Northern California isn't Ricardo's home. He will always be a SoCal boy, born and bred, but it's close enough that it makes him smile when he lands, no matter how exhausted he is. He wrestles, he hangs out at fan conventions. He has a great weekend, although seeing Paige lose to Nikki thanks to Twin Magic shenanigans makes him frown. He had had hopes that both of them would be leaving this weekend behind happily, but no that's asking too much.

After a stilted night's sleep, he returns to the airport to head home, wait for Paige to get done with Raw so he can try to comfort her. Or at least distract her. But then his flight gets delayed because of weather, and then canceled entirely. He gapes at the screen with the notice flashing on it, swallowing hard. "Ay dios mio," he mumbles. Tweets the airline, where they then handle the rest of their business through DMs. A flight out the next day is the best they can do, but at least it's handled and he's considering where to stay, what move to take next, when a female wrestler, Tiffany, comes to his aid. He stays at her place with another fellow stranded person- a woman named Alexis-, taking the couch while the women take the beds.

He's just glad to lay down after the lengthy flight from California to Chicago, sinking down into the couch cushions eagerly. A dim whisper in the back of his mind reminds him that perhaps he should call Paige, but he barely achieves a twitch of the finger before he's fast asleep, nuzzling into the blanket so kindly provided to him. Whispers of dreams haunt him all night long, and he feels even groggier when he wakes up, but strong coffee is waiting for him and he revives enough to eat some breakfast, eggs with toast and turkey bacon. It's a fast meal, neither he or Alexis wanting to miss their flights, and they both give Tiffany quick hugs before dashing out to get to the airport in time. He's like a madman, using the caffeine to push through the people to make it to his gate. When he arrives, he leans over to catch his breath before coming into range of the TSA people.

Thankfully the scans go standardly, and he's on his plane before he knows it. The coffee still in his bloodstream, he can't sleep so instead he ends up in a three hour long conversation with the man sitting next to him. It's one of the better conversations he has had in awhile. Upon landing in Florida, he exhales in relief and hoists his bag up higher on his shoulder before walking to the car. As exhausted and wound up as he is, his responsibilities aren't over because the dojo is holding a special Tuesday night event, so he heads there. With no match scheduled, he keeps himself busy wandering around, greeting fans, signing things when requested. The event is good, he's proud of all involved, but when the show's over and everyone's leaving, he's relieved to be able to do the same.

Stares out of the windshield and shakes his head, suddenly wanting nothing more than to hear Paige's voice. So he finds his phone and calls her. When she answers, it's like a breath of fresh air... before he realizes she's breathing strangely, sharp, almost hiccuping exhales and inhales that crinkle static down the line. "Paige? Are you alright?"

"It just dawned on me," she sobs. "Tough Enough's starting in a week and I'm supposed to be a trainer, but it just means more time away from you and I, I'm so alone- the divas don't want anything to do with me while I continue getting defeated by these damn Bellas and their tricks and... I miss you so much, it hurts, Ricardo..."

He closes his eyes, gripping the phone tighter. "I'm so sorry, mi fuerza. I miss you too..." He listens to her cry for a little longer, tears filling his own eyes. "I have no doubt you'll figure out a way to get past the Bellas..." She still cries though and he sighs, all too aware that that's not the real reason for her tears. "Do you trust me? Trust in us, Paige?"

"Of course," she chokes out tearfully.

"And do you love me?"

"Yes!" He smiles at her emphatic statement.

"Then we'll be fine. We'll hold on, and talk as much as we can. Then, as soon as everything quiets down for you, we'll have moe time to spend together... Everything'll be great, I promise you."

"Thank you," she breathes, voice still choked with tears.

He smiles somberly. "Any time, Paige. I love you."

"I love you too." They talk for a few minutes longer before he decides to hang up and return home before the city tries to tow his car away.

Alberto had left for an event in Mexico and Sofia is asleep on the couch when Ricardo enters, dropping a soft sheet over her before ducking into his bedroom where he falls onto the mattress and groans, closing his eyes as he considers what Paige had said, how much harder things will become when Tough Enough begins in earnest. He grimaces and sighs, certain that insomnia will be digging her nails into him and keeping him from sleep like a human being.

Thursday does little to help either of them when Ricardo watches Smackdown and Alicia costs Paige a one-on-one against Brie Bella. Neither diva had been friends, really, mostly just tolerating each other while AJ's around, but Paige looks utterly despondent, tears filling her dark eyes. He doesn't wait to call her this time, wishing he was there in person to hug her, convince her that everything was going to be ok. "Why?" she cries, begs. "I know I've done things, and I probably deserve this but I thought Alicia and I were getting along better... but she goes and pulls that tonight... I don't understand why..."

"I don't either," Ricardo says honestly. "Maybe it's her early bridezilla thing kicking in."

Paige releases a gasp. "I should've remembered that... Do they have a date yet/"

"No, sorry, mi fuerza. They want to keep it between the two of them for awhile longer to see how his rehab goes."

"Yeah, makes sure," she says grimly, slowly gaining control over her tears. "I"m so sorry, love, but I have to go check and see what the Tough Enough people have lined for this coming week."

He nods. "Alright. Talk soon?"

"Definitely, yes." She's just moved to disconnect the call when his voice echoes out towards her. "I love you, never forgot that, Paige. Il'l talk to you tomorrow."

She freezes, with a fresh smile on her face. ""I love you too. Good night."

He hangs up and drops his head back against the cough. Alberto, by now, had moved on from Mexico to London, probably, for a convention over there. He sighs and reaches over the back of the couch, finding his MP3 player. Using it, he finds the list of songs that he and ADR have listened to a million times on these trips.

When he finds the right one, he smiles wistfully, and puts it in, the exact song that he wanted easy to load. Zack Ryder listens to 3 Doors Down sometimes and, one random day during a Tributes to the Troops meet'n'greet they'd been send to together, had made both Ricardo and Alberto listen. It may sound different, but it's still a great song. And the lyrics, not to mention the title- Landing in London- seems all too similar to their lives now, including Paige and Mike and the rest of their little group. He sighs and drops back against the couch, listening to the song and wishing he wasn't alone right now.