At the Beginning
(1st Part to Begin & End Trilogy)

Chapter 1

'God, I never thought this ride would end!' She thought, feeling the plane land in Los Angeles, California, and breathed a sigh of relief. Chalice wasn't a huge fan of flying, but in this case, she was willing to make an exception.

After the plane landed and they were allowed to step off, Chalice walked through the airport terminal and stopped. Her blue eyes locked on her brother's, which were mirror images of her own, and felt a huge smile spread across her lips as she ran to him. Her long, black hair flowed behind her as she jumped into his arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hadn't seen her brother in two years. Two long years. She was just happy to be back with him again since they were so close, even though he was extremely protective of her. Being his only little sister and all, it came with the territory.

Steve couldn't believe it was her. They'd kept in touch with emails and phone calls, but that wasn't the same as being face to face. He hugged her tightly, unable to keep from laughing softly. He was so damn glad to see her. Finally, Steve pulled away from Chalice, holding her at arm's length and looked her over, his blue eyes taking her in. She was like a breath of fresh air, something that reminded him of home and far away memories. "Damn Challie, it's been too long, darlin'." He finally said, smiling down at her.

Tears of happiness shined in her blue eyes as she stared back into her brother's, nodding in agreement, and wiped away a few of them that had slipped down her cheeks. "I'm such a sap!" She stated with a laugh before hugging Steve around the neck tightly again. "It's so great to see you again, Stevie." She whispered in his ear, calling him by his nickname, and stepped away, a smile on her face. "Thank you for letting me come on the road and bug the shit out of you this summer."

Shrugging nonchalantly as they started walking through the crowded airport, Steve claimed her luggage, refusing to allow her to do it herself. "I should be thankin' ya, darlin'. It gets borin' out there by my lonesome. I need someone to come keep me company." He replied, winking down at her. "Ya sure ya wouldn't rather go on home and visit the folks there?" He was teasing her, knowing she wanted to spend the summer with him just as much as he wanted her to.

"Are you kidding me? There's NO way I want to spend my summer around the most boring parents on the planet." She exclaimed playfully, a brilliant smile lighting her face, and laughed at Steve's bewildered expression. "Admit it, Stevie, mom and dad are boring. I love them to death, but they're BORING." She emphasized that word strongly as they walked out of the airport, getting past security with flying colors.

"They're only borin' cause yer so damned hyper all the time." He shot back, leading her towards the blue truck he was driving for the moment. At the knowing look on her face, he sighed, taking the bag from her that she'd snatched out of his grasp on the way to the truck, and put it in the back alongside his. "Alright Challie, I admit it. They can be pretty borin'. Happy now?" He growled playfully, holding the passenger side door open for her.

"Very Stevie." She giggled, knowing he hated being called that, but she wouldn't change his nickname for anything. It was Challie and Stevie and nothing would change that. She buckled up, staring out at the beautiful scenery, and sighed in contentment. She smiled as they drove down the road and knew they had to go to the arena first. They were already cutting it close with time and not to mention the horrendous traffic that was out that day. "So, am I going to watch my brother chug beers in the ring tonight?" She asked casually in a teasing tone, thinking his gimmick fit him to a T in the WWF.

Steve smirked, his blue eyes on the road, trying to navigate through the cluster of vehicles, people in a hurry to get everywhere and nowhere. "Of course ya are, don't I always?" He chuckled, finally swerving into the next lane, reaching out to put his arm out in front of her in protection. "Hold on, darlin', this might get a little crazy." He softly warned, spending the next few minutes weaving in and out of traffic, never moving his arm from in front of her.

Chalice had to smile at her brother. He'd always been so protective of her, but she didn't blame him. She had four big brothers watching her back in high school, but she and Steve always got along the most. She'd made the mistake of introducing him to her boyfriend in high school and when Steve found out the prick hit her, he'd sent him to the hospital on a stretcher. She just leaned back against the chair, trusting her brother fully. Though, she did feel nervous with him weaving in and out of traffic like a maniac. "Do you drive like this ALL the time?"

Nodding, Steve didn't take his eyes or focus from the road. A few minutes later, he was driving into what appeared to be an underground employee's parking lot. Steve parked the truck and turned off the ignition, unbuckling and turning in his seat to face her. "Yeah, I tend to." He admitted, smiling sheepishly before looking towards the double doors. "Challie girl, how much ya know bout wrestling?"

