This was a tough chapter to write. And sorry it took so long. Life got in the way. By the way, can y'all believe we are halfway though 20 Questions?

Do I own MLB? nope.

Chapter 10

Adrien stared at the projection. He eventually sighed and pretended to scribble a note, instead taking the moment to move his head and glance at Marinette. "How does she look more beautiful every day?" he wondered. He went on to ignore the baffling lecture and doodled instead.

Marinette stressed as she scrawled a quick answer to her physics assignment. She knew magnetic fields had a formula, but she couldn't figure out what to do with the current. She knew she should be paying attention to the lecture, but she wasn't struggling in her fashion class.

She casually turned to Adrien and whispered,"what do I do with the amps?" Marinete held out her notebook and gestured to the incomplete formula.

"Multiply by the current," he breathed, smitten by her beauty. It had seemed to grow tenfold since he had last dared to glance at her.

"Thanks, Monsieur Model".

"Sure, Fashionista. We need to get together... f-for a study date, n-n-no, I mean for study time," Adrien stuttered.

"Wow, I am crushing on her bad," Adrien realized.

"Yeah! That would be great, Adrien. How about tonight?" she agreed, not seeming to notice the reversal of roles.

"That would be perfect," he said as the professor droned on.

"Then you could help me understand what we've been talking about today," he added.

Marinette started to lean towards his desk, "well it looks like you have been diligently taking notes. What do you have so far?"

As she moved within range of his notebook, Adrien hurriedly slapped it closed, the unexpected noise and motion causing her to fall out of her chair. He managed to slide out of his seat and catch her.

Marinette stared into his eyes, wishing this moment had been a few months prior, so she could savor his hands gently balancing her hips and back, his face only inches from hers.

"Kiss him," a voice in her mind whispered.

"No, you don't need a man in your life," a second offered.

"What about Chat?" A final thought appeared.

However her thoughts were interrupted as the whole ruckus caused the class to focus on the pair, staring intently on the interaction. The professor eventually noticed and turned around.

"Excuse me, is there a problem?" She asked, as Adrien gently let go of Marinette.

"No," they said in unison and sat down.

The professor continued, refusing to let an outburst take any more of her time.

Adrien sighed. That was embarrassing, but it would have been way worse if Marinette had seen what he had been drawing.

"Sorry," he said, without offering an explanation.

Marinette wasn't going to let him get away with that. "Why did you do that?" she probed.

"Um... uh... this is embarrassing, I was sketching Chat Noir fan art," he confessed, which was technically true.

Marinette smiled. "Well, he is pretty gallant. I didn't know you drew? You'll have to show me your work. Please?"

As Marinette spoke, Adrien glowed at the praise to her alter ego, then grimaced as she asked to see his art.

"I-I dunno," he said, tearing the page out of the notebook and tucking it in his backpack.

Marinette noticed the action. Her curiousity was now piqued.

"One way or another, I will see it," she declared, loud enough for only Adrien to hear.

"I dare you to try and steal my backpack in a class full of people," he smiled.

She eventually turned back to the lesson, smiling as the professor explained one of her favorite styles. She would see that note.

An hour later class ended. The duo stuck around to solidify their plans.

"So does 19:00 at my place again work?"

"Yeah, I'll be there".

LATER-

Adrien showed up at Marinette's five minutes late, but that is what she expected.

As she opened the door, Alya smiled.

"Come on Nino, let's give them some privacy," she said, dragging her fiancé behind her. The boys waved to each other as Adrien entered and Nino departed.

"Alya, you know Adrien and I are just friends!" Marinette shouted before Alya closed the door.

"Ouch," Adrien thought regretfully,"I can't believe I ever said that to her".

This time, without a meal to cumber them, the pair began their studies.

Subjects like field lines and voltage came up as Marinette tried to understand the pointlessness of physics.

Adrien returned the frustration with questions about hems and lace.

Eventually both parties felt they had reviewed enough to call themselves prepared for their exams (or as prepared as any student can be).

"So Marinette, wanna watch something?"

Marinette looked at the model, and nodded halfheartedly.

They settled down on the couch, though this time Marinette made sure there was a space between them.

When she wasn't looking, Adrien frowned. He was used to being close to her, and the sudden distance left him to wonder possible meanings.

"Did I not shower? Maybe I stink? No, I showered right before I left".

"Maybe she just wants to be alone? But then again, Marinette wouldn't have invited me over or agreed to a tv show if that were the case"

"Maybe she fell in love with Nino and the idea of his best friend just reminds her of what she can't have?"

Adrien didn't even bother to give that last thought a response.

Then a glimmer of hope appeared in his mind.

"Does she have feelings for Chat?"

Adrien knew it would explain her reluctance to be near him as Adrien, but he still wasn't sure. He would have to test it out.

As the episode ended, Adrien thanked her for her help and gave her a friendly hug.

"Oh, you forgot your backpack," she said picking it up.

It was at that moment Adrien saw the one thing he never thought he would happen.

Marinette grabbed his backpack, but instead of handing it to him, she opened the small side pocket and produced a folded paper.

