Chapter 2

"Father?" She called, frowning, not seeing anyone, her eyebrows furrowing together in confusion.

"He's not here." 'Taker said, stepping out of the bathroom, his hair wetted down for his upcoming match, busy pulling the top half back. "He had...business to attend too." His acid green eyes raked her up and down, lingering on the blood red hair. "I'm sure if there's something you need Grace," Her name came out a slight hiss. "I can assist you."

She swallowed hard, slowly backing up toward the door. "N-No that's alright." She shakily replied, her smile hesitant, not believing how gigantic this man was. "Sorry to bother you..."

She turned to open the door and jumped back when his huge hand slammed against it, preventing her from escaping. Now she was terrified and it shined in her eyes, her stomach twisting violently, and wrapped her arms around herself. She stared back into his green eyes, beginning to tremble slightly. Why didn't he want her to leave? She wasn't a whore damn it!

"You're afraid of me." He said, sounding pleased with that fact, his face inches from hers. Closing his eyes, 'Taker leaned forward, inhaling her hair, his face moving down the side of her neck, almost touching her, but not quite. "And you smell delicious." He purred, knowing he was frightening her and it just made the moment all the more sweeter. He was a heartless bastard. He had been for years and nothing would ever change that.

Grace opened and closed her mouth, but words weren't forming as the fear began consuming her wholeheartedly. She wanted her father; she needed him here to stop this, and kept taking steps back until her back collided with the wall, swallowing hard. "P-Please don't..." She whispered fearfully, tears in her amber eyes, her bottom lip shaking with the rest of her body. She seen his head lift and their eyes locked, the intensity she found there nearly leaving her breathless. Like Steve, his eyes were beautiful, but deadly and wicked. Grace was afraid if her heart didn't stop thundering the way it was she wouldn't have one anymore, but for the life of her she couldn't move.

"Please don't what, Grace? You must be more specific, dearest." 'Taker murmured, gently pulling a strand of her hair away from her face, rubbing the silky locks between his forefinger and thumb. He stepped away from her, though his hand remained on the door, staring down at her, an almost concerned expression on his face. Though his eyes gave him away with the malicious gleam to them.

She had to grasp a handle on this situation before she did something irrational. "I would appreciate it, sir, if you would stop touching me." She stated slowly, pulling away from him as her hair slid from his fingertips, trying to have courage, but Grace was never one to fight or get into confrontations.

She hadn't done a thing to this man and he was scaring the life out of her...and seemed to enjoy it! Her back was still pressed to the wall, but she was scooting along it now, seeing the predatory gleam in his dangerous eyes and that just sent another tingle of dread down her spine. She wanted to scream for someone to help her, but honestly, who the hell would be able to take down this monster?

"Why?" He tilted his head to the side, studying her from curious eyes. Apparently deciding if he was in the mood to frighten her some more or find something else to entertain him.

"'Taker? Could you open the door?"

"Busy, Paul."

"Have you seen Grace?" Paul called through the door.

"Why do you think I'm busy?"

"Dad!" She called out; her voice filled with fright, and bit her bottom lip when Paul began getting angry. "I suggest you open the door if you don't want to get my father angry." She stated heatedly, crossing her arms in front of her chest, that fire in her eyes igniting briefly and immediately hugged her father as soon as his co-worker opened the door. "I-I'm going back to the hotel. I-I don't want to be here anymore." She whispered in his ear, seeing him nod and pat her hand before guiding her out the door. Grace was still shaken up and took her hair out of the bun, running her fingers through it as it pooled down her back in waves, resting against her middle back. "I can take a cab." She wanted to get the hell out of there and far away from the green eyed giant.

"Bradshaw can take her. Lord knows we wouldn't want anything happening to her, now would we?" 'Taker interrupted before Paul could say anything, leaning in the doorway, looking pleased with himself. "Bradshaw?"

"Yes?" Bradshaw appeared out of seemingly nowhere.

"Escort little Gracie back to her hotel."

"No!" She nearly cried out, immediately calming herself down when her father squeezed her hand. "I mean no, that won't be-" She seen the blue eyed man headed her way and prayed he went along with this. "I already have a ride." She smiled sweetly, grabbing his arm, trembling a little, her eyes filled with panic mixed with fear. "H-He's escorting me back to the hotel." She seen her father's jaw drop and blinked, wondering what that was all about. 'Please just go along with this, please!' She thought frantically, staring up into his blue eyes, swallowing past the lump that formed in her throat.

Steve had no idea whatsoever what the hell was going on, but one look at the Undertaker's fuming face was enough for him to grin, wrap an arm around Grace's waist and nod. "Sorry folks, I already promised Grace a lift." He stated.

"I wasn't aware you two knew each other."

Paul wasn't either, his face devoid of color.

