Chapter 2

"I can't do this." She shook her head, feeling sick as she stared down at the dress that was picked out for her. "This doesn't even go with my hair." She groaned feeling very frustrated and smoothed the dress down her stomach, shaking her head. "I'm going to kill Gangrel for this." She hissed in a vow, wiping the blood red lipstick off and replaced it with black so it matched her dress. She put her hair over her shoulders, which were bare since the dress had thin spaghetti straps, hating them with a passion. Taking a deep breath, Alexis walked back out, feeling degraded. "Is this better, SIR?"

"Much, do we need to also provide an attitude adjustment as well?" He asked conversationally, taking his time and circling around her, appraising her openly. He could sense Christian's rising anger, inwardly smirking. The normally calm and quiet brother was turning out to be quite the temperamental one. So this is what it took to rouse Christian's rage? Alexis. He made a note to explore this at a later date, finally stepping away from her to sink back into his chair. "Onto business then, shall we?"

Alexis stood there while the Undertaker went over his plan with the McMahon family, but she blocked it out for the most part. She didn't want to hear how he was planning on sacrificing this poor innocent girl, keeping her eyes on the floor the entire time. Christian was once again holding her hand, knowing he was trying to protect her, and she loved him even more for it. Alexis felt naked as her arms were exposed, used to her long sleeved dresses she normally shopped for herself.

When the meeting ended, Undertaker excused himself as he walked out of the dressing room, the rest of the Ministry following except them. As soon as the door was closed, Alexis rounded on Gangrel with fire ridden violet eyes. "You son of a bitch!" She shrieked, slapping him across the face, her nails gouging his cheek. "What the HELL were you THINKING teaming up with THAT?" She was absolutely livid as Christian pulled her back, tears stinging her eyes. "Do you have ANY idea how DEGRADED I feel right now? And you don't give a damn, do you?"

Gangrel stared at Alexis out of narrowed eyes, his hand holding this face. When he pulled it away, he wasn't surprised to see blood on his palm, hissing softly. "If I hadn't sided with him then he would have taken us by FORCE, Alexis." He snarled, moving to get in her face only to find he was staring into Christian's usually mild brown eyes, only they were filled with a fire that wasn't normally there. "If I hadn't made this decision, it would be HER getting sacrificed, think on that!" He spat, storming out of the room.

"What the hell does THAT mean?" Alexis demanded, staring back at Edge with wide purple eyes, turning around to stare into Christian's brown ones. "You should've let me go." She ripped away from him, refusing to let the tears fall. "I can't believe this is happening." She felt Christian's arms wrap around her waist from behind, her head lowering. "He called me a ripe strawberry." She shivered, those words replaying in her mind, leaving a bad taste in her mouth when she repeated them. "You can't protect me, Christian, as much as you say you can." She turned around to face him again. "I'm leaving tonight. I can't do this."

Christian nodded, knowing she was right, he should have let her go and now he would. He didn't hear Edge leave to give them some privacy. Pulling Alexis into his arms, he kissed her.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. "I am so sorry. You're right; I had no right in asking you to stay."

"I love you, but I can't do this. I can't be degraded like this and I won't." She replied, a single heartbreaking tear sliding down her cheek. "I have to change." She whispered, walking into the bathroom, and took the dress off that belonged to the Ministry before replacing her normal wear, sighing with relief. She knew the Ministry would be back soon so she had to hurry and walked back out, seeing the defeat in Christian's eyes. "You know where to find me tonight if you want to see me." She murmured, kissing his lips softly before walking out and bolted toward the exit as the tears flowed freely. She never saw the Ministry watching her go as she ran outside toward the rental car.

Edge looked at his brother, patting Christian's shoulder. "It's not like you two are through. She just won't be with us anymore, you know what I mean." He tried explaining, garbling his words. His clammed up when he realized the Undertaker and the Ministry were now standing in the door.

"I think I know how to bring her back."

Christian did not like the evil look on the Undertaker's face, swallowing hard when everyone else was commanded to leave.

Gangrel and Edge waited outside the dressing room, flinching each time they heard a pained cry, always preceded by a crack. "What the hell is he doing in there?" Gangrel demanded, rounding on Paul. "I didn't sign up with you people only to-" He groaned when Viscera bashed him over the head with both fists.

"You'd better learn some respect boy." He grunted, glaring at Edge, daring him to say something.

Paul twiddled his thumbs together, glancing at the clock. "Acolytes, you have a match, go."

~!~

Alexis arrived back at the hotel and went up to her and Christian's room, sniffling softly. She cried the entire way there, her heart shattered into a million pieces. She wasn't through with the WWF, though she would have to find someone else to follow. Walking into the room, Alexis turned the light on and threw her bag down, walking over and sitting on her bed. What had she done? She walked away from Christian, the love of her life, and it was all Gangrel's fault. What the hell did he mean by she would've been sacrificed? Alexis didn't like hearing that one bit and shivered before taking her boots off, deciding a hot bath was in order.

Two hours later, Alexis finally emerged out of the bathroom, wearing a black cotton robe and towel drying her hair when a knock sounded at her hotel door. She raised an eyebrow and walked over, answering it and gaped as a bloody Christian fell at her feet, her purple eyes widened. He wasn't alone either. "Oh my god, Christian!" She cried, dropping to her knees, fresh tears already flowing down her cheeks as she lifted his face up, not realizing who was towering over her. Her main concern was Christian, seeing he was slowly waking up.

