smiled rather smugly, waiting until she had turned around again. A hand reaching out, deftly snapping her bra strap. "It was him," he pointed to Randy, who was sitting on his left. "I swear to ya, it was him."

Lita glared, "Right.. And I'll see a flock of flying pigs when I look out that window."

"Ahem," Mr. Malenko cleared his throat, his attention focused on the two. "Do you two need to join Mr. Copeland in the office with Dean Heyman?" Quickly, they shook their heads.. The middle aged man pointing to the overhead projector screen. "On this screen, you'll see the assignment that was supposed to be covered in class on Wednesday. Every other student has received this assignment as well, and unless you'd like to spend another Saturday in detention, I suggest you get started on it."

Trish let out a sigh, "Well at least we won't be too bored.."

"And this is only the written part of your assignment," Mr. Malenko raised an eyebrow, "starting on Monday, we will be living Japanese culture… this includes tea ceremonies, obi tying, a traditional Japanese dance, flower arrangements, origami and cooking." He shrugged slightly, "any student who wishes to receive some extra credit.. Can provide a traditional haiku or two about why they're here."

Victoria narrowed her eyes at Chris and Christian. "Ya know.. If the two of you hadn't started that stupid bet about who could spit farther.."

Chris held up his hands in mock defense, "It wasn't my fault, so chill out. It was his fault," he thumbed over to John. "He was the idiot who hit Adam."

"And?" Lita crossed her arms, "none of us would've gotten in trouble if Adam hadn't fired a stupid spit ball back. Which he probably wouldn't have done if you four idiots hadn't started it in the first place."

John shot her a disbelieving look, "And since when did you start sticking up for the no good piece of trash?"

"I'm not," she replied testily. "I'm just pointing out the facts. Fact, is that you four started the spit ball war that got all of us in trouble."

John rolled his eyes, "Well if ya really want to point fingers at someone, it's Randy. He was the one who started it."

"Wrong," Randy scooted his chair farther away from his friend. "You were the one who decided that her shirt," he pointed to Lita, "was perfect to use for a substitute basketball hoop with paper basketballs. If she hadn't tried to hit you for it, Mr. Malenko wouldn't have turned around."

Dawn shook her head, "Wrong again.. John tried to blame Adam for it, Adam said that it was John and then Lita said it was Adam."

Christian blinked, "So how did we end up with detention if it was just those three?"

Randy rolled his eyes, "Because.. Mr. Malenko lost control of the class when an all out spitball war was started."

Lita scowled, "I just hope Headmaster McMahon forgot about the locker incident."

Trish raised an eyebrow, "What did you two do now?"

"Not us two, us three.." Lita gestured between herself, John and Randy. "Though, Randy was more of a test dummy than anything."

Randy scoffed, "Who're you calling a dummy?"

"You, ya big dummy." John smirked, "you were the stupid ass who got inside that locker so we could see if Adam would fit."

Lita nodded slowly, "That's why we had detention on Thursday afternoon… using a non school lock on a school locker."

Trish, Dawn, Victoria, Chris, Matt, Jeff and Christian rolled their eyes at that.. The group of teens deciding that now would be a good time to start on their assignment, instead of holding off until the last two hours of detention. They split up the workload, three of them finding books in one section of the library while another three found books on the second floor of the library. That left Randy, Trish, John and Lita to use the computers towards the back of the library.. Randy and Trish soon wandering off to do 'research'.

Lita rolled her eyes, her attention half on the computer screen. "There she goes again.. Ditching me for him."

John shrugged, "And knowing those two, they'll be off doing 'research' for awhile.. Leaving the two of us to actually work on this assignment."

"Not much different than usual," the strawberry blonde paused, her lips pursing as she read over the information on the page. "But, speaking of assignments.."

"We'll need to work on that Latin project at your house."

Lita blinked, pressing the print button with her index finger. "What for? We've always done the projects at your house, because---"

"I really don't feel like getting into it," the page on the screen scrolled down, "so why don't we just finish this up.."

