One night was all she had wanted. No evil butterflies, no lucky charms, and no Cat Noir. It had been almost two years since Marinette had discovered her Miraculous on her desk, and though she was happy to defend paris any other day, she was still just a high school girl and there were other things on her mind. For example, her a school dance.

All through her senior year she and Alya had planned for that night. They picked out dresses, scheduled spa days, and spent most of their waking hours giggling about how much fun their first dance would be. It wasn't often that french high schools did things like that, but Chloe had wanted it to happen and as usual, the mayor carried out his daughter's demand. It was the only good thing Marinette could recall Chloe coming up with, and for once, Marinette was on her side.

So much work had gone into the planning of this once in a lifetime occasion, especially from Marinette and her friends, and the last thing she had wanted was an interruption from her double life. For just one night, Marinette didn't want to be the Miraculous Ladybug.

Hawk Moth of course had other plans.

The Akuma victim crashed the dance early on. Wallflower, in a gown of vines and ivy, brought forth thick ropes of plant life from beneath the floor of the ballroom. One by one she tangled students in her vines. Clasped tightly in her hand was a boutonniere, and Marinette just knew it held the akuma inside.

Dread washed over her, and through the panic she sprinted for the bathroom, biting back the tears she felt stinging her eyes. "One night," She mumbled, averting her eyes as Tikki escaped from her clutch. "Was that too much to ask?"

"Don't cry Marinette," Her kwami said gently. "I know you wanted to dance, but if we don't stop Wildflower…"

"I know," She snapped. "I know. Tikki, spots on."

With a sad sort of look, Tikki complied and saw Marinette through her transformation into Ladybug. Once all suited up, Marinette ran back down the hall towards the ballroom. She didn't stop even as she heard the gentle landing of her partner beside her. "Light on your feet, as always," She said with a sideways glance at Cat Noir. "Not hoping to dance, were you?"

"With an akuma on the loose, who's got time for pussy footing around?"

With a quick wink, Cat grabbed Ladybug around the waist and extended his stick, pole vaulting them both the rest of the distance towards the dance. Tangled in the writhing greenery covering the wall, Ladybug spotted the face of the victim, almost hidden in the pistol of a flower with her petal like bangs over her eyes. "Guess it's time for a little pruning," Cat jeered. "But it's only fair to warn you Wildflower, my thumbs are about as green as my tail."

Even as sharp thorns sprouted along the villain's stem, Ladybug spared a moment to roll her eyes.

"Well M'Lady," Cat shrugged. "Let's dance."

The Wildflower let out a mournful cry, shaking her boutonniere madly as Cat Noir and Ladybug charged. "Dance?" She shrieked. "How cruel, asking a bug to dance before me!"

"The akuma is in her boutonniere!" Ladybug shouted.

"On it!"

Cat extended his staff, spinning it in front of him and slashing through the thick vines. He leaped up, using his claws to launch himself higher and higher until he was swaying on a cluster of petals, Wildflowers fist, as it held the boutonniere snuggly inside. "Time to nip this in the bud, wouldn't you say?"

The battle raged on. Cat Noir used his cataclysm to rip through vines, stems, trunks and bulbs, turning the mess in the gym into a pile of lawn clippings. The Wildflower screamed, and up from the wreckage floated up what seemed like hundreds of tiny seeds, all rapidly growing into thick branches with even more thorns than before. Before he could react the had him trapped, growing into a cage around him. The thorns only grew longer and sharper, creeping closer and closer to Cat's skin. "LADYBUG!"

"I'm coming!" She shouted. "Lucky Charm!"

When she produced a pack of spotted ballons, her heart sank. "Seriously?" She groaned.

"Think of something quick, I'm not a big fan of acupuncture!"

She looked around frantically, and suddenly, she looked up, seeing the light of the moon streaming down through the sky light. In the corner, was a tank of helium, the one she and Alya had used to inflate the decorations. She sprinted to the tank as Cat Noir fought his way free of the thorns, keeping Wildflower busy as she inflated balloon after balloon, sending them up to the ceiling. Bit by bit the moonlight was shut out, and without the light, Wildflower began to shrivel and wilt. "The bud!" Ladybug yelled. "Its withering, grab the boutonniere!"

"Haha!" Cat whooped, easily ripping it free of the vines and chucking it at the wall above Ladybug's head.

