A/N: So this chapter was super difficult to write. I'm not sure why, but I just couldn't get into the characters at first, so I hope everyone enjoys it becausr i went over it like a million times. Lol.

Also, thank you so much for all the reviews! Last chapter had the most reviews ever I think. Also this story is now at 174 followers and I am so freaking excited! Thank you!

Stardust3: ~*O*~

lonelybutterfly95: yes! Much excitement is coming!

Guest: No worries! Reveals are coming!

Mayuralover: akumatizations are coming! I'm a little nervous yo write one though. So we will see how it goes.

funkyfandom: so, marichat isn't in this chapter but i promise its coming soon.

Lizzie: yes! I was so thrilled for this twist, although I think it may be going different than expected.

Rose Tiger: I know, right? :)

Glimare: Some big stuff is coming! Secret identities can't last forever.;)

YuxFum: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

Black neko hime: Yeah, my sister helped me come up with the stuff about the Agreste family. There is more to be seen about that. As for Lindsey, well you will see.

TheAfroCircus: Don't worry. Someone will take care of the reporter girl.

Thanks again! Enjoy!

~marauderluverz


Chapter 11: To Give You All That Your Heart Needs the Most

Marinette couldn't quite shake the feeling that someone was watching her. It had started the moment she left the bakery. When she reached her first class, she decided it was her imagination and tried to relax, but as soon as she left the classroom, it started again. During break, while talking with the other girls from her class, she had heard the familiar sound of a camera clicking. She spun around searching for the source of the noise but found nothing.

"Hey, girl. Are you okay? You seem really jumpy?" Alya asked as they settled in for history class.

Marinette nodded. "I just get this weird feeling like someone's been following me." She shivered involuntarily.

Alya raised her eyebrows. "Like a stalker? Ooh, girl you always have the crazy things happening."

Marinette smacked her arm. "Shut up." She decided to push the paranoia out of her mind and accept that everything was normal.

Halfway through class, Marinette regretted downing so much water during break. She raised her hand and then excused herself to the restroom. On the walk there, she began to feel antsy again, glancing over her shoulder frequently. What the hell is going on? She wondered as she stepped into a stall to relieve herself. Calm down, Marinette. Its probably nothing. You're just feeling the stares because of everyone finding out about you and Adrien. She sighed. That was right, she still had to talk to him.

When she had finished and was in the midst of washing her hands, she glanced up at her reflection and spotted an older girl with long red hair behind her. "Can I help you?" Marinette asked warily, seeing that the girl was staring at her.

The girl took a step forward, readying a small recorder. "Actually, you can. Marinette, I needed to ask you some questions about you and your boyfriend."

Marinette put on her most "Ladybug" look, lifting her chin as she spoke. "I am not answering any questions for any reporters. Even if they do corner me in the girls' room." She looked the girl over, sizing her up. The girl was taller than Marinette by at least three inches but didn't look very muscular. She could probably take her if needed.

The reporter rolled her eyes. "C'mon, Marinette. This is your chance to tell your side of the story. To tell it to someone who actually cares enough to talk to you instead of him. My name is Lindsey." She held out a hand to Marinette.

Marinette scoffed at the gesture. She was insulted that this Lindsey thought flattery would win her over. "I know why you're talking to me. You're talking to me because Adrien's father has forbid anyone from talking to him about anything." She took a step towards the door. "And I am not interested in telling 'my side of the story'."

Lindsey grabbed the younger girl's shoulder. "Wait. You don't understand. It is really important that I get this interview, my whole career depends on it."

Marinette shook off her hand, realizing the girl was stronger than she looked. Probably not smart to fight. The last thing I need is to get injured. "I don't care. I told you I am not interested." She moved to take another step towards the exit but Lindsey quickly blocked her, shoving the recorder in her face.

"Just a few questions. Like when did you and Adrien start dating?"

Marinette took a step back, "I told you I'm not-"

Lindsey huffed loudly. "Fine. What do you guys plan on doing with the baby?"

"Go away!" Marinette could feel her irritation growing. She had dealt with pushy reporters as Ladybug, but this time there was no magic yo-yo to help her escape. Her eyes roamed the room, wishing something useful would jump out to her in red and black.

"Is it true that the Agreste's are paying you to keep quiet and pretend the baby isn't Adrien's?"

"Stop it!" Tears flooded Marinette's eyes. Tears of anger that someone would even suggest such an idea and of fear that someone might actually print such a lie. She was beginning to feel panic set in that she wouldn't be able to get away from this girl. She's just going to keep interrogating me. She swallowed back a sob, determined not to cry. Before Lindsey could spout out another question, the bathroom door banged open.


~a few minutes earlier~

Alya looked at her phone, checking the time since Marinette had left the classroom. Where is that girl? She caught sight of Adrien fidgeting in his seat a desk away to the left. He turned and his eyes widened in surprise as he realized Alya was already watching him.

"Alya, do you think Marinette's okay? Maybe you should go check on her," he whispered.

She nodded. "Already on it." Her hand shot in the air. "Excuse me! May I be excused to the restroom?"

