A/N: Okay, I couldn't help myself. Since there were two challenges, I had to do a piece for both of them, so here is Challenge number two, the three-line challenge. I hope you like it.

Tempe looked at the Christmas tree before her and tried to figure out where the best place to put the decoration would be. The tree had hardly a bare branch on it, and was a riot of colors thanks to the colored bulbs. As she circled the tree, she heard the argument start in the other room. It sounded like Russ was in trouble again. Tempe couldn't hear what was being said, so she crept over to the door.

"All we ask is that you go to school. You're smart Russ! Do you think we want you to be a criminal? No! You keep hanging out with those friends of yours and it won't be a slap on the wrist," Matthew Brennan yelled at his son. Christine sounded much more calm about the situation, her level head holding the situation in check.

"Sweetheart, we worry about you. Besides, you have your sister to look out for. What type of an example do you want to set for her? You know how much Tempe looks up to you."

"This is the last straw Russ. It's a good thing we knew the family you stole from and they dropped the charges. What if it hadn't been the Stillman's? You're grounded!"

"You can't ground me! I'm nineteen."

"As long as you live under my roof I make the rules."

"Whatever, just stay away from me! God, why can't you just go away and never come back!" He stomped from the kitchen, and Tempe had to scramble out of the way. She hid behind the door, not wanting her family to know she had been eavesdropping. As Russ stormed toward his bedroom, Christine chased after him.

"Russ, would you just listen to me? You know I'd die for you, only sometimes it's so hard living with you." Russ turned and glared at his mother before entering his room and slamming the door. Tempe skirted away from the door and looked at her mother. Christine gave her a small smile, before pressing a hand to her forehead.

"Mom?"

"Sweetheart, your father and I are going out for awhile. Keep your brother company, okay?"

"Okay." Christine kissed her daughter's temple, and then returned to the kitchen to gather her purse and her husband. Tempe watched them leave, waving as they pulled out of the garage. She still had the decoration in her hand. After looking at it for a moment, she set it down and made her way up to her brother's room.

Russ sat on his bed, muttering to himself about the unfairness of his life, when he heard a light tapping on the door.

"Come back in an hour. I'll be crazy by then," he yelled. Tempe opened the door and stuck her head inside, tentatively. Russ looked at her and waved her in. She shut the door behind her and joined him on the bed.

"They're right you know. I don't want you to be in trouble either." Tempe leaned into her brother and sighed. Russ gave her a light hug and smiled at her slightly.

"You heard that, huh?"

"I couldn't help overhearing, I had my ear pressed to the door."

"You know, sis, you look all innocent, but there's some larceny in you."

"Russ?"

"Yeah?"

"You didn't' mean it did you? You didn't really mean that you wish mom and dad would just go away."

"No, I didn't mean it."

"I hope so, because I don't want to lose you Russ. Besides mom and dad, you're all I have."

"I know, Tempe, and you know what?"

"What?"

"Marco."

"Polo." Tempe smiled and hugged her brother. No matter what, she knew she'd always have him around.