Hazel eyes glanced sideways, "Is there something wrong? Not that you have to talk to me if there is.. And I really wouldn't expect for you to talk to me, it's just--"

John frowned, "My parents are getting a divorce, they've been doing nothing but fighting with each other.. Yelling, screaming… me and my older brother can deal with it though, ya know? It's my younger brothers who're having a hard time."

Lita nodded slowly, "Yeah well.. Divorce is never easy, no matter what age you are.."

"Just, don't say anything to Trish or Dawn.. My folks would rather--"

"I won't say a word," she promised quietly. "Don't worry about that… and I know we don't really talk to each other but.. If you want someone to talk to, I know what it's like."

"Thanks.." John paused, the print page key pressed while he gathered his thoughts. "Look…right before freshman year started--"

Lita shook her head, "I already know who told…you were the only one who knew about it."

"I was going to say, I told my mom because she wanted to know why you kept showing up.." He waited until she was glancing at him, "she told your mom."

Lita held his steady gaze, the strawberry blonde frowning slightly. "I can't say I'm mad about it anymore…because it got rid of him.. I just didn't know why you said anything."

John shrugged, "Yeah well.. I'm not apologizing for it. He had no right to be hitting you like that."

The two fell silent as they finished looking for the information they needed… and just when they had finished printing the last few pages, Mr. Malenko instructed for them all to report to the assembly hall. Given that it was winter time, a snow storm had started.. And Saturday detention was being cut short… if the roads could be cleared. Regardless, they'd wait at the school, Dean Heyman and Mr. Malenko calling parents while Headmaster McMahon sat with the students. Trish, John, Matt and Jeff ended up going to Lita's house when the plows finally cleared roads, due to the fact that their respective parents were either away for the weekend… or because Gil Hardy had been at the Dumas house when Mr. Malenko called. The snow storm had continued until Monday, giving Tandem a day off.

- End Flashback -

Later that month, the Psaltis and Stratus family had separately learned of the impending divorce in the Cena family… in a matter of weeks, the word had spread to nearly every family in Waynesboro… Christie Dumas offering her support to Carol Cena. And while their divorce hadn't been as bad as the one that split the Dumas family, it had resulted in Carol Cena staying with the Dumas until the divorce was finalized. The five Cena boys had also spent a good amount of time at the Dumas house.. But that was mostly for dinner and so they could see their mom. Whether she had realized at the time or not, Lita's being there… even if they were arguing with each other…had helped John. Both Trish and Dawn had seen it, but they knew their cousin would never admit to it. He just wasn't the type to openly show his emotions like that.. Most of the boys they knew weren't like that. The one exception to that rule was probably Jeff.

"Li?" Jeff spoke up quietly when they were all settled in the living room. "I jus.. I wanted to apologize for earlier.. I didn't mean to--"

"I know Jeff," the redhead sent her step-brother a smile. "I'm sorry for snapping at you.. I'm just not looking forward to this reunion.. One of the reasons why was at the park."

Jeff frowned, "If I have anything to do with it, he won't be coming anywhere near you…sick bastard."

Trish placed her free hand on his arm. "Jeff… please, just don't do anything stupid. We all know that Adam has had it coming to him since high school, but now just isn't the time."

"Speaking of time," Matt flicked a glance to the grandfather clock, "the reunion is gonna start in two hours. The dinner doesn't start until 7:00, but there's the ice breaker thing before that, which starts at 5:00."

"Oh shit," Lita jumped off the couch. "I have to be there early… damn it.. I still have to shower and change and--"

"Calm down.." Trish finally let go of Jeff's hand. "Li, take a deep breath and calm down.. Tandem isn't that far, you have plenty of time."

Lita, Trish, Dawn, Victoria and Ashley soon went upstairs.. The showers running in the master bedroom, the two bathrooms on the second floor and the two bathrooms on the third floor. That resulted in nearly cold showers by the time Jeff, John and Matt got to them.. Ashley, Trish, Dawn and Victoria taking their time to get dressed while Lita dashed out of the house.

"Welcome back, class of 1995.." Trish read the banner aloud as they filed up the front steps. "The school still looks the same.."

