Paige closes her eyes and rubs her temples. She's doing better. Emotionally, physically. She wants back in the ring so badly that it aches, but WWE is being tentative. Which is understandable, considering everything going on, but it's frustrating as hell for her. She needs the distraction so badly, and she doesn't even have the outlet of being in the ring with someone she can let her aggression out on.

She finishes up an interview and stares down at the phone, realizing that she'd revealed just a little more than she'd wanted to. Getting to her feet, aware that this is going to hit the internet soon, she finds Sofia in the kitchen and sits across from her as she puts together chicken burritos for supper. "Hey, Sofia, may I speak with you for a minute?" she asks, stiff, nervous.

Sofia frowns and puts the burritos down, staring at her. "Si, of course. What is it, mi hija?"

Paige sighs, rocking back and forth a bit. "So I'm sure you've been wondering why I've been alright with staying at home the last few weeks. I didn't want to worry anyone, I thought I could keep it to myself and things would be alright, but I just did an interview and confessed, and... I want you to hear it from me before you read it online." Sofia looks more and more worried until Paige reaches forward and takes her hand. "On December 28th, I got minorly concussed in a wrestling match during the holiday tour."

Sofia gasps and clings to her hand tighter. "Por- por que?"

"Yes," Paige says softly. "But I'm fine, I promise. It was really not serious, and WWE doctors have taken very good care of me. They're even refusing to let me get back in the ring too soon. I've been training at the performance center, and I'm getting better every day. I should be back to competing soon."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Sofia asks, her eyes welling with pain and discomfort. "I would've helped you, I would've taken care of you-"

"I didn't tell you because I didn't want to worry you," Paige insists. "I swear to you, I'm fine. I will call the WWE doctors and let you talk with them yourself if it helps to sooth you..."

Sofia takes a breath, stares at her hands. "No, I- I trust you... it's just... I think of you as my daughter, Paige. If you have a problem, I want to help you, same as I would help Ricardo, same as I would help Alberto... if I could."

Paige smiles sadly. "I know. Thank you, Sofia. I didn't mean to offend you by not telling you, I honestly thought I would be back in the ring before now, but they're being really careful... It should be soon though." She strokes Sofia's hands before looking down at the burritos. "Want some help with these?"

"Si," Sofia says with a small smile, eyes gleaming. "And then... perhaps... we can watch Raw together?"

Paige grins at her. "I would love that."

-x

Revitalized due to happiness for his former tag partner, Ricardo focuses on his students with a new eye, a new viewpoint. WWE is coming to India, sadly not Alberto or Paige, but a few of the guys he knows, and he's looking forward to taking a couple of his best students to the event, help them to gain new connections to the business. He hasn't been to a WWE event in almost a year and a half and, for the first time in a long time, he feels that old thrill. That buzz against his skin. He visits with old friends and watches his students politely, respectfully take on this situation bravely, adding to his pride in them.

The India fans are insane, cheering and booing for everything and anything, and so excited for everything. He returns to the school that night, beyond eager to return to work helping to mold his students into good competitors, when he learns that Alberto has won back the US title with help from Wade Barrett. He feels awful for Kalisto, that his first true taste of gold on the main roster, should be destroyed so early, so easily, but on the other hand, he's happy for his best friend. It's with a conflicted smile on his face that Ricardo scrolls through other wrestling news... just to learn that Paige has been out with a concussion. He swallows hard and reads the interview again and again, gritting his jaw.

Ignoring the hour, he places a call. It rings and rings and finally, Paige's sleepy voice greets him. "Hullo, love. I suppose you heard the news."

"Are you alright?" he demands quietly. "Why haven't you called me to let me know? I... I know things are hard, and I know I can't do anything to help you from here, but... I need to know that you're ok... please, Paige..."

She sighs. "I know, I know, love. I just... I didn't want to worry anyone. I'm going to be back in the ring before you know it, everything's going to be fine. You're so busy, I just didn't want to distract you."

"You're never a distraction," he insists. "Paige, I can't stay on the phone long, it's late and I need some sleep, but promise me, if anything else happens to you, you'll let me know. Call me, text me, send a pigeon, I don't care. I just want to know." He feels choked up, tears filling his eyes, and knows immediately when Paige gets upset too, her breathing changing subtly.

"I will," she promises tearfully. "I'm so sorry, I just... it was easier on me not to tell people. I hate being coddled, you know that."

"I do, but you need to let people do so sometimes. We just love you and we want you to be ok," Ricardo whispers.

She sobs. "I love you, I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, mi fuerza," he breathes. "I love you too. I'll see you soon."

"Two months?"

"Two months," he confirms. "Paige?"

"Yes?"

"Next time you get lonely, or feel like you're a burden on us, look in Alberto's safe, ok? Remember my promise... because, no matter how busy I am, or whatever happens, that's still in the forefront of my mind." He releases a breath. "When I come home, I plan on proposing properly, no matter what."

She cries harder for a moment. "Alright," she chokes out. "I will."

His smile is brittle, full of pain as he listens to her. "Good night, mi fuerza. Take good care of yourself, and let Sofia make sure you do."

"I will," she sighs. "Good night, love."

He puts the phone down, pressing the end button. Exhaustion creeps along the edges of his awareness, but he's alert, he's sick inside at the thought of Paige fighting through a concussion all alone, refusing to ask for help. "Dammit," he sighs. So much is happening at home... I'm missing so much, he thinks, finally giving into sleep a little later. India has been amazing, I'd never trade this experience for anything... but Paige... Alberto... Mike... have I been extremely selfish by leaving you all in the lurch like this?