Chapter 12
Taker liked French fries? Tahlia couldn't help laughing at the vision in her head of Taker kicked back on his hotel bed with a huge order of fries in front of him. "Sorry, I'm sorry…" She giggled harder and soon, the Acolytes joined in with her while they pulled into the drive thru of McDonald's. "I didn't think Taker would like French fries of all things, but to each their own I guess. They are pretty yummy." Matter of fact, Tahlia had Bradshaw order her a chicken sandwich with large fries and an orange HI-C, not minding splurging since she was tired of room service. She took the bag, folded it up tightly, so Taker's fries didn't get cold and set it beside her while chomping on her own, bobbing her head to the rock song on the radio.
"So what's the deal?"
"Boss wants us to take our time. My guess is he doesn't want any of us around to be suspects to..."
"Setting whoever comes through that door on fire?"
"Yeah that." Ron fell silent for a moment. "Think he'll do it?"
"Uh yeah... you've met him, right?"
"Well, I hope he realizes his fries will be cold by the time he gets them then." Tahlia spoke up, poking her head between the seats and looked from Farooq to Bradshaw. "So we have to kill time before going back to the hotel…and we don't even know where that is yet. You boys up to playing some pool and having a couple beers?" It was a way to wind down and they could always call a cab if they got too hammered. It took quite a bit to get her intoxicated though and she could only imagine how much these two could pack away. "My treat."
Within the hour, Mideon came skulking in, looking around furtively. He had followed them from the arena and now he was here to get them. "He's finished." He announced, smiling flatly when Bradshaw and Farooq whirled away from the pool table, their sticks out and obviously ready to bust a head. Mideon waved their cigar smoke away from him. "Kane was sent to the hospital with third degree burns, Chyna... second, I think." He glanced at Tahlia who was still lining up her shot, frowning slightly.
She also had a cigar hanging out of her mouth, shocking Bradshaw when he offered her one and she took it. There were mugs piled on their table, each having 3 beers a piece along with their McDonald's meal. The bar was kind enough to let them eat and drink after the owner got their autographs. Huge fan of the WWF apparently. Tahlia didn't mind and neither did the Acolytes as long as they were left alone.
"Aww so close and yet so far, Shaw." Smirking, Tahlia took her turn, sinking 3 balls in a row and lulled her head back when she missed the final 8 ball shot. "DAMN IT!" If she lost, she owed each of them $50. "We're nearly done with this game, give us a sec."
Bradshaw nailed the shot, sinking the 8 ball and won the game. "You can play." He commended, then extended his hand. "Now pay up, sweetheart."
Rolling her eyes, Tahlia handed over the money and finished her beer before they walked out to head back to the hotel.
"So, what all happened?" Farooq asked as they walked, wondering why Mideon reeked of gasoline.
"They came in, burst through the door from what I was told and, before they could get too far, he threw a bucket of gasoline on them, then followed up with a blowtorch." Mideon shook his head. He'd been the one to dispose of the evidence. "Taker booked us all in a new place and Paul is with him now. Kane ran into him while on fire, so... he's got some minor burns of his own."
Tahlia snapped her head toward Mideon, frowning upon hearing that. Taker had gotten burnt? Minor – they were minor, she had to remind herself mentally, doing her best not to show how worried she was. This is what happened when business was mixed with pleasure, now she was starting to feel things for their master. That couldn't happen, Tahlia had to squash whatever it was…after she checked on Taker. Jumping in the backseat, the Acolytes drove off from the bar with Mideon following suit.
"You two look dead on your feet, so I'll deliver the fries to Taker."
"Thanks honey, we appreciate that." Bradshaw truly meant it because he could feel the exhaustion creeping up and knew his partner wasn't far behind.
"We owe you one, Tali."
She smiled at Farooq's nickname he came up for her and hopped out as soon as they parked the vehicle. "Thanks for a great night out and letting me ride with you guys." She squeezed both Bradshaw and Farooq's arms before heading into the building with her bag and Taker's fries in hand, mentally preparing herself to see him bandaged up or worse.
