1Disclaimer: This is set during the days of the Ministry of Darkness, just to give everyone a time line to go by. I'm taking some severe liberties with the storylines of that time, however I don't believe that it will be too unthinkable. I'll still keep with the traditional baby faces and black hats, but tweak things here and there. There will need to be, as we say in theatre, a willing suspension of disbelief, meaning that there are going to be some things that are going to make the readers go, 'huh? That doesn't make any kind of sense'!

The setting of this story is just after Stephanie McMahon's 'Black Wedding'. After that moment, DISCARD EVERYTHING YOU'VE SEEN AFTERWARDS. Things are going to take a little change. Some things will stay the same, but there will be differences, obviously because I'm adding a character that will make those changes happen.

Also, when you see this: WWF, this means, for lack of a better term, Real Life. When you see this: WWF, it means WWF Life, again, for lack of a better term.

I love reviews, but laugh off flames, and if they're incredibly humorous (as I put it), I report them.

As always, any wrestlers or other characters you see in here, with the exception of Jaina Austin, are the property of the now WWE and their respective employees. I'm making no money off this, Vince, so please don't sue! I got no monies anyway. (Yay working college student!)

WWF

It was really an amazing thing. She'd been a part of the wrestling world for all her life, and then not a part of it. Now, at 23 years of age, her father had finally relented and allowed her to have a more in depth view of what he did every day.

Jaina Austin was a smart girl, a tough girl. She'd just graduated the previous fall from Texas A&M university with a BA in Creative Writing, minoring in British studies, but all through out her four years at university, all she could think about was joining her father on the road. She watched him on television since she was a little girl, from his WCW days to his infamous run now in the WWF. It was on the day of her graduation that her father had allowed her to broach the possibility of her coming on the road with him as a serious option.

Steve had never liked the idea of his daughter getting involved in his business. Entertainment or not, it was a dangerous occupation. There were storylines and fixes in the matches, but it didn't make the physical aspect of wrestling any less demanding. When Steve got hit, it hurt, and when he hit the mat, it hurt even more. His body was used to it after all these years, but Jaina had little to no training in that field.

So, he breathed a big sigh of relief when Jaina told him that for right now, she didn't want to wrestle. Maybe some day, but not now. For the present time, she just wanted to be involved in a story line, preferably with him, and if she had to get a little physical she would, but nothing to the degree that other women did. That may have been what the fans wanted to see, but that wasn't what Jaina wanted to do.

With that understanding between father and daughter, Steve had set up a meeting with himself, Jaina, and Vince McMahon to see how they could fit her in. They'd flown up to Connecticut to meet with the famous owner, and the meeting had taken off without a hitch. With Jaina's subtle southern accent (which Vince was surprised about), her youth and vitality, and of course, soft, attractive face with bright blue eyes and dazzling smile, Mr. McMahon was more than willing to work her in. "She'll be a breath of fresh air to RAW," he'd commented, "I've just brought Stephanie into the storyline. It might be a good change of pace for the fans to see not all the women of the WWF are wrestlers or sex kittens; no offense to you of course, Jaina."

And that had been it. Four weeks from that day, and now Jaina was walking along the halls of The Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas. It was important to her that she make her debut in what she considered to be her home down. Of course, Victoria was her dad's home town, but while Jaina loved the quiet and peace of the country, she was a city girl at heart, and could easily flow between the two.

She allowed herself a small grin, looking around. So far, she'd stayed in the back locker room area's as she didn't want to get in the way of the crew setting up for that nights show. It was going to be live, not taped, and Jaina couldn't get the butterflies out of her stomach.

It simply couldn't get any better than this.

"Jaina!"

The girl spun around, her grin becoming a full blown smile as her father caught up to her. "Damn, girl, I turn my back for one second and you're all over the place," Steve put his arm around her shoulders, "c'mon, Jay, it's not like you've never been here before."

"I know, but I've never been here before as a part of the WWF." She wrapped her arms around her fathers waist and hugged him tightly. "Thanks for letting me do this, Dad."

"You know there's nothin' I wouldn't give my baby girl if I could. You've been wantin' to do this for...well, I guess since you started walkin'." He poked her nose. "You've just gotta remember that this ain't all fun and games. It's work, painful work. I know for right now you're just gonna be goin' to the ring with me, but if things get outta hand, you've gotta keep your head on your shoulders. Alright?"

Jaina nodded. She knew how uncomfortable this made her father, and she was willing to do what it took to put his mind at ease. Besides, it wasn't like she was totally defenseless. She was the daughter of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Was there anyone around the WWF that seriously believed she didn't know how to throw a good punch?

WWF

Cookies. Chips. Coffee. Water.

In short, the usual.

Shane looked at the cart in disappointment. His flight had come in early in the morning, and because of meetings with his father and the writers, he really hadn't had a chance to have more than an egg biscuit and an orange juice from the local McDonalds. It was now around lunch time, and his stomach was growling.

And not for anything that was on that table.

However, he resigned himself to his fate and took a water and a bag of chips. At least until this last meeting was over, that would tide him over. He made his way back to his 'office' and let himself in, taking the time to actually sit down and have some peace for a few minutes before his next meeting. His father had asked him to take one of his appointments due to a last minute scheduling conflict for next weeks show that he needed to work out. It was supposed to be a short one, which was good, because immediately afterwards, Shane was getting in his rental car and going in search of real food.

He glanced at his watch; 1:43. Two minutes was all that stood between him and a steak. Or a rack of ribs. The food was one of the things that Shane loved when he came to San Antonio. Texans took their barbeque seriously, and who was Shane to stick his nose up at a rack of baby backs?

And then, there was the sound he'd been waiting for, the knock at the door. "Come in," he called, sitting up in his chair and wiping his hands of the crumbs from the chips. He glanced up as his appointment walked in. The last time he'd seen her was about a year and a half ago, but boy did she do a lot of growing in that time.

"Jaina," he stood up and held out his hand, "good to see you. I hope you don't mind, my dad asked me to take this meeting. Scheduling conflicts and all that."

"Oh no, that's fine," Jaina replied, shaking his hand firmly, which took Shane slightly by surprised. "That's a strong grip you have there," he complimented, ushering her into her seat, then sitting back down.

"Well, I have been working out," she joked, "no, seriously, I've been pestering my dad to let me do this for years. I figured when I finally got the chance I should be in the best shape I could."

"That's for sure," Shane agreed, "so, about tonight, you've been given the story line and the script, right?" Jaina nodded her head in an affirmative. "And you're comfortable with it?" Jaina nodded again, this time answering. "Yea, it seems pretty straight forward. I'm glad that things start popping tonight with the story line and everything though."

"Ah, a bit impatient are we?" Shane chuckled, to which Jaina only smirked. "I don't like waiting around for the punch line, if that's what you're asking."

"Oh boy...two Austins; what are we to do with two of you running around the WWF now?" Shane stood up. "Well, that was pretty much all the meeting was about, just making sure you were comfortable with everything. Did you have any questions?"

"Actually, yea, I did have one."

Shane nodded at her to go ahead.

"There's something in the lines tonight about me meeting up with the Undertaker in one of the segments, but it doesn't really give off anymore than that. Is that just a camera shot or am I supposed to be a little nervous or him a little menacing or what?"

"The infamous improv," Shane nodded his head in understanding, standing up and coming around to lean against his desk, "the thing is, unless we give you actual lines, you're pretty much free to do what you want, within reason of course. Obviously, you're not going to launch yourself at Taker and be in a match with him next week."

Jaina snorted. "I hope not."

