Chapter 32

"No." Taker whispered, shaking his head.

He had already known most of that; what he hadn't been able to figure out was the catalyst, the reason. Now he did and sorely wished he had messed with Mideon's IV last night. It would have been so easy to kill the bastard. Inside, he had cut off the man's pain killer and woken him, informing him of his story, making sure he had it right. Mideon had recited it, in tears, over and over again until Taker was satisfied. If Mideon went back on it, he'd die, plain and simple and he knew it.

"I need those brass knuckles, Tahlia." They had to disappear, just in case, not taking any chances.

Frowning, Tahlia didn't want to give them back because they were a gift…a gift she had overused and abused. "Okay." She whispered, walking past him to her bag and pulled them out, handing them to him without hesitation. "You were right, Taker. I should've been more cautious of Dennis. I didn't realize just how obsessed he was with you…" Lowering to her knees in front of him, Tahlia buried her face in her hands, trembling harder. "I-I thought since we came into the Ministry together, we had a bond…or some kind of friendship. I was trying to help him and…it backfired! He wanted to hurt me because of…how close we are." Crying was not an option and she blinked the tears away, refusing to shed a single tear. "I'm ready to accept my punishment for what I did last night, my Lord."

Normally, he was the first person to say 'told you so', just because he usually had told them so, but.. he didn't want to say that. Not with her. She had tried and made a mistake, thinking they had bonded, like the rest of the Ministry had bonded. No… there had been something wrong with Dennis from the start. Something Taker had failed to recognize and then when he finally did, he had failed to act other than adopt a wait and see approach. This was probably his fault.

"Punishment?" He echoed, kissing the tip of her nose. "Tahlia, you defended yourself. And in the process, sent Vince to jail."

He started chuckling at her confused look and explained what had happened after she had fled. Amber eyes grew wider and wider with each word that came out of Taker's mouth. Vince had gone to jail for something SHE did? He'd taken the fall for the attack on both Brisco and Mideon? There was no concrete evidence to convict her and Vince had sent his cronies after her.

"Wow…" What more could she possibly say? Taker pulled her back up to her feet and pulled her to stand between his legs, her hands resting gently on his bare shoulders. "Edge and Christian belonged out there helping you with the Corporation. That's why I suggested Dennis. It's the only reason." She confessed, remembering the gasoline incident at the hotel. Taker had dealt with it alone and had burns as a result. "I'm expendable, you're not. They need to protect you, not me." Because I love you, she added in thought, resting her forehead against his and sighed softly. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Because he could almost read her mind, Taker rolled his eyes and pulled them both upright until they were in a sitting position, sliding his hands down to cup her shoulders. "Listen to me," He ordered, injecting command into his tone. "I order you to stop worrying about me." That was about the only way she would. "I've gotten along all these years, still alive, and I expect I will make it a good many more. You understand me? My enemies will never get the best of me, or of mine." In fact, as of last night, they had taken the fall for one of his and that was just delicious. "Put this out of your mind. I'm handling it."

This was the only time she would defy him and shook her head, jumping off of his lap like he'd just singed her. "No…NO! I won't do that. The last time you tried doing things by yourself, you ended up being burnt and it could've been a lot worse had you NOT known it was coming! Because of me! Because I overheard what the Corporation was planning! No, I'm not going to follow that order. I'm going to keep worrying about you and you can't stop me. I'm going to keep caring about you and you can't stop that either! I'll protect you with my life because that's what I vowed to you the day you took me and brought me into your world. Stop worrying about ME. I can handle myself and I proved it last night." She'd just thrown his order right back in his face. "When you can stop worrying about me and my well-being, I'll stop worrying about you and YOUR well-being, Taker."

Part of him was sorely tempted to snatch Tahlia over his knee and beat her backside black and blue for speaking to him like that. The other part was amused, and pleased. Then there was his pricked ego. Taker wasn't sure which one to focus on.

"Woman, I can handle myself." He stood up, towering over her and began slowly advancing, watching as she unconsciously began taking steps backwards. "I managed just fine without you, and if you ever decide to leave me, I'll manage then as well. Do you understand me?" He planted his hands on either side of her, against the wall she was now leaning back against, bending down until their foreheads were touching once more. "I will not be coddled, Tahlia." It made him feel a bit weird.