"Why don't I do that, Tahlia?" Mideon offered, walking up alongside her, having to run to catch up because he had to give the Acolytes their room keys. "Also, I got your new key card." He fell into an easy step beside her. "I got bandages I have to take up anyway." Not like she was getting to Taker's room without him anyway; she didn't even know the room number.
Where the hell was that idiot? Taker sighed, staring in the mirror at his chest and shook his head. Kane, when he had realized what had happened, had ran screaming like a lunatic for Taker and wrapped him in a bear hug. Paul had been handy with water, but... first and second degree burns on the chest and arms.
"Okay." Mideon had serious issues and she didn't want any part of it, but she had told the Acolytes she would deliver the fries and would see the task done. "No I got it, just lead the way. We can go together."
Tahlia dared him to argue with him and smiled when he reluctantly lead her up to their master's room. Why was Mideon constantly trying to get in her way? Was he actually jealous of her? Was Paul right? He had to be. Once they arrived at the room, Tahlia let Mideon knock on the door since he rushed to it first while she trailed behind. Serious issues, she thought, shaking her head while his back was turned to her and waited for the door to open.
"Finally."
He was sitting on the edge of his bed, allowing Paul to tend to his wounds as he couldn't actually see some of them. Feel sure, but not see. Taker watched through narrowed eyes as Paul took the bandages, noting Tahlia trailing in with a bag that held his fries. He allowed Paul to resume his work, becoming acutely aware of the fact that he was being stared at. By Mideon. He was in nothing but a pair of black pajama bottoms and the man was eyeballing him.
"You. Are. Dismissed."
"Sir, I-"
"Tahlia, close the door behind him."
Shrugging at Mideon's incredulous look, Tahlia watched him slink out the door and closed it as ordered, walking back over to take the bag of fries. "I'll warm these up for you, sir." She offered, not bothering to wait for a response and walked over to the small microwave the room came with, popping them in.
While waiting, Tahlia surveyed the damage to his chest and arms, wishing they could've been here to help him when Kane was set on fire. She'd heard Chyna had gotten burned too and had openly laughed along with the Acolytes. Served the bitch right for sticking her nose in the Ministry's business. The microwave went off and she grabbed a paper plate, pouring them along with some ketchup on the side before walking over to set them on the bed beside him. Asking if he was alright would've been stupid on her part, so Tahlia decided to go another route to check on him without showing too much concern.
"How are you feeling? Those look like they hurt."
"Painful would be a good word." She hadn't waited for an order on those fries and ruined them. Scowling, he tossed them aside into the nearby trashcan. "Paul?"
"I'll go get you another order." Sometimes, it was like he was working for an overgrown, evil as hell child. Shaking his head, Paul grabbed his keys and wallet, stepping out the door, muttering about Taker's disgust for reheated fries. They had to be fresh or cold. Never reheated. "Children..."
"How did you occupy your time?" Taker held out a roll of the wrap towards her and stood up, holding out his arms.
"Smoked cigars, played a couple rounds of pool, ate fast food and drank beer in a bar." Tahlia answered promptly, fighting back the urge to roll her eyes since all she was trying to do was help him out.
Honestly, reheated fries weren't that bad as long as they were done the same night they were bought. That was just her though. This man was fickle, she had to remind herself of that.
"It was fun. I like them and Farooq even came up with a nickname for me. Tali." She grinned, wrapping his arms carefully while speaking in a soft warm tone.
"Tali..." He let it roll of his tongue before shrugging. "It works." Once she was done with his arms, he stepped back, frowning down at her. "You realize, you probably saved my life tonight, don't you?" Because Kane and Chyna had come in with weapons… weapons that would have probably left him a vegetable or worse. "So... thank you." It was said gruffly and probably the best she'd get.
"I shudder to think what would've happened had I not been out there tonight overhearing what they had planned." Tahlia murmured softly, the smile on her face nothing more than a frown and reached up to caress his face with the back of her hand. "I should've been there for you, to help you. I know you ordered us to stay away, but…isn't that what we're here for? To watch your back and help you win this war?" Her eyes trailed over the bandages on his body and could feel the tears building, fighting them off as much as she could. "I'm just glad you're still here. I was worried about you. If anything happens to you, I won't forgive myself and I know the others won't either."