"Me too. No, you can work that with him however you want. I will say that because you two are on opposite sides, with him being the heel with the Ministry of Darkness right now, it's probably a good idea that you don't talk about exactly how you'll react with each other. Undertaker is not a happy guy right now since Stone Cold rescued Stephanie from him last week, so you're natural reaction to some guy who wants to kick your fathers ass is, well, I hope, not a good one." He crossed his arms over his chest and thought for a moment. "You're in the unique position of already knowing what side your on. Most entertainers get put into a position of sides after their first few months on the circuit. So..."

"Got it. Dad good, Undertaker bad and scary." She stood up, but as she did, she heard the distinct sound of an unhappy stomach in the vicinity and looked at Shane, slightly surprised. He smiled, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry about that," he tried to cover, "I haven't really had much today. In fact, I was just about to go grab something to eat."

Jaina stood up. "That reminds me, I should probably grab something now before it picks up. I'm excited now, but I'll be too nervous later to eat anything." She saw Shane glance at his watch, then he looked back up at her. "Well, we've got time. How about I take you out for lunch? It'll give us sometime to catch up with each other and talk about the storyline more if you want."

"That sounds great. Just let me grab my father and tell him where I'm going." Shane nodded his head, walking forward and opening up the door for her. "You haven't lost your gentlemanly touches I see," she teased him. Shane was quite the chivalrous one. Vince McMahon may have been a pretty good heel on screen, but off, it was clear that he'd raised both of his children well. Jaina had always thought that Stephanie was quite the lady, and Shane...well, Shane had always been the gentleman.

"Nope. Never have, never will." Shane walked with her toward her fathers locker room. "So, how's your dad taking all this?"

"He's, you know..." Jaina scratched the back of her head, "he wishes I would have just gone to graduate school or gotten another job, but he also knows how much I've wanted to do this. He doesn't normally show it, but he's nervous about me being out there, being in this business with him."

Shane shrugged. "It's a tough gig. You're dad's one of the best, but the only reason for that is because he's been at the top and at the lowest of the low. To tell you the truth, if I ever have daughter, I'd be nervous about her being involved in wrestling too."

"But you and Stephanie were raised in this business, your father built it into what it is today," Jaina argued, "how could you not want them to be a part of something your family created from scratch?" She saw Shane shrug again. "I didn't say I wouldn't want her involved, just that I'd be nervous about it. That would be my little girl, hell, she could be your age and she'd still be my little girl. I imagine that's what Steve's thinking about right now."

"That's very true," Jaina laughed, turning a corner and knocking on her fathers locker room door. When she heard his voice, she opened the door and poked her head in. "Hey Dad, you mind if I go grab some lunch?"

Steve looked at her, slightly perplexed. "Jaina, you're 23 years old, you don't need my permission to eat." He looked over her shoulder, eventually seeing Shane standing behind her. Jaina rolled her eyes, knowing what was coming next. "Actually, I take that back. You do need my permission to eat, especially with a member of the opposite sex."

"Jeez, what happened to being 23?" She joked, stepping into the locker room. Shane hung out near the door. He didn't have to be told how protective Steve was over his only daughter. There had been plenty of times when some of the other wrestlers had hit on her, and that hadn't made Austin very happy, and he'd let everyone know it.

"Dad, it's just lunch. We'll be back soon. Plus, I haven't really eaten much today, and if I'm going to eat, I'd better do it now before I throw up all over the arena tonight from nervousness."

Steve groaned inwardly. This was the only thing about father hood that he didn't like; watching other men go out with his baby girl. He knew Shane, in fact, he actually thought Shane was alright, but he would never admit that. No one was good enough for his daughter. "This is how it starts," he muttered, realizing that Jaina was now standing in front of him, "first it's 'oh, it's just lunch, daddy,' then it'll turn into, 'oh, it's just dating, daddy,' and before I know it, I'm a grandfather." Jaina snorted, shaking her head. "S'not like that Dad, I'm just hungry, and Shane happens to be hungry as well, and he invited me out for lunch to catch up and talk about the story lines. We won't come back married or anything like that, we've only just seen each other for the first time in a year and half."

Steve clicked his tongue, then looked at Shane, pointing at him, "You invited her, so you're payin' for her." Shane held up his hands. "Wouldn't have it any other way." Steve grunted and nodded slightly. "Alright. Remember, you've gotta be back here at 6pm so we can go over our lines. It's central time here, so we start at 8pm."

"I know, Daddy." Jaina gave her father a kiss on his cheek. "I'll be back by then, don't worry." She turned and headed out the door, walking past Shane.

"Steve, did you want me to bring you back anything?" Shane asked. Austin just looked at him. "My daughter safe and sound would be a good idea," he finally answered. Shane's knee jerk reaction to someone else who would have said that would be to roll his eyes, but he was not a stupid man. "I meant more in the way of food, but really, you don't have to worry. We'll be back before you know it. You know I wouldn't do anything that was un-gentleman like."

"Yea," Steve waved him off, "just a bit different with her around here, working with me, working for you, that's all."

"I understand," Shane nodded, "so, did you want us to bring you back something, or are you okay?"

"Nah, I'm good. Just be sure you treat my daughter like a lady, and we won't have any problems." Steve looked Shane in the eye.

"You have my word." Shane knocked on the door panel once, then left the room, going after Jaina, who was waiting at the end of the hall. "Yeesh, he really gave you the riot act," Jaina smiled lightly at him, "I'm sorry about that, he's just really protective of me is all. It wouldn't matter if I were going to lunch with a gay guy, Dad would still grill him. He didn't make you too uncomfortable, did he?"

"No, but I'm sure that if something happens to you while you're with me, I have a stunner coming my way, and not a staged one either," Shane chuckled, "does he think you're going to marry every male friend you go out to dinner with?"

"Yes," Jaina answered simply. Both of them laughed as they headed toward the back lot where the WWF employee's parked their cars. "Where to?" asked Shane as he opened Jaina's door for her.

"There's actually a really good restaurant on the river walk if you feel like going there," Jaina got in and Shane shut her door, walking around and settling into the car himself, "it's called Boudros, it's not very far from here, actually. It's a bistro type setting with all kinds of food; they have this amazing prime rib there and their ribs are always good."

"Then Boudros, it is." Shane turned the engine over, glad that it covered the rumbling of his stomach.

WWF

"Hey, Mark, can I talk to you for a second?" Austin found Mark Caloway out near the ring talking to one of the crew members. Many people thought that the wrestlers stayed in their own circles, but that was far from the truth. Every single time a ring was set up, the wrestlers put their very lives in the hands of the ring crew. It was because of them that the ring was set up every night and it was set up right. If the ring were put together incorrectly, it was very possible that one of the performers could be hurt because of it. The crew and the wrestlers were close, and it had always been like that. Without the ring crew, there would be no ring.

Caloway excused himself from his conversation and walked over to Austin, taking the mans hand in greeting. "Steve, how ya been?"

"I'm a little on edge tonight as ya may imagine, Mark," the Texan answered, "I got my baby girl with me, and not just to watch this time. She's involved with this storyline with you and the ministry and that's got me just a little bit worried about her safety, if ya know what I mean."

"I understand, Austin." Mark did understand; he had kids of his own, and while none of them were involved in the wrestling world, he worried about their health and safety every day of his life. "You know I can't guarantee that she won't get hurt out there, but I will make sure that everyone in the ministry knows she's off limits. They'll yell at her, and they'll use you to taunt her, but the most they can do is grab her and hold her; no sleepers or tombstones or anything like that."

"And if one of 'em goes over board?"

"They'll answer to me. Personally. It's not in the script yet, not until she learns how to take blows and falls and all that. Plus, it'll mess up the storyline." Mark looked Steve directly in the eye. "You and I have known each other a long time, Steve. I'm not gonna tell you not to worry, cause that's not gonna happen, but I am gonna tell you that I'm gonna do everything in my power and the storyline, to keep her from getting hurt. But honestly, she's just gonna be escorting you to the ring. Unless someone decides to take the writing in their hands, no one's gonna touch her. It's introduction night; I don't foresee anything happening."