"Then the same goes for me. If I can't handle myself, I don't belong in the Ministry. If I can't defend myself, I don't belong here."

Her heart dropped to the pits of her stomach at the words he used and it made her wonder if he wanted her to leave. It seemed they were at a standstill, neither willing to budge. She was being defiant, for the first time, against Taker and it felt surreal. The acid burning in his eyes sent her heart racing and made her blood turn to molten lava, her hands splayed at her sides against the wall he had her trapped.

"And I won't leave you." Even after he'd sent her on that ridiculous task to get close to Shane McMahon. "You'll have to dismiss me if you want me to leave."

He considered that, feeling something in their relationship changing. They already had an intimate relationship, going beyond the boundaries of master and… whatever it was she tended to be, but this was different. Taker could feel it, bearing down on them, demanding to be acknowledged and he sighed. He brushed his lips against her eyelids, cupping her face in his massive hands.

"You already know I won't dismiss you, Tahlia." He said softly, wondering when he had gone so soft, knowing it was her doing. A woman, in his Ministry, was going to be his downfall and he knew it. "As long as you wish to be by my side… you have a place." He hoped she knew he wasn't just referring to his Ministry because that was as romantic as he was getting this early in the morning.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm yours."

In more ways than one, she belonged completely to this man and had from the very beginning. Softly kissing him, Taker lifted her in his arms to where her legs wrapped around his waist, her fingers delving in his hair. Their relationship had changed – he was no longer her master. They were simply together and it didn't need to be defined. Tahlia didn't want to destroy him in any way, only to help him rise to the top of WWF and spread darkness throughout every crevice of the company. She also wanted to be his and only his…now that she thought about it, Taker hadn't looked at another woman since she entered the picture. What he did while she was gone doing his bidding with Shane was another story entirely, but Tahlia didn't care. However, the L word would never leave her mouth, not unless he said it first and she didn't think that would happen. So she'd continue to say it in her mind and deal with that turmoil on her own.

There was no more speaking, from either of them. They were simply going in circles both with their words and without words, certain things neither of them willing to say out loud. Instead, they went back to bed, Taker easily navigating his way without breaking the kiss, still holding her up, enjoying the feel of her legs wrapped around his waist. He dropped her on the bed unceremoniously, landing on her as he had allowed himself to fall as well, catching himself before he could crush her, still kissing her. They'd enjoy each other, and this morning, before the real world and all the problems it brought came banging at their door.

Their days off consisted of going to Connecticut to play more mind games on Shane. Tahlia was all for it, needing to vent some frustration out. Mideon was put in a medically induced coma to heal quicker from all of his injuries…after he swore not to say anything about who his attacker was. Taker's doing. He deserved the beating he received from Tahlia and that was the way it was. Vince had posted bail and was out for blood, so the Ministry would strike first…right in his heart. While the Acolytes set up the symbol in the front yard, Tahlia stayed back with Paul, who currently had camera in hand waiting for Taker to instruct him to press record. They would light the symbol up after Tahlia taunted Shane and Taker did the same to Vince.

"Whenever you're ready, Sister Tahlia."

Bowing her head respectfully at Paul, she nodded once to tell him to hit the record button and closed her eyes momentarily. "Mmm Shane – Shane – Shane, where have you run off to? Here I am, a lady in waiting for you at your own home, and you're nowhere to be found." Sliding the cloak hood from her head, she turned to look into the camera with a sinister smile. "Why do you resist me, Prince? Didn't you enjoy our time together? I know I did…I remember everything…and I know you do too. Your fragile little mind won't allow you to forget me. I'm so disappointed – here I thought I'd come here and bring you into my world so we can be together. Resisting the darkness is futile, boy, don't you get that? So stop fighting and come to me. Or I will force you into submission." Blowing him a kiss, Tahlia turned away from the camera and took the torch Bradshaw handed her, tossing it expertly at the symbol igniting it in flames, her evil laughter echoing into the night.

After he was finished doing what he had planned for Vince, Taker just stood there for a moment. It was perfect. He inhaled deeply the scent of smoke and gasoline, loving it, and his emerald eyes were alight with evil delight as he took in the scene. The burning T's lit up everything of importance, casting their demonic glow over them and he turned until he spotted Tahlia. The wind caught her hair, whipping it about her face and he smirked at the sheer joy on her face. She was enjoying this, having fun with this, and it made something in him insanely happy. Smirking, he crooked a finger at her.

