A.n.- I think I'm going to repeat how thankful I am for you guys every single chapter because you blow me away with the support this story is getting. It humbles me and makes me work harder to produce a better chapter for you. A couple of things before we start.

1.) There was lots of debate of what Adrien's job was last chapter. He is a Paramedic. Now where I live ( and other places too) there are two kinds, one works out of the hospital and the other has stations that take calls just like firefighters and take calls 24/7. Hopefully, that clears some stuff up.

2. For those of you that haven't noticed, there's a question mark in the chapters. The story has expanded a bit. (Currently, I think it's going to be 12 chapters but that might change so I left it). Yay more chapters.

3. A shoutout to Mermaidyarn and The Novel Artist, because of them, an extra plot element was added that I think everyone would approve of. I know I had fun doing research for it.


"So, what's about Adrien?" Marinette asked unsure how to start this impromptu conversation. There wasn't any etiquette that she knew of regarding a stranger visiting you late at night. She ventured back into the kitchen to put the kettle on the stove after offering Nathalie tea.

"Maybe you should take a seat Mlle Dupain-Cheng." From the moment she met Nathalie, her cold demeanor, Marinette could tell that this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation. She took a seat anyway. "I'm going to cut to the chase. M. Agreste wants to offer you a deal."

"Deal?" she echoed. "What kind of deal, surely there's nothing that he would want from me." M. Agreste had all the influence needed to get anything that he wanted. She owned a bakery there was nothing-

"M. Agreste is concerned about his son and the kind of people that his son would spend time with." Her head still spun from the knowledge that Adrien was her favorite designer's son. It added some light for another reason he didn't share his name right away; he might be concerned that she would treat him differently. She should have realized it sooner, but it had been years since he graced the pages of magazines.

"What does this have to do with me?" She stumbled over her words unsure of the direction of the conversation.

"My employer is prepared to pay generously to make the proper influences stay in, or in your case, out, of Adrien's life." Her body turned to lead, and for once she was thankful that she was seated.

"Let me get this straight," she started. "M. Agreste sent you in the middle of the night to bribe me to stay away from his son because he deems me a bad influence?" This couldn't be happening. "Might I ask what was so despicable about my behavior that caused him to think I'm corrupting his son?" She spat back as her anger levels increased.

"I'm not privy to that information," Nathalie's stiff tone provided room for doubt. "He noticed that you had traveled to the bank recently for a loan to open another store." Nathalie offered out a check. "I'm sure you'll find this more than satisfactory to cover the gap." Marinette's eyes drifted over the paper- that was a lot of zeroes.

"You need to leave," the tremors laced through her words. "Now."

"I beg your pardon." Judging by her body language, she never got asked to leave before.

"Adrien is perfectly capable of choosing his own friends. Not that it's any of your business, but we are not talking right now, but if that changes that will be between Adrien and me." Nathalie stood up grabbing the check along with her.

"I'd advise you not to anger him Mlle Dupain-Cheng, M. Agreste is not a patient man. I'll give you another chance and inform him that you shall think about his offer. It could do big things for your bakery, especially since you two are not corresponding currently." She placed her card on the table in front of Marinette nodded curtly and headed straight for the door.


Tikki couldn't help but push her worry into her baking. Marinette left at 10 to travel across town for a cake tasting, but even before she left, she wasn't acting her usual self. She forgot who she was meeting with several times throughout the hour, pulled a batch of underbaked croissants out of the oven, not to mention misplaced her keys. Not that Marinette would confess if anything did bother her, but Tikki began to wonder if her behavior was caused by the Adrien news finally settling in. It didn't take much to see that she liked Adrien, what he did must have really affected her. Tikki didn't usually speak up too much, but she knew that if the two got over this hump that the pair could make each other happy. The bell above the door chimed signaling a customer, Tikki quickly gathered the remaining dough and slid it into the fridge. She only made the couple steps to the doorframe when she stopped, and a gasp escaped her lips.

Why was he here?

Tikki thought that after they left the bakery that she wouldn't see either of the boys again, but there he stood in the bakery, Adrien's friend. She ruffled down the front of her apron and nervously smoothed the hairs that shifted out of place. She rationalized that she would have done the same for any customer, not just ones she found cute.

