Alex loses at the houseshows he's booked on over the weekend. But he seems happy enough, curled up with Alicia in bed later, relieved to be able to compete again. She strokes his hair and kisses him lazily while they wait for Total Divas to begin airing, glad that their matches had been early enough for them to arrive back here in time to have some peace and quiet before she has to live tweet the show, wanting to do something since it's her official debut on the show. "I'm glad you decided to watch with me," she tells him, her smile gentle as he strokes her lower back.
"Of course I would," he tells her. "I gotta support my girl, right?"
She beams at him and nods, her eyes fluttering as he kisses her slowly. They lose track of time until she glances over and gasps, realizing that it's a minute until showtime. Mumbling, she pulls away from him and grabs her phone, returning to the protective circle of his arms as he turns on the TV and finds the correct channel. "It's on!" she squeals, curling her hand around his face before they watch the intro of Paige and Big E, Alicia laughing as Alex gapes on in disbelief when she manhandles his chest. "Girl's crazy," she comments, sounding... almost wistful.
"Do you miss her?" he wonders, watching as she and Paige dance together on the screen, letting out some pre-event jitters. Alicia shrugs listlessly against him but he strokes her hair, watching her closely and finally she sighs.
"Sometimes," she admits, half-listening to her own introduction spiel before she and Paige watch Rosa Mendes' unfortunate... wardrobe malfunction from Main Event. Nothing is shown without a blur, of course, but even so, she presses her hand to Alex's eyes anyway, only removing her fingers once it's over, a giggle slipping past her lips as he looks down at her, unimpressed. They watch the rest of the show quietly until Rosa confronts Alicia, thinking she'd gone to the agent with what Rosa had been considering, setting up another "wardrobe malfuction" to get more twitter followers.
After Alicia insists that she hadn't, insisting she's loyal to Rosa, friends forever, Alex hugs her tighter and kisses the top of her head before finding her lips. "You're adorable," he tells her, staring into her gleaming brown eyes as she cups his face, grinning. "I love you."
"I love you too," she hums, happy to resume kissing as the show goes to commercial.
-x
Ricardo has a busy week ahead, alternating his time between training at the dojo and preparing for his weekend in California. Due to this, he'd gone to bed late on Monday night, only catching whispers on Twitter. The fact that Paige had lost to Brie Bella hadn't been great but he couldn't help grinning when he'd read that she slapped his former tag partner, Tyson Kidd, after the fact. Because he'd been up so late, he sleeps in by accident, sleeping through his alarm... but then his phone rings and jostles him awake, Paige's theme leaving him disoriented and instinctively reaching for her, just to remember she's still off with WWE. She had changed his ringtone at some point- he never quite figured out when, but it was always enough to get his attention immediately. Fumbling, he finds the device and rolls onto his back, eyes squinted shut against the bright sunshine. "Lo?"
"... dammit," he hears distantly. "Hey, Ricardo," John says. "Did I wake you up? Sorry, I thought with the time difference and everything that you'd be up by now, but I should've texted first, made sure..."
Ricardo yawns blurrily and sits up. "It's fine, John. What's going on?"
"I doubt you watched Raw last night, but basically Mizdow says he's been filming Miz and AJ's house for the last six months. Mike wants me to go through the house and make sure there aren't any cameras left after Mizdow goes through and removes them... Since you're gonna be in LA this weekend, I thought maybe you wouldn't mind helping me out? With AJ's neck issues, I don't want to risk Mike's wrath by making her do it. Besides, it'd be good to see ya. So what do you say?"
"I'm booked in events Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but sure, whatever free time I have is yours, just let me know when," Ricardo agrees. "I'll email you the times of the events, we'll figure something out."
"Great!" John exclaims. "You're a lifesaver, Ricardo. See you then."
"See you then," he agrees, smiling slightly as he ends the call and lays back down against his pillows, about to go back to sleep when there's a knock on his door. He moans faintly but says, "Come in" anyway, blinking in surprise when Alberto enters and shuts the door behind him. "El Patron?"
"Buenas dias, mi amigo," Alberto greets him with a smile. He is a dual champion now, for WWL and of course AAA. Ricardo's pride for him is bittersweet, wishing that he could've been by his side for either of his greatest moments, but he is trying to understand why it has to be this way... "I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No," he says, sitting up and shifting over so Alberto can sit on the bed. "John called, he needs some help at Mike's house this weekend. Something Mizdow did that I'm going to help to undo." He examines his employer, frowning slightly. "Is everything ok, El Patron? Do you need something?"
