Less than an hour later, they were dressed in their normal clothes and on the train heading south out of Paris. Marinette turned to Adrien as they settled themselves, along with Tikki and Plagg, into their chairs.

"So? What did Nathalie want? Back at your house?"

Adrien proceeded to fill her in about his mother, the meeting with the lawyers, and Nathalie's concern about their relationship. Marinette sighed.

"We should have known people might think it was suspicious how quickly we took to each other. Come to think of it, I still haven't told Alya and Nino. I'm going to get an earful from Alya when I do, I know that much."

Adrien nodded, but let the subject drop as he remembered something else.

"Hey Mari, do you think it would be possible to move my piano to your place?"

Marinette remembered the enormous baby grand in his room.

"Um…I think it might be a little large for my house. Like, we could have the piano or the other living room furniture, but not both." She paused, thinking. "Anyway, how would we get it up all the stairs?"

"Maybe crane-lift it in through a window?" Adrien suggested. "You know, like they do in old movies sometimes."

Marinette laughed. "Yeah, right before the piano falls on someone and they get flattened like a crepe." Adrien snorted at the mental image, then stared at the ceiling, trying to find a solution. "Maybe…I had Nathalie give me all the information for my financial accounts. I probably have enough from modeling as a teenager to be able to buy a smaller one. An upright, maybe. That would fit better in your house, and we'd be more likely to be able to get it up the stairs."

Marinette looked at him doubtfully, but relented. "If it means that much to you, of course we can see about getting you a piano." Adrien grinned, pulling her into his side in a hug as his smile lit up the entire space around them.

"Thanks, Mari. I didn't know how much I missed it until the other day. It seems to be a good way to help me relax and calm down." Marinette smiled at his obvious joy.

"You're welcome, Kitty."

They lapsed into silence for a while, then Adrien pulled out his phone and some earbuds, handing one to Mari as she looked at him questioningly.

Cover for if one or both of us zones out while we're doing mind power stuff, he thought to her.

He waited to hear her answer him back mentally, but nothing happened.

Did you try to telepathically send me an answer already? He asked. She nodded, brow furrowed. He could feel her disappointment.

He sighed mentally. Great. Just when we thought we were getting the hang of this… He, pulled her tighter into his side. I'm going to try the memory thing again. Hold on. He concentrated, trying his method of a wave pushing the memory towards Marinette. Her brow furrowed, then she looked up at him and shook her head.

"Same as before," she whispered.

He sighed. Do you have your notebook? He asked. When she nodded, he continued. You can write your answers to me. Or we can use my phone, whatever you'd like. She quickly pulled out her notebook and a pink gel pen. He mentally sighed. Well, Milady, what do you make of this? Apparently I can reach you with words, but you can't answer back, and you can reach me with memories, but I can only send you a single image. The question is, why? He sat back as both of them pondered this predicament. Then Marinette began to write.

Maybe it's like…a new power or something? She suggested. It's different because it has something to do with our suits. Like Cataclysm or Lucky Charm.

He felt like they might be getting closer, but it didn't quite make sense. Something she said was niggling the back of his mind…But we could both do the emotion sensing thing, he pointed out.

That could be explained though. We both have extra strength when in costume, she wrote with a shrug.

He still felt like he was missing something. Cataclysm and Lucky Charm…he mused. Wait. Mari, what happens when you use your Lucky Charm? You get an object, and then what?

She looked at him curiously. Well, then I have to figure out how to use the object, she wrote.

How? He asked. How do you figure out what to do with it?

She wrote back, eyes shifting as she thought. I look around and…see… her mouth made a small 'o' shape. Things highlighted in my mind as I see them. Like…pictures.

His excitement spilled over. What if that's the answer? What if it's just a difference in how our minds work? Like with meditation? He turned to her, tapping her hand excitedly. Try something for me. I'm going to ask you a question that needs more than just a yes or no answer, and you try sending me a picture or series of pictures to answer. Ok?

