Elodie Martin was exhausted. She'd been exhausted even before this, but then, working two full-time jobs will do that to a woman. But this…this was a new kind of exhaustion. She'd not slept a wink in nearly 48 hours, and her body was so far beyond tired that she was numb. Leaning away for the bed, she scrubbed her hands over her face and thought back over the last day.

She'd just finished her shift at the café, and had been happy to head home. She'd taken the metro, as usual, so she had no warning. Upon climbing to the sidewalk, she'd seen smoke rising beyond the buildings before her and she'd known, she'd just known that something was terribly wrong, even before she'd rounded the corner at the end of the street to find that her apartment building was little more than rubble and ash.

After that, her memories were disjointed. She didn't remember running to the nearest police officer, but she remembered grabbing him by the collar. She didn't remember screaming her questions in his face, but she remembered the look in his eyes when he realized that she had lived in the ruined building. And she didn't remember being escorted to the police station, but she remembered with crystal clarity being told that only two people had been rescued from the building before it came down—and that neither of them was her Julien.

The next several hours were no more than a blur of misery as she'd waited for the rescue team to search the ruined building for her son. Hope and despair had warred in her mind, rendering her incapable of sleep in spite of her exhaustion. Finally, in the small hours of the morning, they'd found him, alive, but badly injured and barely conscious. He'd been partially crushed, and suffered a severe trauma to the head.

After hours and hours of desperate surgery, he'd been installed in this room, in the intensive care unit. Now she kept a weary vigil by his side. She fingered the necklace at her throat, gripping the trinket he'd given her as if in holding it, she might hold on to him. She sighed. His hold on life was tenuous, but she was hopeful that he would pull through.

Hope was all that she had left.


Adrien spent the rest of the evening at her house. After their kiss, he'd gone down to the kitchen alone to let her put her bra back on. That had chafed, knowing that it would be painful for her to do it on her own, but he had known better than to offer. She'd joined him after only a few minutes, having changed entirely into a thin, slouchy pink sweater that hung off of one shoulder, and a pair of comfortable charcoal grey leggings. It was clear that she'd dressed for comfort, but given his still-elevated blood pressure, she looked entirely too enticing.

They'd settled at the dining table to do homework, just as they had after school the day before. So much had changed that it was hard to believe that only 24 hours had passed. Neither said it, but they both thought it.

They'd spent about an hour, working on their assignments in companionable silence, when Sabine had bustled into the room with a stack of dinner plates. "Oh! Adrien, you're still here. I thought you'd left with Alya."

"Nope, still here." Adrien put down his pencil, and started packing his things away. "But I'll go now, and get out of your way."

"Nonsense." She started setting the table as Marinette, too, began to put her things away. "Stay and have dinner with us. We have plenty, and you kids can finish your homework afterward. I'll just go and grab another plate," she said, and with that, she bustled right back to the kitchen.

Marinette had blushed lightly at her mother's reference to them as 'kids', but she was used to it. She tossed her bag over the back of the couch, and looked at Adrien. "Stay?"

He smiled, and tossed his bag next to hers. "Just let me make a quick call, to let Nathalie know."

Ostensibly, the rest of the evening passed unremarkably. They had dinner, they finished their homework, and Adrien called his driver back to get him. But both heroes were exceptionally happy through almost all of it, which was remarkable indeed.

The evening's news cast the only shadow over their joy. The follow-up coverage of the explosion and building collapse revealed that someone else had been in the building, after all. Adrien felt guilt clutch at his heart, and looked at Marinette, whose stricken gaze was riveted to the screen. He nudged her shoulder, drawing her gaze to him. He said nothing, just squeezed her hand, but she seemed to understand him. It's not your fault. She gave him a watery smile, and squeezed back. I know.

It was sometime later that she walked him down the stairs to the side door, where Gorilla would be picking him up. He paused on the steps, and tugged her around to face him. "Are you ok, Mari?"

She closed her eyes, and leaned her forehead against his chest to hide her trembling lip. "He's only fourteen, Adrien."

"We did the best we could. We didn't know he was there, and we didn't have time to search." She sniffled, and despite knowing what he would see, he tipped her face to his. Her tear filled eyes shone in the lights from the street, and his heart lurched to see her so upset. "Those two people are alive and well, thanks to you, my lady. And he's alive, Mari. He could make it."

"I-I know. But he was—and his poor mother!" Her tears began to fall in earnest, and she dropped her face into her hands.