She smiled. "No more evil doing for you, little Akuma. Time to de-evialize!"

With practiced skill, she captured and purified the akuma, then let it loose and watched as it fluttered up and away through the skylight. She felt a wistful sort of sadness as it floated away. "Bye bye, little butterfly."

Then, she took the balloon package and tossed it skyward. "Miraculous ladybug!"

Quicker than a flash, everything went back to normal, including the poor girl who had gotten stood up by her date to the dance. Ladybug watched as a boy, her date she assumed, apologized for his tardiness and presented her with a beautiful, handmade corsage. The two began to dance, and she saw Cat turn towards her, but before he could raise his fist to "pound it," Ladybug was gone.

Tears falling freely now, she fled the ballroom and flung her yoyo, pulling herself up and onto the roof where she didn't have to watch the couples dancing. All she had wanted was to dance with the boy she liked, but somehow she got the feeling that even if there hadn't been an interruption, Adrien wouldn't have asked her dance. No matter what she did, he just… didn't love her. She had to let him go. More tears spilled down her cheeks, wetting her mask. She heard the familiar pitter patter of her partner's steps and turned her head.

"Ladybug," Cat Noir said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright? We won, didn't we?"

"I guess," She mumbled. "It's just… Nevermind, it doesn't matter."

Cat leaned closer to her, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Please," He said. "Talk to me."

"It's… A boy I like," She admitted. "What good is being a superhero if I don't even have the courage to tell a boy the way I feel about him? Besides, even if I told him, he'd never give me the time of day. He's in a league all his own."

Cat's ears drooped, and he gave her a knowing smile. "I understand."

"You do?"

"Yeah," He sighed wistfully. "It's the same with the girl that I love."

Ladybug looked up. "Love?"

"Yes, dear?" Cat teased.

They both laughed, and Cat reached down to wipe the tears from her face. She smiled, and he offered her a slight bow, holding out his hand. "Care to dance, M'lady?"

Ladybug listened, and she could still hear the gentle music floating up from the ballroom below. Giggling, she placed her hand in Cat Noir's and let him twirl her around the roof. He looked into her eyes as they danced, a certain sadness there that she was all too familiar with. It tugged at her heartstrings and suddenly, when she looked at Cat Noir she saw more than her partner, more than just her friend. She saw the boy who'd give his life for hers, she saw the one who's fought with her and for her since day one, the boy that's made her feel everything but invisible. Her heart fluttered in her chest, but skipped a beat all together when suddenly, she heard the beeping of his ring.

Cat Noir was lost in the moment. He'd known for a while he'd never win Ladybug's heart. She was so distant with him, treated him like a teammate, but nothing more. Seeing her cry over the one she loved made him mad with jealousy at first. He wanted to use his cataclysm on whoever it was who had made her feel this way, but then he realized that even if he did that, her heart still belonged to this… other boy. The sadness that knowledge brought came with a puzzling sort of peace. His little game of cat and bug was over, the chase was lost. One dance, He told himself. One dance, and then she's just my partner. One dance and I'll let her go.

Afterall, wasn't that what you were supposed to do when you love someone?

Cat was almost grateful for the beeping of his ring, it took away his temptation to stay. He stepped back, taking a bow before Ladybug and giving her hand a light kiss. "Until next time, M'lady."

With that he retreated, and though he told himself it was wishful thinking, he was almost sure he had heard her sigh.

Back at the dance, Plagg tucked safely in his suit pocket, Adrian wandered listlessly, feeling a little lost without the hope of catching the heart of his Ladybug. Girls all waved at him, smiling and giggling as he passed. He knew that if he'd only chose, he could have anyone of them he wanted. He was rich, a model, a trophy to anyone who could call him hers. The over eagerness of their kindness felt fake, and bitterness settled over his heart like a thick layer of dust. As he walked he caught a glimpse of a familiar pair of eyes and looked up, hoping in vain he'd see ladybug just once more before the night ended.

Looking back at him, however, was his classmate Marinette. He waved at her, and instead of jumping up, or fighting for his attention like the other girls did she just… Smiled. Marinette waved back with a lazy sort of air about her, a dreamy look in her eyes. Something about the look of her struck Adrian's heart and hard, leaving him with butterflies in his stomach as he gazed at her in her beautiful gown.