She nodded. He smirked at her.

Ok. Where can I find a bezeor?

She rolled her eyes, but then pictures filled his mind of a stomach and a goat.

Nerding out much, Kitty? She wrote. He chuckled softly.

Let's try again. What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?

She had to cover her mouth to stifle her laughter. She sent him a picture of an equals sign.

Also known as?

An image of Professor Snape filled his mind. "…As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, also known as aconite. Well? Why aren't you all writing that down?!"

Adrien had to stuff his fist in his mouth to muffle his laughs this time. When he finally started to calm, Mari lost it, which broke his resolve. Soon they were holding their stomachs and gasping for breath, tears running down their faces as they struggled to get a hold of themselves. They finally calmed down, and Adrien offered Marinette a fist bump, which she happily returned, sending him a picture of balloons and confetti in celebration.

Yeah, we did it! Bien joue, Mari.

She rolled her eyes, thinking for a moment, before pulling her notebook toward her again. You did all the work, she wrote. Also, this communicating-with-pictures thing is harder than it looks.

He shot her a sympathetic look. Well, we can practice. It will get more natural the more we do this. They settled back in their seats and Adrien picked up his phone turning on a song. Marinette sent him a mental picture of Jagged Stone. Yeah, it's Jagged Stone.

Mari leaned her head against his shoulder and he set his cheek on top of her head, basking in their accomplishment as they silently continued their journey.

They finally arrived at a train station in the countryside near a small town called Chaintreaux. Marinette led Adrien to the platform where a large young man with a brown hair and a goatee waited for them.

"Marinette! Good to see you," he boomed. Marinette took Adrien's hand, pulling him behind her as she approached the man.

"It's nice to see you, too, Paul," she replied, giving him a brief hug. "Adrien, this is my uncle's son, Paul. My cousin." Adrien shook Paul's hand, before Paul gestured towards an old red truck behind him.

"Shall we go? Uncle Tom has been anxious to see you, Mari. It's been so long since your last visit."

Marinette looked regretful, throwing their things into the back before climbing into the front with Adrien. The cab was small, so she perched on his lap as the truck started to move. "Things have been awfully busy. I meant to come down, but I just couldn't get away. You know how it is."

Paul laughed. "Well, no, can't say that I do. Life around here is a slower pace," he added to Adrien, who was watching their exchange curiously. "The bustle of city life is a distant memory in a place like this."

Adrien watched the scenery go by outside the window as he realized how small the town really was. There were only a few buildings; some houses, a church, and a couple of small shops. They really were in the middle of nowhere. The buildings looked old, and several of them had ivy snaking up their aging facades.

They finally arrived at their destination, entering a sleepy-looking, vine-covered house behind Paul, who showed them to the main living room. Tom was sitting in an old armchair next to the window as he watched the birds who were flitting around a small bird feeder outside. Adrien felt Marinette's anguish wash through him as they looked at her father. His eyes were sad, his clothes fit poorly as though he'd lost a lot of weight in a short space of time, and his hair and mustache were scruffy, as though he hadn't cared to put any effort into his appearance.

Is this..Is he worse off than the last time you were here? Adrien asked tentatively.

Marinette responded with a whirling mental image of her last meeting with her father, during which he had not left his room. He took that to mean it was progress, but she was still sad to see her father this way.

"Papa," Marinette said softly, trying not to startle him. He jumped a little anyway, turning to look at her. When he met her eyes, she made her way towards him to give him a hug. Adrien saw Tom give a small smile as she reached him, throwing her arms around him. "I've missed you, Papa," she said, pulling back, but keeping hold of his hand. He didn't answer, but Marinette evidently didn't expect him to. Adrien noticed that Tom's green eyes were firmly focused on him. Marinette noticed, too, because she let go of Tom's hand and walked over to grab Adrien's instead, pulling him over to a small sofa with her.