"Merde, Mari." He pulled her to him in a gentle hug, resting his chin on her head. "I know. I feel the same. We just have to hope for the best." They stood like that for several minutes, until the shine of headlights outside told them that his ride had arrived. He reluctantly released her. "Will you be ok? Do you…do you want me to come back? Later?"

His question was tentatively offered, as if he was still unsure of his reception. She smiled at him, warmed by his obvious care for her. Still, she shook her head. "As much as I would love that, chaton, I think we would both be better served to get a good night's rest."

"You're right." He blew out a breath. "I guess I'd better get out there. See you in the morning?"

"Yeah." She stood on tiptoe, and pressed a gentle kiss to his mouth. "Goodnight, kitty."

"Good night, my lady."

Adrien slid into the car with a Cheshire grin on his face, and he was still wearing it when they pulled into the circular drive in front of Agreste Mansion. His taciturn driver never said a word, but privately, he felt that whoever she was, this girl must be a very good thing for his young charge.


The next morning, Marinette did get up with her first alarm. Or at least, she came awake with the first alarm.

Initially, she'd hit the snooze, and had snuggled back down into her pillow when memories of the preceding evening floated to the surface and her eyes flew open. Unable to restrain herself, she shrieked happily into her pillow, finally giving in to a bit of fan-girling. Then she flopped to her back, mentally kicked herself for forgetting her sore ribs again, and stared at the ceiling, reliving The Kiss. It had been wonderful, and she was already looking forward to doing it again. Maybe on patrol that night? She'd have to take it easy, of course, but she could still go. If nothing else, they both ought to put in an appearance. They'd both skipped patrol the night before, and it wouldn't do for Hawkmoth to believe they were out of commission.

Even though, technically, she was.

She frowned. What if there was an akuma before she was back in fighting form? They'd be seriously handicapped, until she recovered. How was it that this was only occurring to her now? She sighed, and shoved the covers away in disgust. Some superhero, she thought. She learns one little secret, and she gets completely de-railed.

"Oh Marinette, you're doing it again, aren't you?"

Marinette glanced over at Tikki, who was munching on her morning cookie. "Doing what?"

"Over-thinking, and probably feeling guilty for something that isn't your fault."

Marinette spluttered a laugh. "No!"

"You were!" Tikki laughed. "What this time?"

"Ok, I was." Her smile faded. "What if there's an akuma before I recover? Chat can't do it without me."

Tikki frowned as well. "I don't know, Marinette. We'd figure something out. For now, don't borrow trouble, ok?"

Marinette nodded, recognizing the wisdom of her words. Following that advice, though, would not be so easy. How could she not worry?

"Mar-in-ette! You're still fretting." She flew to her chosen, and hugged her cheek. "It'll be ok, I promise! Think about Adrien instead. Today will be your first day in class with a boyfriend."

That did it, Tikki saw with satisfaction. Marinette went about getting ready for school in a dreamy haze, thoroughly shocking her parents when she made her way downstairs early enough to sit and have breakfast at home. She collected a couple of pastries, and went back upstairs to enjoy it in peace.

She was finishing up her coffee when there was a knock at the door, and Adrien poked his head in. "Hello?"

"Adrien?" Marinette set her cup down, watching as he crossed to the table. "What are you doing here?"

"Your maman told me you were actually up and ready early, but I didn't believe them. I had to come see for myself." He leaned down to press a kiss to her mouth. "She told me to let myself in, I hope you don't mind."

She smiled. "Not at all. But what are you doing here, at my house?"

"I thought you might like a ride to school, until you're feeling better." He patted the bag slung across his shoulder, blushing a bit. "And, we should probably check your bandage," he said, dropping his voice a bit.

Remembering what happened the last time he did that, Marinette blushed, too. She nodded. "I didn't think to look at it this morning. But, it was a bit easier to get dressed this morning than it was last night."

"That's good!"

Marinette nodded again, more enthusiastically this time, and stood carefully. "Yeah, tell me about it. I keep forgetting to be careful. It's not pleasant." She rinsed her coffee mug in the sink, and headed up the stairs to her room.

This time, it wasn't necessary to raise her shirt up quite so high, and she made it a point to keep herself as covered as possible. She felt a bit self-conscious after yesterday, despite—or perhaps because of—her bravado at the time. Besides, she thought with a giggle, it wouldn't do to have a repeat performance right before school. Then they'd both be late.