"Everyone knows Stone Cold Steve Austin, son, don't you forget it." He sincerely hoped she picked up on his name.

"We bumped into each other on the way to the cafeteria. I was in a hurry and bumped into Steve." She felt him squeeze her waist a little and leaned against him with a heart stopping smile. "He was kind enough to walk me to the cafeteria and I told him I would be leaving shortly. He offered me a ride." She explained, sighing with relief that he was going along with this, the fear slowly diminishing from her amber eyes. "Father, are you alright?" Grace looked worried, seeing he was as white as a sheet, but she refused to leave Steve's side. She had completely forgotten to get his name and was glad he smoothly offered it to her. "Ready to go, Steve?"

Paul already knew he was in trouble and could only nod. "Just...be careful." He cautioned, looking at Steve anxiously.

"I'll take care of her." Steve promised, eyes locking with the Undertaker's again, surprised that he hadn't been jumped.

He had considered ordering the attack, but didn't feel like Grace being caught in the mix. It wouldn't be any fun if she was hurt, now would it? "See you soon, Grace." 'Taker said darkly before slipping back into his dressing room.

She couldn't suppress the shiver of dread that ran through her as she walked over, Steve following, and kissed her father's cheek. "No, YOU be careful." She whispered before walking away with Steve, waiting until they were outside before pressing a hand to her chest, feeling like she might hyperventilate. "Oh my god..." She whispered, looking up at Steve with tears in her eyes again. "Thank you. Thank you so much." She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, knowing he didn't even know her, but also knew he saved her from having to go back to the hotel with one of those men. She owed him big time.

"Not a problem." He laughed, gently untangling her from his neck, holding Grace at arms length. "Mind tellin' me what that was all about?" Keeping a firm grip on her hand, he guided her towards his truck. Very likely, someone from the Ministry was no doubt watching them and he wasn't about to let them down, a show they would get. "'Taker creep you out, didn't he?"

"That's an understatement." She muttered, still feeling his breath on her skin and swiped her neck as if to ensure it was gone. "I went back to the dressing room to look for my father and he was there..." She swallowed hard, raking a hand through her hair, shaking her head back and forth. "Forget it, it's not important. Thank you again for going along with it." She smiled up at him, the tears gone, the chill slowly diminishing once again as they walked toward his big truck.

"Again, not a problem." If it pissed the Deadman off, he'd do it and with a grin. Steve opened the passenger side door for her, smiling and helped her up before rounding to his own side. In a matter of seconds they were pulling out of the parking lot. "If the Undertaker gives you any problems, Grace, feel free to come to me. I don't mind whoopin' his ass, especially for a good cause."

"Well it's a good thing I'm not the only one who's not fond of him and I don't even know the guy."

She couldn't believe how terrified she'd been of the Undertaker and bit her bottom lip, wondering if her father was alright. He was completely pale when she left and she was afraid he was either going to faint or have a seizure. Neither one of those thoughts comforted her as she stared out the window, pressing her forehead against the cool glass, wondering if it was such a good idea that she surprised her father by coming on the road. Though when she looked back at Steve, a smile spread across her lips and she found herself being drawn to him. He had protected her and got involved in business that he didn't have to, but he did anyway and she was grateful for that.

~!~

"You say she's recently graduated from med school?"

Paul nodded grimly, not sure if he liked the thoughtful tone of 'Taker's voice. "But she's only visiting; soon she'll be doing an internship." He added hastily.

"You know, I do believe there's an opening on the medical team here."

He had KNOWN he didn't like that tone.

~!~

Grace sighed with relief and physically relaxed when the hotel came into view, ready for a shower and alone time. Not that she didn't enjoy Steve's company because she did. The jetlag was setting it though and she just wanted to relax, especially after getting scared to death by the Undertaker. "Thanks again for the ride, Steve." She flashed him a warm smile, wanting to lean over and kiss his cheek, but thought better of it, instead touching his shoulder before slipping out of the truck and closed the door. She then headed inside the hotel and got her keycard before going up to her room, knowing her father probably wasn't staying at this hotel. That was a good thing too. Knowing wherever her father was, Grace knew unfortunately, the Undertaker would be right behind him.

Steve watched her disappear into the hotel, his blue eyes thoughtful, then caught movement out of the corner of his eye. When he had turned his head there was nothing there. Frowning, Steve left, hoping Grace would be alright.

~!~

Paul wasn't happy. He had gone to talk to Vince about adding on to his medical staff per the Undertaker's orders, wondering just why he was doing this. Granted he would love to see more of his daughter, but not at the expense of her being a toy for the Undertaker to play with until he got bored again. He made it clear it was a temporary position he was looking for Grace, stressing that she would be starting an internship soon and just hoped she was. Else wise he was lying for nothing.