All Austin could do was nod his head. There was only so much threatening and intimidation he could do before he had to succumb to the fact that his daughter was a grown woman and could take care of herself. "Alright," he finally said, looking around the arena. "We sold out tonight?"

"We're in Shawn Michael's hometown, of course we're sold out tonight," Mark answered, rolling his eyes. "By the way, where is Jaina?"

"She's out to lunch. With McMahon."

Mark arched an eyebrow. "She's out with Vince?"

"No. Shane offered to take her to lunch so they could catch up." Austin stuck his hands on his hips. He still wasn't happy about that, and he didn't really give a damn if he was over reacting. Shane had a reputation of being a ladies man, and while that was all fine and good with the other women, it wasn't alright for his daughter.

"Now that, I'll tell you not to worry about." Mark nodded his head as Steve looked up at him in surprise. "You're gonna tell me not to worry about that?" Austin was beside himself, and he was even more surprised when Mark nodded his head. "How are you gonna tell me not to worry about that? You know Shane's reputation with the women around here, I don't want him gettin' any ideas about my little girl."

Mark rolled his eyes. "You really think Jaina's gonna let Shane treat her like some trophy? I've seen the girl punch, and I wouldn't want her to hit me. And I gotta tell ya, I haven't seen Shane with a girl in a long time. It's like he's put his whole life into his work these days."

"You think I care about that? Just cause he's not with one right now doesn't mean he's changed his ways. He's an alright guy for everyone else, but for my Jaina, he don't hold a candle to what she deserves." Austin felt himself becoming ever more tense. He didn't care if everything was platonic between his daughter and Shane; that was fine. He just didn't want it getting any further than that.

"Austin, I don't think there's a man on the planet that you think could hold a candle to your daughter. That's the problem with us fathers, we never wanna let go of our girls." Mark clapped his friend on the back. "I got some stuff to do, but if you wanna come by later and get the whole storyline from my angle, we can do that."

"Yea, that'd be good." Austin watched his friend walk away, quietly mulling over his decision. If this was what Jaina wanted to do with her life, he knew, one way or another, he was going to have to accept it.

But he didn't have to like it.

WWF

"So, what have you been doing with yourself?" Shane asked, taking a sip of his wine. They'd just ordered their food at Boudros and were now relaxing, each with a glass of wine.

"Well, I just graduated from Texas A&M this past fall, thank God," Jaina took a sip of wine, getting comfortable in her booth, "and Dad promised me that after I got my degree we could have a serious discussion about me joining the WWF."

Shane chuckled. He could just imagine the delight that Austin must have felt when that day came. Jaina didn't miss the irony in Shane's laugh, but she had to agree with him. "Yea, he was thrilled. But we had an agreement, and if there's one thing about my Dad, it's that he honor's all his agreements."

"Well, we're glad to have you," Shane raised his wine glass to her and took another sip, "you've come in at just the right time in my opinion. There's a really amazing storyline happening right now, and with my sister being at the center of it, and you joining her pretty soon, it's really going to blow the fans away. I don't think I could have planned it any better myself."

"Actually, I think it was your father who planned this whole thing," Jaina smirked, watching Shane put a hand to his heart as though he were hurt. "Never let it be said that Jaina Austin can't wound a man with words."

"Well, I hope that Jaina Austin can wound a man with more than just words," she retorted.

"You know, there's always something I've wanted to ask you," Shane sat back, folding his hands on the table, "you were born in Texas."

Jaina nodded.

"You've lived here all your life."

She nodded again, not understanding where Shane was taking the conversation.

"I know a lot of Texans, but I swear, you have the lightest southern accent I've ever heard of any Texan in my life." He was rewarded with a sweet giggle from her, and he couldn't help the upward tug of his lips at the sound of her voice. "My dad took me on the road a lot when I was a little girl, you know that. I mean, I was in Texas a lot when I was little too, but I got the experience of hearing a bunch of different people talk so..." she shrugged, holding the wine glass up to her lips. "I guess that's that story."

"I gotta say though..." Shane stumbled in his words for a moment, trying to find the right way to compliment her without sounding like he was coming onto her. "The last time I saw you, you...well, you didn't look like you do now." He finished, somewhat lamely. He saw the confusion on Jaina's face, but before he could amend his statement, Jaina spoke up.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

The look on her face was an innocent one, one could even call it sweet. She kept her eyes on his face as she took another sip of wine, waiting for him to answer her.

"It's a great thing. I just...well, the last time I saw you, you were wearing sneakers and jeans with a t-shirt, and now I see you and you're wearing make up, you've got your hair done...you have heels on. It's just strange to see that's all."

Just then, the waiter came with their appetizer, spinach artichoke dip, and two plates, setting one in front of each of them and placing extra napkins between the two plates. "Is there anything else I can get you?" Shane finished the last of his wine and held up the glass. "May we have the bottle, please?" He asked, knowing that he and Jaina would be at the restaurant for a while. The Waiter nodded and quickly returned with the bottle that had been opened for them and refilled Shane's glass before leaving.

"So, you were saying I looked strange?" Jaina swirled the rest of her wine around in her glass, but she also couldn't help the tug of a smile on her lips. Her smile was what relieved Shane in all actuality. "No, I was saying it was just strange to see." He took her wine glass from her hand and refilled it, placing it in front of her on the table. "You were one of the bigger tom boys I've known and then I see you today before the meeting, and...I've got to tell you, if you hadn't been standing next to your father, I wouldn't have recognized you."

"Well," Jaina circled her finger around the top of her wine glass, "I just got tired of being so...frumpy, I guess is the word. So, one day, I just gave all my dirty jeans and t-shirts to the good will and went shopping, I got my hair cut and styled. Some of my friends at school helped me pick out make up and...." she shrugged, spreading her arms wide, touching the booth from end to end. "Here I am now." She bit her lip. "Dad wasn't too wild about it. The clothes were fine, but he didn't understand the make up; said I was prettier without it, but I like it."

"You are pretty without it," Shane said before he could catch himself. But he was rewarded by a flush of red across Jaina's cheeks and a shy smile. Well, that's a good sign, he thought to himself, leaning forward on the table. "I don't think you look strange, I think you look...well, if I'm being a man and I'm being honest, I think you look beautiful, with or without the make up. But I'm an old fashioned guy myself, and I think there are too many women out there who think they need cosmetics to make themselves into some kind of gorgeous super model." He glanced up at Jaina's face and stopped speaking. "What?"

"It's just I never would have expected to hear that from you," she admitted, "I honestly didn't think you cared one way or another whether or not a woman decides to not wear make up or put ten pounds of it on."

"Well, just between you and me, I don't really like cosmetics all that much. When I first went on camera, it was like pulling teeth to get me into the make up chair, and all I get is concealer and powder."

It was then that the waiter came back with their entree's. After asking if they needed anything else, the waiter left the table, leaving Shane and Jaina to their lunch. The latter popped a shrimp into her mouth and a dreamy expression came on her face. "That's what I've missed." She watched Shane break off a rib with a fork and nearly choked, giggling hysterically. The man across from her looked up. "What's funny?"

"You!" Jaina shook her head, reaching across the table and taking the fork and knife from his hands. "You can't eat Texas ribs like that, everyone's going to know you're a yankee!" She took one of the baby backs and tore off a rib, handing it to Shane. "Come on, McMahon, get your hands a little dirty here." Shane only shrugged.

"I think I can accept that challenge." He took the rib in both of his hands and set to munching on it, Jaina returning to her shrimp. Both of them gave each other furtive looks during the meal, but really said nothing until they were both done.

