A/N: Still sick. Nothing else to do while in bed. Writing a little bit of Gods and Heroes between editing chapters. Not gonna lie…there is so much stuff in my apartment for the wedding, that I can't find all my notes for Of Gods and Heroes…so I lost some research…I'm not happy with myself.

Take My Hand

Chapter 3

Social media in the city has blown up. There are hundreds of videos and pictures of Chat Blanc destroying the city. Marinette skimmed through the photos and video feed as it came in that morning.

Most of the damage were unattended cars, some Ladybug and Chat Noir displays. She had found footage of him threatening police and everyday people but there were no reports of any real harm being brought to anyone. Except for one high school student who had reportedly confronted him. Reading that, Marinette rubbed her sore shoulder that still sat in the sling.

She had forced herself to leave the news website, the stories photos and footage were all too upsetting. She sat back in her chair and stared up at her ceiling. She had to leave for school soon, and she really didn't want to go. The school had remained closed for a day, but now they had decided to open up again.

She didn't feel like approaching her fellow peers or talk about Chat Blanc. And she had no doubt there would be many people approaching her about her standing up to him. She didn't want that but she had no choice. She reached for Tikki and picked her up and placed her inside of her little purse. She then carefully put her messenger bag over her arm and sling. She wished Plagg a good day and went downstairs. She grabbed breakfast and headed to the door.

To her surprise, Alya was waiting for her, and she greeted her with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"My shoulder is in a lot of pain," she said. "Crazy ex-hero is on the loose destroying the city...and my mom gave me pepper spray for protection..."

Alya was trying not to laugh at the thought of Marinette being given pepper spray by her mother, Sabine. "Does she really think that will somehow save the day?"

"She's scared I'll get myself killed," Marinette explained. "She's just worried."

"I know, but that image of you with pepper spray...it's kinda laughable."

Marinette rolled her eyes dramatically in the same fashion she did as Ladybug towards Chat Noir. Alya laughed but then the girls actually entered the school. Marinette had almost forgotten her fears about school until she walked in and students were staring at her intensely. Marinette frowned and looked at Alya. She shrugged at her friend. "You stood up to an Akuma, and you're not even a hero. The students are impressed."

"I don't want the attention," Marinette complained.

"Well, I think you deserve it. You saved my life, even Sabrina wants to thank you for saving her," Alya stated. "Even Chloe could only say you were stupid for standing up to Chat Blanc. Which I think is her way of thanking you and thinks you're brave."

Marinette's cheeks went pink. Especially when she looked up and saw Kim looking over the second-floor railing. He smiled down at her and waved. Her heart pounded as they began to ascend the stairs. Kim moved into the classroom, and Marinette looked at Alya. She was just smiling at Marinette. She didn't like the way that Alya looked at her. Suspicion fell over her.

They were very early, but Marinette saw her classmates already in the classroom. Her eyes widened as they were gathered at the entrance of the classroom. They all greeted her, and Marinette felt her heart quicken even more. She wasn't expecting to have her entire class greet her like this. As she entered her classroom, she saw a vase with a dozen flowers sitting at her desk with a card. Alya was grinning and Marinette knew that Alya had probably planned this entire thing. She had gotten her fellow classmates to gather early and sign a card with the flowers. Marinette had no words. Positive or negative circumstances, they wanted to celebrate her saving them, but Marinette hadn't saved the one person who needed saving most.

Her eyes watered, and she had to fight back her tears. She didn't want to ruin what they supposed was a grand gesture. She turned to her classmates. "You all shouldn't have."

Alya passed her the card, and she opened it. It was a simple 'thinking of you' card. The front was decorated with sunflowers with butterflies and ladybugs. She opened it and there were messages written from all her classmates.

You're my Hero!-Mylene

I always admired you, but now you've made us all admire you-Nathanael

There's a reason you're our class president-Juleka

Your heroics will not be soon forgotten-Max

I guess pathetic people can surprise us all. So thank you-Chloe

I can't thank you enough for protecting my life-Sabrina

We're thankful you were strong enough to protect us-Ivan

I'm proud to have you as my best friend-Alya

You've got serious guts!-Kim

You're seriously badass!-Nino

I've heard people say many great things about you. Heroic can be added to that list-Alix

I can come to school and feel safe because of you-Rose

Great job, Princess-Adrien

Marinette read the last one over and over trying to register what she was reading for herself. Her mind ran it over again and again. She placed the card down and began to scan the classroom. She expected to see the blonde boy with the green eyes. He wasn't there. She glanced at the card again. That was his handwriting. She knew it anywhere. Marinette noticed her classmates staring at her, expecting a reaction. "T-thank you!" she stated. "It was really nothing."

Her classmate Rose came up to her. "Did you mean it? About loving Chat Blanc? That's so romantic!"

Marinette's face flushed when she remembered that she had confessed her feelings right in front of her entire class. She felt instantly crowded when the other students began to ask her questions. Luckily Alya cut in just in time. "Whoa! Guys! Don't crowd her. Marinette will tell us if and when she's ready."

