*~Chapter Seven~*

As they huddled together in the gazebo, Brendan tried to keep Marissa from freezing. She shivered in the chilled evening air. "Marissa, I gotta get you home," Brendan said as he lightly kissed her fingers. "It's far too cold out here..."

"I don't want to leave you, Brendan. My dad will say I can never see you again."

"Can't you talk to your mom?" Brendan suggested. "She might be able to help him see reason."

"No, Brendan. My mom tried to talk to him, but he doesn't listen. He hates you... and he doesn't want me dating you. He won't even allow Joe to date Megan."

"I don't know what we are going to do, because I love you, Marissa. I want to be with you. I'd miss you so much... if I couldn't see you."

"I think we are going to have to do something drastic," Marissa whispered.

"Like what?"

"I have some money saved up. We could go away together for awhile... just you and me."

"You mean... like run away from home?"

"Yeah, Brendan... it might be the only way we can be together."

With a heavy sigh, Brendan wrapped his arms around Marissa and held her close. "I don't want to let you go. Not ever. I really want to be with you, Marissa... and if we have to run away, then I guess we will."

*~o~*

Todd arrived at the penthouse where Blair lived with Starr, Brendan, and Patrick. Starr rushed away from her father and headed up the staircase. "Where was she?" Blair asked when Todd remained standing in the doorway.

"She was with a boy," Todd responded. "You need to keep a better eye on her."

"Ohhh come on, Todd. I can't watch her every minute," Blair responded. "And so what, she was with a boy. I'm sure that it was innocent."

"They were alone together, in a tree-house. I won't allow it, Blair. Now you better do something about it... or I will," he snapped angrily.

"What are you going to do? You have no room to talk! You're no great parent!" Blair exclaimed.

Todd got a dark scowl upon his face. "Blair, I am only going to say this once. Keep your SON away from my DAUGHTER."

"What? Brendan?" Blair asked in a confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Patrick came around the corner and heard the tail end of Blair and Todd's conversation. "What about Brendan?" Patrick asked.

"I found him lying on top of my daughter in her bedroom. If he touches my Marissa again... if he even LOOKS at her..." Todd fumed.

Todd's words were interrupted by Starr calling out from the top of the stairs. "Mom, Brendan's gone!" Starr exclaimed.

"What? Where could he be?" Blair gasped. "It's far too cold out for him to be..."

"He's with my daughter," Todd growled. "Marty called earlier and she said that Marissa is missing..."

"Brendan and Marissa?" Patrick said in surprise.

"Yes, they are dating - against my wishes - and if he doesn't bring her home soon, there's gonna be hell to pay!"