"I can't believe you tried to eat Texas ribs with a fork," Jaina wiped her hands off. "Hey, sue me, I'm from Greenwich. We eat with utensils, not our hands." Shane smirked at her as he signaled for the check and paid for it immediately.

"Make sure you leave a generous tip, please," Jaina gathered her purse together and stood up, taking Shane's hand to do so.

"I always do." The young McMahon offered his arm and Jaina accepted, both of them walking out of the restaurant together.

"Thanks for lunch," she said as she got into the car. Shane shut the door and entered on the other side, taking her hand and saying, "it was my pleasure," before giving her a small kiss just below her wrist. Once again, a blush crept up Jaina's face and she ducked her head, looking out the window.

But she didn't take her hand out of Shane's.

WWF

It was 5:30 central time when Jaina and Shane arrived back at the Alamo Dome, just in time for Jaina to go over, one more time, her lines and any last minute advice that her father would give her. Shane escorted her back to the locker room she'd share with her father that evening, and neither he nor Steve's daughter missed the look of subtle relief of Austin's face. After a parting good bye, Jaina settled herself in a chair across from Steve and crossed her legs, regarding him quietly for a moment.

"Dad, seriously, please relax. I'll be fine," she soothed, "I understand why you're worried, but I know the risks I'm taking getting into the business. Besides, I've had the best teacher anyone can ask for my entire life."

Steve nodded, grabbing his script and motioning for Jaina to do the same. "I know," was all he said before he flipped back the first page. For the next two hours, they looked over the script together, Austin answering any questions his daughter may have, reassuring himself through the whole process that for a first night introduction, Jaina would have things under control.

At 7:45, the state managers made their rounds to all the locker rooms, informing them the show would start in 15 minutes. By this time, Austin had changed into his trade mark black leather vest, cut off jean shorts with his knee braces, and boots. Jaina was still in make up and wardrobe, which was where the script called for her to be when she first came on the screen. Steve grabbed a bottle of water, but instead of drinking it, poured it over his head, keeping at bay the nerves that he felt for his daughter.

Austin had taught her everything she knew about fighting, and Steve was very proud to say that if she ever got into a position where she would need to defend herself, she would be able to do so with flying colors. She didn't know wrestling moves per say, but she could throw a punch and do a good amount of damage with the best of them. He'd made certain of that from the time she was five years old and on, and it wasn't hard to do so. Steve should have known that with Jaina's love for physical melee she would have a definite desire to join the WWF, but he'd always been able to keep that day at bay. Now though, he had to accept that the day had come, and soon, the camera's would be on her, she'd by his side at the ring, thousands of fans would fall in love with her, and she would be put into some precarious positions a few weeks down the road.

For now though, he had to focus. He had no matches tonight, but the story line called for him to raise some hell with the Ministry of Darkness. Austin grinned at that thought; not a problem at all.

A knock came on the door and one of the crew techs poked his head in, "Steve, two minutes," then closed the door once again. Austin took a deep breath and opened the door, nodding to the camera crew. From his position in the hall, he could hear the fans cheering and screaming, knowing that tonight was going to be an incredible night. While Stone Cold Steve Austin didn't have a match, he was going to be on the look out for the Undertaker and his ministry, who had been very quiet since last weeks 'interruption'.

No, Undertaker was not happy that Stone Cold had interfered in his wedding plans. Not at all. Stephanie was now safe and secure, back home in Connecticut, thanks to Stone Cold. But as well as that boded for McMahon's daughter, that didn't bode well for Austin, and he knew there would be hell to pay for that.

"Okay Austin, 10 seconds."

Hearing that, Steve left his head, replaced by Stone Cold Steve Austin. The camera light shone on him and the techie gave the thumbs up signal.

Time to start the show.

WWF

Jaina sat in the chair, making idle chatter with the make up artist and laughing when her father came up to her. "How're they treatin' you baby girl, treatin' you good?"

"They're great, Daddy, thanks." Jaina leaned her head forward to receive a kiss from her father. As the make up artist leaned forward to apply some more blush to his daughters cheeks, Austin reached out a hand to stop her. "Hey, hey, hey, that's enough make up there, look at that, you can't even recognize her anymore." The make up artist backed off, with an apologetic look from Jaina. "We going now, Dad?"

"Yea, I gotta few things to get off of my chest tonight." Jaina thanked the artist, then hopped off the chair and headed after her father.

WWF

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, after a hellatious Monday night last week for Stephanie McMahon, her wedding, if you will, to the Undertaker, foiled by Stone Cold Steve Austin, I can tell you that the Undertaker is here, Stone Cold Steve Austin is here tonight on Raw, and I very well imagine that those two will be crossing paths later on tonight." J.R. sat ring side, next to, as always, Jerry the King Lawler. "It is Raw is War, from the Alamo Dome, in San Antonio, Texas tonight, it is live, and it promises to be one Hell of a night. Stephanie McMahon is not here, she is, as you can well understand, recuperating from her ordeal here last Monday night, and-"

He was cut off as Stone Cold Steve Austin's entrance music, and the crowd, as always, came to their feet, cheering, screaming, and all in all, giving an extraordinary welcome to Austin as he appeared from the back area, with his daughter by his side.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, business is about to pick up here as Stone Cold, WWF champion, makes his way to the ring with...well, I'm not sure who that is, she's a young lady."

Jerry cut in, "I'm sure we're about to find out. Did Austin say he was picking up a valet or a manager at anytime? I don't remember him saying that, but if he did, that's a hell of a choice right there; she's gorgeous."

J.R. rolled his eyes. "Austin doesn't seem like the type of man to have a manager, that man is his own man, he doesn't let anyone tell him what to do or when to do it, Stone Cold does what he wants to do, and it looks like what he wants to do right now is come out here tonight and give everyone a piece of his mind."

Both announcers watched as Austin bounced from turn buckle to turn buckle, climbing up on each and raising his arms in the air, allowing the fans to enjoy his presence. Behind him, Jaina stood in the center of the ring, praising her father with applause and grinning from ear to ear. It was fairly apparent that the men in the front rows of the arena had taken a shine to her already, but she put that out of her mind as her father grabbed a microphone and motioned for the production truck to cut the music.

"First of all," he paced the ring, looking around with what could graciously be described as a cerebral expression, "first of all, I have an introduction to make. Ole Stone Cold usually comes to the ring by himself, cause he doesn't need anyone walkin' behind him, watchin' his back, but I decided to make an exception, just this once!"

It was fairly obvious that the fans didn't care what the man said, as long as he kept talking, they would keep cheering.

"Standin' in the center of this ring is none other than my little girl, Jaina Austin!" Stone Cold walked around his daughter while the fans cheers grew considerably louder. If the camera's had cut to J.R. and The King, the fans at home would have seen shock registered on both of their faces. As it was though, all they could do was repeat the information, and their surprise at Austin's daughter being by her fathers side.

"Now that the introductions are over with, let's get down to business!" Jaina stepped out of the center of the ring, effectively letting her father have the floor. She took up station at the back of the ropes, resting her arms on them as she watched her father do what he did best; provoke his enemies.

"Let's get one thing straight right now," Austin stopped and looked toward the aisle, "let's get one thing straight, I didn't do what I did last week for Vince McMahon. As far as I'm concerned, that son of a bitch can go straight to Hell, and the world would be better off for it!" His words were received well, as if he were preaching the gospel himself. "And I didn't do it for Stephanie McMahon either! Truth of the matter is, if Vince's dumb ass woulda stopped bringin' her with him, it never would have happened in the first place!"

Jaina, staying true to her father, raised her hands and clapped them together, nodding her head in agreement.

