As Marinette stood in the middle of her bedroom trying to get ready for school, she couldn't help but replay the previous day's events and how Cat Noir had told her he wasn't ready yet to reveal himself, despite him suggesting it in the past. She frowned, wondering if she had said or done anything that might've changed his mind. She replayed her every action, trying to find something amiss.

The reveal had definitely shaken her, but she looked for the silver lining. It was probably for the best that he wasn't ready yet. Holding off gave her more time to process everything. The problem was, it also gave her time to wonder just exactly what it was that Cat Noir was waiting for.

"Maybe he wants to make the reveal special, Marinette!" Tikki buzzed.

"Yeah… maybe," Marinette sat down at her desk. She knew once they came clean to each other there would be no going back. She sighed as she looked at all the pictures of Adrien around her room. She began to smile as a fun idea came to her. Gently she took one of the pictures off the wall and grabbing a black marker, began drawing a little mask and cat ears on Adrien's recent perfume ad. When she was done, she held out the photo and giggled to herself.

"That's very good, Marinette!" Tikki smiled, nuzzling into her.

Marinette held the photo close to her and felt her cheeks flush. She closed her eyes and let the warm feeling of love wash over her. Her crush, her obsession, Adrien, was also her partner in crime, her loyal comrade. But… he hadn't elaborated on what Marinette meant to him. She wanted to make sure that Adrien not only loved her as Ladybug, but that he also loved the normal parts of her… who she was as Marinette.

Today at school she resolved that she was going to be herself around him. There would be no tripping over herself or becoming too bashful and flustered to speak. At school, she would be confident. She could do this! At school, she would be…. LATE! She caught a glimpse of the clock and stood up at once, knocking over a few items on her desk.

"I wanted to be early today, too!"

"It's ok, Marinette," Tikki assured her. "Just breathe. Everything is going to be fine."

"Thanks, Tikki," Marinette opened up her purse and Tikki dove in. then with another hurried look at the clock, she grabbed her bag and ran downstairs.


Exuding a large amount of energy, Marinette pushed open her classroom door and panting, took several big deep breaths.

"Thanks for joining us, Marinette. Please take your seat." The teacher said sternly.

"Sorry, I'm late," Marinette replied softly. She lowered her head and climbed up the stairs, taking her seat next to Alya.

"Hey," Alya whispered next to her, "what happened to you yesterday? You and Adrien totally ditched Nino and me at the grocery store."

Marinette's eyes widened. How could she have been so oblivious? Easy. She was Marinette. "Uh, yeah… sorry, Alya." She started wracking her brain for a good excuse when Adrien turned around. Suddenly, Marinette's mind went blank. She looked into those familiar, deep, bright green eyes.

"Hey Marinette, Can I… talk to you after class?"

Marinette's mouth fell open. She was still staring into his eyes, getting lost in them. Meanwhile, Adrien was speaking to her like it was the most normal thing in the world. She had to get a grip, she remembered her plan of not being flustered. She had to say something cool and normal. "Not if I talk to you first!"

"Ok, sounds good!" Adrien laughed and turned back around.

At once she threw her head in her hands as Alya nudged her. "Smooth, girl. Very smooth."

Marinette groaned. It was so easy to talk to Cat Noir and he and Adrien were the same person! Maybe that was the answer. Maybe she just needed to talk to Adrien like he was Cat Noir. Oh, no. A fresh wave of panic washed over her. She had been calling Adrien, Kitty! And he purred back at her!

Her cheeks were becoming far too warm for comfort. She wasn't sure if she was in a dream or a nightmare. Quickly, she raised her hand. "Can I use the bathroom?!"

The teacher rolled her eyes. "If you must, Marinette. But please, if you're going to be late. Use the restroom before you get to class."

Marinette nodded apologetically and then as fast as she had run to class, she ran out of it. When she got to the bathroom, she threw herself into a stall and locked the door. Tikki flew out of her purse.

"What's wrong, Marinette?"

"I'm too nervous, Tikki. I thought I'd be better with this, but no matter how many mental pep talks I give myself, I can't seem to stop freaking out! I don't know what to do." She put her head against the wall, closing her eyes.

