Chapter 10

"'Taker, I want to go with him. Please." She sniffled, holding Christian's hand, her blue eyes pleading with him. 'Taker nodded, causing her to sigh with relief as they took Christian out of the arena and headed toward the nearest the hospital. The rest of the Corporation had been brutalized, but not left for dead and the Ministry would know what had happened when they saw the unconscious Vince McMahon in the back. The entire way to the hospital, July couldn't stop crying as she tried getting Christian to wake up, sitting in the backseat with him. "This is because of me. This is all my fault." She whispered brokenly, trying to stop the tears from falling, but she was terrified for her friend.

"No, it is not your fault." 'Taker corrected from his place at the wheel, breaking speed limits without regret, his eyes never leaving the road. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white and the look in his eyes promising murder. "This is your...uncle's fault." He sneered the word, wondering what kind of vermin Vince was. At the hospital, he carried Christian inside, snarling when they tried taking him away. "Show me his room and I'll lay him down." He said, his tone dangerous enough that nobody contradicted him.

July followed him inside the room as he laid Christian down on the hospital bedding before both her and Taker were ushered out while the medics worked on him. She slid down the wall and drew her knees up, burying her face in them and began sobbing. Why had her uncle sent her here if he wanted her back now? It didn't make any sense. July felt a hand on her shoulder and slowly looked up into 'Taker's green eyes, wishing she could believe this wasn't her fault.

"If he wouldn't have been protecting me..." His finger pressed against her lips, causing silent tears to roll down her cheeks.

"It was his job and he did it. He couldn't know they'd be waiting for him." He said softly. "Don't tarnish the honor of what he did. Christian would have protected you regardless." He stood up when the Ministry filed in, quietly explaining the situation.

"Vince is on his way, emergency hair transplant. Apparently he now has several odd bald spots on his skull."

"Bradshaw, Farooq, see that he doesn't make it through those doors."

"Hurt him." She whispered, more to herself than them, but knew they heard her as she slowly stood up. The amount of fire in her eyes was enough to set a building in flames as she closed her eyes, her uncle's words replaying over and over in her mind. She wanted him to hurt, to feel the same pain she had, the same pain Christian was feeling right now. The doctor came out and informed them he was going to be alright, but he needed to take a few days off to recuperate. July was the first one inside, taking his hand in hers, not wanting to leave his side just as he hadn't left hers. He was the big brother she never had and she already felt a strong connection with him. "Thank you." She whispered to him, sitting down in a chair, her tears slowly subsiding.

He let her have a few minutes alone with Christian, busy discussing plans for Linda and Stephanie with Paul. They weren't with him, but he knew where they were. He knew because Linda had reluctantly agreed to go along with his plan, without her daughter knowing. He had deposited them in a well stocked, but totally isolated place. No car, no phones, nothing. He had been intent on leaving them unharmed, but that might have to change.

Vince was beaten to a pulp outside the emergency room doors, security escorting the Acolytes out.

"Is he alright?" Edge asked quietly in the doorway, staring at his brother, not believing what happened. They had the problem in hand, Christian should've stayed at ringside, but he was always doing what he felt best to protect July.

She nodded before slowly standing, letting Edge have a few minutes alone with his brother, and walked out of the room, raking a hand through her hair. "Sorry." She mumbled when she bumped into Mideon, walking over and sitting down in a chair, putting her head in her hands and winced slightly.

"What do you want us to do with the McMahon women, 'Taker?" Viscera asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest, pissed beyond belief.

"Orders sir and they will be carried out." Mideon promised darkly.

Paul waved for Viscera to be silent, his eyes widening as he listened to 'Taker's murmurs. "You certain?" He asked in a hushed whisper.

"Very."

"Mideon, you will take Viscera and go fetch the McMahon females. Take them to our next location." He said, rubbing his face with a handkerchief. He couldn't believe 'Taker would really go through with this. It was one thing to go after the spoiled Stephanie, but Linda?

"That fucking bastard is mine when I get a hold of him." Edge growled when he walked out of his brother's room, his eyes blue fire, wanting to snap Shane's neck like a damn twig. "He could've KILLED him!"

"Edge, calm down." Viscera ordered, seeing how pissed off the man, but this was no time to lose his cool. "'Taker, do you mind if I take him with us?"

That wasn't a bad idea considering Shane was probably back at the hotel while his daddy was currently getting treated by the hospital staff.

He contemplated that, cracking his neck. The Acolytes would be sufficient for the moment, already planning on traveling with the Ministry from now on, refusing to separate ranks anymore than he had too. "Yes, but make sure it gets done quickly. I want a phone call every hour on the hour, we're not taking any more chances. If McMahon wants to play dirty, we'll simply beat him at his own game. Mideon, we'll need some sacrificial tables and I want my special dagger."

Mideon nodded, his eyes shining excitedly.

July had gone back into Christian's room, sitting in the chair, not even caring what was going to happen to Linda and Stephanie. All these years they didn't give a damn about her so it was time to reciprocate the same courtesy. That and she couldn't get Vince's words out of her mind, lowering her head as her eyes shut tightly. Her parents had died when she was an infant and July wished she had died with them in that explosion. She would be with them right now instead of in this apparent war. The thought made tears spill down her cheeks, wrapping her arms around herself, her black hair hiding her tear streaked face from view.