The teacher told her to hurry back and soon Alya was free of the classroom. As she walked down the hall, her mind wandered back to their conversation the previous day. I never thought I'd see the day when Marinette would turn down marrying Adrien Agreste, but maybe it's for the best.

She had made it to the outside of the bathroom door, when she heard Marinette's panicked voice from inside yell, "Go away!"

It took all of half a second for the Alya to throw the bathroom door open. Inside, she saw Marinette looking tiny in comparison to the taller redheaded girl standing over her. A recorder was held in front of Marinette's face. Both girls looked up at her entrance.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Alya yelled, stomping forward. She shoved herself in front of Marinette while simultaneously forcing the other girl back.

Lindsey quickly regained her composure. "I am just trying to get an interview. The world wants to know about Adrien Agreste's love child."

Alya rolled her eyes. "That information is not anyone's business except for the people directly involved. And you have no right to be harassing my best friend." She looked the girl over then her eyes widened. "Wait, a minute. I know you. You run Stargazer. That stupid blog of desperate news stories. The ones that are full of exaggerated half-truths that always ruin people's lives. That kind of news belongs right in the garbage, along with anyone horrible enough to write it."

Lindsey looked as though she had been slapped. "What would you know? You're just a dumb kid! You don't know how hard it is to make a name for yourself!"

Alya laughed out loud at that. "You think I don't know how hard it is? I have worked my ass off to make my blog the most successful Ladybug and Chat Noir blog in the world. The Ladyblog would not be as popular as it is today without my hard work. So, don't sully the name of good journalism with your crappy idea of what it takes to make it." Alya stepped forward and grabbed the recorder from the girl's hand. "If you think this is what it takes to 'make it.' Then you don't deserve to be called a reporter." She threw the device to the ground and it landed with a resounding crack.

Lindsey dropped to the ground trying to check if it still worked. As she did so, Alya pulled Marinette from the bathroom, leading her a few halls away before stopping. She placed her hands on the shorter girl's arms.

"Are you okay?" Alya asked.

Marinette stared up at her, eyes still red from her earlier crying. She nodded and threw her arms around Alya in a tight hug. "Thank you, Alya. I tried to get away but I just panicked."

"No worries, girl. It's hard to know what to do sometimes when dealing with jerks like that." She ruffled Marinette's hair, then grabbed her hand again. "Let's get back to class. Adrien was really worried about you." I was really worried about you.

Marinette blinked up at her. "He was?"

A laugh came from the bespectacled girl, "Of course! You are his girlfriend after all."

Marinette felt worry course through her. She still hadn't talked to Adrien about her decision to not go through with marrying him right now. She wanted to be with Adrien, but not like this. A part of her in the back of her head told her that maybe she felt this way because she hadn't told Chat about the baby yet. Maybe it's time to stop acting scared and just tell him. I'll have to figure out how to get in contact with him after school.

Just as they reached the classroom, the bell rang signaling the end of class. Alya pulled them through the crowd and into the room where they found Nino and Adrien waiting by their desk.

"Everything okay, Marinette?" Adrien asked. His eyes moved over her body, as though checking to make sure she was unharmed.

She nodded. "There was just someone trying to interview me. Alya took care of it."

Alya looked smug as she opened her mouth to retell the story, when there was a loud crash a few halls away.

Alya's eyes met Adrien's. "Akuma." Adrien checked out the classroom door. "Nothing here yet. Let's go."

He scooped up Marinette's school bag, and grabbed hold of her hand, leading her out into the hall. In the halls, students were running and screaming. It had been a while since an akuma attack had happened inside of the school. Marinette could feel her pulse in her ears as they hurried down the hall.

Just as the four teens rounded a corner, there was a blast of smoke and debris as a wall crumbled. Adrien quickly backtracked before helping them all inside of a supply room.

"Is everyone okay?" he asked.

Marinette looked up at him in the dim light, eyes wide in fear. She opened her mouth to respond but found she didn't have the words. What do we do? What do I do?

"What's the plan, Dude?" Nino asked, watching Adrien expectantly.

"Um, well," he peered out through a crack in the door. "It looks like the akuma may have gone the other direction, so, I'll go check for a way out." He looked at his friends with a serious expression. "I'm trusting you two to keep Marinette safe. I'll be back as quickly as I can but get out if something happens."

His eyes came to rest on Marinette momentarily and he gave her hand a small squeeze. "It'll be okay," he said softly.

Once Adrien had left, Nino made sure to secure the door behind him. He turned back to the two girls and gave them a nervous smile. "Well, Adrien will probably be back soon, so we can just chill." He grabbed a step ladder that was leaning against the wall and set it up in front of Marinette. "Why don't you sit down, Mari?" he offered.

Marinette sunk into the seat with a silent nod. Her mind was filled with too many thoughts. If I'm in here, how can I help Chat with the akuma?

She felt a hand pat her shoulder and looked up to see Alya's warm hazel eyes watching her. "Don't worry, girl. I'm sure your boyfriend will find us a way out."

