Ground Rules

"Steve you can't be freaking serious." I said as we pulled up in front of my idol's house. It was a very large ranch with a very un-undertaker like appearance. I looked at the large porch admiring how far it stretched with a canopy swing and couch in one corner. In the other corner was a table I assumed was for playing cards and what not. There was also a small garden in the front lawn telling me that a female stayed there…particularly his wife.

"Oh I am serious Serena. Mark and I talked after you left for school this morning and he told me if you didn't show up on time, he wanted you to come stay with him for awhile."

"And how long is awhile anyways?" I asked.

He looked at me and then shrugged.

"What do you mean you don't know!" I yelled. "He could kill me you know!"

Steve put the truck in park and then climbed out. I took off my seatbelt slowly and hopped out the truck, knowing that this wasn't going to be like all the other times I moved. As soon as I shut my door, I heard the front door open on the porch. When I looked I saw a tall blonde haired woman coming out of the house. It was the same woman I seen in most of the Undertaker's pictures, Christine. She smiled at me and then at Steve.

"Well I see that our newest house guest has arrived…hi I'm Christine." she said as she held her hand out for me to shake it.

I looked her up and down before finally shaking her hand, "Serena."

"Ha." she said.

I glared at her, "What's so funny?"

She shrugged, "I just think it's funny how Mark is sticking his neck out there for a lost cause. I also think that's a real pretty name for a rebel like yourself."

I narrowed my eyes and bawled up my fists. "Do not ever talk to me that way lady…you just net me and trust me…you don't want me as your enemy…"

She laughed and then went to my brother's side, "Mark was right, she is a tough cookie."

Steve sighed, "Yea. I just hope he can handle her."

"Oh he can. Remember he deals with me everyday." she said as she stroked his arm.

My brother shook his head, "True, but you have no idea what this one is all about. Just wait and see."

"I just love how you are talking to me like I'm not standing right here or something." I said, getting very annoyed.

Steve shook his head and carried my stuff up to the porch, where Mark was now standing. He had his arms folded over his chest wearing a black t-shirt and a thick silver chain hanging around his neck. He also wore some blue jeans and black boots with a blue bandana wrapped around his head. His long black hair hung down his back in a low ponytail and yellow sunglasses rested on his face. He gave me a very intimidating look but I did my best not to show him that I was slightly worried.

"Hey there Mark. Are you sure you can handle her?" Steve asked.

Mark smirked, never taking his gaze off of me. "Oh it's not whether I can handle her or not…the question is…what will she be like once I'm done with her?"

I narrowed my eyes, "Is that right? Well I hope you're ready for a battle because I don't back down very easily."

He chuckled, "Yea but you will once I get started. Now for your first lesson…you will address me as Mr. Calaway or Sir. You will also answer with yes sir or no sir. Do you understand?"

I chuckled, "Ok, Steve I don't think this is going to work so can you please put my bags back in the truck so we can go home."

"Sorry sis, but as of right now…" he pulled some papers out of his back pocket and handed them to Mark. "…you are under Mark's guardianship."

I gasped, "What! Are you freaking kidding me!"

"Nope…have fun with her man. All of her medical records and important information are in that box right there."

Mark nodded still looking at me. "Ok man, thanks."

Steve patted me on the back as he walked to the truck, "Don't touch me!"

Steve sighed and then looked at me softly, "Don't give him too much hell now. I hope this experience helps you out."

I rolled my eyes and watched him leave in silence. Once he was gone, I closed my eyes and then turned and faced Mark and Christine who were both staring holes at me.

"Ok…so what now?" I asked.

Christine smiled, "Well right now I need to go do a few errands so I'll just see you two later."

I glared at her as she headed for the garage leaving me all alone with the big guy. He cleared his throat to gain my attention. I looked at him and he unfolded his arms, placing his hands on his hips.

"First order of business, get your bags and come in the house." he said.

I looked at him like he was retarded. "And how am I suppose to carry all of this?"

He shrugged, "Figure it out and I could have sworn I told you to say yes sir?"

I chuckled, "Look you are not my boss so you can not tell me what the hell to do."

He looked at me like he wanted to knock my head off. In a way I wanted him to so I could wake up from this dream I was in.

"Serena Renee Williams,"

I gasped, "Excuse me?"

