Chapter 16

When Alexis woke up the next morning and found herself wrapped up in 'Taker's arms, a smile formed on her lips, knowing he must've grabbed her in the middle of the night. He was toasty warm, though the AC was turned off, probably gotten too chilly for him. She managed to look up at his peaceful sleeping face, memorizing every line, every feature, and leaned in to barely brush her lips against his before looking over at the clock. She heard knocking on the door and sighed, knowing that was probably Paul and felt him release her as she slid from the bed, going into the bathroom to splash cold water on her face.

Reluctantly, he went to answer the door, not too keen on dragging himself from the warm, comfortable bed. Especially not happy with having to let Alexis go. He opened the door, staring down at Paul before grunting and going back to bed, not happy he had brought the banshee with him.

"Nobody else would watch her." Paul said apologetically, glancing down at Stephanie to see her mouth was hanging open, arching an eyebrow at 'Taker, seeing that sheet was barely covering him. "Um, boss?"

"Stephanie, if you insist on staring I'm going to insist on you joining me in this bed."

"Good morning." Alexis greeted as she walked out, not minding she was in a mid-thigh nightgown. "Now then, we need to try that beautiful dress on don't we? Let me get dressed and we'll get started. You shouldn't cry honey, it'll make your face blotch." She then walked into the bathroom, her bag already in there and closed the door, snickering to herself.

"I'm not wearing it, I'm not!" Stephanie protested, screaming when 'Taker got out of the bed. Her eyes widened as he stalked over to her. "No, stay away!"

"Darling, please, you know you want to experience the darkness." He teased, his voice a rolling purr, aware the sheet was barely on his hips and her eyes kept darting downward, a blush on her face. "Alexis, cancel that, she'll try it on AFTER we're in our new location."

"That's what I meant, 'Taker." She called through the door, amusement in her tone and walked out a few minutes later, wearing a black leather skirt that went two inches above the knee along with a deep blue halter top. She smiled at the hysterical Stephanie, her bag in hand, two inch knee high boots on her feet. Walking over, Alexis took a strand of hair in her finger and slowly twirled it around. "We're going to have SO much fun together, dear princess." Her violet eyes flashed wickedly before walking over to apply her makeup, dark blue eyeliner with clear gloss.

Paul could already see Stephanie was going to have a nervous breakdown with these two both having a go at her, knowing that was on the agenda anyway and couldn't help feeling bad for her, until she started screaming again. Dear god, were his ears bleeding yet?

"Quiet."

She abruptly shut up, breathing heavily, swallowing sobs and began hiccupping.

"You know, since you are to be my wife, you should learn some wifely duties...Like helping me dress." Oh the expression on her face was PRICELESS.

Alexis couldn't stop herself from giggling, shaking her head as she brushed her hair out before pulling it up in a tight bun. She walked over, her mouth right next to her ear. "What's the matter? Afraid you might enjoy it?" She shoved her toward and smirked when her face landed right against 'Taker's chest and the sheet was gone. Alexis didn't understand why Stephanie was so scared unless she'd never saw a man naked before. That thought made her smirk as she gathered the rest of her things.

Oh now this was torture. A brief idea of Alexis and Stephanie…No, Alexis would have his balls. Stephanie was pretty in a way, but...still, he wasn't interested in a virgin, which she obviously was. He didn't have patience with training someone who had NO experience. Though tormenting her on the other hand…Watching Alexis out of dark eyes, he pressed Stephanie against him.

"What do you say, pet?" He rumbled darkly.

Paul shook his head when she actually fainted. "You two are sick."

"Blame 'Taker, I swear he's rubbed off on me." Alexis stated with a smirk before walking over, running her nails across 'Taker's back and smirked when he nearly dropped the princess. "I'll be waiting downstairs." She walked out, knowing he had to dress before she ended up jumping him with or without Paul and Stephanie present. She arrived downstairs and decided to get herself a coffee to go with some aspirin. She had a feeling she'd need both.

"Have fun with her." Paul bolted as well.

"Son of a bitch." He let Stephanie drop with a sigh, snatching his pants and pulling them on. Then it was carting Princess Peon to his room to finish dressing and grab their things. "You are a heavy bitch." He grunted, carrying her into the lobby, wondering when the hell she was planning on waking up.

The drive to the next location was made in silent and, surprisingly, Stephanie hadn't woken up the entire time. Until the car stopped at their next destination. It was a log cabin, but huge and looked like it had rooms for everyone. Nobody would be able to hear her screams and that delighted her more than words could say. Alexis stepped out, smoothing her skirt out before dragging Stephanie with her. They had to try the dress on after all and Stephanie had no idea where she was so even if she did run, 'Taker would catch up with her.

"Then we need to figure out how to do your hair and I really want you to try on my gift…"

"I don't want too, I'm not marrying him!" Stephanie said, unable to cry at the moment because she was running on empty when it came to tears. "Please, please, let me go. My daddy will pay whatever you want!"

"Damn straight he will." 'Taker grunted, following behind them. "Of course he will, especially after we get you in the family way, pet."

Now that was just mean.

