Chapter 30

Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett were the current, reigning and defending, WWF Tag Team champions, alongside their valet, Debra. Tahlia couldn't stand the woman, amber eyes flashing wickedly at her as she lead the way down the ramp with the Acolytes. Her boys would eat these two for a snack. Tahlia sneered at Debra, who looked downright terrified of her and kept her distance. The woman was a lot smarter than Tahlia gave her credit for. She waved three fingers at her just play more mind games and nodded at the Acolytes, watching them both enter the ring to start the battle. If Debra enjoyed her life, she wouldn't interfere in this match.

"Go teach that bitch a lesson for messing with my son!" Vince ordered, sending both Chyna and Kane out the door, scowling darkly.

"JR…this doesn't look good for Tahlia." That was King's subtle way of announcing the arrival of two members of the Corporation.

Tahlia saw them headed her way and smiled, shouldering her Women's championship on her shoulder and slid her hand into her pocket discreetly. If they tried to attack, she would be ready.

"You like mind games, whore?!" Chyna taunted, slowly circling the ring while Kane remained behind her.

"As a matter of fact, I do, bitch." Tahlia replied sweetly, amber eyes turning to hardened gold. "I wouldn't come near me if I were you."

"Oh really?" Chyna scoffed, continuing her pursuit on Vince's orders. "And why is that?" She reached out to grab a handful of Tahlia's hair and suddenly saw darkness, collapsing to the ground at Kane's feet.

No doubt, Tahlia had shattered a couple ribs with her stomach shot and moved around the ring just as the Bradshaw pinned Jarrett for the victory.

"AND THE NEW WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS…"

Mission accomplished.

Kane was crouched down by Chyna, who was out cold and it was probably a good thing. He could see bruises already blossoming in the area Tahlia had punched her. There was an odd deformity in her skin and he gingerly touched it, broken ribs. He spared a look at Tahlia who was celebrating with the Acolytes in the ring. She had come to play and win, and she had done both. Sighing, he gently lifted Chyna up to get her backstage to the EMTs and… possibly let Vince know not to be sending people out anymore, at least not without force behind them. Ministry wasn't screwing around.

Raising their arms in victory, Tahlia looked straight into the camera and pointed to her eyes, mouthing 'I'm watching you'. She knew Shane would be watching from his hotel room, unless he already had a nervous breakdown from her and Taker's special surprise. Either way, tonight had turned out better than she could've dreamt. Walking backstage, people immediately parted for them and she smirked, feeling a change of power in the air. The Corporation was crumbling from the inside out, especially now that the Amazon bitch had been taken out of commission. She'd be gone for a while with shattered ribs and come back for revenge. When she did Tahlia would be ready for it and still hold the WWF Women's championship. As soon as they stepped inside the Ministry locker room, Tahlia stepped aside as the Acolytes were properly celebrated while she moved to the side next to Paul, having already slipped her brass knuckles back into her pocket.

"It was a good, clean win." He praised his Acolytes, knowing Tahlia had been out there as an enforcer, to ensure they got a fair shot.

The Ministry would play dirty, yes, without hesitation, but their titles… clean victories were always preferable. This way nobody could argue the validity of their champions. Taker wouldn't tolerate that, even if they had to break a few skulls, or ribs, as was the case tonight. He smirked at that, nodding at whatever it was Bradshaw was saying and spared a glance at Tahlia.

"You did well out there." Paul said, trying and failing to suppress his amusement. "I think they'll have second thoughts from here on out about sending out only one or two at a time however." No, he expected they'd be coming out in force from now on, which probably suited Taker fine.

"Let them. We'll all be ready when they do." Tahlia replied simply, winking and walked into the bathroom to change into comfortable clothes.

She had no match tonight, which was fine. She'd have plenty of time to defend her hardware, her property, and shook her head while the guys continued celebrating. This was her family, this is where she belonged. It took a while to accept that fact for them to fully accept her into the fold. It wasn't easy dealing with a bunch of testosterone all the time, but Tahlia enjoyed looking after all of them. She was a mother hen, a sister and a lover…all of those titles suited her. Once she pulled on a long sleeved off the shoulder top and dark blue jeans, Tahlia walked back out and sat down on one of the benches, slipping her championship in her bag zipping it up. The brass knuckles were in her back pocket for easy access in case they were jumped on the way out of the arena that night. She wouldn't put it past Vince to also play dirty, learning that her first night with the Corporation.