"Noooo!" He shouted, grabbing her elbow.

She quickly moved the treasure to her other hand as he pulled the first hand towards himself.

"I need that," he cried.

"I'll return it in a second," she responded, laughing.

As the simple paper grab neared the intensity of a wrestling match, Marinette managed to open the note with a single hand.

The room went silent.

Adrien stared at her intensely.

As she stared at it, she smiled.

"This is pretty cute," she said, holding the doodle of Chat and Marinette in a deep kiss,"though you didn't finish Ladybug. Her mask and spots are still missing".

Adrien smiled, glad she had (somehow) mistaken herself for Ladybug.

"Yeah, your interruption stopped me from finishing it" he lied.

Adrien sighed, "All is well. Marinette doesn't know I'm Chat Noir. Or that I have a crush on her, and she doesn't think I am some creepy weirdo who draws pictures of his friends kissing random superheroes".

As soon as he was out of the room, rucksack in hand, he decided to contact his lifeline.

To: LB (he had changed it again)

From: Chat

Hey LB. Question time, if you are free.

Let's hear it kitty.I mean: Let's "see" it kitty ;)

Much better response. Ok my question is:Is you job your passion? I mean to ask if it make you feel fulfilled.

Marinette smiled. Even when Chat thought he had no chance with Ladybug, he still wanted to be nice. He was even throwing away a question he could use to find out her identity to get to know her better. She answered.

No. I love my job, but there is a career I can imagine myself doing which makes my heart pump. I can see myelf traveling the world in the process, making the world more beautiful, and reaching my own potential.

Wow. That is a deep answer. Whatever it is, I bet you are good at it, and I am sure you will make a great one.

Also, can I ask you for some girl advice?

Marinette could feel her heart ready to explode.

Yes.

So there is this girl I like. Like more than a friend. But I don't think she sees me that way. What can I do?

Marinette's heart sank. She was obviously very interested in Chat, so he was either referring to a different girl or seriously blind to her feelings.

"And I doubt that I could want two oblivious guys in a row, after all the world has only got so many of them".

Marinette considered how to respond. She didn't want to push him into another girl's arms, but she also didn't want to betray his trust by suggesting Marinette.

Follow your heart. Maybe she is the right one, maybe another girl is. If you think you should see her, go ahead visit tonight. Maybe you would rather visit a friend tonight, then do that. Chat you have no clue how smart you are. If you have a gut feeling, listen to it.

LB, you are my hero ;) but really, thank you. That helped me decide :)

I am glad Chat :)

As Adrien received the text, he walked around the hall a few times. He gathered his courage. He reminded himself of how awesome he was.

"Any girl would be lucky to have me," he whispered.

"Except girls who get their heart broken by you," Plagg said.

"Wait, you think I shouldn't visit Marinette?"

Plagg smiled. He was glad his miraculous holder from the 1970's had taught him about reverse psychology.

"Well not necessarily that you shouldn't. Just that you are too scared to," the Kwami teased.

Before he could add another taunt or jeer, Adrien sprang into action.

"Plagg, claws out!"

Marinette smiled as she heard the scratch. She wasn't sure if Chat was here to see her as his crush or his friend, but right now she didn't care.

Marinette yanked her comforter off her bed and ran up the stairway to the roof. Her hands trembled as she fiddled with the lock. As she opened the door, Chat stood ready, though he wasn't ready for what happened next.

The pair soon found themselves on the ground as Marinette tackled her lovely Kitty in a bear hug.

"I am glad to see you," she breathed, squeezing herself to his body.

"You too purrincess, though my diaphragm is less than enthused".

She let go as he squeaked out the last words.

"What got into me?" She wondered,"maybe it was fighting Adrien for his picture? Yeah, I jsut have leftover adrenaline"

"So, would you like to snuggle up and watch a movie?" The cat suggested.

"Yes," she unhesitatingly answered.

The pair curled on the bench and watched a movie that they had agreed sounded interesting.

"Sir Galance, you saved me. Perhaps I could express my appreciation wirh a kiss?"

Chat begged himself to mimic the line, but he was frozen in place, a beautiful angel resting her head against his leg.

"You found me my prince!" The couple embraced, though it also turned into a rather passionate kiss.

"Please for the love of all that is important to me, kiss her!" The hero screamed to himself.

Here was his very own princess. All he had to do was let her know he was interested in her. They were even watching a romantic film, with plenty of opportunities for him to bring up a display of affection.

"Why can't I do it?" He wondered, "maybe I am scared to get rejected again?"

As the movie progressed, Chat finally forced himself to do something. Anything.

He began to run his claws through Marinette's dark, gorgeous hair. His blades came together like a comb, gently brushing her hair.

Marinette stared at the screen, but mentally screamed! Chat was brushing her hair. She smiled as an idea came to her mind.

"Purrrr," the alveolar trill echoed into the air.

Chat had started an elegant fishtail braid, but suddenly stopped.

"Marinette," he asked, smiling,"did you just purr?"

His purrincess smiled, and shrugged.

"Maybe".