"Enjoying yourself, precious?" He rumbled when she was directly before him.

"Of course, sir." The term 'precious' had grown on her and no longer bothered Tahlia to hear. "I just wish we could stick around long enough to see the look on Shane's face when he comes home to this."

Stretching her arms in the air, Tahlia envisioned his face contorted in a mixture of fear and disgust, which is exactly what she wanted. She wanted him to fear her…because there was a very good reason for it. One way or another, Tahlia would get what she ultimately wanted and revel in the sheer joy of making his life miserable. Paul set up a camera in the far corner to record Shane's reaction and everything, so at least she'd have it on film to watch repeatedly.

It was great, what they were doing. Offscreen wasn't that far a stretch from what they had been doing on camera every week and that just played right into their hands, made the game all that sweeter. Everyone else would think it was part of the show, part of the script, when they all knew better. Vince and Shane would know better. Having Vince take the fall for Mideon's assault was icing on a deliciously evil cake and he was enjoying the taste.

"Come, best to leave it alone. Someone will be along soon enough."

The yard of a wealthy man on fire? The authorities would be arriving soon, but… the McMahon's would first, he knew it. Because Paul was good about getting that kind of information. Wrapping his arm around Tahlia's shoulder, he turned and walked off into the darkness, towards their waiting cars. They were going to drive the McMahon's insane and his laughter echoed throughout the night.

"What the HELL?!"

"Dad, what is that?!" Shane demanded, brown eyes wide in horror as the stretch limousine came to a screeching halt outside of their home. "Oh my god…"

Burning in the middle of their front yard was Undertaker's seal and Vince felt sick to his stomach, immediately notifying authorities and security of the trespassing.

However, the authorities didn't take his call serious. "Sir, you really shouldn't involve us in your show."

"EXCUSE ME?!"

"You are Vince McMahon, the owner of World Wrestling Federation, correct?"

"Yes, but…"

"I think we're done here. Enjoy your show and the next time you call us out here for nothing, we will arrest you." The officers took off, leaving Vince and Shane standing there with gaping mouths.

Tahlia howled with laughter from her perch in the hotel room, eating a bowl of popcorn with some beer, enjoying Shane's terror-filled face. "Only the beginning, Prince." She hissed, rewinding the footage and watched it all over again.

"Brother Paul?"

"Hmm?"

"You did make other copies of that, correct?"

Taker eyed Tahlia, who was laughing her ass off as she kept watching and rewinding the video. He was pleased to see she was enjoying herself and rather enjoyed her little bits of madness. Tahlia had really let her hair down so to speak, it was interesting. It also, however, told him that if they ever parted ways on bad terms, he should probably watch his backside because she was just a bit insane.

"I did." He always made backups, of everything. Though not usually for this reason. "She is easily amused."

"It's the simple things." He cracked open his own beer and toasted his old friend, before practically nudging him out the door.

The only reason she enjoyed the footage so much was because of what Vince and Shane did to her. She was still convinced Shane had a hand in her forcing her to lay down for Chyna on Raw. Tahlia would never forgive that, the mere memory made her insides turn violently. So watching Shane be terrified out of his mind was therapeutic for her. She smiled up at Taker as he joined her in bed and paused the footage, snuggling up to him. There were moments Tahlia could be completely innocent, kind-hearted and sweet as pie. Then there were others where she turned into a devious evil woman hell-bent on revenge. Maybe she was like Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

"Want some?"

"Sure."

He set his beer down on the nightstand before taking some of the popcorn, gesturing for her to continue her video. He wasn't entirely sure what her deal with Shane was, because this went way beyond business and mind games, but he wasn't saying anything, figuring it would come eventually. He knew Shane hadn't assaulted her in any which way; Tahlia would have outright murdered him. She had shown she was pretty capable of violence to an extreme just the other night. Taker did like his women a little on the crazy and unhinged side. The fact that she was also 100% loyal to him as well as a warrior only made it that much more appealing.

"I think I'm going to make you my next wife." He informed her, sounding absentminded about it as he dropped a kiss against the side of her head and waited for her response, just to hear what she'd say or do.