"Papa, this is my boyfriend, Adrien," she said softly. Her father's eyes narrowed. Adrien gulped. "He's been helping me in the bakery," Marinette continued, either missing or ignoring the tense moment that the men were having. Probably ignoring, Adrien thought vaguely. He was sure that his nervousness was seeping through to her. "He has quite a bit of natural talent for baking, and he's helped me out of a few tight spots with large orders the last couple weeks."

Adrien's heart swelled as Marinette showed him off to her father. Tom's face relaxed minutely, before he opened his mouth. Adrien could feel Mari's shock rolling off of her in waves.

"Thank you for taking care of my little girl," he said quietly in a voice that sounded croaky from disuse. He extended his hand to shake Adrien's. "She's always been independent, but knowing she has someone she can count on makes all the difference to me. Thank you for being there for her."

Adrien took Tom's hand in relief. "Thank you, sir. I will do my best be good enough for her, but I know that's impossible." He threw an arm around Marinette's shoulders, looking at her in loving admiration. "Your daughter is someone very special," he added. "She deserves the very best."

Marinette poked his side, causing him to jump. "Ok, ok, enough," she said, clearly embarrassed.

The rest of their visit went smoothly. Marinette told stories with Adrien, while her father looked on. He didn't say much still, but they could both see a little more light in his face. Soon it was time for Paul to take them back to the station. Adrien could feel Marinette's joy as her father rose from his chair to engulf her, then Adrien, in a bone-crushing hug.

"Take care of her," Tom said seriously to Adrien as he released him.

Adrien nodded solemnly. "I will, sir. She is everything to me," he said sincerely.

"Good. And none of that, son. Tom will do." Tom saw them to the door as Paul helped them into the truck, keeping them in sight as they drove away.

When they were finally settled back onto the train with earbuds as cover again, Marinette let her happiness flow into Adrien's mind. She again sent him a mental image of balloons and confetti in celebration.

Your father was a lot better today, wasn't he? he commented, smiling at her. She nodded. She was so relieved that everything had gone well, and her father seemed to be much happier, especially knowing that Marinette wasn't alone anymore with her burdens. Perhaps that was something he'd been beating himself up over for a long time, she realized, knowing that his little girl was struggling to manage the bakery and her feelings mostly alone.

They sat in silence for a while, lost in their own minds, before Mari pulled out her notebook. Then she sent him a picture of a physics book. He looked at her questioningly.

What about physics? He asked.

Marinette sighed, pulling the notebook towards her. I wasn't sure how to picture-speak this clearly, she wrote. I was mostly wondering what you wanted to do about your career. If it was something you wanted to go back to school for physics or something, or take over your father's company, or what you thought you'd do now.

Adrien chewed his lip thoughtfully. Truthfully, he hadn't thought much about it. He was so happy to just be right now, he hadn't even really considered anything else.

I don't think I want to go back to school, even if it is for something I'd like this time around, he began, pausing as he put his thoughts together. I've really loved working in the bakery with you, and the company will officially be mine in a couple of days, whether I like it or not. He hesitated before continuing, his nervousness spilling over to her. If I'm being really honest, I love the idea of staying home with my family full-time, being Daddy Daycare eventually. I want to give my future family everything I didn't have when I was younger.

Marinette smiled, and pictured a vivid mental image of herself, a little older than she was now, baking raspberry macrons with a raven-haired little boy with sparkling green eyes, while Adrien, also a little older, walked by carrying a tiny blonde girl with her mother's big blue eyes on his shoulders. Adrien snitched a cookie from the pan, while Marinette attempted to swat him away. The children laughed at their antics…

The scene cleared before Marinette realized that Adrien's feelings were exploding into her; desire, longing, and love, mixed with some embarrassment and fear flooded through her. Uh oh.

Uh…Bugaboo? Adrien's mental voice sounded strained. Marinette didn't know that was possible. Did you mean to do that?