"Hey, what're you crying for?" Christian whispered from the bed, his eyes still closed. He could hear the change in her breathing and had known it was July. None of them men were about to cry, curse yes, promise revenge for him, but not cry over him. He slowly cracked his eyes open, focusing them on her, waiting for the double vision to recede. "July?"

Her head snapped up when she heard his voice, immediately standing up, smiling tearfully down at him. "It's not you." She assured him, wiping her tears away, and took his hand in hers, glad he was awake. "It's just been an emotional night." That was her explanation and she was sticking to it as she stared back into his glazed brown eyes, sighing deeply. "Do you want me to get the doctor or 'Taker?" She asked softly, sniffling a bit, ignoring the slight pain in her own head. She would deal with that later, though a faint black and blue bruise was forming on her face from where Vince had slapped her.

"Not just yet." He murmured, reaching out his hand to her, smiling when she took it. His eyes took in her bruised face, frowning. "Have you had that looked at?" He asked softly, sighing when she shook her head. Not like much could be done for it anyway, some ice to lessen the swelling and some aspirin for the pain. "What's 'Taker done about all this?" He then asked, already knowing something had been done and wondered if he was going to be punished for failing his boss, eyes filling with worry.

"Shhh relax, it wasn't your fault. We didn't see them coming." She seen the worry in his eyes, stroking his hair gently with her fingers, glad he was just awake and alert. "I don't know what they're doing, something about Linda and Stephanie." She'd caught parts of it, but honestly, she didn't care. Whatever happened they deserved it after what Vince said and did to her. It was selfish, but July had every right to be. "You protected me the best you could, Christian. Thank you." She kissed his forehead before gripping his hand in hers, squeezing it gently, her eyes shining with appreciation.

"Yes, thank you." Came 'Taker's voice from the doorway, leaning against the door frame, studying Christian intently. "I am grateful."

He had to blink, wondering if he was still unconscious and now dreaming. It sounded like 'Taker, it looked like 'Taker...it couldn't be though. "Um, you're welcome?"

He raised one eyebrow, looking a bit amused.

July couldn't stop giggling at the look that came over Christian's face even if her life depended on it. Though it was soft as she looked back at 'Taker. Why he wanted to protect not only her, but her honor was beyond her, but July wasn't going to question it. "Told you." She winked at him, causing Christian to snort, smiling as she patted his hand before leaving the room, giving them a minute alone.

He was in there for a long time, talking to Christian. When he came out, Christian had fallen asleep again. 'Taker stood in the hallway, talking quietly with Christian's doctor. When he came out to the waiting room, he was pleased to find Viscera, Mideon and Edge gone, knowing they were tending to their little mission. "Paul, go bail out the Acolytes. Christian can't be moved for a few more hours. That should give you more than enough time."

Nodding, Paul walked off, knowing a trip to an ATM was definitely in order. He didn't have enough cash to post bail.

July was sitting in the chair across from Christian's room, black hair hanging over her right shoulder as Taker sat next to her, slowly looking up at him. She immediately looked away when he began examining her face, knowing it was marred from the huge bruise. It went from below her eye down to her chin, covering her entire cheek. She'd have to get some cover-up for it until it went away, biting her bottom lip. No doubt he had questions about her parents now, knowing he had no idea why she'd been with Vince all this time, feeling the heartache and pain overtaking her slowly.

Sighing, he gently forced her to turn her face back to him, running his fingertips gently down the bruise. "I want you to see a doctor." He said evenly. He knew damn well there wasn't nothing to do for it, but oh well. He stood up, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. "Nurse?" He called, reaching out to stop a woman. "She needs to have her face looked at."

"Oh my god...did you hit her?" She instantly regretted asking that at the look on the very large man's face.

July's eyes widened when she said that, shaking her head frantically. "No of course he didn't!" She was appalled and glared at the nurse when she went to touch her. The nurse immediately vacated and a new one took her place, this one much nicer.

"Come here sweetie, let's get that looked at. My name is Cindy by the way."

She just sat there, 'Taker holding her hand, wincing when the nurse pressed on it before putting some peroxide on the small cut along with a small band aid.

"I'm afraid the bruising will have to go away on its own. Aspirin and ice if the swelling doesn't go down." She then walked away, causing July to sigh.

She already knew that, but knew 'Taker was pleased that she'd been looked at regardless.

Shane McMahon knew he was pressing his luck by doing this, but...Even he knew 'Taker wasn't about to assault him in a place as public as the hospital. He had seen the entire Ministry disappear from his car, shaking his head. "July." He said gravely when he seen her and 'Taker walk out of a room, standing in the center of the hallway.

"Can I help you?" A doctor asked tiredly.

"I'm this woman's cousin, I've been asked by her guardian to come fetch her." He produced a paper, passing it to the doctor.

"She's twenty-two." 'Taker hissed, not believing the audacity of this prick.

"Seventeen, would you like to see a birth certificate?"