That fluttering feeling stuck with Adrian, even six years later.

Though so much time had passed, nothing was that different for him. Adrian had finished high school, gone to college, and even still had the same old job. It wasn't that he disliked modeling, he was actually quite passionate about it, but he missed the familiar faces of his classmates. Most of his old friends had moved on, spread their wings and made their own lives, but luckily for Adrian one girl had stayed rather… close by.

Marinette was one of his father's very promising new designers.

Adrian was proud of her. He was happy to say he had nothing to do with her being hired. He'd never said a word to his father about her passion for design, or even her interest. All on her own Marinette became the best of the best, impressing his father enough to offer her a job straight after graduation.

Because of her talent, Adrian got to see her almost every day. He fell deeper in love with her every time they spoke, and though the years he'd dated other girls, nothing felt right. He'd even taken Chloe out once or twice, just to try, but it went about as awfully as one would expect and left Adrian discouraged and frustrated. None of it was what he wanted, none of it was anything like the passionate love affair he dreamed about.

Adrian took out all of his frustrations on the victims of Hawk Moth's Akumas. As Adrian grew, so did the powers of his miraculous. Cat Noir developed the power to melt into a shadow, enabling him to slip under doors, travel unseen, and move at incredible speeds. He still fought alongside Ladybug, and though he doubted he could ever stop loving her, every time he saw her the squeeze of his heart brought on a wave of sadness, reminding him of how she'd always brush his affections aside.

Things were different now. She treated him… Differently than she used to. She was sweeter when she spoke, that dangerous sparkle in her blue eyes wreaking havoc on Cat Noir's self control. As Ladybug grew up, her grace and charm only became harder to resist. Cat Noir wasn't the only one with new powers, and the first time he saw Ladybugs wings he almost gave in to her flirtations. He took in every inch of her, not missing the new backless bodysuit she wore to accommodate her flight. "Stunning landing, M'Lady," Cat said smoothly when she touched down beside him. "I'm glad you dropped by."

Ladybug fluttered her wings and winked at him, and though it thrilled Cat he chuckled and turned his head, effectively hiding the red in his cheeks as he began dissolving into black smoke. "You think you're the only one with a new toy?"

Her gasp made him smirk as he disappeared into the shadows, and he reformed behind her, casually strolling towards the awaiting fight. "This way," He said smoothly.

He had no idea how he was affecting her. Ladybug was hooked. Though in reality her dreams had finally come true, spending every day at her dream job, designing for Adrian came with a bittersweetness she hadn't expected. When he spoke to her he was charming, sweet and shy and everything she'd ever dreamed of, but where years ago she would have swooned, Adrian's attentions only made her feel sad. After years of him breezing past her without thought, suddenly being the center of his attention felt like a trap, as if it were too good to be true. "Marinette," Tikki had scolded her. "This is still the Adrian you love! Nothing's changed! Why are you giving him the cold shoulder like this?"

"I can't take being disappointed again, Tikki," She mumbled as she sketched. "Somethings are too good to be true for a reason."

Though she'd never admit it, there was another thing keeping her from rekindling her adoration for Adrian. She gazed out the window and thought of the night before, fighting beside Cat Noir and watching as he slipped through the Akumitized's fingers time after time, melting into smoke like an illusion. Her heart jumped in her chest when she thought of that sleek black suit and those feline eyes staring straight through her. As she grew older she found herself thinking about her partner in a whole new way. She wasn't totally naive, it wasn't as if she were saving herself for Cat Noir, she was open to other men and had actually gone on a few dates here and there. No matter who she dated though, with every kiss she'd be only able to think of her partner, her cat of the night with the maddening green eyes.

"Other things," Tikki said, interrupting her daydreams. "Are just meant to be!"

"Tikki, you're distracting me," She sighed, holding out her sketch to get a better look. Though she had definitely been daydreaming, she truly did have a lot to do. There was a huge fashion show coming up, one that was themed around the heroes of paris. She was the top designer on the project, glamorizing fashions for police officers, soldiers, firefighters and more. Naturally, as far as heroes were concerned there were two that just had to be a part of the show, and those two were Ladybug and Cat Noir. To Marinette's frustration, the design of those fashions was coming straight from the top. Adrian's father was going to be the one sketching those. Still, the other designs were quite a challenge. "Tikki, do you think this looks… Doctor chic?"