She shook her head, getting out the notebook again. Her face was bright red. He broke out in a grin.

I absolutely love it, he said, his mental voice tender now. He swallowed hard, and Marinette saw him blinking back tears. I can't even describe to you how much I want that. I'd give up the company, going to school, modeling…anything…to have what you just showed me.

Then we'll have to make it happen, Marinette wrote, trying to convey confidence. You deserve to be happy, Adrien.

Well, this makes me happy; sharing everything with you is the most wonderful dream I could hope for.

Marinette smiled up at him even as she batted her guilty feelings away from the bond. She loved the idea of sharing everything, too. But she still couldn't tell him about being the Guardian. Master Fu had begun teaching her how to decipher the code in the grimoire while Wayzz worked more with Chat Noir on his meditation, though they'd told him that she was just being told a history of the past miraculous holders. It was kind of true, as some of those were in the grimoire…

Marinette shut all of those thoughts down quickly as Adrien turned to her.

What about you, Milady? What do you want most?

Marinette's eyes widened. She'd shut those thoughts away for so long… She wasn't sure if she wanted to open that up. She sighed, letting a little of her fear and hesitation spill over to him.

What is it? What's wrong? He asked. What are you afraid of?

Marinette opened her notebook again, scribbling quickly. I think…I'm afraid to go back there again. I wrote off my dreams as next to impossible, and it was painful.

You still want to design. Right, he remembered, looking thoughtful. You know, I happen to know a handsome chap who's about to inherit a fashion company… he teased playfully. Unfortunately, Marinette looked even less excited, which threw him off momentarily. She hurried to explain.

You can't just throw me into a position in your father's company, Adrien! People will think I got my position because we're together, not because I have merit or talent! I haven't even gone to a design school, for goodness sake! I have no credentials, very little real work to my name…what if I can't do it? she wrote.

Adrien looked at her seriously. Milady, fashion is your thing. Your work is stunning; I've seen your designs. And I have a fashion company that is very likely to be sold to someone else unless a talented and passionate designer steps in to help me, because there's no way in hell I'm going to be chained to it the rest of my life, slogging through life day after day doing something that bores me, especially without you. If you want it…like I said, I'd give anything in the world for my dream, including the company. I'd gladly let you take over, just stay to help with the business aspect of it.

Marinette felt cautiously hopeful, before frowning. She pitched an image of the bakery to Adrien, then one of her parents. He met her eyes thoughtfully.

That bakery means a lot to your parents, I know. But…as much as you like the work there, it's not what you always wanted for yourself. Your father seems to be getting better. Maybe he'll be back sooner than you think.

Marinette looked doubtful.

Look, it's hard to let yourself hope for what you want, Adrien cut through her thoughts. I get that. But you have an opportunity here, Milady. He looked at her earnestly. I have a meeting with the lawyers in charge of the company on Thursday. Please come. I'd really appreciate having you there. You know much more about fashion than I ever could. He gave her a small smile. In the meantime, you can give it some thought. If you're willing, I'd like to have you sign on then in an executive position. We can even hire on some other people to help deal with manufacturing and such. That way you'll actually have time to do some designing and sewing and all the things you love. Maybe we could get Maman to help some as well, he added. I think she helped Father with some of that before she went missing…

Marinette let him make his plans in silence. She wasn't sure it was a wise thing to do still, but…

Ok, she wrote. I'll come to the meeting. But that doesn't mean I have what it takes to be a designer there, let alone an executive. I've never even had any training! Her mind began whirling. Flashes in her minds eye spun past before a scene took shape- it was her taking her sketchbook or some original pieces to some sort of critic who would congratulate her for her work, thinking it so outstanding that the company would trust her to make decisions or suggestions for their designs.

You want to prove yourself first. It wasn't a question; he must have accidentally seen her image-thoughts again. She blushed. Let's find a way to make that happen. Then, if things go well, you can take charge. How does that sound?

