Disclaimer: Own nothing but Fallon, Shadow and possibly the plot. Everything else belongs to WWE, those berks.

CHAPTER ONE

Shadow and Fallon watched the monitor as the McMahon-Helmsley Faction made a little speech concerning Triple H's upcoming number one contender match later that night against the Undertaker. If he kept running his mouth, he'd wind up writing a check his ass couldn't cash.

Though it sure as hell would be fun to watch it bounce.

Technically the women were working with the Ministry of Darkness at the Undertaker's sister -Sorcha's- request. They weren't ordained members, just recruits to keep the females of the Faction out of the way.

Stephanie and Tori had a horrible habit of making themselves nuisances during matches. More often then not, they interfered and when the Ministry went to retaliate they wound up being blind sided by the men of the Faction.

All in all, it wasn't a good deal. Which left the way for Fallon and Shadow to be ushered in. The Ministry of Darkness and McMahon-Helmsley Faction were at odds with each other, on the brink of an all out war. The women weren't keen on getting caught in the middle.

"Remind me," Fallon, the current womens champion, said. "Just how exactly did we get into this mess?"

Shadow sighed, relieving the past few months in her head quickly. They had watched Tori's betrayal of Kane and went out of their way to become his friend, trying to show him that not all people were bad. It took awhile but they had managed it, and at the same time somehow incorporated themselves in a broil with DX and Co. It all escalated one night when Sorcha came to them with an offer: They help the Ministry and in return they would be guaranteed protection.

When Shadow didn't offer a response, Fallon shrugged and turned her attention back to the monitor, adjusting her belt over her shoulder. "I don't know who I want to win more, Triple H or 'Taker." She said dryly.

It had never been a secret that Fallon didn't care for the Undertaker. The feeling seemed to be mutual between them.

"I would hope that you'd want the Undertaker to win." Shadow said softly, looking over her shoulder to make sure no one had heard her friend.

"Screw him, he doesn't scare me." Was the brash reply. "Catch you later kid, I got to go tap up."

Shadow watched her friend walk away and shook her head.

***

Fallon was tearing tape with her teeth when there was a curt rap on her locker room door, a luxury she received due to being the Women's Champion. "Come in," She called out, tossing aside the roll and finishing wrapping her wrists. When she looked up, her black eyes instantly became guarded. "What can I do for you, Sorcha?"

Sorcha was the spitting image of her brother, except for her eyes; she had Kane's blue eyes, the only physical feature that showed she was also kin to the Undertaker's half-brother. Right now those blue eyes were studying Fallon as if she were deciding if what she had to say would be worth the time.

"Well?" Fallon prompted, crossing her arms over her chest.

"The Undertaker has requested your presence ringside tonight, along with Shadow. He wishes the women of Degeneration X to brook no interference."

Fallon nodded, turning her back on Sorcha, indicating that she considered the conversation to be over.

***

The match itself went without any interference, though Triple H cheated whenever the opportunity presented itself. In the end, the Undertaker proved why he was often called the 'Phenom' and won. That was when the rest of the Faction made their presence known.

Fallon and Shadow had taken a stance across the ring, watching as the women of DX made their way down the ramp. As long as Stephanie and Tori stayed out of things, the two would have no cause to attack.

It didn't work that way. Tori jumped onto one side of the ring and grabbed the Undertaker by his long black hair. Shadow worked her way towards Stephanie while Fallon went to deal with Tori.

It didn't take to much to take out the already injured enemy -courtesy of Shadow from the previous week- but as she was preparing to take her leave, X-Pac vaulted the ropes and drop kicked her into the guardrail.

Fallon immediately curled into the fetal position, pain searing through her body as she sought to protect her vital organs from the hard kicks he was directing her way. The attack lasted less than a minute as the rest of the Ministry of Darkness emerged from the back to aid their leader.

Fallon was fighting to stay conscious as Bradshaw gently scooped her into his arms, cradling her gently as Sorcha gave Farooq orders to assist Shadow, who had received a Pedigree for her troubles.

"Take them to the medics." Undertaker said flatly, showing no concern for his mercenaries.

Righteous anger coursed through Fallon, causing her to wiggle free of Bradshaw and stumble away from him. Her head swam and the lights seemed to be flickering but she managed to grab 'Taker by his arm. "You know, we risk a lot to come out here and make sure those two bitches don't bother you, the least you could do is show some fucking compassion!"

Undertaker looked at her, then to where she was holding his arm then back to her face. "You forget your place Fallon." There was a note of warning in his voice.