"How may I help you?" She asked in her usual chipper voice. When she saw his mouth parted and eyes widened, she regretted it. Perhaps she could tone her tone; she had been told before that her excitement over baked goods intimidated people.

"Uh-I was looking for"- For a reason that she couldn't put her finger on, her heart sunk. That's why he was here, for Marinette, it didn't have anything to do with her.

"She's not here," she finished his thought for him.

"Who?" The general confusion in his voice brought her attention to his melt-worthy green eyes. Not that she would ever admit to that.

"Marinette."

"Well," he squinted to read her name tag, "Tikki, I'm actually here to finally taste the pastries Adrien keeps raving about. He doesn't even know that I'm here."

"Oh," her gaze shot down to her feet hoping if she could focus enough she could slip into the floor. "The cheese ones, right?" The order came swiftly to mind; not many customers ordered three pastries with the intent not to share.

"Some of the best kinds, if you ask me."

"I'm more partial towards the ones with the raspberry jam myself." She pulled back the glass to gain access to the pastries.

"Well, that makes sense because you're so sweet." Tikki stopped mid-reach and glanced up this time a confident smirk on her face.

"Does that make you cheesy?" Normally she would never flirt with the customers, but this one time could be an exception.

"Only in the best way possible...and if it means that I can take you out this weekend."

Tikki blinked in surprise at his boldness before turning away to box the food and hide the growing heat in her face.

"No, it doesn't," she replied. Marinette would kill her if she said yes, especially with where things were up in the air with Adrien.

"Oh," Tikki turned to see his facial features sink in disappointment. She didn't want to leave him there. Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted a sharpie and grabbed it. Her number followed by several digits were placed on the box before Plagg even noticed.

"But you can have my number." The way his face lit up caused a small flutter in her chest.

"I'll see you around, Cookie." A wink accompanied the nickname.

"Cookie?" She called out. "Is that just because I work in a bakery?" If that was the case, it didn't impress her in the least.

"I'll only tell you if you agree to that date with me." As tempting as giving in to her curiosity was, she had to keep her boss in mind. She already flirted with the line when she handed out her number.

"I think I can handle the torture of not knowing." She places her hand on her lip to emphasize her answer, but it didn't faze him.

"Suit yourself, Cookie." Plagg slipped out, and Tikki found she needed the counter as support for her wobbly knees. Moments later her phone dinged with a message from an unknown number. It contained a picture of the empty box and three words that skyrocketed her pulse with excitement.

See you tomorrow.


"No way!" Adrien crossed his arms across his chest. "You can count me out; there's no way I'm doing something that embarrassing." In retrospect, he should have seen this coming. The meeting for the annual fundraiser for charity always landed around this time of the year. Bad ideas always got tossed around, and this one was no different. Adrien never imagined a sexy EMT calendar idea would ever make it to the meeting where the chief would sit in, and yet, here they were.

"Come on Adrien," Charlie prodded teasingly. "It's for charity! Think of all the good you can pour back into the community and all you have to do pose for a couple of photos. How is this any different from your modeling career when you were younger?" Adrien's body stiffened. He had concealed that information to avoid being relentlessly teased. There was no way that they could have found out — the one person who knew was Plagg.

"This is very different!" Adrien tried to argue, but by the look on their faces, no one believed him.

"You had teenage girls gawking at you then, and you'll have women ogling you now." James piped in.

"And besides the guys took a vote to put you on the cover, and Chief already approved it," Luc replied. It was evident by the groans and eye rolls that it should have remained a secret. Adrien's eyes bolted wide. It was one thing to participate, but if you were featured on the cover, you were the face of the campaign.

"What?!"

"Let me talk some sense into him." Plagg guided him away before he could give them a piece of his mind. Once the trucks have them some privacy, Adrien slugged his friend in the arm.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"You promised you wouldn't tell them!" He hissed in annoyance.

"I didn't! A single internet search can reveal all your deep dark photo shoots in more damaging ways than I can." Adrien would be inclined to believe him if he hadn't been his friend for the last couple of years.