Marinette felt her stomach clench because she knew the truth. She knew that even if Chat made it there, he couldn't purify the akuma or fix the damages. Not without Ladybug. And she also knew that she couldn't go out there. The very idea of exposing her child to that kind of danger made her feel like vomiting or passing out.

Nino nodded in response to something Alya had said, Marinette's hearing tuned in and out of their conversation. A discussion that felt far too light considering the current situation.

"Yeah, and it shouldn't be long before our heroes show up," Nino replied. "Any updates on the Ladyblog?"

Alya pulled out her phone and scrolled through it. Marinette stared at the bright light of the phone. If something happened that hurt the baby, she really wasn't sure if she could fix it. Even with her Ladybug Cure.

"Somebody posted a photo. Chat Noir just arrived. It looks like the akuma is called…" she scrolled through several comments, "Madame Truth."

"I wonder what her deal is," Nino muttered.

Alya glanced at Marinette before answering. "Actually, I think I caused this one."

"You?" Nino questioned, then he shook his head. "Never mind. Doesn't matter right now. Ladybug will be there soon and take care of it."

Marinette felt sick. She didn't know what options she had. This was an impossible situation. Her voice came out stronger than she had expected when she spoke next. "Ladybug isn't coming."

Alya raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? Of course, Ladybug is coming. Why wouldn't she be?"

Marinette glanced between her friends. Her protectors. How were they supposed to protect her? Didn't they know that was her job?

"Because if she goes out there now, who knows what the akuma could do to her. Who knows what she could lose?" her arms wrapped tightly around her middle. "What if she can't fix it?"

Alya stared at her friend for several long moments. She took a step back. "Marinette?" she asked. Her eyes roamed over Marinette for several long seconds before she covered her mouth with her hand. "You- You're Ladybug?"

Marinette could only nod. Any sense of secret identities had flown out the window the moment she realized she was too afraid to fight an akuma. She couldn't go out there, yo-yo blazing and jump around buildings with a baby to worry about. This was someone else's life. Her child's life. And now Chat was out there fighting alone.

Tears sprung to her eyes. "Alya, what do I do? I can't go out there. What if I get hit? What if I can't fix it this time?"

Alya glanced at Nino before turning back to her best friend. She had never seen her friend so scared. Ladybug is scared. How are we going to fix everything without her? Well, maybe Chat could capture the akuma and bring it to her? No, akumas can go straight through solid objects. What we need is Ladybug. But how?

Nino stepped forward and put a hand on Marinette's shoulder. "It'll be all right, Marinette. I'm sure we can figure something out." He sighed. "It's too bad someone else can't be Ladybug."

A gear clicked into place in Alya's mind. Because as much as she wanted to fangirl over the fact that her best friend was Ladybug, she knew right now she had to put that aside. She swallowed down any doubts or fears and held out her hand towards Marinette.

"I can do it. I can be Ladybug."

Marinette's blue eyes widened and she shook her head. "No, Alya. I can't let you do that. It's too dangerous."

Alya rolled her eyes. "Come on, girl! It wasn't too dangerous when you asked me to be Rena Rouge, so why can't I be Ladybug?"

Marinette looked uncertain.

"Yeah, Marinette. She's right. If you can trust anyone to be Ladybug for you, it would be Rena- wait. What?" Nino turned to look at Alya. "You- you're Rena Rouge?" He groaned, covering his face with a hand. "So, are all the girls in class super heroes?"

Alya laughed, a welcome relief in the tense situation. "But really, Marinette. If anyone aside from you can do it, don't you trust me?"

Marinette reached down and opened her purse. "Tikki, what do you think?"

Tikki flew out of the purse. "All I can tell you is that we both know that you can't be Ladybug right now. Maybe not for some time. And we do need a Ladybug." She looked at Alya with a smile. "I trust her to be Rena, and to be Ladybug. But the decision is yours, Marinette."

Marinette gave Alya a watery smile. "Of course, I trust you, Alya. You're my best friend." She unhooked the earrings from her ears and passed them to Alya. "Take out the akuma as quickly as possible. And please, be careful."

Alya nodded, a determined look on her face. "I will make you proud. Now how do I power up?"

Tikki looked at her. "Just say 'Spots on.'"

"Tikki, spots on!"

A flash of pink covered Alya and moments later, Ladybug stood in her place. Nino stared at her in a stunned silence. "Woah. You look different, but my mind is telling me nothing's changed. Like, I only know you're different because it's you. But it doesn't seem weird."

Alya grinned. "Must be the magic of the miraculous. Wish me luck!" She hurried out of the room, yo-yo at the ready.

After the door closed behind her, Nino crouched next to Marinette. "You know Alya can handle this, right?" he asked gently.

Marinette nodded. "I know she can. I'm just hoping there's no issues with her and Chat."

Nino's eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "Why would there be issues?"

Marinette closed her eyes. I guess if he already knows everything else, no point in keeping this a secret too. She opened her eyes again, taking a breath. "Because, Adrien isn't the father of my baby."