Chapter 9

Jaxine walked inside the arena later that night, holding Steve's hand, ignoring the looks that passed her way. She was the one who took out the Undertaker with a steel chair and screwed him out of the WWF title, which was currently resting over Steve's broad shoulder. She smiled up at him, deciding to keep her outfit for her appearance on Raw as they headed to his dressing room. If anyone could protect her from Undertaker, it was him.

"So, lemme see if I got this right..." Steve said thoughtfully. "He forced you into stayin' with him by threatenin' Kane. Then did something to scare you off and you took Vince's offer to get revenge." He hadn't pried; he'd just summarized what he knew from seeing her before and what he had pieced together. "And if I piss ya off, do I have to worry about a chair to MY head?"

"No, unless you try blackmailing me and forcing me to talk about my past and not treat me with respect. That's the only way you'll get a chair upside your skull, Steve." Jaxine assured him, sitting on the couch in his dressing room, her hair down now, not wanting to show off her scar. Steve didn't know about it and that was fine with her, he was better left in the dark. "He manipulated and brainwashed me into thinking he was going to kill Kane unless I surrendered to him. He's a sick bastard." She snorted, amber eyes narrowing before looking down at her lap, closing her eyes.

"Like...surrender as in sleepin' with him or just bein' there?" Steve demanded, sounding angry and looking sick. He seen the expression on her face. "Just bein' there." He shook his head, tossing his bag into a chair and carefully setting his championship belt on it, snorting. "Ain't he just one mighty man!" He murmured sarcastically, not believing 'Taker was THAT damn sick. Holding a woman to him by means of threatening to kill someone, how fucking psychotic was that?

"Tell me about it. He forced me to talk about my past, something that I DON'T share with anyone, and I had too big of a heart for his brother to let him get hurt." Jaxine trembled slightly and slowly stood up, her eyes suddenly growing cold as she stared back at Steve. "But last night, that chair shot was my revenge and oh how sweet it was." She cackled, running her fingers along the gold belt. "I know you don't want to hear this, Austin, but now that I'm your valet, this title is not going anywhere for a very LONG time."

He wondered just how mentally unstable she was, blinking and clearing his throat. "Not to offend you or anythin, but I like to win my matches fair and square. Usually." He said bluntly. He was a blunt, honest man and if she couldn't handle it, then their professional relationship wouldn't last the night. "If yer swingin' things my way, I'll lose the respect I have with the boys and with my fans."

"Only when it comes to the Undertaker." She assured softly, her voice like warm honey and smiled, patting his shoulder in reassurance. "I will keep my distance and even sit at ringside if you want." She offered before walking over and sat on the couch again. Jaxine wasn't emotionally unstable, she was actually more alive and awake than she had been in her entire life. She supposed she'd have to thank Undertaker for that and pushed that thought aside instantly. "You have my word, only when it comes to the Undertaker will I get involved in your matches, if you ask for it. Fair deal?"

"If I ask." He agreed, nodding his head, seemingly satisfied. "I'm sure you'll have plenty of chances to make his life a livin' hell." Steve sat down at the table, pulling his bag down between his feet, rifling through it, pulling out his trunks and a black leather vest, setting them aside. "You still talk to Kane?" He asked, next removing his knee brace and adding it to his wrestling gear.

"No, I don't want anything to do with either of them." She replied softly, tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear.

Kane had gotten her in a lot of trouble with his brother not to mention his sick father Paul. If Jaxine never saw him again, it would be too soon. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling a chill in the room and raised an eyebrow while Steve went through his wrestling bag, pulling out his things. She had to admit he was a handsome man and bald, possibly the most gorgeous bald man she'd ever seen in her life. Jaxine was always fond of men with long hair, but as she stared at Steve, who had saved her ass this morning, she was starting to wonder what he was like.

"Eh, probably the best thing for ya. Kane's been raising some hell lately." Steve said, nodding his head and stood up, smirking when he realized there was a cooler on the table, lifting the note and laughing. "Shane is apparently tryin' to buy me...and apparently you." He said, wrinkling his nose as he pulled out a bottle of champagne, digging out a beer. "Hmm...Perks to bein' champion. Want one?"

