Ricardo leans against the couch, his eyes closed. His knee is still a bit of a mess but he's resting, icing it, and just generally being a slouch. He hates it, but Alicia had promised bad things if he didn't promise to rest. Especially if he really wanted to wrestle the following week in New Orleans. He stares up at the ceiling and considers his future obligations to Alberto's MMA fed, the last few wrestling dates he has ahead, and then the holidays. He wants to go somewhere, maybe Australia, just get away for awhile. Maybe during New Years, he thinks. Maybe Alicia can come with.

He dozes while watching Raw, stirring when Alicia's music hits during the segment where the rest of the women's Survivor Series team is announced. He grins as she's confirmed to be in the team, the six of them immediately starting to disagree when Sasha interrupts Dana trying to be put into the match. He watches the six women match that follows, relieved when Alicia, Sasha and Bayley win without any obvious major injury to them, despite how Nia seems to still take pleasure out of throwing Alicia around. He grimaces when Bayley has to help Alicia up onto the apron so they could celebrate inside the ring.

He gives them some time afterwards to check in with the trainer, maybe get cleaned up and change out of their wrestling gear, before calling Alicia. "Hey."

"Hey, Ricardo," she says, sounding tired.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She yawns. "Just kinda... bruised, I guess. But I'm ok. She can't hurt me for too long. You know this." When he doesn't say anything, she shifts. "How's your knee doing?"

"It's still there," he says dully. "But honestly, it's still a little swollen and bruised but better than it was. I've been resting it and icing it for the last few hours. Gotta do what I can to make sure I get to wrestle at New Orleans next week."

"Damn straight," she chuckles. "I can't wait to be home after this tour wraps up. I miss you."

"I miss you too," he sighs. She yawns again so he quickly calls an end to the call. "Sleep well tonight, Alicia."

"I will. You try to do the same."

He smiles. Sleep's been a little hard to find without her nearby, but he at least tries for her sake. Even manages to only stare at the ceiling for a couple hours.

Tuesday drags on forever and Wednesday dawns bright and warm, the weather not matching Ricardo's mood at all. He calls Alicia as soon as he thinks the time zone is alright, breathing solidly until she answers. "Hola," he murmurs.

"Hello." They sit in silence for awhile and then she leans forward, the chair she's sitting on squeaking. "I don't feel so good."

"Me neither," he confesses, scrubbing at his face. "Not at all."

"I'm a little scared."

"We'll be ok. One way or another." He taps his fingers against the back of his cell phone. "I wish I could see you right now."

"I wish you could too," she mumbles. "But it's only a few more days, I'll be home on Tuesday and we can talk about everything. It'll be ok."

"I hope so," he exhales.

"Take care of yourself," she pleads with him. "Especially when you're in New Orleans."

"I will. You be careful too."

"I will too. Ricardo?" she asks softly.

"Yeah?"

"Agreeing to let you live with me has been the best decision I've made in a long time," she tells him. "You've made my life a lot better. I just wanted to say thank you for everything."

Her words sound foreboding, somehow, but he thinks he understands. Things are so uncertain, best to say their feelings as honestly as possible. "I owe you so much for giving me a place to stay, and for taking care of me," he responds softly. "No matter what ever happens, I will never regret a second of it."

They sit in silence, listening to each other breathe until Ricardo hears voices on the other end. "I have to go," Alicia sighs. "It's almost time to travel to the next event."

"Ok. Tuesday, right?"

"Yep, Tuesday. Bye, Ricardo."

"Bye, Alicia." He hangs up the phone and absently rubs his knee, staring at the opposing wall while lost in thought.