"The reason I came out here last Monday night was for one reason, and one reason only; that son of a bitch Undertaker pressed Stone Colds buttons one to many times, and last Monday night seemed as good as any a night to open up a can of whoop ass on that dead bastard!" Austin, in his normal fashion, continued to pace the ring up and down, holding the crowd captive with his voice, their ears hanging off every word that fell from his mouth. "I'm tired of bein' screwed, and Vince, I know you're back there, ya beady eyed little bastard, and I know you can hear me, so I know you'll hear me when I say that I want a shot at Taker tonight. You can put me in any kinda match you wanna put me into, you can put me in a Hell in the Cell, you can put me in a First Blood Match, No DQ, I don't give a damn, but you're gonna put me in the ring tonight with the Undertaker, so get out here and do it!"

Austin stepped back from the ropes closest to the aisle, waiting for Vince to come down as Jaina walked up to him. "You really think he's gonna come out here?" She asked, the mic to far from her for her voice to carry. Austin looked at his daughter, then held the mic back up to his mouth. "Vince, as you can tell, I'm a little impatient tonight, you can either come out here in this ring and gimme what I want, or I can come back there, find ya, and persuade you to give me what I want. It don't really matter how it gets done, just as long as it gets done!" The crowd roared with agreement, stomping their feet, clapping their hands, beating on anything that would make noise. A few moments later, McMahon's entrance music filled the arena and Vince walked out, pompous as ever, but none the less the look of a grateful father still on his face. Stone Cold walked to the ropes and leaned on them, the mic still in his hands, Jaina standing right behind him.

After making his way down the ramp, McMahon entered the ring and regarded Austin closely, taking special care to keep a respectful distance from him. The crowd quieted down, wanting to hear the owner speak, wanting to hear the owner give their favorite wrestler what he wanted and deserved. "First Austin, I want to thank you personally for what you did last Monday night. You and I...we don't always see eye to eye-"

"We never see eye to eye, Vince," the wrestler interrupted, staring his boss down with an angry look on his face. Vince swallowed, but pressed on. "We don't always see eye to eye, but you will never know what you did for me, what you did for Stephanie, and I'll always be grateful to you for that." Vince paced the ring softly, his eyes falling on Jaina. "Second, I'd like to welcome your own daughter to the WWF. Jaina, we're glad to have you and uh...we all look forward to working with you." His response was a shrewd look from Jaina. Just like her father, Jaina Austin didn't trust Vince as far as she could throw him. "Now, as for your request," the owner cleared his throat, "as you know, the Undertaker is already scheduled for a match tonight against Kane." He held up his hand as Stone Cold slowly raised the mic to his mouth, getting ready to unleash a tirade against McMahon. "He's in a match tonight against Kane, but, what I can do, and what I will do Austin, is on May 23rd, at Over the Edge...I will put you in a Hell in the Cell Match with the Undertaker, if that's what you want."

"That's what I want!" Austin ensured him. "That's exactly what I want, Vince, I want that dead bastard in the ring with me!" He glared at his boss, Jaina feeling the tension between two powerful men building. Vince seemed to be thinking about it, then he nodded his head once.

"You got it, Austin! You've got Undertaker all to yourself at Over the Edge!"

The crowd showed their appreciation for McMahon's decision by giving him a heartfelt and long cheer of unrestrained glee. Jaina grinned, clapping her hands, nodding her approval at Vince as Austin stomped over to back of the ring, signaling one of the ring hands to throw him two beers.

"But, hold on, Austin, hold on," Vince placated him, holding out a hand, trying to get his attention, which he did. Steve turned around, wary at what would come out of Vince's mouth next, "you've got your match, Austin, and believe me, I've got no problems giving that bastard to you on a silver platter, after what he did to my little girl. But it's 'little girls' that I want to talk to you about." He nodded towards Jaina, whose expression carried confusion. "What does this have to do with me?" She asked, her father coming to stand beside her.

"Now, now just hear me out, okay, Stone Cold? Just hear me out, cause I have some experience with this, as you well know," Vince cleared his throat, "these past weeks, when I watched Stephanie being stalked by that...by that mad man, I've felt about as helpless as I've ever felt in my life. I didn't know where he was, I didn't know how he was getting his information, and this guy...this devil got into my house, he went through my daughters room, he burned his symbol on my front lawn!"

"I'm in no mood for games, Vince, get to the point!" Austin demanded.

"The point, Steve, is this; I'm not talking to you as your boss, I'm not talking to you as a fellow employee of the WWF, I'm not even talking to you man to man," McMahon paused, making sure Austin understood him, "I'm talking to you father to father, I'm talking to you as one father of his baby girl, to another. The Undertaker made my daughters life a living Hell. She couldn't sleep, she couldn't eat, she couldn't go outside without fearing for her well being...and I couldn't do a damn thing about it."

"So, Austin," he continued, "if you want the Undertaker at Over the Edge, that's all well and good, but please, heed this bit of advice. Actually, it's the same bit of advice that you gave me earlier tonight; leave Jaina at home."

Jaina took a deep breath, pursing her lips. Her father was about to speak again, more than likely to tell Vince what he could go do with himself, but Jaina placed a soft hand on her fathers arm, and motioned for permission to take the mic. With more than a little trepidation, Stone Cold handed it over and stepped back, crossing massive arms over a strong chest, looking on at Vince.

He could tell that the owner of the WWF had focused his attention solely on Jaina.

"Mr. McMahon," she took a deep breath, pondering her words carefully, "I want to say first that, coming from me, I'm really sorry about what happened to Stephanie. I've met her before...I'd like to consider her a friend, if not a close acquaintance, and what the Undertaker did to her was reprehensible, without a doubt."

Over the headset, J.R. and The King talked amongst themselves. "She definitely doesn't sound like an Austin," King said, "she sounds almost civil."

Back in the ring, Jaina was still addressing Vince. "But you have to understand; for months I've watched the Undertaker, and with all due respect, you, Mr. McMahon until recently, try to dismantle my father limb by limb and manipulate him to both of your wills. It's my job, as his daughter to stand beside him and support him." She nodded as the crowd cheered their agreement. Vince continued to listen, not giving away anything with his expression. "And I will stand beside him, tonight, next Monday night, and especially at Over the Edge!"

"That's understandable," was all Vince could say, handing the floor back to Jaina, who wasn't finished talking.

"Now, I might be from the south, but make no mistake, I ain't no southern belle. I am more than capable of taking care of myself; I have my dad to thank for that. I'm not going to run away, my father wouldn't run away, he never has, he never will, and as his daughter, come hell or high water, I will stand with him through anything the Undertaker has to throw at him." With that, she handed the mic back to her father, who immediately took and climbed the nearest turn buckle.

"And that's the bottom line, cause Stone Cold said so!"

As his music exploded in the arena, Austin jumped out of the corner, tossing the mic haphazardly in the air, watching Vince as he nodded, accepting Jaina's decision, and climbing out of the ring. Jaina watched him head to the back, and when he disappeared, her father was still working the crowd.

And that was when the lights went out.

WWF

The fans that were sitting closest to the ring could hear Jaina calling for her father. So far, only the lights were out, but Jaina didn't want to stick around and wait for what was coming next, and she had a strong suspicion of what that was.

She felt her father come to stand beside her, telling her not to worry, everything was going to be alright, but when the lights slowly came up into a bluish hue, and the first toll of the bell was heard, Austin pushed his daughter to the center of the ring and faced the ramp, calling for the Undertaker to show himself.

And show himself he did, along with Paul Bearer. He stayed behind Taker, but none the less, Austin wasn't taking any chances. He motioned for a mic to be tossed to him again, but before he could speak, the Undertaker beat him to it.