"I'm not a fan of beer, but the champagne I'll take." She replied with a wide smile, taking it from him, and giggled when she seen it wasn't champagne, it was strawberry wine. She looked over when Steve sat beside her and set it aside before grabbing one of his beers, popping the top and held it up to him. "Cheers." She then took a long swig of it, a single trickle of water running down her chin and neck before pulling back, making a face. "Yeah, not my thing.

"That's okay, honey, means there's more for me." He replied with a grin, toasting her before draining his can in two swallows, wiping the foam off his mouth and chin. "I'm gonna grab a shower and get around, just sit tight if ya want, or you can go out, but...I wouldn't recommend it. It's a jungle durin' show time." He gathered his things up in his arms and carried them into the bathroom with him.

Jaxine wasn't going anywhere as she watched him walk into the bathroom, deciding to occupy her time by writing in her notebook. For months she'd written hateful things about Undertaker, about her true feelings for him, and how he'd shattered her that night. His words still haunted her dreams at night, but Jaxine was a strong woman. Nothing was going to get her down, nothing. She smiled when she heard the shower going and leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes.

~!~

Shane McMahon was squirming around like a worm on a hook, trying to melt into the chair he was occupying as the Undertaker leaned across the desk. "Look, I can't give you another shot-" He yelped when a hand came shooting out, wrapping around his throat.

"You CAN and you WILL." 'Taker snarled angrily. "Jaxine SCREWED me out of my title and speaking of...is she here now?"

"Of c-course not!"

"Lying is hazardous to your health, McMahon."

~!~

A knock sounded at Steve's dressing room door, causing Jaxine's eyes to pop open as she immediately stood up just as Steve stepped out of the bathroom, both of them locking eyes before staring at the door. "Steve wait..." She cautioned, pressing a hand to his arm, thinking it was a trap by Undertaker. The man did like playing mind games after all.

"Open up, it's Patterson."

Jaxine blinked as Steve ripped open his locker room door, standing behind him and her eyes widened when she found out Undertaker had another title shot at the next pay-per-view and waited for the explosion to erupt.

"How the hell did he get another shot?" Steve demanded coldly, wearing nothing but his wrestling trunks, his boots on but unlaced. He jerked Pat into the room when the guy started stammering. "How, Pat? He had his chance and should have been dumped back onto the bottom."

"Well...he uh, he...See, Shane..."

"Is nothin' but a piece of white collar chicken shit!" Steve bodily tossed Pat from the room. "And you can tell him Stone Cold said so."

Jaxine seen how pissed Steve was and honestly didn't blame him as she walked down the ramp way, causing the audience to cheer regardless if she screwed the Undertaker over or not. She walked up the steel ring steps and smiled when Steve held open the ropes for her, knowing they were going to cut a promo regarding Steve's current opponent, The Undertaker. Jaxine stood there by his side, her arm hanging on his shoulder while her other hand was planted on her hip.

"JR, pup-"

"Shut up King, Austin is speakin'."

Steve paced the ring furiously, stroking his goatee, glancing at Jaxine before raising the microphone to his lips, never stopping walking back and forth. "Ol' Stone Cold was sittin' in the back, drinking an ice cold beer when he heard the Undertaker had gotten a rematch for the championship," He paused, the fans booing around him, letting their displeasure with the Undertaker being known. "Now apparently, the Undertaker thinks he's something special in the WWF, well uh-uh!" He was getting riled up, halting mid ring and looking at Jaxine. "I think tonight Stone Cold Steve Austin is gonna open up a can of whoop ass on the Deadman."

Jaxine hid the shock well as she simply smiled at him, clapping her hands, walking around to stand at his left side, further way from the ramp way. She was beaming proudly, her amber eyes glittering at his words, and froze when the lights went out and the bells began to toll throughout the arena. Jaxine felt Steve's hand grasp hers, letting her know he was there as a mixture of booing and cheering erupted throughout the arena. No matter how hard she tried, Jaxine couldn't stop the chill from coursing down her spine.