Just because she changed into street clothes didn't mean she couldn't run interference if need-be. Chyna was out of commission and on her way to the hospital with her giant. Kane had to be taken out next, she'd already figured that out. He'd be out for blood after what she did to his precious Chyna doll. She smirked at the thought, listening in on the plan of action during Taker's match. If he won, he would get a title shot against The Rock, who was on his way to WrestleMania to face Stone Cold Steve Austin. It would be Undertaker versus Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania this year, if the Ministry had anything to say about it.

"Mideon can protect me." She spoke up, watching the man's head snap up from doing another menial task and smiled. "Permission to speak, sir?" At Taker's nod, she continued. "We came into the Ministry together and we have each other's backs when push comes to shove. I still owe him an ass-kicking, but this is war and we have to trust each other. He let you down last night, sir, I understand that. So give him the opportunity to prove to you he's worthy of being in the Ministry and one of us."

Bradshaw raised a brow, wondering if Tahlia had been hit on the head too hard or maybe she was smarter than all of them combined. That was a lethal combination when it came to a woman. "You actually…"

"Trust him?" Farooq finished his partner's question, also looking skeptical. "What do you think, Boss?"

Tahlia already decided after everyone left the locker room, and it was just her and Mideon, they were going to get a couple things straight, starting with him lying to her.

"I think she's a fool." Taker muttered dryly, ignoring the wince from Paul as he stared at Tahlia, wondering if she was serious or if there was something else on her mind.

He hoped there was something else on her mind, surely she hadn't forgotten about some of the other issues with Mideon? Not to mention the issues that had occurred while she had been gone with the Corporation. Mideon was a problem and, the only reason Taker allowed him to remain in his Ministry was because, he'd rather have the idiot where he could be watched and contained, not loose. That and he doubted Mideon's mental state could handle being kicked out of the group.

"If it's your wish…" He said after a moment, nodding his head at her before looking at Mideon darkly, his gaze informing his minion there would be death if he failed this task.

Maybe it was foolish to do this, but Tahlia didn't want Mideon to be another body in the Ministry. If he was truly going to be part of the family, he needed to start acting like it. Besides, Taker needed the majority of the backup considering he was the leader. If something happened to her, it wouldn't be a huge deal compared to Taker. She was expendable, he wasn't. "Thank you, sir." She bowed her head and walked over to sit next to Mideon, who looked extremely comfortable.

"Thank-"

"Don't." She held her hand up, pursing her lips tightly together and shook her head. "I didn't do it for you." Her tone was quiet and low to where only he could hear her. "We need to talk, but now isn't the time or place. We need to focus and be ready if they need us out there. That's it."

Mideon lowered his head and nodded, keeping his mouth shut.

A few minutes later, Taker along with the rest of the Ministry walked out of the room, closing and locking the door behind them.

Once they were near the ring entrance, Taker came to a halt, accepting his robe from Paul. He was aware Tahlia and Mideon had a very small chat of sorts, but he wasn't interested in that at the moment. There was no doubt if need be, Tahlia could lay Mideon out. The man wasn't even in the same league as Chyna these days, his mind was too scattered.

"Do not come out unless I need you."

"How will we know?" Viscera asked, and then blinked, realizing he sounded like an idiot. "Never mind."

"If Corporation shows and starts beating his ass, then ya know, man." Edge said, scoffing.

Paul whacked him upside the head. "If they start beating his ass, you all are not doing your jobs."

"Tahlia…"

"Not now."