"I only watch my big brother." She answered with a wink before unbuckling her seatbelt and slid out of the truck. She closed the door behind her, swinging her backpack over her shoulder that she always carried with her, and smiled at him. It'd been awhile since she'd last been to an arena as she took his hand, deciding to just follow him. "Why do you ask, Stevie?"

Steve sighed, rubbing a hand over his bald head, his own bag slung over his shoulder. "Just stick close to me tonight, alright Challie? Don't go talkin' to anyone unless I okay it. I'm not tryin' to be overprotective or anythin', but things have changed a lot since the last time ya came to a show." He informed her, his blue eyes staring down into hers worriedly before his expression changed. It switched to Stone Cold mode, which wasn't all that different from his normal self, just a little more aggressive.

"Alright, Steve." She softly replied as she looked around, allowing him to guide her into the arena. Something in his blue eyes told her that trouble was ahead, but she didn't want to be negative. She literally was stopped in her tracks when Steve halted, pushing her behind him, and when Chalice peeked over his shoulder, her eyes widened in shock by what she saw. More important, WHO she saw standing before them.

The Undertaker was at first prepared to give Austin the usual greeting. Something violent and physical or maybe just a sneer, generally saving his taunts for when he was interested in prolonging the battles. Instead though, his cruel green eyes narrowed in on the woman standing behind his adversary. Her blue eyes reminded him of someone, but he decided that wasn't important at the moment. What was important was taking advantage of Austin's obvious protectiveness of her. "Well Austin," He began, his deep baritone voice full of venom. "What do we have here? A…fan?" His tone on the last word clearly said he didn't think she was a fan, more like the other sort.

Chalice couldn't help, but feel her eyes narrow to slits at this man, not believing the audacity of him to say such a thing! He didn't know her! What right did he have to think of her in that form?! She pursed her lips together tightly and kept her mouth shut. Though, she never took her eyes from the menacing individual before them, allowing her brother to handle this.

Steve kept Chalice behind his back, though his body posture was threatening and on guard all at the same time. "What she is ain't none of yer damned concern, 'Taker, so why don't ya haul yer dead ass on outta here before I put ya back in the ground where ya belong?" He suggested in a mean, promising tone of voice.

'Taker looked both amused as well as annoyed at Austin's threat. "Austin, you're writing checks your ass can't cash." He warned, his voice low and dangerous just like his eyes.

"Steve…" Her soft voice spoke up, touching his shoulder gently, and grabbed his hand in hers. "Let's just go to the dressing room, please?" She ignored the intense stare this man was giving her as she looked into her brother's eyes, hoping he didn't get upset with her. Chalice was scared though and wanted to be as far away from his man as possible. If he was even a man to begin with.

"Yes Steve, go to your dressing room." 'Taker mimicked, a low, demonic chuckle escaping his lips. "Your…FRIEND is anxious to go."

Steve wanted to lay out 'Taker for several reasons at that moment. First, he didn't like the way the man was staring at his sister. Second, the obvious references to Chalice being a ring rat or groupie was causing his blood to boil. And third, he just flat out hated this man. However, when Chalice spoke up, her hand in his, he breathed in sharply and nodded down at her. He pulled her past Undertaker, not giving the Deadman a second glance.

She felt her heart racing rapidly as she allowed her brother to pull her away. She held her backpack close to her and felt the chills run down her spine. The man with the acid green eyes unnerved her and pissed her off at the same time. As soon as they arrived in his dressing room, Chalice immediately bit her bottom lip as she looked at her brother. "Steve, why didn't you tell him that I'm your sister? I don't want anyone to think I'm your…slut or anything!" Her voice wasn't loud, but firm as she stared at her brother with hardened blue eyes.

Shutting the door behind them and locking it, Steve sighed as he turned around and walked past her. He didn't bother looking at her as he quickly scanned the room, knowing he was a target when it came to the Undertaker and his Ministry of Darkness. After making sure they were alone and nobody could get in besides the door, he turned to face her, dropping his bag to the floor. "It's actually safer if people think yer my slut or somethin', Challie." He said softly, his tone of voice dead serious. "Do ya have any idea who that creep was, darlin'?"

"I've seen you battle him on TV. The Undertaker, I think it is." She answered, nodding after clarifying that fact in her mind, and sighed heavily at her brother's words. "Steve, people are going to know I'm your sister sooner or later. We have too many similarities and the same fuckin' eyes!" She pointed out angrily, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I refuse to be thought of as your slut. I'd rather go home with our boring ass parents than be thought of like that." She felt disgusting at being thought of as a ring rat, his whore, when they were blood related.