"Hm, no, mi amigo, I was just... thinking. And I wanted to ask if you're ok with this..." Alberto hesitates again and Ricardo grows more nervous but before he can ask, Del Rio speaks again. "I plan on competing at Lucha Underground," he explains. "And since Morrison works there, and Cueto's offices are set in California, I was thinking I could accompany you this weekend and handle business down there so I can sign with the company and begin competing there as soon as possible."
Ricardo stares at him, a strange look on his face. He swallows. "Ring of Honor, AAA... WWL... Now Lucha Underground... is there anywhere you're not going to compete at, El Patron?"
Alberto chuckles and claps his knee. "I will compete anywhere that will have me, mi hermano." He sobers up after a moment and releases a breath. "However, if this makes you uncomfortable, I will not hijack your trip just for my own agendas. Especially considering how... everything has ended up... I still feel terrible about how things in AAA worked out, but I think in the long run, this will be good for you, Ricardo. You deserve a career of your own, not one weighed down by mine. Enough of your time has been wasted."
The ring announcer nods, a little choked up. "But we can perhaps work together on a few of the future events we have together, yes? Australia, or... I mean, one night here and there won't hurt things, si?"
"Of course, mi amigo, if that's what you want," Alberto agrees, smiling at him and reaching out to pat his face. "But are you ok with my tagging along this weekend to make inroads at Lucha Underground? Then I can remain and watch your matches. And perhaps assist with whatever it is John needs your help with."
Ricardo starts to laugh. "Wait until I tell you," he says, leaning back against the headboard and smirking at his best friend as he proceeds to explain to him what John needs. Alberto's expression by the end of the story makes it all worth it.
-x
By Wednesday, Ricardo is partially ready for his weekend in his home state, and Paige is now home, so he takes a break from reality and walks with her around Alberto's grounds, staring at the latest photo shoot she'd taken for . He swipes from picture to picture, not saying a word until he reaches the end of the album. She stares up at him before taking the phone from him, a disappointed look on her face. "You didn't like them, did you? It was a different style, they wanted to experiment with different things-"
"It's not that," he assures her. "You looked gorgeous as always, it just reminded me of your other photo shoot in Alberto's home. It's hard to outdo perfection, which that photo shoot was. You always look like you're shining when you're here."
She squeezes his hand and smiles. "Because you were with me. This house always makes me happy for that reason," she explains. He beams at her and she leans up to kiss him. "California this weekend, huh? I bet you're happy to be going back there for awhile, are you going to see your family?"
"It's in the plans," he nods, brushing her hair back. "But John apparently needs me to help mediate whatever Mizdow's done now..."
"Is that the cameras he says he's put around the house?" She laughs. "God, he's a lunatic. Mike looked like he was going to lose his mind, and I could just hear AJ's reaction when she saw it too..." She strokes her fingers through his dark hair and nuzzles closer to him, staring deep into his eyes. "Never get a stunt double, love. I'm on enough reality shows as it is."
He laughs and shakes his head, tugging her over to the trees. "You have nothing to worry about, mi fuerza. I'm sure none of us will do such things now that we've seen how it worked out for Mike." She giggles contentedly as he settles down on the hammock threaded together between two of the strongest trees on the property and pulls her next to him once he's sure that he's balanced properly onto it, the two of them cuddling under the warm Florida weather, enjoying the rare bit of time alone that they get between his Dojo responsibilites and indy dates and her WWE events.
This goes by too quickly because he has one last stop at the Dojo before he has to begin preparing for his flight on Friday, but she accompanies him, even if it just to watch film of past events, not eager to leave his side before she has to leave for Smackdown, which is now on Thursdays. It's fascinating to see the videos through her eyes, hear her take on things. Even though she's not an official student of the dojo, everyone knows she's Saraya's daughter, and treats her with the deserved respect because of it, the woman's helpful advice when she paid a visit to the Dojo still fresh in many of their minds.
Afterwards, they leave, loosely holding hands as they walk back to the car, Paige swinging them back and forth as they go. "I wish I could see your matches this weekend," she says wistfully. "But I know you'll be great, love. And perhaps we can spend more time together this coming week. Then you can tell me all about what you did. Including de-Mizdowing Miz's house."