"Austin," he breathed, as the lights came up fully, revealing the creature of darkness standing at the top of the ramp. Stone Cold came forward and rested his food on the bottom rope, listening intently, Jaina doing the same.

"If you want me at Over the Edge, that's all well and good. But you'd better be prepared for a beating from Hell." The Undertaker was now in full light, and Jaina actually stepped back a foot or two from his menacing, and frankly, evil, presence.

"Last Monday night, you took from me my chance to rule. The Darkness called me, called Her...and because of you, I couldn't answer His call." On the huge Titan-tron, it was very evident that the Undertaker was in a tightly controlled rage.

Austin only grinned, holding the microphone up again. "Well, Taker, I hope you left a message for Him." Stone Cold paced the rope area once more, walking around Jaina, but never taking his eyes off the Undertakers face. Jaina also continued to watch, but her face was not the jovial one her fathers was, and when the Dead Man's expression turned sinister to be sure, it was the first look of trepidation that Austin's daughter had shown in the few minutes she'd been introduced to the wrestling world.

"I did, Austin. Do you want to know what He told me?"

Stone Cold leaned on the ropes again, keen to hear the latest news from the Undertakers puppet. He was all ears as Jaina crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow in interest.

"Your days are numbered Austin." Taker nodded knowingly; in his mind, it was fact. "You will be sacrificed to The Higher Power, you, and anyone else He deems is worthy."

"Well, that's all fine and dandy, Undertaker, you go ahead and be a bitch to your 'Higher Power', cause that role suits you pretty well!" Austin climbed onto the bottom rope, leaning over the top, making sure the Undertaker could see his face plain as day. "But nothin' you do is gonna stop me from stompin' a mud hole in your dead ass, and you can take that to the bank!"

Once again, the fans went wild, cheering Austin's name as he continued his trash talk without the mic pointing at Undertaker, bouncing on the ropes, all the while Jaina resting her arms on the top rope, watching him. A self satisfied smirk crossed her Texas tanned face. Of course her father would beat the Undertaker. He had so far, hadn't he?

"Nothing, Austin?" The Undertaker stepped forward, his massive form appearing larger now as he came closer, standing at the middle of the ramp. "Nothing is a broad term. You see, Austin, you've always gone by the creed that you don't have anything to lose."

The sickening smile on the man's face chilled Jaina to her very core as he continued.

"But I think we can all see that's no longer the case."

With that ending, Undertakers music played once again as he walked backwards up the ramp, locking his eyes on Austin, and once or twice, nodding in Jaina's direction.

And all Stone Cold could do was stand there and watch his arch nemesis back up the ramp and disappear into the dark.

WWF

After walking back stage, Jaina let out the deep breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her debut was over. She had a few more on camera things to do later that night, but all in all, she thought the whole thing went remarkably well. It was certainly one thing to watch RAW on television; she remembered the chills and goose bumps she'd get when she watched the matches. Being there though, in the center of the ring, in the halls, hearing the crowd, looking at Vince McMahon and Undertaker only feet away from her...it was possibly the most intimidating and exciting thing she'd ever experienced in her life. Now she understood when her father said that it was very easy for things to get out of control in the ring.

"So, how'd I do?" She asked, eager for a critique of her first performance. She followed her father back to the locker room, awaiting his judgement. He'd already told her that she'd done a good job when they were walking up the ramp, but she wanted to full report. They settled down in the locker room, sitting across from each other in two steel chairs. Austin leaned back and regarded his daughter quietly for a moment.

"I'm gonna give you my honest opinion," Steve leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, tapping his fingers together. Jaina swallowed nervously. He'd told her that she'd done well a few minutes ago. Maybe he'd had time to reflect...

"If you want to make this a career, you got it in you."

Jaina bit her lip. She was waiting for the infamous 'but' that always came after statements like that. But it didn't come. Her father just looked at her with cool blue eyes, and she could swear that she saw an expression of pride just beneath the surface of his face.

"You let the show happen, Jay. Most people, when they first start off, they try to make the show happen. But out there, you just let it happen. You stood in that ring, you didn't try to make yourself bigger than what you were, you didn't try to take over...you just let the show run itself...that's the biggest trick, and in my opinion, baby girl, you did an amazin' job. I'm proud of ya, c'mere." Jaina's exclamations of glee were muffled by the tight hug her father put her into. "You were so good out there. I ain't worried about ya anymore." Jaina pulled back from her father, a grin a mile wide on her face. "Yes you are, don't lie!" She called him on his bluff. Of course he'd always be worried about her, he'd never be able to convince her otherwise.

"Alright, fine. Not as much." Steve stepped back from his daughter as a knock came to the door. He was slightly surprised to see Shane standing there when he opened it, but none the less, he showed the younger man in.

"I just came by to excellent job," Shane nodded his head approvingly at Jaina, "I bet you if there are people tuning in for the first time tonight and they saw you, they're going to think you're a regular part of the show."

"Except for that part where Dad introduced me for the first time," Jaina reminded him, snickering. "Yea, except for that," Shane laughed, "actually, Austin, if I could get you in the hall for a minute. I want to talk to you about a little change up in the story line tonight." While Jaina looked confused, her father only nodded his head. There was hardly a Monday night RAW where a storyline wasn't changed up for some reason; it was normal around here. Sometimes the producers would see something that they wanted to capitalize on, whether it was something one of the wrestlers said or the way a match went or who got involved. Jaina waited in the locker room, and a few minutes later, both men walked back in.

"So do I get to be let in on the little secret, or is this a boys only affair?"

"Nope, boys only affair, baby girl. That's another thing about the business ya gotta get used to; you'll know it when you need to. Just react how you would." Austin wrapped an arm around Jaina's shoulder and pressed a kiss to her temple. She tried pouting the information out of him, but that didn't work either, much to her frustration and Shane's amusement.

"Ah, I get it; you're one of those people who can't stand not to know what's going on, right?" Shane smiled knowingly, watching an agitated Jaina tap her foot against the floor. He smirked at her. "Don't you have a run by with Undertaker in a few minutes?"

Jaina frowned and glanced at her watch. "Yea, I do, in 15 minutes." She walked over to the vanity mirror checking her hair. "If you guys want to talk about what you were discussing in the hallway, don't let me stop you!" Her father shook her head. "Ain't gonna happen, Jay. You might as well just give it up now."

She groaned, but relented finally, smiling at the both of them as she left the locker room. As much as she wanted to know what was going to happen, she knew she had to focus on her task at hand. A face to face meeting with the Undertaker...

She literally wanted to wet her pants.

WWF

"I mean, I've been at events and things like that before, but I just wanted to see how everything worked up close, you know?" Jaina was speaking to one of the technicians, getting the inside scoop on how everything was done, from the production truck to the back stage coordinators all the way down to ring crew. She truly was interested in every aspect of the business, and why shouldn't she be? Each person had a place, and without that person, the show wouldn't be nearly as successful as it was today.

She was leaning over the desk, studiously listening to everything the technician was telling her when she felt a presence behind her, towering over her. Her heart skipped a beat as she dared a look at the technician.

Who was gone.

She was now standing rigidly straight, and she didn't even have to turn around to know who was standing there. The evil static that filled the area was all the answer she needed. She felt him move closer to her, until her back was flush against his chest, and it was all she could do to keep her breathing in check and her eyes from becoming larger than saucepans.

My God, this is what Daddy is gonna go up against?

She felt a cold, rigid finger touch her elbow and trail softly up her arm, but still showed no signs of fear, other than a straight back that was filled with tension. Jaina closed her eyes, feeling his breath singe her dirty blonde strands as his finger reached her shoulder.

"Don't be afraid, little one," he murmured, and in response, she tightened her grip on the table in front of her, "you're not the one I'm focused on. Yet."

