A/N: Sorry for the delay on this, I've been sick for a couple of weeks and only now getting back on my feet so I promise to be caught up in my weekly fics before I start NaNoWriMo! Thanks for your patience.

Ricardo gnaws at his lip as he helps people from a nearby church lifting tree branches and debris off of Alicia's driveway, allowing them to get their cars out of the garage that the landlord had let them use upon learning they weren't evacuating. She's helping too, and he smiles at her whenever they pass each other's paths. It takes hours to clean up after the storm, but all in all, things could've been much worse. She leans against him as they thank the church people enthusiastically once they're done, the two of them heading inside and splitting leftover pizza, Ricardo leaning against the island and watching her as she nibbles at the crusts.

"I'm almost too tired to eat," she sighs, sipping from a glass of lukewarm coffee, making a face. When he trades it out with a cold glass of Pepsi, her eyes light up and she quickly drinks from it, exhales softly. "A hurricane's a good reason for a cheat day, right?"

He smiles at her. "That's my logic." She winks at him and he takes a couple of bites of his own pizza before a nagging pain he'd felt earlier re-introduces itself to him. He stretches his knee out, relieved when it helps a little. He can't remember doing anything but after years of wrestling, mixed with all of the lifting and work it had taken to clear the driveway, he can only guess what he's done to himself this time. He doesn't have time to dwell over it, however, when his phone rings. He blinks and reaches for it before his breath seizes in his lungs, the phone slipping out of one hand as the slice of pizza drops from the other one, his eyes unable to look away from the screen.

"What is it?" Alicia wonders, her eyes wide as she stares at him. Finally she swallows her own food and leans in to look, paling as well when she spots Alberto's name and number flashing on the screen. "Oh," she breathes out, reaching out for his hand and squeezing gently. "What are you going to do?"

One more ring and it'll go to voicemail, he knows, but his hands are shaking too hard to do anything so he watches as it darkens, then lights up again. I new voicemail. Alicia murmurs to him and he nods, giving her permission to type in his code- his niece's birthdate- and put the phone on speaker so they can both hear the message.

"Mi hermano, hola. I apologize for the background noise," Alberto says, voice somewhat muffled by the obvious sounds of an airport behind him. "I am calling because I am on my way to New York and I... well, I have a business opportunity to look into. I am aware that this will not fix things between us but I have been thinking about this a long time, and I've been looking for a way to help you out financially. Especially after AAA fell apart the way it did a couple of years ago for you. Would you mind meeting me at my private aircraft? ..." There's a soft mumble in the background and Alberto exhales. "Paige is here, but she will stay out of your way while we discuss my proposition. What do you think? I really want you involved in this, mi hermano. I think it's just what you need. I hope to see you soon. Adios."

Ricardo buries his face in his hands and exhales sharply before catching Alicia's eye. "What do you think?"

She licks her lips, then wipes her fingers off on a napkin before rounding the table and hugging him. "I know this is hard for you," she murmurs into his hair. "Understandably so. They've both hurt you so badly. But I know you're struggling emotionally and financially. Maybe just... hear him out. And if she's there and not giving you space, then you can back out. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

He nods slowly, eyelashes tickling her nose as he blinks. "Alright," he sighs. She pulls away and he thinks she's going to move back to the pizza and resume eating, but instead she leans in and cups his face, hands warm and solid against his jaw. "Alicia," he exhales.

She echoes his name, smiling at him, before arching forward and kissing him softly. It's been so long since he's felt any kind of real affection that just this is enough to curl his toes in his shoes and he hums into her mouth as she strokes his cheeks and kisses him again, lips parting just enough to tease him with her tongue. Third time's the charm as he responds enthusiastically and eases her into his lap, tangling his fingers into her hair as he groans, entire body tingling at this. "I have to go," he groans into her mouth, feeling as she whimpers and digs her knees into his thighs. "I'm sorry. To be continued," he promises, easing her up and off of him.

He changes into a suit and tries to tidy his long hair before dashing for the car, hoping that Alberto hasn't flown off without talking to him first. He apparently had alerted the airport staff because they guide him to the hangar the airplane is at, Ricardo fiddling with his tie and his collar and everything else as he boards. It's hard to miss Alberto, sitting right in front, waiting for him, so Ricardo settles in across from him and smooths his hands along the armrests, biting his lips. "Hola. What did you want to see me about?" he asks, feeling like a child sitting before the watchful principle, waiting for a punishment of some sort.

"Do not be so nervous, mi hermano," Alberto says, motioning to a stewardess and watching with a smirk as she quickly brings a glass of wine to Ricardo. He swirls it in the glass but holds off on drinking it in leiu of Alberto's explanation for all of this. What he says- a business offer made by Combate Americas, which had left to Alberto being named as a new president of the company- isn't at all what Ricardo had expected when he'd stepped up this ramp. "Now I know how wrestling is important to you, and you will be allowed to keep your indy dates, of course, but I need a good, dependable ring announcer." The pause that follows is pregnant and Alberto swallows. "I'm aware that such a thing would be difficult for you to look forward to, but it comes naturally to you, thus it would be easy money, si? Would you at least consider it?"