Both of them dissolved into giggles.

With her kwami's undying support, the project went off without a hitch all through the design process. Marinette was bouncing with excitement, the night of the fashion show had finally arrived and her employment had made it easy to snag excellent seats. She wondered with excitement who would be playing herself and Cat Noir as she slipped into her midnight blue cocktail dress. She was on her way to take her seat when suddenly someone had ahold of her wrist. She looked up, alarmed to see her boss, Adrian's father, looming over her with a terrifying crease in his brown. "S-sir?" Marinette stammered. "What… Did I do now?"

"Nothing, actually," Gabriel Agreste said sharply. "It's one of the models. She's been in a collision."

"That's terrible," Marinette gasped.

"Yes, it is. And now we need someone to wear her dress for the show."

The words sunk in like a stone in Marinette's stomach. "...Me?"

"Yes, you."

The dread worsened, and she almost didn't dare ask her next question. "And… Which dress am I going to be modeling?"

"Ladybug."

"LADYBUG?" Marinette shrieked, but it was too late. Mr. Agreste thanked her swiftly nd left before she could argue, leaving her open mouthed and unable to think of a single way out. Whimpering in defeat, she made her way to the dressing room just hoping that whoever wore Cat Noir would carry the act.

When Adrian had been informed that it would be him modeling the Cat Noir fashions, he all but threw himself off of a bridge in his panic. "I don't think I can do this," He had said. "Plagg, I'm going to be sick."

"Oh please," Plagg drawled, munching away at his cheese all the while. "Don't tell me you're stressed over the thought of playing yourself."

"I can't just play Cat Noir," He groaned.

"You're right," Plagg said. "You are Cat Noir."

"You don't get it," He protested. "I need the situation to be Cat Noir. I need you, I need my claws. Like this… I'm nothing like myself, you know?"

Plagg stared at him for a very long time, and Adrian let out a long sigh. "Oh, you're no help at all."

Panicked as he was, the night of the fashion show came anyway. Plagg was right, the fact that he was struggling to play a part of himself was ridiculous, but there was so much pressure. What if he failed? What would his father say? And what if he did too well? He didn't want people to find out he was the real Cat Noir. He gulped when he was told it was time for the models to take their places. He'd rehearsed with the woman modeling Ladybug, and when he caught a glimpse of spots out of the corner of his eye he tried to channel Cat Noir. Running on instinct, he turned to greet her, "M'Lady," On his lips when suddenly, he stopped mid-turn, the breath knocked out of him.

Standing beside him was not the model he rehearsed with. He stared into round, sparkling blue eyes, knowing all too well where he'd seen them before. "Ladybug…"

She blushed, averting her eyes and Adrian had to make a physical effort to keep his jaw from dropping. The woman standing before him was the real Ladybug, of that much he was sure. However, when he looked at her he saw… Marinette. The knowledge settled in his heart and he stared, until finally Marinette giggled, covering her face with both hands. "Sorry, sorry," She said.

"What's the matter?"

"You just… Reminded me of someone I love, that's all."

Adrian's mouth went dry, but there was no time. The music began pulsating through the speakers, the show was starting. Marinette, his Ladybug, flashed him a thumbs up and flitted to their spot at the end of the procession. The show passed in a blur, and all Adrian could think about was Marinette. She had been his Ladybug all along.

After, Adrian rushed off stage and burst out the back door, resting both hands on his knees as he panted for breath. Plagg slipped out of his suit pocket, hovering supportively beside him as he gathered his wits. "All along…" He huffed. "It's been her. Marinette and Ladybug. They're the same person."

"Well no wonder you're hot for them both," Plagg commented. "All this time I just thought you were crazy. Just wait until she finds out who YOU are!"

Adrian shot him a glare, but Plagg was right. Everything suddenly made sense. "I've got to tell her," He decided. "As soon as possible. Now, if I can. The moment our eyes meet I'm going to tell her."

"Here we go."

"Shut it Plagg. Hide."

Rolling his eyes, Plagg tucked himself back into Adrian's jacket.