The Undertaker walked out onto the stage, slowly. He wore a long, black velvet robe over his wrestling tights, a hood covering his face. He raised his hands, slowly pushing the hood back, his jet black hair hanging down his back. His mustache was gone, though the goatee remained, giving him an even more evil look than normal.

Steve's blue eyes narrowed, wondering what the hell the man had done to himself, coming out here dressed the way he was. Wasn't he already big enough of a freak?

His piercing green eyes strayed from Stone Cold to Jaxine, taking in their clasped hands before raising his stare back to Stone Cold.

"You got somethin' to say, son?"

If Jaxine thought the Undertaker terrified her before, that was NOTHING compared to what she was feeling at the moment. He looked downright evil as she looked up at Steve, her amber eyes glowing in the darkness and felt him squeeze her hand more, knowing something bad was about to happen. She didn't dare speak as Steve slowly ushered her toward the ring ropes, his blue eyes never leaving Undertaker as the man slowly began making his way down the ramp way, getting her out of harm's way. She nodded at him silently, standing right in front of the announcer's table.

"That is the personification of evil ladies and gentlemen!"

Jaxine heard that and couldn't agree more.

Steve didn't give a rat's ass if the Undertaker thought he was Satan or something. He was still fixing to get his dead ass beat all around the arena. He hunched over slightly, hands on his knees and waited, licking his lips eagerly.

'Taker stood outside the ring on the metal steps, removing his robe, letting it slide down his shoulders and puddle around his feet. He had added to his new look with a new pair of wrestling tights. Cut out on the chest was his T with the X spikes, along his legs the same symbol resided. He slipped through the ropes, glaring daggers at Austin.

Touching the back of her neck upon seeing what Undertaker was wearing, Jaxine closed her eyes momentarily, knowing she still had that necklace with the symbol hanging from it back in Chicago. Her eyes snapped open when Steve immediately attacked, placing her hands on the mat, her heart leaping in her chest when Undertaker quickly countered, jamming his elbow into Steve's throat. Her hand flew up, holding her own throat as if sympathizing his pain, her eyes narrowing when acid green met golden amber.

'Come on Steve!' She thought, knowing if she kept his gaze long enough it would be a big enough distraction.

He had all, but forgotten the devastating effect her eyes had on him. Those warm, butterscotch orbs could calm him down, make him forget what he was doing. Almost. Snarling, he ripped his gaze from hers, turning to catch Steve by the throat, glancing over his shoulder to shoot Jaxine a deadly glare. This would be her if she didn't quit trying to screw with his head and he wanted her to know it. He delivered a devastating choke slam, watching Austin bounce with a satisfied, wicked grin. He turned to stalk over to the ropes, glaring down at her.

"You're next." He growled, reaching for her. His green eyes widened in surprise when he felt himself being pulled back.

Steve had done what few could, he had rebounded in order to protect Jaxine. Though once the adrenaline wore off, he'd be feeling it for sure.

Jaxine trembled when he said that and watched as Steve spun him around, giving him a stunner, causing her eyes to widen. How Steve managed to get up from that choke slam was beyond her and she honestly didn't care as she started clapping, a smile on her face. Undertaker would never touch her with this man around as she ran around to the side where Steve rolled out, holding onto him with his arm wrapped around her neck and watched as Steve gestured for some beers to be tossed his way. When he handed her one, Jaxine took it as they back tracked up the ramp way, opening their beers, and smashed them together as the beer went everywhere before downing them together.

"The puppies are soaked!"

"King..." JR shook his head when the Undertaker sat up and snapped his head to the side, seeing what they were doing.

Steve spun them both around to watch the ring, beer flowing down his throat and chin as he watched 'Taker get back to his vertical base. "Stay down, son!" He cautioned, eyes narrowing.

'Taker shook the cobwebs from his head, leaning heavily against the ropes. His black hair cascaded around his face, his lips curved into a grimace as he stared at the pair with evil intentions in his eyes.

Jaxine laughed as she did the cut throat motion with her thumb, mocking him as Steve smirked before both turned around and headed to the back.