Picking out a room, Alexis shut the door as she tossed Stephanie on the bed, knowing the princess wasn't stupid enough to try to make a run for it. She walked over after getting the dress out of the wrapping, a smirk on her glossy lips. "Now come on, it's just us girls." She assured her, helping her out of her shirt and pants forcefully, sighing when all Stephanie did was cry her heart out. Alexis managed to get the dress on her before dragging her over to the mirror, smoothing it down her sides and nodded. "You look beautiful, the perfect dark bride." She turned her around and tapped her chin in thought. "I don't think we'll put makeup on your face, it'll take away the innocent look about you."

"I don't want to marry him." Stephanie whispered, sinking down onto the floor, not caring if she ruined the dress as she pulled her knees up to her chin, burying her face in her kneecaps. "He scares me and- and..." She started breaking down again, her shoulders shaking violently.

Alexis sighed as she bent down and helped Stephanie stand again, biting her bottom lip, a tinge of guilt eating away at her. "Look, everything is going to be fine. Now come on, out of the dress." She guided the woman over to the bed and slipped it off of her before hanging it back up, stopping Stephanie when she went to put her clothes back on. "Here." She handed over a long black nightgown that had long sleeves, one of her own that she was willing to part with. "Go change into that and take a shower." She instructed before walking out of the room, heading down the hallway as she pulled the hair tie out of her hair.

~!~

"How will this work if she's mentally damaged from everything you two have put her through?" Paul asked curiously as he poured himself a drink while 'Taker built the fire.

"You mean she wasn't to begin with?"

Paul looked up when Alexis appeared, sitting on the couch while 'Taker rested in a high back chair, both men enjoying a drink. "Is she alright?" He asked, seeing the look on her face.

'Taker took a swallow of his scotch, not looking away from the flames. "Of course she isn't, she's about to marry Satan." He didn't say 'think' because he didn't know if Stephanie was listening or not. "Would you be okay?"

"She's fine." Alexis needed a drink as she poured herself a shot of Tequila, downing it before taking three more. "She's currently showering and I gave her one of my nightgowns to wear." The vindictiveness wasn't in her tone anymore as she slowly turned around to face 'Taker. "I want to take care of her. I really believe she's going to crack if you keep tormenting her before the big day." Regret was shining in her eyes, knowing how scared Stephanie was. "It was funny, but she just had a breakdown in the bedroom. Just...cool it until Raw, alright?" She walked out of there and down the hallway to her room, closing the door behind her.

"See, even Alexis- wait a minute, she helped..." Paul frowned, apparently Stephanie had a breakdown. "Happy now?"

"Delighted." He said dryly, standing up and finishing his scotch before tossing the glass into the fireplace, watching the flames glow bright for a moment before dying. "I'm going to bed." 'Taker muttered, heading to his own room.

"Madhouse..."

Alexis couldn't sleep though and changed into a blue mist low back slip that had slits up the sides that went to her hips. She pulled a black silk robe on and tied it before walking out of her room, her hair down, and knew which room 'Taker was in. She knocked softly and entered, seeing he was in pure darkness, and he was sitting up in bed. She closed the door behind her and walked over, crawling on the bed and began massaging his shoulders.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, seeing him turn to face her. "I shouldn't have requested that from you. You do what you want, 'Taker." Her voice was soft and low, not wanting him to be angry with her.

Sighing, he turned his head back to the wall, letting her rub his shoulders. "You and Paul are probably right, I should return her in fairly stable condition." When he returned her that is. Daddy Vince had to make some changes first. "What changed your mind? On all accounts, Alexis." He asked softly, reaching back to take her arms, pulling them around his neck.

"I don't know. Seeing the fear in her eyes." She knew 'Taker wouldn't like hearing this, but she had to be honest with him. "It reminded me of when I was forced to leave the Brood and be in the Ministry. To leave Christian." When he tensed, she pressed her hand over his heart, holding him a little tighter. "I was a complete moron though and couldn't see what was right in front of me." She watched as his head turned to face her, staring into his eyes, and ran her thumb across his soft red lips. "I didn't realize what was happening and I was scared and confused. It didn't help that you played some games with me, like you're doing with her. So I know what it's like to be in her shoes. That's why I'm suggesting that you back off because I know how close she is to cracking." Her tone was low and soft, no malice or anger in it, just talking with him calmly, hoping he wasn't angry with her.

"You think she might take a swing at me with a chair?" He asked finally, a hint of amusement in his tone. Moving quickly, 'Taker turned so he was sitting with his back to the headboard, pulling Alexis onto his lap. "Stephanie has just become your charge, Alexis. Because if I'm left to tend with her constantly, I will break her." He was being brutally honest. "Just as I tried to break you, only she does not have your spirit. She would crumble while you stood firm."

"I know, that's why I want to take care of her until Raw." She replied softly, leaning her head against him and breathed in his scent. "Thank you for not being angry with me." She murmured, running her hand up and down his smooth bare chest, sighing in contentment. God she loved him; she loved him with all of her heart and soul. "And I'm not easily broken." Alexis said firmly, looking up as green met purple, clashing together and brushed her lips against his before going back to snuggling against him. She was sitting sideways on his lap, her legs draped over the edge of the bed, her robe opening a little when she crossed one leg over the other.