"From the outside," Jeff commented as he held open the door. "They've done a lot of renovating, added a few new buildings since we've graduated."

"Good evening!" Molly Holly greeted them all with a smile. "If y'all could just sign in…then pick up your name tags."

Trish sent her a warm smile, "Are you teaching here, Molly?"

"Oh goodness no.. I'm on the planning committee for the reunion." Molly clasped her hands together in front of her, "I'm teaching at another school in Charlottesville." She smiled again when they had all signed and collected name tags. "The ice breaker is in the Assembly Hall.. Still in the same spot."

Victoria glanced upwards at the class banners hanging from the ceiling. "Has it already been ten years? I remember the first time I was in this school.."

"When we all started fifth grade," Dawn wrapped her arms loosely around her middle. "And before that, we were at Perry Miller Elementary."

Matt raised an eyebrow as the walked into the Assembly Hall. "Would ya look at that.. It's our Senior class pictures.."

"And the big Senior class picture.." Trish pointed to the display on the stage. "Oh my gosh, they have the pictures from the Senior class projects…and the talent show and--"

"It's for a slideshow," Lita spoke up from nearby. "The slideshow starts in about half an hour…refreshments are over there." Smirking slightly, she added: "And dinner is being catered."

Jeff blinked, "Who are you an' what have ya done with my sister?"

The redhead glanced down at the clingy black dress. "You idiot, you went with me when I bought this stupid dress… since Trish claimed I couldn't wear jeans to the reunion."

Trish rolled her eyes, "And you look good in it, Li.. I mean--" She cut herself off, the sound of approaching footsteps causing her to turn. "Oh look… it's Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler."

"And Hunter Helmsley, Randy Orton… there's John Layfield, Andrew Martin and Scott Steiner.." Victoria continued to rattle off names, "Ooh.. And there's William, Billy, Bubba and Devon… Chris, Christian, Lillian and Dave."

Dawn waved to the approaching four, "I see Stephanie, Kurt and Shane.. And I think that's Rob, Charlene, Rodney and--"

"Lance Storm." Jeff let out a low whistle, "he hasn't changed a bit.. Still as serious as he ever was."

"Trouble is coming this way.." Lita uttered under her breath, a smile plastered on as Torrie and Stacy made their way over. "Hi Torrie…Stacy.. You're both looking…"

"As slutty as ever," Trish ground under her breath, adding louder: "Absolutely stunning… Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler… long time no see."

Torrie smiled brightly, "It's Mrs. Kidman now.. Billy and I got married right after college."

Trish kept her fake smile on, "Congratulations! I'm so happy to hear that."

Lita offered another smile to the blonde pair. "I think I see Jackie and Charlie over there.. And since I'm supposed to be greeting people.."

Dawn bristled as another woman walked into the room. "Oh heaven help me.. It's Rena Mero."

Victoria shot her a questioning look, "I thought you two were friends.."

Matt sent a smile to Ashley, "I'll take ya over there.. Introduce ya to Rob an' all them. We didn't hang out with them much, but they were pretty good folks."

The Tandem alumni continued to mingle, until Headmaster McMahon took his spot behind the podium. And after he had properly welcomed them back for the reunion, the lights were dimmed for the slide show. The class of 1995 watched as their four years of high school flashed by.. From Freshman orientation, the Freshman girls trip to the numerous athletic events, concerts and plays. The slideshow also covered various dances, award ceremonies and the science fair…commencing, ironically enough, with their commencement ceremony and party. Headmaster McMahon then gave another speech about how important it was to treasure those memories, to hold fast to those friendships and to the people that they had met. He told them all how proud he was of them, the successful students they had been at Tandem…growing up into the successful adults sitting before him. But before they could start the dinner, the Tandem alumni were split into groups according to their last names…or maiden names, whatever the case may have been. Tours were then given…by Molly, Lita, Ivory Moretti, Terri Runnels and Jillian Hall. And when the tours were finally over, the alumni were shown to the dining hall.. The reunion committee having decorated in school colors and more welcome back banners.