CHAPTER 3

Kane's behavior had Lilith worried. He was reluctant to even take his usual pre-match shower. She had finally convinced him she would be alright for a mere five minutes. The bloody door was locked and if by chance someone tried to come in, she could scream as well as swing something if need be.

As soon as the water was running however, she heard their father outside the door.

"Lily," He used his pet name for her. "You do know the Undertaker will destroy Kane over you, don't you?" Paul's tone was one she remembered somewhat from childhood; during the brief time he had played daddy. "You'll have his death on your hands, Lily."

"Go away." She whispered, leaning against the door; the side of her head pressed against the cool wood.

"Do the right thing."

Lilith looked down; watching through the gap between door and floor as his shadow moved away. When she was fairly certain he was gone; she sighed in relief.

***

"She will not surrender." 'Taker said knowingly when Paul entered the room and held up a hand to silence the man before he even got started on defending himself. "I will handle this."

Paul could only stand there and listen as 'Taker began giving orders; shaking his head.

***

Lilith wasn't surprised or pleased when Kane announced she would be joining him ringside but she accepted it. On their way down the hall however, they were ambushed.

Somehow, this wasn't surprising either.

"I have her!" Midian shrieked, eager to not get lashed again. He grunted when she kneed him between the legs, promptly letting go.

"No!" Lilith scream when she seen the Acolytes were holding Kane at bay in a corner with flame throwers, spouting fire at him every time he tried to lunge past them.

Fire was Kane's ultimate weakness. His greatest fear.

"They'll stop. If you'll join me for a moment, alone." 'Taker said nonchalantly, not bothered in the slightest by the Acolytes antics. In fact, he encouraged it. Kane was dangerous and he wasn't too keen on seeing any of his Ministry going to the hospital courtesy of his baby brother.

Lilith hesitated for only a moment, finally nodding her head once and followed him into an empty room. She turned to watch as he closed the door behind them; folding her arms over her chest.

He studied her thoughtfully.

Determinedly, she stared at the floor; not about to be trapped in one of his mind games. Lilith knew eye contact would probably destroy her. His eyes held a certain hypnotic sway to them; she had seen it used before on others. "What is it you want, Undertaker?" She demanded coldly, hoping Kane was alright.

Chuckling under his breath, 'Taker began to slowly circle her; reaching out to brush his fingers against her hair before finally coming to a rest behind her. "You."

Lilith shivered, unable to hide it.

"There is no need to fear me, Lilith." He murmured, sliding his hands up her back until they curved over her shoulders, squeezing gently. "I merely want you to make Kane see the light. I have treated him horribly, but it was for his own good. It has made him stronger."

"Made him stronger?" Lilith snorted derisively; stepping away and turned around angrily in order to glare up at him. Her blue eyes were flashing with icy fire. "All you've bloody done is terrorize and humiliate him. Stay. Away. From. MY. Brother." She ordered through gritted teeth. "I won't help you. I want no part of whatever it is you THINK you are doing."

"YOUR brother?" He snorted; his own eyes returning the venom she was giving him and gripped her by the arms. "He is not just YOUR brother. He is MY brother as well. I haven't terrorized him and he's humiliated himself by letting himself worry what others think of him. That is a weakness that I can help him with… with your aid."

"Help him?" Lilith laughed directly in his face, almost hysterically. "Your idea of helping him is having your men assault him with FIRE? Bloody brilliant, you twit." She pushed away from him but it was like pushing stone. "I've watched your methods of helping, you're trying to control him."

His hold on her tightened.

"Let me go. There's nothing further you can say to me that will change my mind."

While she had been speaking, he had been lowering his head so their noses were almost brushing; snaking an arm around her waist.

"Let go." She repeated in a growl.

"I can't." He murmured huskily.

Lilith had known this was coming the moment she heard the tone of his voice but even that couldn't have prepared her for his kiss. His lips were firm, demanding and the easy way he manipulated hers into responding was bewildering.

Feeling her surrendering to him, 'Taker backed her slowly into the door; letting go of her arms in order to skim his palms along her sides until they rested on her curvy hips.

Out of nowhere, her hand came flying up; catching the side of his face.

Growling, he pulled back; reaching up to feel where she had slapped him. "How very bitchy of you." He said dryly, ignoring her warning look and pressed back against her. "Help me and I will give you anything you desire."

"You can give me nothing I desire." She hissed, furious with him for kissing her and then for making her enjoy it. "Get it through that immensely thick skull of yours 'Taker, I refuse to help you." She turned when he lowered his face to hers. "Do not."

Before he could say a word, the moment was mercifully interrupted by a timid knock.

"'Taker, the white coats are here. Does he go?" Paul's voice rang through the door.

It took a second for Lilith to understand that they were going to commit Kane, all the blood draining from her face.

"It's up to your beautiful daughter, Paul." 'Taker said loud enough for Paul to hear, staring down at Lilith from calculating green eyes. He had no qualms with committing his brother, who probably needed it anyway. When she dropped her head, he smirked. He always got what he wanted in the end. "Well, Lilith?"

Swallowing hard, Lilith nodded and knew she was all but signing her soul over to the Devil himself. Kane would hate her for this decision but she couldn't let him go back to the asylum, it almost killed him last night. "Yes, I'll… help you." She whispered, almost retching on the last word.

"Wise decision." He murmured, opening the door and nodded at Paul who dismissed the medics.

Kane looked to the Undertaker, not lowering his fists from the defensive stance he had taken.

"Brother, you have a match tonight, try not to disappoint."

Kane growled.

"Against Edge, by the way."

Edge's head snapped up, his customary grin sliding right off his face.

Lilith edged out from behind the Undertaker, looking at her confused brother and reached a hand out to him; blinking back tears. "Kane, I'm sorry." She whispered, moving to stand in front of him; staring up at him pleadingly. "He didn't give me a choice."

Nodding, he simply pulled her towards him until he could hug her; glaring at his brother over her shoulder. "She stays with me." He said, his already rasping voice harsher than usual. "Everywhere we go, she stays with me."

'Taker looked amused. People who loved were so easy to manipulate, Lilith was proof of that. "As I've already gotten my way, I suppose I can afford to be generous." He said finally, ignoring both the siblings evil looks. "Off you go now, your match is next."

"Bastard." Lilith hissed at him even as Kane was pulling her away. When they were out of sight, she grabbed his arm. "Kane, we can run. We don't have to stay here. YOU don't have to stay here. He can't follow us forever." She grabbed his head to force him to look at her, having to stand on her tiptoes to do it. "Kane, listen!"

"He'd find us." Kane said softly, sounding sad.

Startled, she met his eyes, seeing he was already surrendering to what he deemed the inevitable.

"Come, time for the match."

***

The match was brutal to watch.

If you were a fan of Edge.

Edge got his backside handed to him and Lilith loved it. She hated the Ministry and would have gladly watched them all suffer painful, brutal deaths. Though at the same time, seeing the way Kane handled the smaller man was almost terrifying.

Almost.

When the match was over, she waited patiently for him and frowned when Kane just stared down at what was left of Edge. "Kane?" She called, confusion lacing her tone.

Edge was coughing harshly; curled into a ball of agony.

Kane wasn't finished just yet. He wanted to send a small message to his brother. 'Taker could torment him all he liked, but Lilith was off limits.

Lilith wasn't the only one in the arena who winced when Kane went to town on the already prostrate Edge with a steel chair. When Kane finally joined her out on the mat, she took in the glazed look in his eyes. Inwardly sighing, she took Kane's hand and led the way backstage; through the passage between the ramp and the fans. "He wanted you to be strong," She murmured. "I suppose he got his wish."