"You left the site up for them to see." He started as a fact as everything clicked together in his brain.

"It may have randomly pulled up after I heard rumors that they wanted me to be on the cover," he confessed.

"Plagg!"

"Think of it this way; you could use it to win over bakery girl." Adrien's anger stilled at the nickname.

"Marinette?" He echoed. "How?"

"Think about it. If Marinette sees you in a calendar where you ooze your sex appeal, she won't be able to resist you." Plagg held up His hands in front of his person to prevent another punch.

"Like that will ever happen," Adrien snorted, "Marinette isn't like that."

"She has eyes, doesn't she?" Plagg shot back defensively. "Besides, it's not like your plan is working spectacularly." Adrien opened to shoot back a snarky remark when he realized that Plagg was right. He had put forth flowers, and it got him kicked out of her bakery. He had nothing left to lose.

"Fine, I'll do it," he growled. "But there's a flaw in your 'master plan,' she might not even see it."

A ding filled the air, and Plagg's lips tucked back into a smirk not needing to look to know the sender. "Let me handle that."


Marinette forced on a smile while trying not to look at her phone. Their first coffee date had gone so well she found herself hopeful among all of Alya's 'I told you so.' Tonight, was far from what she imagined. Adam arrived late which he explained away with work. She didn't mind that; it was everything after that that slowly worked on her nerves.

Adam had suggested this hot new sushi place that had opened recently. And Marinette held back a cringe. It wasn't that she didn't like sushi, it more had to do with the texture of it. She forced it down when she had to, but not ideal for a date. She confessed her feelings for the food and suggested a couple of other places they could go instead. The date ended abruptly by Adam's boss calling, and he had to high tail it to the office for a prominent client.

Imagine her surprise when they pulled up to the sushi restaurant. Her lips pressed into a thin line but didn't say anything as she got out of the car. He flashed a warm smile, but it did nothing to lift her mood.

"Marinette?" Her head snapped up to meet his gaze. "Is everything ok? You've barely touched your food."

"I just don't like it all that much," she confessed. Hopefully, the words would prompt Adam to remember when she explicitly told him that she didn't care for sushi.

"We'll get it sent back. Here, have some of mine instead. It's delicious." He switched plates and called over a waiter before she could object. The thought might have been sweet if the sushi wasn't the problem in the first place. "So, how's planning for that cook-off going."

"Baking competition," she corrected. Cook-off made it sound like a competitive barbecue. "I'm still working on the right combination. I was thinking of maybe doing something with chocolate and raspberries because-" she slowed watch him lose interest being pulled back into his work phone.

A sigh left her lips as she fought the urge to get up and leave despite being all the way across the city. They had such a good time on their first date; she didn't know what happened. Maybe he acted like this when things became too stressful at work. She'd hate to write him off over one lousy date.

"Adam?" He looked up at her call. "I'm not feeling well. Is there any way we could do a rain check?" It would be best to put the night behind them and start over on a different day.

"Absolutely," he chirped. "Just let me flag down the waiter for the check."

Adam dropped her off at home, and immediately she took off to her second home. Marinette sat on at an open table within her closed bakery glancing back to the kitchen wondering how many batches she could cook before her body would give out for the day. She glanced at her phone almost wishing that Adrien would have texted her today. Despite how silly the text was, it brought a smile every time she read them. Her phone only had one text from Adam claiming how good a time he had.

If only the feelings were mutual.

She at least had a better time with Adam than Kim, but that didn't say much. It seemed that work texts or emails kept getting in the way and that caused him not to listen. Marinette was sure he had to be a good guy, they had to go where there were no distractions.

She couldn't help but allow her mind to drift back to Adrien throughout the meal. There was no doubt that she had more fun with him than Adam the only downside to Adrien was that his father hated her guts enough to offer money to stay away. The thought crushed any childhood idea she had that if she got back into design that one day she could work at Gabriel's with enough work.

As alluring as the money was, she would find another way to get the money for the bakery. She wouldn't be pushed around and told who and who not she could be friends with. By the way, Nathalie spoke it sounded like M Agreste was under the impression that deeper feelings were there; that couldn't be true though. They only had one date. The first impression was important, but not everything. Cheeks flushed she pulled another part of her muffin off and placed it in her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye, passing through the window was something very blonde and familiar. His hands were shoved in his pocket and eyes trained on the ground as he walked; he probably didn't even realize she was there.