Back inside the after party was in full swing. Drinks were being passed round, people were dancing, and all of the models were changed into suits and gowns, mingling among the guests. Adrian was still in his Car Noir piece but he didn't care, he frantically scanned the faces around him searching for blue, those stunning baby blue eyes he's fallen in love with not once, but twice.

Finally he saw her and he crossed the room at top speeds, catching her by the arm and flashing her a smile. "Glad I spotted you," He teased. She was back in her cocktail dress, but when he looked at her he still saw spots. This brought a smile to his face. "M'Lady," He added.

A look of confusion, then panic, and then a forced calm crossed her face and she shook her head, laughing as she gazed out the window. "Really getting into character, aren't you Adrian?"

"You have no idea," He chuckled. "Would you… want to maybe… Dance with me?"

She tilted her head, worrying her lip between her teeth. "Oh… I'm not sure if that's a good idea…"

"Please?" He urged. "There's something I want to tell you."

Worry flashed in her eyes. "Adrian, please don't."

"I have to tell you how I feel, Marinette," He protested.

"I can't hear this right now," She groaned. "Please don't do this! My heart… It belongs to someone else!"

"I know," He insisted. "You're in love with Cat Noir, I know! That's what I'm trying to say, I-"

"Hold on," She snapped. "I never told anyone that. How did you know that?"

Adrian's heart stopped. "Huh?"

"You went through my things, didn't you?" She hissed, both anger and fear in her eyes. "You read my diary! Didn't you?"

"What?" Adrian cried. "No! Of course not! If you'd only listen, I could explain-"

Before he could finish her sentence, he felt the sudden sting of a gloved hand striking him across the cheek. He stared at her, wide eyed and stunned silent as she lowered her hand, and her glare was colder than ice. "Don't bother."

And just like that, Marinette disappeared into the sea of people.

Adrian started running. He slipped out the back door and headed down the street, even as it started to rain. "Wow," Plagg whistled. "How'd you manage to screw that one up?"

"Shut up," Adrian snapped. "Plagg, claws out."

The kwami's jaw dropped. "What, now?"

"Now!" He growled. "Claws out!"

"Okay, okay!"

As Cat Noir, he was much faster. And luckily, the Adrian in him knew just where to go.

Marinette, however, had a good head start.

As soon as she'd lost sight of the crowd she'd gone outside to transform. Her wings buzzed to life and she took off flying, heading straight for home until she felt the first stinging drop of rain. "No," Ladybug groaned. "No!"

Unable to fly with wet wings, she had no choice but to land and find a place to dry off. Tears streaking down her cheeks she sloshed through the puddles until she made her way to her old high school. Sniffling, she climbed the steps and took shelter on the stoop, leaning against the cold, wet columns wondering how she was going to live this night down. That's when she heard the footsteps. Only one person she knew tread quite so lightly. She looked up. "Cat Noir?"

Just as she had thought, Cat was standing right in front of her on the stoop, facing the pouring rain with an umbrella in hand. He didn't speak at first, and she bit her lip, embarrassed to be seen in such a state. "I…"

"The cat's out of the bag, M'Lady," He suddenly said. "I know who you are."

Ladybug froze. "You… What?"

"I know your name," He said. "So it's only fair I tell you mine." He turned to face her, extending the umbrella with a smile. "Its me. Adrian."

She blinked. "Wait, what? No... No, don't be silly. You can't be."

"Marinette," He said firmly. "It's me."

The sound of her name on his lips hit her like lightning and for a long time she was to stunned to move, but then he smiled and she knew he was telling the truth. She crept forward, stepping under the umbrella with him and looking up into his big, green eyes. She reached up, touching his soft blonde hair and running her fingertips down the side of his face. "Adrian?"

He nodded, and she scratched under his chin until he purred, making her laugh out loud. "It is you," She breathed. He opened his eyes and the way he looked at her warmed her heart in spite of the bitter cold and rain. Entranced, she found herself leaning closer, both her hands coming up to cup Adrian's face. "How silly we've been," She murmured.

His eyes slipped closed and he tilted his head down, lips just a breath away from hers. "M'Lady…"

She paused, pulling back just enough to reach up and scratch behind his ear. His lips parted and he shivered, body going rigid at her touch. "Marinette," He sighed, the passion in his voice shaking her bones as he gathered her into his arms and kissed her, dropping the long forgotten umbrella and letting it roll down the steps.