Ricardo closes his eyes. Remembers Alicia's words, recalls his mother and sister, in charge of the two little children and finding money even tighter without extra scraps from his WWE job. He sighs tiredly, decision made just by this. He stares at Alberto, swallowing down all of his trepidation and nods. "I will. How much time do I?"

"First show under my leadership is tomorrow. We will be doing a weigh in on Facebook, I would appreciate you being there."

Ricardo stares out of the window. "Where is Paige?"

"Asleep," Alberto says simply. "She requires neck surgery shortly and I only would allow her on this trip if she vowed to rest."

Ricardo nods. "Fine. I will stay, but I'm not promising to take the job," he exhales.

Within minutes, the plane is preparing for takeoff and Alberto excuses himself to make sure Paige is doing alright. Ricardo continues staring out of the window, trying to regulate his breathing. I hope I haven't just made a monumental mistake.

-x

He gets to explore New York on his own a lot. Paige and Alberto go to Broadway and do romantic things that make his head hurt, so he walks Time Square, taking video of the buildings, the advertisement, the people. He's never been a huge fan of New York, the congestion and everything making even LA look quiet, calm, but something about it tonight is calming. Makes his problems feel smaller while surrounded by all of these people, listening to them talk. Talking to Alicia sways him.

"I know you miss him," she says softly. "Working for him in the past steadied you, made things easier for you. Perhaps you should try on a trial period or something."

It's brilliant, really, and he tells her so, remembering the feel of her lips on his, how gentle her gaze was once they'd split apart. He wants more, he wishes she was in New York as well, but she still has WWE responsibilities, so he bites his tongue and bids her goodnight once they both start yawning.

Early the next morning, he confirms with Alberto that he will take the job. The rest of the week passes by quickly, Alberto requesting he get his hair cut and even helping him find a place that donates the hair to a charity for people with cancer, like Ricardo had planned all of those months ago upon returning from India but never finding the time or energy to deal with it, especially after everything with Paige hit the fan.

The job is fun- Ricardo had always been intrigued by MMA, so to be this close to it... to meet the competitors, to introduce them, and Alberto, and listen to the hyped up crowd... Ricardo can't help but grin. Even the vague glimpses of Paige he gets now and again isn't enough to ruin this for him. Until, that is, she corners him backstage after the show concludes. Alberto is nowhere in sight. His mouth goes suddenly dry and he stares at her. She's thin, her neck injury keeping her from working out like usual, and she looks pale but resolved. "May I help you with something, Paige?" he asks, trying to sound professional, not wanting to ruin this job on her, especially so soon.

She nods, then shakes her head. "I'm not expecting your blessing," she says softly. "I just want to give you some advanced warning." Warnings are ringing in Ricardo's head but he's unable to move away, allowing her to continue speaking. "Alberto is wrestling in Puerto Rico over the weekend... against Ray Gonzalez, no less." Her smile is brittle and they hesitate for a minute, remembering one of Ricardo's first feuds after leaving WWE. "Win or lose," she continues speaking once the reflection has passed, "I plan on proposing to him in the ring there. I just wanted to let you know ahead of time."

Ricardo stares at her. Feels a laugh bubbling up but shakes it off, afraid it would devolve into sobs, or worse, screams, if he let it out in front of her. He has nothing to say so he turns on his heel and leaves her standing there helplessly in the middle of the hallway, wringing her hands.

Alberto meets him halfway to the exit, about to congratulate him when he takes in Ricardo's pale, shaky appearance. "Mi hermano? Is something wrong?"

Ricardo bites his lips. Remembers the ring he'd bought for Paige, how he had put his whole hopes and future in that ring. Just for this... this to happen. He closes his eyes and exhales. "Alberto, normally I wouldn't ask for your help with anything, but I can't afford to exchange my ticket back. I really want to see my family in LA, however. Could you...?"

Alberto's eyes light up. "Of course, si, let me make a couple of phone calls, see what I can do."

Ricardo nods, shoulders sagging as he watches his once-former but yet again current employer work his magic with the airlines and quickly gets Ricardo's ticket transferred for one heading towards California instead of Florida. Paige is lurking, he can sense her, but she says nothing, and before long her piercing stare thankfully disappears.

"Done," Alberto says with a smug grin, pocketing his phone and awkwardly reaching out, settling to pat Ricardo on the shoulder once he realizes the former ring announcer isn't moving in for a hug.

"Gracias, Alberto. I appreciate it." He gnaws at his lip. "And the job too. I'm nowhere over everything that's gone on, but... the status quo feels oddly nice."

"Yes, it does," Alberto says with a small smile. He watches as Ricardo halfheartedly waves before turning to leave, frowning when he notices he's limping ever so slightly, walking gingerly because of some unseen problem in his leg. Alberto exhales and shakes his head, wishing he could do more but knowing that it wouldn't be welcome. Not yet, anyway.