Adrien quirked an eyebrow at her curiously, wondering what had prompted the giggle. A fresh blush bloomed on her cheeks, but she just shook her head. He shrugged, deciding that if she didn't want to tell him, that it was probably best to just let it go. "I saw a news update on the way over this morning. He's still alive, but still critical."

She nodded soberly, absorbing this news, but said nothing. That was probably for the best, too.

He finished taping the new gauze in place, and tugged her shirt down to cover it. "You, um, might want to change your shirt, or something. I can see some of the bruising above the neckline in the back."

Marinette's eyes widened, and she nodded again, this time thankfully. "The last thing I need is for someone to start asking questions. Meet you downstairs?" He nodded and left through the trap door, and she whirled to find something with a high neckline.


Nino and Alya were already there when they pulled up in Adrien's car. He got out first, then took her hand to help her out of the vehicle. He let her hand go long enough to settle her bag carefully over her shoulder, then reclaimed her hand and they walked together to join Nino and Alya, who were watching them avidly.

Marinette, who had begun to worry about how they should act around one another at school while in the car, was thrilled by his willingness to hold her hand. It was tantamount to a public declaration, and it made her feel warm and fuzzy. Unfortunately, not everyone felt the same. They were waylaid en route by a furious Chloe Bourgeois, who'd shown no inclination to grow out of being a spoiled rotten brat. Marinette groaned, and Adrien squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Just what do you think you are doing, holding hands with my Adrikins?"

"He is not your anything, Chloe." Marinette's temper ignited at a slow burn.

"Of course he is," she flipped her hair over her shoulder and placed a perfectly manicured hand just so on her cocked hip. "Just because I missed the first day doesn't mean you can move in and take what is mine."

She felt her temper kick up a notch. "He's a human being. He belongs to no one."

Adrien, who had been watching the exchange with an amused look on his face, grinned wolfishly at his new girlfriend. "Oh, I don't know, Marinette. I think I might like belonging to you."

Marinette blushed, and Chloe gasped in outrage. "Adrikins! How could you? She is so far beneath you—"

"Enough!" All traces of amusement had vanished from his face, and he wore a look now that no one had seen on his face before. Chloe took an involuntary step back. "I'm only going to say this once, Chloe, so pay attention. I am not now, nor have I ever been, more than your friend. If ever you insult my girlfriend again, then I will not even be that. I have put up with your nonsense for long enough. It ends now. Have I made myself clear?"

"B-but, Adrikins—"

"My name is Adrien, Chloe. Not 'Adrikins'. As long as we've known each other, and as many time as I've asked you not to call me that, I can't help wondering why you still do." He sidestepped the blonde, tugging a stunned Marinette along with him.

Nino was grinning from ear to ear, and Alya was practically vibrating with excitement when they reached them. "That. Was. Amazing!" She waved her phone in excitement. "I wasn't fast enough to get a video, but I got an awesome shot of her face!"

"Adrien, bro, I didn't know you had it in you!"

"She's had that coming for a long time." He shrugged uncomfortably, and rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. "I probably shouldn't have shut her down publicly, but I kind of lost it. I just hope she doesn't take it out on someone else."

"You know she will." Marinette frowned at where Chloe was now ranting to Sabrina. "Alya, don't post that picture. It would just make things worse."

"Ugh, girl, you are no fun!"

Marinette smirked. "You can send it to me. I might not want to humiliate her further, but I'm not above gloating privately."

The four of them laughed, and headed in to class together.


By the time that the last bell rang that morning, the news that Adrien Agreste had claimed Marinette as his girlfriend had made it through their whole class. By lunch time, it was all over the school. Adrien was used to the scrutiny, but Marinette was not. She had acquired instant celebrity status, and everyone, absolutely everyone, suddenly wanted to talk to her. Some just wanted to meet the girl who had not only turned the head of the most popular guy in the school, but had done so in such a way as to inspire him to take on Chloe Bourgeois. Others wanted to ask obnoxiously intrusive questions, and still others found it necessary to challenge whether she "deserved" to be with him.

When lunch did roll around, it was a relief to escape to the nearby park for a picnic. A few other students had ventured out that way as well, but none of them were brave enough to disregard three unwelcoming glares to get to her. After the third first-year student abruptly redirected her steps, Adrien threw down his napkin, and looked at Marinette sheepishly. "I'm so sorry, Mari. I didn't realize that this would put you in the lime light."