"Challie darlin'," Steve began, walking over to take her hands in his. "If you've been watchin' then ya know I'm feudin' with him. What's not generally known is the feud ain't scripted…" He trailed off with a sigh, staring down at her, his blue eyes searching hers intently. "If he knows yer my sister, he might try somethin' just to fuck with me. He likes playin' mind games. But…If yer wantin' to risk that, then its yer call." He wasn't going to force her into pretending to be his whore because in truth, Steve felt sick about it too.

Chalice was completely dumbfounded when she heard that the feud went further than the ring. She sighed heavily, finally realizing what her brother was saying, and nodded reluctantly. "Fine, I won't tell anyone I'm your sister, but I still think they'll figure it out anyway, Steve." She softly stated, squeezing his hands in her own, and pulled him down to her level for a hug around the neck. "I missed us arguing." She giggled and released him, tapping his nose with the tip of her finger. "This will be a great three months together."

Steve returned the smile; though, he couldn't shake the feeling that the next three months were not going to be as great as he wanted. That it wouldn't go as planned as what they'd originally thought, especially with Undertaker in the picture now. He hugged her back before moving to sit down on a bench, pulling out his leg braces. "I know they'll eventually figure it out…Let's just postpone it for now." He suggested gently, not liking this anymore than she did, but he had to protect her. If Undertaker found out that she was his baby sister, the man wouldn't think twice about not using her as leverage against him and Steve wasn't going to let that happen.

"Alright, Stevie." She giggled when he grimaced at the nickname and shook her head before plopping down on the couch. "You'll never get used to that will you, not even after twenty-seven years?" She questioned and laughed when he just glared at her. She picked up her backpack and pulled out her notebook, deciding to write for a little while to occupy her mind. No matter what she did, she couldn't get those acid green eyes out of her mind and they chilled her to the bone. She would never tell her brother of her fear because he would take it too far in the ring. Chalice knew the temper her brother had on him, especially when it came to his baby sister in any way, shape or form.

Steve shook his head, standing up to pull off his shirt and wadded it up, stuffing it in his duffel bag before pulling out a fresh one. He slipped it on, grinning slightly. "Still writin', darlin'?" He asked, walking over to peer down at her notebook, pretending like he was trying to see what she was writing.

"Yes." She replied and hid her notebook from, waggling a finger at him dismissively. "You know better, Stevie. I don't allow anyone to read my works." She winked at him when he groaned and giggled, loving how she always got her brother frustrated. "You need to focus on your match anyway." She chided before shooing him away, grinning from ear to ear, and looked down at her notebook. Her blue eyes filled with concern when she realized what she'd written and immediately tore it out. She ripped it to little pieces and threw it away, deciding to start over.

Knowing she was right, Steve walked over to the door, beginning to jump from one foot to the other, swinging his arms. His blue eyes were narrowed dangerously, ready for battle. He had every intention of going out to the ring and beating down 'Taker. "You gonna be alright back here, darlin'?" He asked finally, never stopping with his warm ups, getting into Stone Cold mode.

"Yes Stevie, stop worrying so much." She chided again, shaking her head back at him, but couldn't keep the smile from her face. She'd been used to it all her life, but loved challenging him. It was fun for her, especially when she had nothing better to do. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll lock the door behind you when you go out there, alright?" She was talking in a baby voice now and snickered when he glared at her. "Oooo I'm scared of the Rattlesnake." She rolled her eyes, not scared in the least of her brother, and went back to her writing.

Steve shook his head, finally admitting to himself that he couldn't linger any longer in his dressing room. "Yer lucky yer my sister and I love ya or else I'd be stunnin' yer ass right about now." He growled, walking over to kiss the top of her head. "And yes, keep the door locked. If someone tries to get in, ya grab a weapon and bash the fucker's head in, got it?" His tone was dead serious as well as his eyes, meaning what he said, knowing Undertaker would be twisted enough to try something.

Swallowing hard at the amount of seriousness in his eyes, Chalice could only nod as she smiled hesitantly back at him. "Break a leg." She winked, speaking softly, and followed him over to the door, locking it as soon as he walked out. She then went back over to the couch and sat down, curling up on it, and turned the monitor on, deciding to watch her brother dish out some ass kicking in the ring.