"No, you have to understand…"

"Oh I understand perfectly, Dennis." She would NEVER call him that in front of Taker, but now that they were alone, Tahlia could get away with it. "You're jealous of the bond I have with Taker. You've always been jealous because you're nothing more than a fanboy – a fanatic. And that's pathetic considering you're squandering the opportunity of a lifetime to work for a legend like Undertaker. Do you think I'm squandering my opportunity? Think again! I'm the WWF Women's champion because I didn't squander my opportunity and I listened to what the master told me to do. What have you accomplished since joining the Ministry? You could be the Hardcore champion right now or the Intercontinental champion. You could really make something of yourself because you DO have the in-ring ability if you just applied yourself instead of worrying about pleasing Taker. I told you, let him come to you, but you didn't listen. Then you stuck your nose in my business that had nothing to do with you and LIED to my face about the master sending you to check my 'progress'." Gritting her teeth, Tahlia stood up and looked down at him hardening, amber eyes flashing dangerously. "Tomorrow, you and I are hitting the gym where it's legal for me to beat some sense into you. So you better get some sleep tonight because I'm waking you up at the ass crack of dawn." He would never lie to her again after she was done with him.

There was something not quite right with Mideon, everyone had seen it at one point or another. Something in his head wasn't wired normal, not even by the Ministry's standards. Listening to Tahlia berate him, her words, it didn't shame him or motivate him to do better. Instead, it infuriated him. She was right. He was a fanatic. He worshipped the Undertaker. And she was a whore who had sold herself, her very body, to Shane McMahon. Tahlia hadn't earned that belt, only fucked her way to it. His eyes narrowed at her, the twisted cogs in his head turning.

Beating Rocky was almost too easy. Taker had to pace himself, give his fans something to enjoy, but it was tedious and boring when all he really wanted to do was tear the younger man apart and send his arrogant head back to his bosses as a warning. He was not at all surprised when the Corporation's music hit, actually looking forward to the fight.

"GET HIM! RIP HIM APART! WHERE'S THAT WHORE?!" Vince roared, leading the charge down to the ring where the Ministry waited.

Tahlia stared at the monitor, watching the Ministry demolish the Corporation. Rocky was down for the count from the hellacious match he just had with Taker. She was so engrossed in the monitor, she didn't realize Mideon had stood up to tower over her from behind. Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her neck and began to squeeze tightly. It was a sleeper hold. Mideon was trying to put her to sleep! Tahlia twisted her body, a lot stronger than people realized and proceeded to clasp her arms around his waist to lift him. A second later, he crashed THROUGH the wooden bench with a sickening thud and Tahlia scrambled away from him, breathing heavily. She immediately took her brass knuckles out, her temper up and straddled him, hammering his face.

"YOU STUPID PRICK! YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!"

When his face was nothing more than a crimson mask, Tahlia finally stopped and stood up, stomping him in the face for good measure. She had tried helping him and look what kind of gratitude she received! Looking down at her hands covered in his blood, Tahlia began to shake and dropped the brass knuckles, immediately running into the bathroom slamming the door shut behind her.

What the hell did she just do?!

Mideon's face was a crimson mask because of his nose and the new cuts she had left from those heavy brass knuckles. His face was also fairly deformed as bumps and bruises formed along with other areas being concave from now broken facial bones. Mideon had just unofficially been benched.

"Hey, what happened to him?" Vince's favorite lackeys, Brisco and Patterson, had come into the Ministry's dressing room, knowing they were safe as the Ministry was down in the ring fighting the Corporation. "He looks pretty bad…"

"Not one of our boys…" They exchanged looks and began snooping around, knowing their time was pretty limited. "Just leave him."

Tahlia overheard Brisco and Patterson, cursing under her breath. She could easily take down Vince's goons, but…something told her they weren't alone. So instead of trying her luck, Tahlia opted for the escape route. There was a window she hopped up to with ease, using her body strength to push through it. Her feet had just gone through the window as the bathroom door was kicked open by the goon squad. Covering her mouth to keep from laughing while they cursed and searched the bathroom, Tahlia waited until they were gone.

Her hands were covered in blood, not having any time to wash them off and Mideon more than likely needed immediate medical attention. Honestly, he deserved what he got for trying to slap a sleeper hold on her and do god knows what. Would Taker understand? She didn't know. Slipping back through the window, Tahlia landed on her feet like a cat and took a chance to open the bathroom door, immediately swiping her brass knuckles from the floor.