"I'm only going to ask you once more time to get your stuff and bring it in the house." he said. "Otherwise my little friend around my neck will be around yours…"

My eyes widened. Was this man serious? I sure as hell didn't want to find out so I started picking up my stuff.

"Can you at least grab one bag?" I asked.

He looked back at me, "Only if you say the magic word."

I rolled my eyes, "Just forget it, I'll come back for it."

"Suite yourself." he said as he walked into the house. I followed him through the house, taking in everything I was seeing. This house was massive like I expected but there was so much warmth in it. It wasn't a place you would think the Undertaker would have. When we got to the top of the steps he walked down the hall and made a left. As for me I stopped because I saw a picture of a very beautiful white horse. Not many people knew, but I loved horses, especially white ones. I was so lost in the picture that I didn't even notice Mark staring at me from down the hall.

When he cleared his throat, I jumped, dropping one of my bags.

"Are you coming or what?" he asked.

I sighed and picked up the bag, glancing at the picture once more before walking down the hall.

"Is that horse real?" I asked him.

He nodded, "Yep, it's Christine's but she rarely rides her."

"What's her name?" I asked, eager to know as much about this horse as possible.

Mark looked back at me, "Why so interested?"

I shrugged, "I love horses…sorry."

"No need for an apology and her name is Lilly."

"Where do you keep her?"

He raised an eyebrow, "In the shed out back, but I'll show you all that later."

I nodded as he opened the door to my new bedroom. It was very large for one person, but hey I guess I needed the space. The walls were painted light pink which was my favorite color. The carpet looked a lot like white feathers from a pillow, which gave it a real relaxing feeling. The bed was at least a queen size which was nice for me since I always tossed and turned. I had a huge closet that had a few outfits in it that I knew I would never wear. I liked my sweat pants and hoodies. They made me comfortable and plus, hid the figure underneath…the one I didn't think was good enough like other girls.

I sat my bags down next to my bed and continued looking around for a few seconds. Mark just watched me silently from the door. I walked around to the large window that led out to a balcony. I opened the doors and looked out at the setting sun, loving the colors I was seeing in the distance. This place was beautiful…it had been some time since I seen something like that.

"Serena,"

I turned and looked at him, "What?"

His eyes narrowed, "I'm sorry?"

"Oh…I mean…yes sir?"

"Much better. Anyways I need to run you by the rules I expect you to follow in this house."

I sighed and rolled my eyes. Before I knew it, he walked over to me and grabbed me by the throat, choking the life out of me.

"Starting with that….if you continue to roll your eyes at me…I will choke the living shit out of you do you understand me?"

I nodded as much as I could until he let me go. Now I was scared…really scared but of course I couldn't let him see that.

"Now that I've got that one settled, let me tell you something. I'm not your parents or Steve for that matter. If your ass isn't in this house when I tell you to be, you'll be locked out for that entire night."

"Are you serious!" I asked. "But what if-"

"-There are no butts Serena. Either your in here or your on the porch."

I gritted my teeth together trying hard not to roll my eyes. I could see that he was going to be a pain in the ass.

"Number two, I better see those school books in that book bag before you leave and when you come home everyday. I hear your failing school and I don't put up with people who don't do their work…don't you freaking roll them."

I fought hard not to roll my eyes, but it had become such a habit that it was almost like second nature now.

"Three, you will be given chores when you come home, if they aren't done before you go hang with your friends, you don't go anywhere do I make myself clear?"

I nodded my head, "Yes sir…"

"Good, now if you want some respect around here, you've got to earn it. I expect respect from you at all times and I expect you to respect my wife."

I chuckled, "She wasn't very respectful to me when I first got here."

"Well let's be honest, you weren't very respectful to your brother when you first got here either. So guess you know how it feels now."

I narrowed my eyes, "Whatever…"

"Watch your mouth. Now I'll go get your other bag. Get yourself cleaned up and ready for dinner. We're going out tonight."

"Fine."

"What?"

"Yes sir." I said as I rolled my eyes.

He shook his head, "I can see that those damn eyes are going to need taken out very soon."

I watched as he left me alone not closing my door. I sighed and went to the door, slamming it shut. Within seconds, he was back staring me down.

"Don't slam the door Serena. I'm not kidding…"

"Yes sir." I said sarcastically before he left the room again. I wasn't sure I was going to like it here, no matter how nice it was.