"Your job is to do what you're told." Honestly, he hadn't expected McMahon to stoop as low as to send someone after hours to attack him, to try to take him out. Taker applauded the move; it was something he would have done. Planned on doing, in his own... fashion. He studied her thoughtfully, realizing she was blinking quite a bit and frowned. Reaching out with a thumb, Taker caught the first and only tear drop that escaped. "Why," He asked musingly. "Are you crying?"
He was amused by all of this and it just cemented how truly twisted this man was. "I got something in my eye." She muttered, not bothering trying to hide the fact she just lied to him and squared her shoulders. Tahlia had to be stronger than this, she was a soldier! Not some sniveling, crying woman who worried about a man that clearly could never feel anything for her. "You need to rest." Looking away from him, she bit her bottom lip and folded her arms in front of her chest, letting out a shaky breath. "I just had to see with my own eyes you were okay and I'm glad you are. I won't take up any more of your time." Picking up her bag, Tahlia slung it over her shoulder and cursed herself mentally for showing weakness.
She had just shown a major flaw to him. She cared. About him. His green eyes widened at that, wondering if she was clinically insane. Taker had told her who he was and hadn't lied. And he had plans for her. He could probably use this to his advantage actually, the more he mused over it.
"Are you trying to lie to me, or yourself?" Taker demanded, a bit curious about that. Because she had cried. And her admitting she had had to see if he was okay, with her own eyes nonetheless, was interesting.
No strings, no expectations…that was the deal, even though she had gone back on her portion all to have 2 nights of passion with him. She wasn't perfect and couldn't just shut her emotions off like a light switch. It didn't work that way.
"I'm overwhelmed to see you in this state. Didn't expect it. And I'm also a little pissed at you, if you really want the truth, because you sent us away when you needed us the most." There, that was half the truth at least. She turned back to face him, unable to deny she did care for him. A lot more than she probably should because it would only end up in heartache if she let her feelings become too intense. "So yes, I let one tear fall and I feel like a jackass now because of it."
"You should, and be pissed all you like. When I want to put you in danger, believe me, I will." Now he was being arrogant and it showed in both the sneer on his face and in his tone. "I didn't need any of you. You eliminated that need when you told me what you heard. You would have been in my way at best, worst a victim or a person of suspect, if things went south." Taker caught her chin in his hand, forcing her to look at him. "You don't have to like my orders, but when I do give one, you will obey and not question them. I do what I do for everyone." Mostly. And just because she did look scrumptious, with her lower lip trying not to jut out and her eyes were still glistening, he kissed her.
Tahlia sighed softly at the feeling of his lips on hers and immediately slid her arms around his neck, being careful of his bandaged chest. Apparently, Taker wasn't in too much pain because he pulled her flush against his body to where their chests collided and deepened the kiss. She knew what this would eventually lead to and, with as bad as his burns were, Tahlia couldn't risk him hurting further. With all the strength in her body, she managed to pull away from him and shook her head vehemently, golden eyes warring with both passion and distress.
"No." When he came toward her to pull her back in his arms, Tahlia took a step back and held her hands up. "Not tonight. You're hurt and you need rest. Heal up and then you can have your way with me."
Paul walked in at that precise moment, tossing the bag of fries on the bed. "There, now if you-" His eyes moved from Taker and Tahlia, feeling the tension between them. "Everything alright here?"
She smiled softly, nodding in Paul's direction. "Never better, Brother Paul. I was just leaving. Good night, my Lord." Tahlia bowed her head to Taker and flew out the door with her bag in tow, knowing she would pay for that insolence later. It was worth it as long as he healed up and rested.
What an insolent wench! Who was she to judge if he needed rest, if he was hurt? Snorting, Taker turned away from Paul's knowing gaze and eyed the sack of fries. "Don't say a word."
"Is getting involved with her on any level but professional wise? After all, you recruited her for a reason..."
"I remember."
"And how is she supposed to do that, focus on that, when she's obviously wrapped with you?"
"Then Paul," He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Maybe we'll just have to use her... feelings... against her, or to keep her in line."
Paul secretly doubted that, but nodded anyway.