She shot up from her seat. If fate brought him to her, how could she pass up the opportunity? Her feet tripped over themselves as she raced to the door- screw M. Agreste's potential wrath.

"Adrien!" She called out, his name leaving a honey taste on her lips. She missed talking to him.

The man spun around with no hesitation at the sound of her voice. Marinette's eyes lingered on his face for a second. The area resting under his eyes were bagged; he looked like he hadn't gotten much sleep, a feeling she could relate with.

"What are you doing?" Not her best question after the way they parted. He blinked at her his head tilted slightly.

"Going for a walk," he strained his reply. "Uh-I didn't think you would be in the bakery this late." Marinette felt the echoes of her heart fluttering as he stepped toward her. "I'll start taking another way. I'm sorry if I bothered you."

Marinette ignored his last sentence hoping that her invitation would answer that question. "I was just about to make a practice batch for the competition...would you like to join me?"

"You mean it?"

"I mean-I don't want to interrupt your walk." Marinette had to bite her tongue so she wouldn't ramble, "I wanted some company."

"Then I am all yours." The way he said yours caused goosebumps to litter her arm. Even if this was a bad idea, it was too late to go back now.

An hour later the pair were doubled over in laughter not even noticing the blotches of flour remained from their playful war earlier that night. Adrien currently entertained them with funny stories of calls he had been dispatched on.

"We got the call, and I thought I heard wrong. The dispatcher said that some teenager had sustained some head injury from falling off a lion. But we got directed towards the zoo." Adrien was reveling in this feeling. Every time he looked over she was engaged listening on bated breath.

"No way," she swatted at his arm playfully almost causing him to mess up the story.

"Three teenagers decided it would be an amazing idea to break into the zoo and get up close and personal with the animals."

"What made decide to be a paramedic?" A soft, sad smile appeared as his eyes fell to the table instead of her.

"I love helping people when they need it. No matter what the outcome I know I did everything I could to save them." When he felt a warm hand slid on top of his Adrien's eyes jumped up to hers.

"I think it's amazing what you do for the city." Despite the reassurance she provided with a squeeze, Adrien still skeptically scoffed.

"I don't think my father would agree. He thinks I'm much better suited running the empire that he built."

"I'm sure you're more than capable of doing that too, but if you enjoy what you do, it hardly feels like work." Marinette jumped when Adrien's thumb started stroking the edge of her hand lovingly.

"Thank you," he murmured. The moment shattered when the timer rang signaling the end of the cooling period. Marinette removed two pieces, but before she could taste her creation, Adrien reached out and tugged on her arm.

"Wait, I have an idea, and we need to do this right." He acquires a perplexed look as he began wrapping a nearby clean towel.

"Adrien"- her vision darkened. "How am I supposed to eat it?"

"Leave that to me." She wasn't aware that he shifted until his hot breath lingered outside her ear. "Your senses are heightened this way. Have I ever led you astray...in culinary matters." Even though he couldn't see, Marinette rolled her eyes, and her lips released a giggle.

"Ok, I trust you, but no funny business." She gasped when his hands gently grabbed either side of her shoulders. "No funny business," he confirmed, but she could hear his smile. He guided her a few more steps, and she felt the stool, so she sat down grateful that she didn't fall in doing so. Her ears picked up the sounds of the fork gently scraping against the plate.

"Open," he whispered, and she immediately complied. The chocolate and peanut butter flavor danced on her taste buds leaving joy in their wake. Marinette released a hum of appreciation, but it ended in more of a moan.

Adrien was a train wreck, he thought this would be one of his better ideas, but the second that sound hit his ears, he was a goner. His eyes darted down to a crumble that rested on his lip and swallowed hard. She was close enough to close the gap without a second thought. He daydreamed what it would be like, but his promise to her kept him from acting on it.

"You got something..." his voice trailed away not trusting himself at the moment. He gently ran his finger along her lip knocking the morsel free. He jerked his hand back to the side afraid he let his touch linger too long. "Uh- How was it?"