Marinette nodded, feeling a little better, though still uneasy. But, she reasoned, it would be a shame to let this opportunity go by and not even give herself a chance.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, before Marinette flung a questioning memory at Adrien of the night before, the terror and anguish of waking up in the dark. She felt Adrien's pang of fear, noticing as his breathing caught at the mention of it.

Not now, he pleaded. Please. His eyes were wide, and his hand grasped hers in a desperate move to calm himself. She squeezed his hand and nodded, before writing her answer to him, sending him an apologetic glance.

We'll need to talk about it when we get home though. Sorry, Kitty.

He swallowed hard, then nodded before putting his head on her shoulder. She focused on sending him happy memories- them playing on the rooftops, throwing frosting at each other, sitting silently together looking out over Paris- as he relaxed slowly. The sound of his deep breathing a short while later told her that he'd fallen asleep.

Eventually, they arrived back at the bakery's apartment in one piece. Adrien's apprehension rolled off him in waves. From the time he'd woken to the point they set foot in the apartment door, his mind had been turning over his horrible dream, the one that had caused the episode of the night before. He'd tried to shut off his mind or distract himself, but it wasn't working. By the time they were settled on the couch, he was trembling, his breathing coming in small gasps, and he felt a bit sick to his stomach. He swallowed, trying to fight the nausea he was feeling. Marinette had been trying to send him good memories, but his negative ones were effectively blocking her out now. She took one look at him, then ran to grab a thick comforter and a wastebasket, just in case, as Plagg started to help him through his exercises for the millionth time. It wasn't working; he was blocking out Plagg, too. He knew he was letting his anxiety get the better of him, but he couldn't seem to shake away his agonizing thoughts, couldn't seem to focus on his friends trying to help him. He was getting lightheaded…

"Breathe, Adrien. Just breathe, love," Marinette whispered, squeezing his hand. He struggled to obey as she wrapped him in the blanket. She kept rocking him slowly, holding him tightly. "When you're ready, just tell me what happened." It took a long while, but finally, he began to speak.

"I-it was my dream from the o-other night. I-I was out on patrol one afternoon when I spotted Hawkmoth. I tailed him to an alleyway, where he met up with Chloe. I don't remember what they were talking about, but I followed them when they left together. They…they ambushed you at the Seine." Adrien's mouth felt dry, and he'd started to shake again. He took five slow, deliberate breaths before continuing. He didn't notice Marinette's look of shock and surprise.

"Hawkmoth, he….he cut you. I stepped in to fight him, but I- I couldn't draw Chloe away. She…she was torturing you. With a knife. T-there was blood e-everywhere." He stopped again, feeling sick. Tears began to pour down his face. "Sh-she d-dumped you i-in the r-river, Mari. A-and then…" He gasped for breath. He felt like an elephant was sitting on his chest. He couldn't fill his lungs, they seemed content to not obey…

"Adrien!" Marinette's voice came, seemingly from far away. She sounded terrified. "Adrien! Look at me, sweetheart!" After a moment, green eyes met blue. "Breathe, Adrien-"

"I k-killed them," he whispered. "I k-killed them…"

The nausea swirled with a vengeance. He barely gave any warning before he vomited, barely making it into the wastebasket in front of him. He hardly noticed a hand in his hair as he continued to speak, unbeknownst to him, his mind reliving the rest of the dream. Everything else fell away.

Chat Noir dove into the Seine without a second thought. Marinette just HAD to be alright, she just had to! He spotted her small form through the murky water which was now streaked with blood, sinking down, down, down…

He swam quickly towards her, his heart racing in his chest. When he finally reached her, he quickly returned, surfacing with a gasp. It was as he towed her unconscious form toward the shore that he realized that she hadn't begun to breathe again. His panic spiked.