Marinette could only nod in agreement with her friend. Marinette passed her classmates and took a seat at her desk. Alya helped her the vase of flowers aside for now, but Marinette kept glancing at the card. Her classmates took their seats. She looked at Alya and pointed to the card, to where Adrien had signed. "Have you seen him?" Marinette mouthed.

Alya shook her head clearly confused for a moment. Then something crossed Alya's mind and her mouth dropped open. "Is he him?" Alya mouthed back.

That was completely not what Marinette was trying to ask Alya. She simply was wondering if Adrien had appeared in the school, but Alya was just too smart for her own good sometimes. Marinette was convinced Chat Blanc had snuck in to sign the card. It was Adrien's handwriting and it was signed with his pet name for her.

She tried to deny it but shaking her head, but Alya clearly didn't believe her. Alya pulled out her phone and began to text Marinette.

Alya: That's why you love Chat Noir because it's him, isn't it?

Marinette began to text her back trying to deny this completely.

Marinette: No! It's not! I swear.

Alya: Nino hasn't been able to get hold of Adrien! No one has. For three days, ever since Chat Noir turned bad. That isn't a coincidence. Plus you are keeping secrets. What is going on?!

The bell rang and class began. Their class as always began. Marinette couldn't reply to Alya. When she glanced at her friend thought, she was rewarded with a glare. And Marinette knew she was going to hear about it later. She just knew it.

8 8 8

Marinette had been right. Alya had given it to her. Screaming at her after class and asked why Marinette was keeping secrets. Marinette had no answers she could give. She tried to tell Alya that she didn't know who Chat Noir was, but she was a bad liar, and Alya knew it. She also knew when Marinette was nervous about something and called her out on it. When Marinette couldn't explain herself, she was rewarded with a very interesting trip home trying to carry her vase of flowers alone.

When she arrived home, her father helped her carry her flowers upstairs into her room. It was placed down at her sewing desk. She thanked her dad and got her school books out to do her homework. She sat down by her bed first though and peeked under the bed. Tikki joined her and they were both relieved to see him sound asleep. Marinette would get him dinner later.

Marinette motioned for Tikki to join him and rest up and Tikki did just that. Marinette climbed down her ladder from her bed and over to her computer desk. She felt like she had to check the news, but at the same time, she saw no reason to. If Plagg was sleeping, chances were that Adrien was resting somewhere too.

So being sure that he was asleep, Marinette began to work on her homework. She pulled out each textbook one at a time and then got to work.

Marinette wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep at her desk. It was dark out and she realized it was late into the evening now. She realized quickly that it was past midnight based on the clock on her desktop computer. She rubbed at the corner of her eyes. She glanced over to the little lounge chair to the right of her computer desk. Staring right at her, relaxing back in the chair, was Chat Blanc. Her eyes went wide, and she stumbled out of her chair.

"W-what are you doing here?" she asked. "You keep telling me to stay away, so why are you showing up the time."

He climbed to his feet and stood over her. "There has never been a Cat that followed any rules."

She moved to climb to her feet, but to her surprise, he helped her up. He pulled her to him and she ended up against his chest. "Adrien!" she gasped. She drew away, embarrassment filled her.

"Chat Blanc," he corrected. He was glancing around her room. She realized now that the room was filled with pictures of him. She wanted to die right then and there.

He chuckled in amusement. "You really do have feelings for me, don't you?"

He moved to her bedroom trap door and looked at one picture from a shoot he had done last year. An advertisement for his father's spring collection. He tried to move about her room some more, but she stuck near him. Both out of embarrassment and the fear he would find Tikki and Plagg.

Then something caught his eyes and he moved over to the screen she had hanging from the ceiling. It was rolled up and closed, but Marinette began to panic. It was Adrien's schedule. "What's this, princess?"

Before she could say anything he reached up and pulled it down. Marinette froze in horror. She waited for the no doubt of the instant teasing he would cast on her for the stalker-like behavior. He was studying the board for the longest time, then turned to her with that cattish grin. "Well, seems like someone is the little shadow. Following me wherever I go."

He playfully put an arm around her and pulled her to him. In any other situation, this would be a dream come true. Instead, she winced as his hand had fallen on her sore shoulder. She pulled away and gripped her shoulder in pain. He seemed confused for a moment but as the sight of her pain, he realized what he had done. "Whoa! I'm sorry!"

She was surprised to hear him apologize, but she nodded and let him know it was alright. Then she took a seat at her desk chair and began searching for her pain meds. She was due now. "I'm really sorry about your shoulder," he stated.

She didn't know what to say to him. So she just nodded at him. She found the pill bottle and took out one pill. She grabbed a water bottle on her desk and swallowed the pill. While she did this, Chat Blanc began to wander around her room again, this time, stopping at her sewing desk. She watched him and saw him pick up her design book. Her face turned pink again. The thought of him looking at her private design book terrified her. In another situation, she would snatch it away and run for the hills. She knew how important it was so she didn't say anything. She needed to come across as friendly and welcoming as she possibly could.