"Perfect," Marinette struggled to maintain the illusion of control in her voice. "I think it's the base of recipes"- In the process of standing up, she didn't realize how close he had been until she slid off the temporary blindfold. Adrien eyes wide mouth parted slightly, and conflicting emotions conflicted emotions stamped on his features.

"That's great," he replied but made no effort to create more distance between them.

"Yeah," Marinette caved and let her eyes flicker down to his lips for only a second. "Adrien," she leaned in, and he followed suit just as their lips brushed-Alya's ringtone acted as an ice bucket splashing the two back to reality. Marinette's cheeks exploded with color as she slipped around him and fumbled to lift the phone to her ear.

"Hey Alya," Adrien's focus turned to the floor not wanting to eavesdrop, but on the other hand, it was hard to ignore when she was right there. "I'm at the bakery." She paused, and he managed to look up just enough to time to see him glance her way. "My date went fine, Alya…no, I'm not brushing you off. I don't want to talk about it right now." Adrien couldn't stop his heart from sinking off the high he experienced moments ago.

She had Adam. How could he forget?

If she had another date with Adam that meant that there was something between them, and he- almost ruined that.

Guilt ripped at his insides. He couldn't interfere if Marinette held any feelings for Adam he had to step back. He'd rather be her friend than not have her in his life at all.

When she rounded back, the look she sported screamed injured puppy, and his stomach turned to lead.

"I'm sorry-" he held out a hand to stop her from going any further.

"I'm the one that's sorry. We got caught up in a moment," Adrien paused internally cursing at what he was about to do. Plagg would tell at him later, but he started this off with a lie. He needed to be honest with her if he wanted any chance of a relationship in the future.

"I like you." Probably more than I should, he mentally added. "But for now, I think it's best if we're friends." The word tasted bitter on his tongue. He couldn't be the reason their relationship wouldn't work.

"Friends?" She echoed bewildered.

"I still want to spend time with you."

As much as you'll give me.

"But I know you still have Adam, but I was thinking friends hang out, so I was hoping that maybe we could go on a friend date." He stopped before his word vomit could fully activate.

"I'd like that." Her smile radiated off her sending warmth through his body. "It's getting late; I should probably go home."

"Can I walk you?" His question born out of gut instinct. He didn't want their time to end. "You shouldn't be walking the streets this late by yourself."

"I would love to, but my car is right there." His heart deflated as they stepped out into the night air.

"Goodnight, Marinette."

"Goodnight." There was a pause as she fiddled with her car keys. "Adrien?"

"Yes?" She closed the gap and pressed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you." He barely caught sight of the subtle blush on her features.

"You're welcome," he stood there until her car drove off before he lifted his hand to his cheek. The kiss lingered, and Adrien found he couldn't break his dopey grin. Maybe there was hope after all.

Adrien unlocked the door and pushed his way into his apartment. Within moments he heard a soft sound. "I know I'm home later than I promised, I'm sorry." Where he picked up the habit of talking to his cat, he didn't know, but every time he did he felt less alone.

Another chorus of meows endured.

"But I can't wait to tell you all about my night." Adrien continued through the motions of opening the cat food and pouring it into the bowl. "She's amazing Chat; I wish you could meet her; you would like her." A glum sigh slipped through his lips. Although a friend date was less than a real date, it beat her not talking to him at all.

"I could talk to her for hours." He sunk back into the couch allowing his mind to replay the events of the night over and over. It got interrupted by Chat tracing his side flicking his tail in Adrien's face. "Alright, I get it bud." He scooped the black cat into his lap and began to stroke him earning a purr. The movement released his stress he pent up, about his father, the calendar and Marinette. The world faded leaving only him and his cat cuddled on the couch slowly allowing sleep to claim him.


A.N.- I ended it not on a cliffhanger, you all should be proud. Let me know what you think! If you have tumblr, go bother me on there, I do post spoilers and previews of the following week's chapter. Don't know if that interests you at all, but my url is the same as here. Until next week, or possibly sooner because I'm done my Secret Santa ( writing anyway) and Sweet Dreams.