Marinette surprised him by laughing. "It's not your fault, and the novelty will wear off soon. Besides…" She darted a look at Nino and Alya, and blushed. "It's worth it."

Alya grinned. "You guys are going to give me a toothache."

Nino rolled his eyes. "Quit acting like you're not eating this up." He turned to Adrien. "She's been trying to get you two together for more than two years now."

"Guilty," Alya returned, smirking.

"That's funny, you don't look terribly guilty." Nino deadpanned.

Marinette laughed. "She said 'guilty', not 'remorseful'."

"Well, it worked didn't it? We left you alone last night, and boom! Here you are."

The new couple shared a smile. "Actually, no," Adrien said, looking at Alya teasingly. "I was determined to see her alone regardless, even if I had to go back incognito. You just made it easy for me."

"Why you, ungrateful little—ugh!"

Nino groaned. "Come on man, couldn't you just let her have it?"

"What happened to wanting to stay on her good side?"

Adrien lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, a devilish glint in his eye. "My lady will protect me."

"Not if you go around waving red flags in front of bulls, you ridiculous cat," she returned, blushing at the heat in his gaze.

Alya frowned. "I don't think I appreciate that comparison."

The others just laughed.


In the still, quiet room, two people slept, but neither slept well. One was curled uncomfortably in a cheap recliner, the thin hospital blanket doing little to warm her. The other lay stretched on the bed, his young body struggling to function in spite of the terrible trauma it had experienced. His body fought, but ultimately, it failed. His heart staggered, and his lungs ceased to draw breath.

A shrill alarm sounded in the room, and in the nurses' station. Elodie was startled awake by the sound, but her sleep-deprived brain couldn't process what was happening. She watched, bewildered, as the hospital staff flooded into the room, and then with growing horror as her mind began to make sense of what she saw. She shrieked, an inhuman sound of raw grief, and lunged for the bed, desperate to hold her child. One of the nurses grabbed her and hauled her back, but she was not to be deterred. Another nurse came into the room, and together, the two hauled the still-shrieking woman out of the room.


Marinette's body ached horribly, Chloe's voice had been even more shrill than usual, and Mme. Mendeleiev was in the process of handing out a brutal homework assignment, but none of it could put a damper on her mood. Adrien had taken up permanent residence in the seat beside her, and had been in almost constant contact with her all day. At that moment, he seemed to be dutifully taking notes, but under their desk he'd hooked his ankle around hers and was absently rubbing the side of his foot against hers. There was nothing terribly intimate about it; they were both wearing shoes after all. But he couldn't seem to stop touching her, and it was adorable.

Chat had always been openly affectionate with her, and she'd grown comfortable with it over the years. They would sometimes find a perch after patrol, and sit draped over one another while they talked. She'd discovered that he loved for her to gently scratch his scalp and play with his hair, and further, that she enjoyed doing it. It was relaxing for both of them. It was a normal part of their interactions, and she no longer thought twice about it. But she'd never seen Adrien interact like that with anyone. Chloe would try to hang on him, but he'd always looked so uncomfortable until he was able to disengage himself that Marinette had never even tried. She hadn't wanted to invade his space.

As it turned out, though, Adrien was just as affectionate as Chat. Of course he was also affectionate, they were the same person! Marinette giggled, and Adrien looked at her curiously. "Tell you later," she mouthed to him silently, with a nod to their sour-tempered teacher. He nodded and returned his attention to his notes.

She studied his profile, and felt her smile fade. It made a lot of sense, actually. Knowing what she did about Adrien's home life, she was certain that simple human contact was something that he didn't often experience. It was something that she took for granted: her mother's habit of kissing her forehead every time she walked by her at the table, her father's tendency to tug on one of her pig tails whenever he said goodbye, hugs, snuggling on the couch in front of the TV… It was a regular part of her life, but it was apparently something that Adrien had enjoyed only as Chat, and only with her.

Now that they'd found each other, the habit had bled over into their civilian lives. Over the course of the day, if he hadn't been holding her hand, he'd found some other way to touch her. A hand at the small of her back while they walked, a leg pressed against hers, an arm across the back of her chair as they listened to a lecture…an ankle hooked around hers. Each little touch had thrilled her, and after a whole day of it, she was wound tight.

She'd given up on paying attention about an hour earlier. Thank goodness that Adrien had been taking notes, because she hadn't been able to focus at all even before she gave up on it. She glanced anxiously at the clock for the umpteenth time, and saw that her wait was almost over.

Finally!