"No, you forget that I'm not part of your little church group!" She spat scathingly. "Why don't you take your 'protection' and shove it up your…" Fallon never finished her sentence as a wave of blackness engulfed her.

***

When Fallon came too, she was laying on a bench in her locker room. Groaning softly, she gingerly sat up, wincing at the pain in her head.

"You've awakened."

Looking over she found Sorcha standing against the far wall, her hands clasped loosely over her black skirt. "What're you doing here?"

Sorcha slowly approached Fallon, her blue eyes cold. "The Undertaker has graciously decided to forgive your comments at ringside. He will attribute them to your pain, this time." Her tone was threatening.

Fallon didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Tell your brother he can kiss my ass."

"Why don't you tell him yourself?" Was Sorcha's reply as she slipped out of the room.

***

The next day, Fallon found Shadow down in the arena's boiler room with Kane. They were sitting on boxes, discussing the night's matches. "Hey guys." She greeted, sitting besides Shadow. "What's going on tonight?"

Shadow smiled wearily. "Not much, Kane has the night off, you've got a Triple Treat match against Tori and Ivory."

"Sounds like fun. My title up for grabs?"

"No, but it sounds like they're setting you up to lose it."

Fallon sighed, running a hand through her thick mane of black hair. "I wish those bitches would just die already."

Kane studied her intently. "How is your head?" He asked softly, his voice somewhat raspy and hoarse from not using it all that much.

Fallon smiled at him. "It's all right." She assured, not wanting him to worry.

He nodded, his gaze moving onto Shadow's bandaged arm.

Fallon noticed it too. "How did that happen?"

"Last night. Triple H landed on it."

"Broken?"

"Sprained." Shadow grimaced. "He's a heavy bastard."

***

The Undertaker was a man not given to rash impulses. He generally thought everything through, plotting all possible courses and the outcomes before reaching a decision. When Sorcha had presented him with the idea of making Fallon and Shadow recruits, he had first weighed the pros and cons, deciding it wouldn't hurt to indulge his sister. Now more then ever, he was regretting that decision.

Fallon was becoming increasingly a pain to him. She was impudent, belligerent and to bull-headed for her own good. Qualities that didn't endure her to the Undertaker or his Ministry. The previous night had only cemented his rapidly growing dislike for the brash young woman. Yet, Sorcha insisted that he keep her in his employ. He could partly understand this.

Fallon was a fierce warrior, unafraid or either man or woman. She was quick on her feet, intelligent and an asset to any who she was working with. It was a wonder the McMahon-Helmsley Faction hadn't already scooped her into their regimes. Still, for all her good traits, she was expendable and it was mounting to no matter how much pleading Sorcha did on the woman's behalf, he was going to dispose of her.

Sorcha had her own reasons for trying to protect Fallon, as well as Shadow. Shadow wouldn't survive on her own, hadn't been surviving until Fallon had taken the poor loner under her wing, teaching her to compete and thrive in the hectic, fast paced WWF.

The two had gone out of their way to befriend Kane and whether the Undertaker liked their half-brother or not, Sorcha loved him. Making sure the women he cared for were well protected was one of her ways of showing him her love.

Though if Fallon didn't start watching her mouth, there wouldn't be anything Sorcha could do to save her.

***

Fallon was doing jumping jacks in the hallway, her eyes scanning the halls for enemies as she worked herself up for the match. She felt a heavy hand rest on her shoulder and instantly ducked away from the possible attacker, spinning around on the balls of her feet, legs apart, quickly assuming a fighting stance.

"Feeling vulnerable?" It was the Undertaker, sneering down at her contemptuously. "I would too if I were you."

Fallon was tempted to tell him where to go but bit the inside of her cheek, remembering that not only her well being, but Shadow's rested in this man's hands.

Knowing that Fallon was restraining herself, Undertaker nodded condescending approval. "I wish to speak with you about Kane."

Impossibly, Fallon's eyes grew blacker than they already were. "Oh really." There was just a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

"Kane is my enemy. Even though you and your cohort are not ordained members of my Ministry, you are still employed by me. I demand you cease any and all contact with him."

"And if we don't?"

"Fallon," The Undertaker shook his head, reaching a massive hand out to gently cup her chin. "It wouldn't pain me to watch the members of the Faction mar this beautiful face of yours." His grip tightened. "And without my protection, they would. You wouldn't last a whole night through."

Fallon instantly knew the truth in his words, knowing he was right and how she hated him for it. "I get the point." She said angrily, jerking her chin from his hand.

"Good."

Fallon watched sullenly as he walked away, frowning when he stopped and said without looking back;

"Tonight for my match this evening, only you will be present."