The Undertaker let out an audible snicker as he backed away from her, leaving her clinging to the table, her heart racing, and the unmistakable look of fear finally appearing on her face. She didn't even notice Shane walking up to her.

"Jaina." Shane stopped in front of her, waiting for her to respond, but when she did, he looked at her more closely. "Jaina!" And she snapped out of it, blue eyes meeting his own in a look of fright. "Hey, are you okay? Did something happen?"

"No, no, I'm fine, I uh...I was just um...bad memory crept up on me, that's all," she stuttered out, glancing around nervously and then looking back at him. "How can I help you?"

"I wanted to welcome you to the WWF. You know, we're really happy to have you," Shane held out his hand, and Jaina was of enough sound mind to grasp it gently. "Well thanks...um..." she ran a hand through her hair and looked back up at him. "Look, you wouldn't happen to know where my dad is right now, would you?"

"Well, he's in his locker room last I checked." The look of concern on Shane's face was now more than evident as he stepped closer into her personal space. "Look, are you sure you're alright? You look a little shaken up."

"Yea," Jaina took a deep breath and smiled, "yea, I'm sure. Thanks. I think I'll just go find my Dad." She looked down and realized that they were still holding each other's hand. "You said the locker room?"

"Last I saw, yes."

"Okay."

Shane released her hand and watched her walk away, a look of puzzlement on his face. "Hey, Jaina," he suddenly called out to her, making her pause and turn around for a moment, "you looked really good out there tonight. Seriously. Glad you're on board."

For the first time in five minutes, a smile broke through on Jaina's face and she momentarily forgot her confrontation with the Undertaker. "Thanks," she replied shyly, then turned around, heading off for the locker rooms.

WWF

"Well King, we just saw the Undertaker meet Jaina Austin for the first time, one on one, and I gotta tell ya, as scared as that young lady must have been, she didn't show a bit of it to the Undertaker."

"And we could see her face, and it was obvious she was nervous, but she didn't panic and I gotta say, J.R., I think the Undertaker liked that. That, that evil smile of his just got wider and wider!" Lawler leaned forward on his desk, talking in earnest, "and you've got to know that when Austin finds out that the Undertaker cornered his little girl, he's gonna be furious!"

J.R. nodded, "Austin's close to the breaking point, he is, and you know, King, this might just be the thing to set him off tonight. But," he cleared his throat, "what about Shane McMahon?"

"What about Shane McMahon? He was being a true gentleman, welcoming Jaina to the WWF and even showing concern for her...you know she looked pretty stricken, J.R."

"Yes, and it's certainly interesting for a McMahon to show...well, I guess for lack of any other word, show a true concern for an Austin. These are two of the most powerful families in wrestling, and the heads of those families don't like each other very much!" J.R. looked at the camera in front of him, now able to talk to the fans at home. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we've got a hell of a night under way, the Hardy Boys tag teaming against Edge and Christian of the ministry for the tag team champion ship is up next!"

WWF

Jaina walked with a purpose back to the dressing room she shared with her father, bursting through the door and startling Stone Cold, who was stretching out on the floor. "Jaina, what is it, what happened?"

"The Undertaker..." Jaina was amazed at the speed with which her father jumped to his feet, standing right in front of her, a look of anger and pure hatred on his face. "The Undertaker what?"

"He...I was at one of the technician stands and he came up behind me...!"

Austin grabbed his daughters arms, forcing her to stand still and look at him. Her hands rested on his upper arms for support as she tried to calm down enough to tell him what had just transpired.

When Stone Cold heard what exactly had gone on, he bolted for the door, but Jaina held onto his arms. "No! Dad, Dad, please! Please, don't do anything, okay? Just-just stay here, please!"

"What do you mean 'stay here'. I ain't gonna stay here, that bastard ain't gonna mess with my family!" But Austin backed away from the door, beginning his pacing, a technique that worked for both calming him down and letting me think.

"Dad, he was just trying to scare me, and yea, it made me nervous, but he didn't frighten me, I promise. Okay? Please. He has the whole ministry with him, you know he does! What, are you gonna go fly head first into an ambush? That's probably why he did what he did, to draw you out!"

Austin stopped dead cold in his tracks, pondering that possibility. There was nothing more he'd like to do than find the Undertaker and destroy him at that very moment. But the obstacle to that was Jaina, standing between him and the door, pleading with him to stay right where he was.

Man was his image going to take a beating.

WWF

As RAW nights go, it was a pretty tame one. The matches went off without a hitch, and Austin stayed in the locker room with his daughter, save for Michael Cole knocking on the door hoping to do an interview with the both of them. But Austin wasn't up for chats that night, and he promptly slammed the door in Michael's face, leaving the reporter staring at the door.

In the room, Jaina watched her father, sitting stoically on the couch beside her. Undertaker and Kane's match was coming up, and Austin planned on sitting right there and watch for any signs of trouble, either on the monitor or near the locker room.

From where they were, and on the television, they could hear the music of Kane kick on, both Austin's watching the t.v. intently as Kane made his way down to the ring, tightening the gloves on his hands, ready to business with his brother, the Undertaker.

And when the Phenom appeared, Jaina tightened her grip unconsciously on her father's arm, her eyes locked on the man making his way down the ramp, his dark leather, druid like robes flowing with him, making him appear larger than Jaina could possibly imagine him to be. On the television, they could both hear Lawler and J.R. recounting the activities earlier in the night, replaying the Reel of the Undertaker surprising Jaina at the technician station. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father bristle, watching the Undertaker trail a finger up his daughters arm. She hadn't told him about that part; Jaina hadn't wanted him to worry. She knew that if she told him that the Undertaker had done that, there would have been no keeping him in the locker room.

She said as much to her father, who only glared back at her, but it didn't phase Jaina at all.

"You should've told me," was all he said to her, before looking back at the television.

"And have you walk into an ambush when you go in there all hot headed? I don't think so. You're cold, and your calculating, and if you want to beat his ass at Over the Edge, you need to be at full strength."

Austin rolled his eyes. "So, what, you're my manager now?"

Jaina smiled. "Wouldn't hurt."

The both turned their attention back to the action at hand. Kane was in the process of driving the Undertake back with a series of well placed uppercuts. Bouncing Undertaker off the ropes, Kane swung him to the parallel side and when he bounced off the ropes, Kane hit him with a closeline. The Undertaker dropped, but not for long.

For about ten minutes, this was how the match went, each party going blow for blow, kick for kick, special move for special move. It was only when Kane bounced off the ropes to give the Undertaker a scissor kick that the latter turned the tables, grabbing his brother by the neck and raising him eye above his head before sending him down to the mat in a vicious choke slam. For good measure, the Undertaker set Kane up for a Piledriver, and when it was delivered, it was clear that Kane was out. One, two, three, and the Undertaker, the leader of the Ministry of Darkness was declared the winner.

"Well, that's that..." Jaina murmured, standing up, placing her hands on her hips. "Hopefully Kane gave him some bruises to last for a while." She looked back at her father, but his eyes were still focused on the screen before him. Furrowing her eyebrows, she looked back at the television and immediately saw why.

Undertaker had the mic. And he didn't look happy. He slit his thumb across his throat, effectively ending the music that was playing.

"Austin; I know you're still here. I know you're watching. What you saw me do to Kane here tonight is only the beginning of what I can and will do to you in three weeks. So, if you want me Austin, here I am." He dropped the microphone to his side and looked up at the ramp expectantly, willing for Stone Cold to come walking down.

At that moment, the challenged was standing up, in the locker room, but he was hesitating. He'd been in the business too long and this smelled like a trap.