He watched impassively as Alexis cried over her weakling boyfriend, snorting when Christian tried moving his hand. It was interesting to see the way that hand trembled, blood staining the fingertips. "You are lucky." He said to Alexis in a monotone voice. "He took the punishment for you both." Seeing the shock on her face gave him pleasure. Bending down so his face was inches from hers, he whispered, "Run and I will kill him next." His lips were close enough to almost brush hers. A second later he was gone, leaving her there with Christian.

Alexis was trembling from head to toe, covering her mouth with her hand, shaking her head slowly back and forth. "Christian..." She whispered, managing somehow to pull him up and laid him on the bed. "Jesus what did he do to you?" She was trying not to cry, to be strong, but Undertaker had very nearly just scared her death, especially seeing Christian as bloody as he was. Alexis wasted no time in getting him some wet cloths and a first aid kit, dressing his wounds while he passed out again. She had to rip his shirt off, sniffling at all the lash marks, forceful sobs tearing through her body.

The Undertaker felt no remorse for what he had done to Christian. Ten lashes. That was it. Though they had been with all his strength and anger behind each blow. Five were Christian's, the other five Alexis's. Her defiance amused him as much as it intrigued him. He hadn't been lying when he said he would enjoy breaking her. He contemplated the idea of sacrificing her, deciding against it. He didn't want another mindless minion, much less a female one. No...He wanted someone to enjoy. Someone who could entertain him and he had a feeling she was that person.

~!~

The following night, Alexis walked into the arena, holding Christian's hand. He had a huge white bandage on his forehead from 'Taker's attack the previous night. She was wearing a deep purple dress with black laces and it was long sleeved with the Undertaker's symbols splayed all over it. Her hair, newly dyed pure black, hung down her back and she had purple lipstick on with heavy black eyeliner. She had no choice, she was officially apart of the Ministry. Christian's beating had definitely broke her as they walked inside the Ministry's locker room, her head lowered while Christian guided her. She was officially in hell.

Christian had pleaded with Alexis to go off road, to get as far away as she possibly could. He could remember all too vividly his lashing, hearing the Undertaker admonishing him about his own temper and his woman's mouth running. He could still hear 'Taker saying how he would love to see Alexis hunched over in Christian's place, see her beautiful skin...He felt a wave of disgust roll through him.

No matter how much Christian pleaded with her, she couldn't leave him to be completely dismantled. The Undertaker had scared her into coming back to the Ministry by beating her boyfriend and it worked like a charm. She felt sick herself, the tears already stinging her eyes. The Undertaker had given his demands that morning, ordering her to dye her hair, to wear what he sent her, and to come to the arena with Christian. She had done it all, crying the whole time, but done it nonetheless.

He had ordered an entirely new wardrobe for her, not that she would know that until she returned to the hotel. Then she would be displeased to discover she and Christian would be in a room adjacent to his own. He couldn't help himself, he enjoyed tormenting people and this young couple currently held his interest, especially her. His eyes lit up when they walked into the dressing room, nodding his approval.

"Very nice." He murmured.

"Thank you, sir." She murmured quietly, no edge in her tone of voice; her shoulders slumped forward in defeat.

Alexis was doing this to protect her boyfriend, not because she wanted to be here. Hell, she didn't know what this monster was capable of and, honestly, she didn't want to find out. She would remain in the Ministry of Darkness and felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up through tear-filled eyes to see Edge's solemn blue orbs. They wouldn't fall; she wouldn't allow them too before looking at the floor again.

Edge wondered if Alexis had lost her mind. What the hell was she still doing here? Protecting Christian, that was what. He shook his head, feeling bad for the pair and knew instinctively that things were going to get much, much worse before they got better, if they ever did.

"Christian, Edge...you two have a match. Gangrel will be at ringside, I believe Alexis's services won't be required tonight, she will remain with me."

Her head snapped up when she heard that, feeling Christian's hand squeeze hers, and swallowed past the bile that was threatening to erupt. First this monster beats Christian, her boyfriend, within an inch of his life and now this? Things were about to be straightened out as she turned to Christian, nodding at him.

"Go, I'll be fine." She assured him, kissing his lips softly and nodded Edge, refusing point blank to acknowledge Gangrel's presence. She turned around when the Brood was gone, her eyes remaining on the floor.

He waved a dismissing hand at his Ministry listening as they all shuffled out the door, sinking down into a chair, gesturing for her to join him, a large cushion at his feet. "Come Alexis, watch the match with me." He flashed a grin, nothing humorous or good natured about it. His tone made it quite clear it wasn't a request, but a command.

Silently, Alexis did as she was told, sitting down and drew her knees up to her chest, burying her face in them. She couldn't believe what was happening to her. She was thrilled with the Brood, though now she wished she'd never accepted being their valet. She was now the Ministry's bitch and felt the silent tears roll down her face, coating the part of the dress where her knees were pressed against. She didn't care about the match, knowing the Undertaker was tormenting her on purpose.

His eyes on the monitor, one giant hand reached down to cup her head, gently stroking her hair. He could see Christian wasn't physically ready to participate in the ring just yet, still suffering from his beating though this did not concern him. The boy would suffer again if he didn't perform to his usual standards.