He began to flip through the book and studied the pages. She watched him study the design. He clearly was taking in every page and design. To her surprise, he actually seemed interested. He didn't laugh at them, tease her; he just studied them. This actually made it worse for her. She had no idea what was going on through his head. Did he like them? Hate them? Was he coming up with something negative to say about each one?

He finally opened his mouth and spoke. "These are really good."

Her mouth opened to say thanks, but her pink tinted cheeks have trapped her in a cycle of embarrassment and she's only able to nod at him.

"I've always wanted to look at your designs actually," he admits. "You work on them between class and I always became curious."

Marinette was closer to the color of red now. She had no idea if he was being honest or just try and set her off. Either way, it was working. He closed the book when he reached the last page and closed the book and placed it back down on her desk. He stepped closer to her. This brought her back to the reality of the situation. He leaned down, his face was ever so close to hers. She could feel his warm breath on her face. In any other situation, this would be welcomed interaction. This wasn't that situation. She saw his green eyes closed and his head tilted to one side. Marinette stiffened. And not because he was going to kiss her, but because she didn't want him to kiss her. Not like this. A flash of a smiling Adrien filled her, and she knew this was wrong. She turned away from him, and his lips caught her cheek. He drew away confused.

She looked down at her hand in her lap. "Why?" he asked.

"Because you don't love me," she told him. She saw anger flash over his face. "You love Ladybug."

She knew she went too far the moment he jumped at her. She fell to the ground and knocked her chair over. He was on top of her, pinning her down. He looked the angriest that she had ever seen him. Angrier than when Ladybug had rejected him .One hand was on her throat. "I hate her," he hissed.

Though he had his hand on her throat, he wasn't choking her. She knew he was fully within his ability to. Marinette tried to not look scared, but rather sympathetic towards him. "I know she hurt you," she told him. "And for that, I'm sorry." He tightened the grip he had on her throat, thought she could still talk and breath. "I didn't reject that kiss because I hate you. I did it because I deserve to have my first kiss from a person who loves me, just like you do too." She lied about her first kiss, never admitting that she had given that kiss away to him to free him from Dark Cupid. "You're my friend. I just want to not do anything you'd regret. I know the real Adrien wouldn't force himself on someone."

He tightened his grip, this time making it harder, though not impossible to breathe. "I could do whatever the hell I wanted to you right now. And not only could no one stop me, I'd sleep just fine."

She reached for his hands and pulled at his hands enough to draw them back so she could speak. She glared at him. "Then do it."

Part of her was tired of playing these stupid mind games with him. Another knew that calling him out seemed to work in her favor. And it did. His hands released her as if he had been burned. She sat up and they were still on the ground, staring at each other. He looked confused and surprised. She continued to glare at him. "I'd rather you put me out of misery because I can't watch you self-destruct anymore. Life has heartache, and life is hard. That's just life, and that's what it's all about. You learn and grow from every experience. And hopefully, you become a better person for it. You don't whine about it like a child."

He was on his feet and he jumped to the platform where her bed was. He turned to her. "The hell do you know," he hissed. "You're just a pathetic school girl who had a crush. And I hate you, probably more than Ladybug."

Before she could say anything further he jumped out of the window to her balcony and was gone. Marinette took a moment to compose herself, and then climbed to her feet. She fixed her chair and then climbed her ladder to her bed. She shut and locked the window. Then she looked under her bed. A concerned Tikki flew out to look at her.

"Marinette! Are you alright?" the red kwami asked with concern.

Marinette nodded. "I'm fine Tikki." She turned to look at Plagg. "I'm sorry, I think I messed up pretty bad."

Plagg was sitting up and looked at her. He didn't look at her in pain or exhaustion. He was grinning at her. "Why apologize? Your little speech has gotten to him. He's questioning everything. Hawkmoth is not around, probably sleeping. So Adrien's head isn't being filled with lies. Adrien will have a few more hours to have his mind filled with your very...passionate words."

"So you mean...?" Marinette asked.

"He's already considering changing back," Plagg stated. "You're cracking that shell. A few more visits like that, and we might be able to actually free him."

"R-Really?! Marinette asked, her face lighting up.

"And Marinette," Plagg added.

"Yeah?" she asked, her attention was on the tiny black kwami.

"Just so you know, he didn't want to kiss you to tease you. He actually wanted to kiss you," Plagg stated. "Just in case you were thinking he just wanted to mess with you."

Marinette turned redder than her Ladybug tights.

A/N: So, next chapter. The big one. The one I keep warning you guys about. What I consider what will be the best chapter of this fanfic. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong. Just hope you all continue to enjoy my stories. Also, go listen to "Breathless" by Cascada. It's one of my favorite songs, and I listened to it a million times while writing this chapter. Never realized how perfect it was for this story until I was writing it.