"What are you waiting for, Austin?" Taker goaded, grinning his evil grin. "I'm here, I'm right here. Waiting. Was that all talk earlier tonight when you told me you wanted to destroy me?"

Jaina glanced at her father out of the corner of her eye. She knew that if he wanted to go, she wouldn't be able to stop him this time, but he still hung back, watching the monitor, planning a strategy.

"Or," the Undertaker rolled his eyes to the back of his head, relishing in the evil that personified, "I can come back there again. I was back there earlier tonight, Austin. And do you know who I came upon?" He laughed manically. "Standing behind her tonight, feeling her against me, touching her, talking to her...foiling my union with Stephanie McMahon may have been, what you people of the light may call, a blessing in disguise"

That was all it took for Austin. He ripped open the door, not paying attention to the screams his daughter voicing, begging him to stay where he was, that it was a trap. Stone Colds Texas Fury was raised, and he wasn't about to let a shot at Undertakers ass slip out of his grasp.

Austin charged down the ramp, throwing himself into the ring and immediately ripping into the Undertaker, punching him left and right until he bear jumped on him, forcing him to the mat, continuing to pound the mans face with vicious punches. But he didn't see Jaina's biggest fear crawling into the ring to stop him.

Edge and Christian, along with the Acolytes, Vicera, and Gangrel snaked into the ring, unseen and unknown by Austin, until they forcibly pulled the man up and off of their leader, holding tightly to him, holding him for the Undertakers dark uses. And no matter how hard Steve kicked his legs and tried to push the six men off of him, he was, in a word, helpless. His trash talk was being enjoyed by the Phenom as Austin hurled insults and threats at his worst enemy, but all Taker did was smile is devious, devilish smile and pick up the mic once more.

"As you can see, Austin, when you attack me, you attack my entire Ministry. And for that, I believe my they should have the chance to return the favor." He stepped back, nodding his head in permission, and the effective beat down of Stone Cold began. They held him while they each punched him, attacked his knees, threw his head into the mat...

Jaina couldn't stand to watch anymore. She raced from the locker room, running through anyone that got in her way, ignoring the looks of confusion from the passing crew. When she reached the entrance way, she grabbed a mic off the stand and took the steps two at a time.

"Stop it! Stop it, Undertaker, please, stop!" She pleaded, standing at the top of the entrance way, looking down at the ministry who was trying to dismantle her father. She walked back and forth, not knowing what else she could do. She could run down to the ring, but that would only make matters worse. Jaina prided herself on keeping a cool head. Something her father usually threw to the wind.

But, the Undertaker held up his hand signaling for the ministry to cease their assault on Austin. Stone Cold was more pissed than ever as he was able to catch a glimpse of his daughter standing at the top of the ramp. "Don't you dare Undertaker, don't even think about it, ya yellow bastard, I'll split your skull wide open if you even think about it!"

The Dead Man only grinned at the man pinned to the mat, and slowly but surely, focused all his attention on Jaina.

"What can the Ministry of Darkness do for the daughter of Stone Cold Steve Austin?" His voice was like a slithering eel, and it visibly shook Jaina to her core, but she maintained her calm.

"You can fight him one and one if you really want him that much," she answered, her eyes glittering with soon to fall tears if her father wasn't released, "but seven on one is just cowardly!" The fans rose to their feet at that insult, heartedly agreeing with her, and somewhat surprised that she would have the guts to speak to the Undertaker that way.

The man in question was surprised as well.

"Your father needs to learn respect for those who are more powerful than he. And Jaina," the Undertaker pointed toward her, freezing her in her tracks, "it looks like you need to learn the same. Christian, Edge...." he smiled sadistically at them, "help yourselves."

Jaina dropped the mic, and this time, she couldn't keep her eyes from widening. She stepped back, 17 years of hand to hand training trying to make it's way to her memory. But before she knew what was happening, two men ran past her, meeting Christian and Edge at the bottom of the ramp. It took her a moment to realize that it was the Hardy Boys, sore over their loss earlier in the night due to interference from the ministry. She stayed at the top of the ramp while the two tag teams battled it out, and she could see that the Undertaker was not pleased with the turn of events.

"My Acolytes," he seethed pointing to the top of the ramp, and that was all the permission they needed as both men hopped out of the ring bypassing the brawl going on between the Hardy Boys, Christian and Edge, and making their way up the ramp. Jaina frantically looked for something, anything to fend them off with, but was nearly run over by the Big Show and Ken Shamrock. Her hands flew to her mouth as they both did a flying leap at The Acolytes, and their heads knocked against the steel that was the ramp. Now, there was only Vicera, Gangrel, and the Undertaker in the ring. She picked up the mic.

"Let him be, Undertaker, unless you want your entire Ministry laid out to dry!" Jaina was regaining some confidence, now that there three men fighting against the Ministry, not necessarily for her, but for the evil that the group had done.

"Little girl, you've overstepped your boundaries, and it's only your first night. But everyone has to learn sometime. Vicera, Gangrel! Finish him!" Undertaker nodded down at Austin, and Vicera, along with Gangrel, began a merciless assault on Austin once more, the Undertaker goading them on and helping out in the process. And that was when Jaina had had enough. She didn't care what her father had told her, she was going in that ring and getting him the hell out of there if was the last thing she did. Which, with the way things were looking, it may very well be.

But as she ran down to the ring and up the steel steps, she didn't let that thought stop her. As she slipped through the ropes, she heard the Undertaker tell his minions to stop, and when he turned all his attention on her, Jaina swallowed hard. She held her hands up in front of her, walking around toward the back ropes, begging, pleading with the creature in front of her to stop the assault, backing up as the Undertaker walked toward her until she could back up no further, as she hit the ropes.

She was staring evil in the face, literally.

And that was when he, along with a steel chair, came into the ring.

WWF

"It's Shane McMahon! It's Shane McMahon, with a steel chair to the head of the Undertaker!" Indeed, Shane McMahon himself had run into the ring, chair in hand and taken it to the back of Takers head. As a result, the man fell over the top rope and out of the ring, not before Jaina dropped to the mat to allow it to happen.

"Oh God, J.R., Undertaker forgot about somebody!" And that was indeed the truth. Kane was rising from the fires of Hell, and even though he had a mask on, anyone that was in that arena could tell he was not a happy camper. He snaked through the bottom of the ropes into the ring and promptly choke slammed both Vicera and Gangrel.

"My God, it's carnage! It's carnage out here at ring side. Shane McMahon, standing in the middle of the ring, with that steel chair in his hand, the blood of the Undertaker undoubtedly staining it!" J.R. was beside himself with confusion as Big Show, Shamrock, and the Hardy Boys made their way into the ring, standing in front of Shane, the Hardy Boys climbing the turn buckles, daring Edge and Christian to come back and fight, Shane yelling at the Undertaker slamming the chair on the mat once more.

WWF

Jaina, meanwhile, crawled her way over to her father, giving him a once over before asking him if he was alright. He nodded and reached for the ropes, hauling himself up and staggering past Shane to the front ropes, glaring at the Undertaker, yelling at him to come back and finish the job. "Ya better get back here and finish it Taker, you ain't gonna get another chance!"

The Ministry was busy regrouping at the top of the ramp as Shane grabbed a microphone and headed back to stand in the center of the ring, now being occupied by Jaina. "Undertaker! This is what happens when you mess with my family. That chair shot, that was for my sister! And there's plenty more where that came from!" He put his arm around Jaina, asking her if she was alright, the microphone catching it just barely. Austin pushed his way through the group that had come to assist him, grabbing Jaina by the shoulders, the microphone catching him checking on his daughter, ensuring she was alright. She nodded to both their questions, but she couldn't tear her eyes from the sinister group looking on at the top of the ramp.

This was not going to be a good three weeks.