It had been a week since their escape. Each day, they respected each other more and more. Nick wasn't just "an arrogant Yank" and Katherine loved hearing and telling stories of the past.

Luckily, no one had disturbed them. There were no distractions. No danger. No fear.

Katherine sat down on a chair and turned on the TV. She flicked through the channels, instinctively stopping on the news.

"---other news, two disappearances have been discovered. Heart-throb Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys disappeared after his first London concert ---"

By that time, Nick's head emerged from his room. He had a towel around his waist, one hand holding it up. His face twisted in such terror like he'd seen a ghost.

"--England's own Princess Katherine, went missing about the same time of Carter's disappearance," the anchorperson said with much concern.

The TV flashed to a clip of Katherine's father and Mary in her position at his side. "I do not know what made her leave, but we both miss her dearly and hope for her safety. She is very precious to us and ---"

"No you don't!" Katherine whispered to her father's picture. "You don't care!"

Nick watched the backside of her. She was now hunched over, her whole body in convulsions. Sobs escaped her mouth.

A line of worry slanted on Nick's forehead. "Katherine? Why are you crying?" He sat down next to her and tried to see her face. She wouldn't allow it.

"Father hates me. He rehearsed those lines. He doesn't care."

"That's not true. You know that."

She didn't say anything in response. Instead, she continued to sob. Nick stared at her, wondering if she was just a poor, fallen angel from the Heavens. Her hair fell against her face, her hands clasped over her face. Hot tears ran down from her eyes, sliding down her chin and neck.

"---Investigators suspect that the two have joined and traveled overseas from Europe to possibly North America."

"Damn, they're good," Nick breathed.

He pulled the weak Katherine into his arms. "Someone would have to be an idiot not to love you."

Katherine nuzzled her face in his chest. She felt utterly safe there, something she had only felt when Mother was around.

"Do you love me, Nick?"

Nick's breathing caught in his chest for a quick second. His heart beat faster.

"You are a wonderful person, Katherine. Obviously your father doesn't know what he's missing. Your mom saw it immediately. All the stories you told me about you two...She adored you. I can see what she saw."

Katherine nuzzled herself back into his chest. "We're going to have to move before they catch us."