"So what's on the agenda tonight?" Shadow asked when she spotted Fallon walking into the arena, not noticing her friend's sour mood.
"Nothing." Fallon muttered. "Listen, why don't you go stay in the boiler room with Kane tonight?"
Shadow, if taken aback by this unusual request said nothing, just nodded.
Fallon watched Shadow go, aware that hunting season has just been opened and they were the prey. Silently she made her way to her locker room, ripping a notice off the door and tossing it in a nearby trashcan.
"You look pretty pissed."
Fallon turned to find her friend Chris Jericho sipping a cup of coffee next to a refreshment table. "Nah. Nothing I can't handle."
"You wanna talk about it?"
Fallon shook her head. "Talk to you later, all right?"
Chris nodded, watching her disappear into her room curiously.
Fallon tossed her duffel bag into a corner, rolling her shoulders backwards trying to ease the tension out of them.
"Fallon."
Fallon quickly turned around, instinctively moving into a fighting stance. "What do you want Dead Man?" She spat. "I could have sworn we were through."
The Undertaker moved from his place leaning against a wall to stand in front of her. "I do appreciate the loyalty you've shown me. I have no desire to watch you be brutalized by the Faction."
"What about Shadow?"
He closed his eyes, feeling the familiar annoyance Fallon usually caused. "She will remain under my protection but I doubt she would accept an invitation to join my Ministry, even if I were inclined to give one. Incase you haven't noticed, she and Kane have become more than friends."
Fallon's eyes widened in surprise. When had that happened?
"So what's your answer?"
She just nodded.
The Undertaker allowed a brief smile to flicker across his face before stepping towards the door. "I'll have Sorcha come see you."
"What for?"
"You'll need to be taught."
***
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Sorcha shook her head.
Fallon had endured an hour of listening to the Ministry's rules and code of conduct, trying not to slip into insanity. When that was all done, Sorcha had capped off her night by presenting Fallon with another outfit. It was similar to the one she worn the other night only it was silver ribbons instead of purple and the Undertaker's symbol was cut out on the legs, revealing a lot of thigh, then it was cut out on the chest as well.
"Sorcha, I cannot, in good conscience wear that thing." Fallon protested.
"You can. You're now an ordained member of the Ministry, this is your uniform."
Moaning softly, Fallon took the outfit and slipped into the bathroom. "I hate you people."
Sorcha smiled grimly.
***
Shadow stared at the monitor in the boiler room opened mouthed, watching as Sorcha and Fallon walked down the hallway together. "Kane, come look at this!" She cried, gesturing him over.
Kane stood behind her, staring impassively at the screen. "Looks like Fallon was inducted."
Shadow frowned, her forehead puckering. "I wonder why. What does this mean?"
"I don't know Shadow." He put a hand on her shoulder in a reassuring gesture. "I'm sure Fallon will explain everything. Just give her a chance to slip away."
Shadow nodded, her eyes not leaving the monitor.
***
Fallon was keenly aware of all eyes on her when she entered the Ministry's locker room behind Sorcha. She stood defiantly in the open door, staring at the others. "Is there a problem?" She demanded.
The Undertaker rose from his place on the bench where he had been in deep conversation with Paul Bearer and eyed her. "You will quickly find that dissension is not tolerated." He warned.
Fallon gritted her teeth. "Well if my presence is so dissenting, then I'll just head back to my own dressing room."
"No." His tone was curt. "That would pose security issues. From now on you will travel with us, board with us and work with us."
Fallon could literally see her private life disappearing rapidly.
***
The next few weeks went by quickly. Fallon had succeeded in recruiting several younger superstars to their cause, using her friend Chris Jericho as a main point, knowing that people in the back looked up to him. She managed to avoid any serious harm at the hands of the Faction but seemed to leave the arena worse for wear by the end of the night.
Shadow and Kane were never seen these days, having seemingly appeared to vanish though Fallon knew that they had gone on a temporary vacation to avoid the crossfire of the impending war.
Stress, lack of privacy and constantly being under watch was beginning to take it's toll on Fallon. She was growing pale and was always on edge. She began to lose interest in arguing with the Undertaker, preferring to show deference to him these days.
It was this factor that began to make Sorcha worry. She feared that they were rapidly losing the Women's Champion to melancholy. In an effort to rectify the situation, Sorcha approached her brother one night, cornering him in his hotel room.
***
"You need to give Fallon a break." Sorcha said, staring at the impassive form of the Undertaker.
He was standing with his back to her, looking out the window. "We have no time for 'breaks' Sorcha. This war is too intense. One false move and everything will come crashing down around us, is that what you want?"
"No. Nevertheless, at the same time Fallon will be of no use to us if she doesn't care about her work. Without her to establish the much needed links with the other wrestlers, we might as well give in."
"That cannot be allowed either." He turned to face her. "What would you have me do Sorcha?"
Sorcha shook her head with a sigh. "Give the girl a break."