"I think I might know why, Marinette."

"You… you do?" she turned her head to face the floating kwami.

"You're freaking out because you're afraid that Adrien won't like Ladybug anymore once he finds out that it's you. You're worried he won't like you for you because you're worried that you're not good enough as Marinette."

Marinette nodded into the door. "That sounds right."

"Marinette, the thing you need to know is that the miraculous only gives you superpowers. It doesn't give you confidence or the ability to be a good leader with a kind heart. All of that you have to bring to it. You are what makes Ladybug so special. There was always a superhero inside of you, Marinette."

She picked her head up, "You really think so?"

"I know so, Marinette! And even being shy and clumsy, Adrien has considered you one of his closest friends. Someone he might not want to be just friends with. If you ask me, I don't think you have anything to worry about. He's befriended your shyness and fallen in love with your courage. That's very special Marinette. No matter what happens between the two of you, you have had a profound effect on his life and that is something no one can deny – not even you!"

Marinette felt emotional. She wiped her eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Tikki. I really needed to hear that. I am so grateful to have you here with me through this."

"Any time!" Tikki nuzzled into her affectionately.

As Marinette opened her mouth to say something else, she felt the building shake. She opened the stall and the floor shook violently. Suddenly, the fire alarm went off and she could hear people running and someone shouting very loudly.

"ALL YOU STUDENTS WILL PAY!"

"No rest for superheroes!" Tikki giggled. "You ready?"

"Let's do this. Tikki, spots on!"

As she transformed into Ladybug, Marinette smiled to herself for she now truly believed that everything was going to work out.

Opening the door, she ran out into the gym and out of the school. She looked both ways for her classmates but didn't see any familiar faces. She looked up the side of the building and saw Alya waving her hands out the window.

"Ladybug, we're trapped in here!"

Oh no. Her heart sank. If Adrien was also stuck in there then so was Cat Noir. "I'm on my way!"

She put her game face on and ran back into the building. Through the gym, she found the staircase and looked up to find a man pounding on her classroom door.

"DETENTION FOR EVERYONE!" The man yelled.

She looked at him sideways. Was that their Principal?

Sensing her presence, he turned around and pointed ferociously at her. "Give me your miraculous so these kids can stay in detention forever!"

"Never!" she yelled, throwing her yo-yo to the opposite staircase, she moved out of his view. She needed a diversion, she needed-

"Woah. Detention forever? That is definitely not the cat's meow."

Ladybug turned her head so fast she almost fell over. "Cat Noir?" she stumbled back as she saw him leap and land next to her. She looked back and forth between him and the locked door their akumatized principal was standing in front of. "But, how…"

"Why do you look so surprised to see me, M'lady? In case you forgot, this is kind of our thing." He smirked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Please, Cat Noir," she returned his smirk, "I couldn't forget if I tried." She looked back at the door. Was… she wrong? She felt a pit grow in her stomach.

"Ladybug, watch out!" Just then, their principal charged at the stairs and Cat Noir had managed to save them both by throwing his stick, knocking him off balance.

"Always saving me, Cat Noir," Ladybug shook her head. it didn't matter who he secretly was. She knew who he really was and that was someone who she trusted with her life. She smiled wide, feeling more confident than she had in the last 24 hours. "Have I told you lately that you're the best?"

"By all means, please tell me."

She laughed. They were back. No, she was back.

"So, what's the plan, M'lady?"

"I'm thinking we switch things up this morning."

"What do you have in mind?"

Ladybug pointed at the locked classroom. "I'll distract him, while you free our friends-uh, the students."

Cat Noir threw her a grin. "You sure, Bugaboo? Distracting people is kind of my specialty."

She laughed. "You have no idea, Kitty."

"Well then, looks like it's the cat's time to shine! You can count on me, M'lady." he extended his stick and jumped up to the classroom.

"I know," she whispered to herself.

Turning her attention to the principal, she spotted a manilla folder in his hands. That had to be it. She called out for her Lucky Charm, and a small ring dropped into her hands. Feeling confused, she scanned the room for clues. It was time to get to work.