Ricardo laughs and lifts her hand, kissing her palm lightly. "I'm already looking forward to it," he tells her with a soft smile. She grins back at him before they enter the car and begin the drive back, aware that it'll end too soon, her needing to go back to her apartment to pack for Smackdown before too long. It's difficult, not getting to spend more time together regularly, but their love for wrestling had bonded them to begin with and both understand, barring something terrible, neither of them will be dropping it any time soon... Thankfully their dedication to each other is as strong, keeping them steady even when they don't see each other for days, making the time they do have together that much sweeter.
-x
John greets Ricardo and Alberto as soon as the get out of LAX, clapping the younger man on the shoulder and nodding over at Alberto. "Hey, guys. Rough break that your bookings were canceled for tonight, Ricardo, but hey, that means we get more time to search Mike's house from top to bottom. AJ will appreciate it, I know that much."
Ricardo drops his bag in the trunk with Alberto's before looking up at his former employer uncertainly. "Eh," he's about to say when Alberto slides into the backseat, leaving Ricardo in the passenger side next to John, glad to be able to stretch his legs a bit in John's spacious car. "She's here, huh? I thought she was considering returning to events soon."
"Next weekend, I think, when they're in New Jersey," John explains, tapping his fingers while they make their way slowly through LA traffic.
Ricardo stares all around, taking in his home with a fond smile, that old California vibe overwhelming him. He still has trouble recognizing Florida sometimes, but California was a part of his blood since birth, and he misses it desperately sometimes, although he does enjoy living in Florida. Once they arrive at Mike and AJ's house, she's sitting out on the porch, waiting for them and looking a bit lonely. He realizes that it must be hard on her and Mike when she's injured and unable to travel with him, even harder than it is for him and Paige when they're on separate coasts, competing in different businesses. For this reason, he vows to be even nicer to her this weekend, despite their various issues over the years. "Hola, AJ," he greets her once they get out of the car and he and Alberto have grabbed their bags.
"Hola, Ricardo. Alberto." She smiles halfheartedly at them before leading them inside. "Mizdow claimed he took all of the cameras out of the house, but I'd feel safer if people Mike and I actually trust looks around and makes sure," she explains. "Especially considering when he left, he had about thirty cameras with him."
"Thirty cameras?!" Ricardo chokes, gaping at her in disbelief.
"Yeah, I don't really want to know," she sighs. "Mike didn't want me to risk my recovery by digging around in all of the nooks and crannies of this place, so it's up to you, boys. If you need anything, I'll be around. There are plenty of drinks and snacks in the kitchen, feel free to help yourself and we can order something in for supper if you want."
"Thanks, AJ." John watches as she leaves and then turns to the other two. "Should we split up, go room by room so we can get this finished sooner? I doubt either of you want to stay cooped up inside looking for cameras, the weather's beautiful outside."
"Si, no kidding," Alberto mumbles, clapping Ricardo on the shoulder before disappearing into a room.
Ricardo smiles at John before taking the room next to Alberto's while John turns to search the living room.
It seems to take days, and Ricardo starts to fear that he's missing competing at the Vendetta Pro events this weekend, but when he checks his watch, only a couple of hours have passed. He grimaces and wanders out to regroup with the others, relieved that he hasn't found anything in the rooms he'd checked. Alberto and John join him a little later and he shrugs. "Two of the guest bedrooms, Mike's office, and the dining room were clear. I guess Mizdow wasn't completely lying."
"Bathrooms, the master suite, and the living room were clean as well," John comments.
"The attic and the other guest rooms were clear also," Alberto says before they all pause and look up, then up and down the hallway they're in. "Did either of you check this?"
"No," Ricardo says, frowning. It doesn't take long, the group of them searching the walls, a table standing at the end of the hall. They even peek into the closets, just in case, but there's nothing. "Wait a minute," Ricardo mumbles, spotting a vent. He had made it a point to check them all, and had even texted John and Alberto, reminding them to do the same, but unlike most of the other vents in the house, this one is high up on the wall, close to the ceiling and none of them can see into it. "Dammit."
"How's it going, guys?" AJ approaches them, pausing when she sees where they're all looking. "Um, what's up there?"
All three men turn to look at her, the gears turning in each of their minds. Ricardo looks her up and down before peering back at the vent. "Aha," he mumbles.
