Cat arrived at the baker.

"Marinette? Marinette are you here?"

Just as he was about to give up and turn away, she opened up the window, eyes swollen, and cheeks bright red.

"Marinette! Are you okay?

Cat quickly leapt into her room and wrapped her arms around her. They both collapsed to their knees while Marinette cried into Cat's chest, letting him play with her hair in an attempt to comfort her.

The two sat in silence, allowing Marinette to calm down. He didn't try to pressure her into telling him what was wrong, but he wasn't going to let go until he knew she was okay.

"Cat." She coughed

He said nothing but instead tightened his grip slightly and put his face in her hair, taking in her sent before releasing her.

"Why did you come here?"

"I needed to make sure you were okay."

"But Why? What about Ladybug?"

"She is strong, she can handle herself. I nee-"

"You left her alone! Couldn't you see she was broken?! She needed you!"

"And how would you know how she feels?" He spoke calmly as to not upset Marinette as he had done the day before. He didn't dare lose her again. However, she remained silent for a while and responded with a very shaky voice. He could tell she was still on the verge of tears again.

"She came to me before she went to look for you."

"Ladybug was here?"

"She's always here."

"How comes I've never seen her while I've been visiting you."

"She's seen you."

"What?"

"None of that is important! What is important is that you abandoned your partner when she needed you most."

"Look, I've already lost someone I care about today. I'm not going to let myself lose you again!"

"Again?"

"I mean... Urrg... Marinette, there is something I want to show you. I have been lying to you for too long!"

As cat reached for his ring, she quickly grabbed his hand to stop and looked in to his slowly swelling eyes.

"You don't need to show me. You haven't been lying, you've been protecting."

"I can't even protect the girl I love..."

"I don't know about that but you've been protecting me by hiding your identity. If I knew, it could put us both at risk. What if Hawkmoth found out!"

"When I was with Ladybug today, she was acting really strange. She wanted to show me her identity. I couldn't let her. I could tell she was speaking out of weakness."

"It's what she wanted."

"No it's not. She couldn't see the point in trying to hide anymore. Out of her pain, she was speaking in - in claws! It's not what she wanted at all. Up until now she had felt that our identities were worth protecting."

"Maybe she was just scared. All this time she felt she worthy. Maybe she felt that you would reject her when you found out who she really was." Marinette began to cry again. "And what if she didn't like who you was."

"Are you crazy? I wanted to know that girl so that I could learn to love her rather than a mask."

"But if she wasn't Ladybug, would you have fallen in love with that girl."

"I..." Cat Noir looked down. It was true; if he knew Ladybug's civilian form but that girl wasn't Ladybug, he may not love her because he would love who ever Ladybug actually was. No! She's wrong!

"I love ladybug because of the girl underneath! If she was someone else, it would be impossible for me to love her!"

"But would you?"

Cat snapped.

"Who are you to question the way I feel! While I cant forget her, I am in love with you! So what does it matter who Ladybug is?! I thought you of all people understood how I felt!"

"YOU DON'T LOVE ME! YOU LOVE LADYBUG!" Once again Marinette became lost in her tears. She started coughing and sputtering as she struggled for breath.

"Marinette... I- I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I've put you through the past few days. I really do need you Marinette, even just as my friend. I know you love Adrien so I wont pressure into loving me."

He didn't speak anymore that night. He laid her in her bed and slept beside her with his arms wrapped around her. This girl drove him crazy, to point he was going to put his life at risk. He would have to explain to her today that he loved her in school today as Adrien. Even if everyone saw him admitting his emotions! Although he didn't need to worry about her not loving him, he still had a lot of work to do for her to forgive him before she would agree to be his.

A/N Sorry this took so long. I've been having to go over this chapter so many times. It was a lot longer but it just cheesy. I had to cut a lot out as it dragged out a bit and at this point it is becoming slightly difficult for me to continue the plot without revealing their identities or being similar to other fan fictions I've read. I am trying to keep this as original as possible and I promise you wont have to wait as long for chapter 12 :) I just have to go through it to make sure there is no spelling mistakes as well as making sure the plot makes sense xD

Also, you have no idea how much I appreciate the support from you guys :) Almost 70 Followers in just under a month! That is like mind blowing for me xD And your lovely reviews... It really encourages me to continue writing :') Just THANK YOU!