"Um, what are you three doing?" she demands, stepping backwards as they approach her.
Once they explain, however, it's easy enough to convince her what needs to be done. Before too long, she finds herself getting pulled up onto John's shoulders, where she awkwardly crouches, careful not to bash her skull against the ceiling tiles. "I think I see something," she says, fighting a shiver as she comes face to face with more of Mizdow's creepy determination to spy on them. John's hands squeezes her feet and she looks down at them. Alberto and Ricardo are standing close, in case they need to move fast and grab her should she lose her footing, considering how precariously balanced she is. "I need to remove this grate." Thankfully, it's not screwed in, just a vent that pops into the wall and is easy enough to be pulled out so she works at doing that, relieved when Alberto shifts so he's standing right behind John, in position to grab her should she fall backwards upon pulling the vent free.
She breathes a little easier once the vent is free and her innate klutziness hadn't sent her falling backwards, lowering it down to a waiting Ricardo who rests it on the floor so he can return to Morrison's side, make sure she's safe. Relieved that it's large enough for her to reach into and not touch the sides, she's still glad she'd worn old clothes, ones that wouldn't break her heart should they get dirty or torn. "Little more," she mumbles, almost grazing the flashing red light with her finger tips. John's hands are steady and warm on her feet and it gives her enough courage to reach further out, standing on her tippytoes as she finally grabs it and pulls it out, staring in disgust at the camera now held in her hand. "Next time I see you, Mizdow," she hisses, pulling herself away from the grate, perhaps a little too quickly because John fails to adjust in time, gravity shifting around her as she drops the camera. She flails a bit, panicking at the thought of how Mike would kill her, and what she'd do if her impulse reaction costs her her return in a week-
But then arms are around her and she's not falling anymore, a little dizzy and breathless but not hurt, her eyes searching Alberto and Ricardo as they hold onto her, John quickly spinning around to check on her. "We've got you," Ricardo tells her, forcing a smile as she gingerly sets her feet back on the ground with their help, looking down at the camera still flashing a deceptively innocent red light. "Dammit, Mizdow," she hisses, considering stomping the thing into dust before she remembers her bare feet. She's disappointed until- a smashing sound breaks into her thoughts and she looks up to find that Alberto had taken care of it for her, his fancy heel crushing the camera into little pieces. "Nicely done," she tells him, feeling friendlier towards him than she ever had. "Thank you. Thank you all."
"You're welcome," John and Ricardo tell her, Alberto nodding as he continues to grind what's left of the camera underfoot.
With some help from John, she avoids cutting her feet on the glass and goes to get a dustpan and broom to clean up what hopefully was the last of the mess that Mizdow had brought into her house. Ricardo holds the dustpan for her as she brushes the ruined device into it, John and Alberto quickly double checking the other vents to make sure they hadn't missed anything. Once they're done, AJ takes the dustpan from him and goes to dump it in the main trash bin. As soon as she's back inside, brushing her hands off, she's relieved to discover the house feels like her own once more, no more of Mizdow's nonsense tainting it. She offers Ricardo a smile. "Thank you again."
He grins at her and shrugs. "No problem." They hesitate awkwardly, all of their history still between them, especially from when she had been GM of Raw and took joy in doing things to mess with him and Alberto, especially when Ricardo was still technically rehabbing a neck injury. But it was years ago, and he's trying to move past all of that, so he breaks the silence by staring her in the eye. "I know you're missing Mike, and as far as I know, John and Alberto are coming to my events tomorrow and Sunday... Would you like to come too? Get your feet wet by watching some indy events before you actually return to WWE?"
She grins at him. "Well, considering how you and Alberto kept me from pancaking myself on my own hallway floor, I'm going to say... yes, I'd love to. Thank you."
He grins at her, barely able to open his mouth to speak before Alberto joins them, clapping Ricardo on the shoulder. "Looks like this trip is already a success, mi amigo! We have succeeded at finding the camera, and now Morrison has talked Cueto into meeting with me about my signing with Lucha Underground. As soon as you win your next two matches, the weekend will be perfect."
Ricardo's smile slips a little but he steadies himself. "I'm happy for you, El Patron," he tells him sincerely. Yeah, no pressure at all, he can't help thinking even as John drags them outside to go to the beach, Ricardo happy to watch the Californian sunset for the first time in too long.