No, no, no, no, no, no… he thought desperately. She couldn't be…

He laid her body on the cobblestone carefully, gently, running a clawed hand down her face tenderly as he examined her. She definitely wasn't breathing. He put an ear to her damaged chest, hoping against hope that he would find her heart beating there. The sound he was hoping for never came. His face felt uncomfortably sticky with blood as he pulled away; her blood.

"Mari…" He cried, shaking her gently. She didn't stir. One of her hands fell lifelessly at her side. It finally sank in. He knew she was gone. "MARI! NOOOOO!" He slumped back in defeated anguish, wishing he could cease to exist. He dimly noticed his right hand glowing black as a swirling ball of destructive energy began to grow, filling his vision…

….Before he'd woken up, dazed, in Marinette's arms. He retched again and again, his exhausted mind realizing what had happened at the end. He'd destroyed everything; himself, Paris, and everyone in it. He'd lost control and his Cataclysm had been unleashed upon everything, including himself! His subconscious wish for oblivion had triggered the possible end of the world! He buried his face in his hands, his breathing still ragged. He was dangerous. What if he lost control for real? Destroyed all of Paris? Destroyed the world? Hurt or killed Marinette?

He bent over the wastebasket, trying desperately to throw up something that wasn't there, his abused stomach empty. He barely registered Marinette's and Plagg's worried voices before darkness overtook him.

Marinette listened, horrified, as Adrien recounted the rest of his dream, the same one she'd partially shared with him. She attempted to send him calming images, but she suspected his state of mind was too tumultuous to actually hear them, essentially tuning her out. She watched him being overcome by his own mind, his thoughts transmitting to her like extra-loud radio signals.

"Plagg! What do I do?" She said worriedly, tears pooling in her blue eyes. She was holding Adrien as tightly as he would allow, given his nausea. "Nothing's working!"

Plagg wrung his tiny paws in concern. "No idea, Spots. He's never been this bad before."

Suddenly, Adrien slumped into her, succumbing to unconsciousness.

Plagg looked up at Marinette, who was openly sobbing now. "Don't worry, Spots. He's probably better off now. Being unconscious will help reset his mind, probably. He'll be much better when he wakes up." He was trying to sound confident, but even he knew he still sounded off.

Marinette looked at him doubtfully through her tears. "H-he accidentally t-transmitted his thoughts to me, there at the end before he passed out. He… he said he'd lost control and C-cataclysmed all of Paris in his grief. I-including himself." She choked back a sob. "H-he thinks h-he's too dangerous."

Tikki and Plagg exchanged looks, Tikki's worried and Plagg's determined. But before anyone could say another word, Wayzz phased in through the window. He took in the sight of them all- Adrien unconscious, Marinette red in the face from crying- but did not comment. Instead, he turned to Marinette.

"Ladybug, the Guardian must speak with you alone. At once!" He demanded. Marinette's eyes narrowed.

"What's wrong, Wayzz?"

"No time! Transform and come with me!"

Marinette looked at Adrien, then at Plagg and Tikki.

"I'll make sure he's ok," Plagg assured her. "If the Guardian needs you, it's probably an emergency. Go, quickly! He'll likely still be out when you get back."

Marinette nodded, "Tikki, Spots on!" Her regular clothes morphed into her red and black ensemble. "Lead the way, Wayzz!" She said to the turtle kwami, before disappearing into the night.

Ladybug jumped in through Master Fu's window, ready for action. "Master, what is it? What's going on?"

Master Fu looked at her impassively. "Ladybug, thank you for coming. Please, sit. De-transform and have a cup of tea with me."

Ladybug narrowed her eyes, but did as she was bidden. Tikki appeared at her shoulder as she sat down with a steaming cup of tea in hand.

"Tikki, there's a couple cookies for you on the counter," Master Fu indicated. "Please, eat. You'll need your strength soon." Tikki also did as she was told. Master Fu turned to Marinette, who was drinking her tea quickly, a grave expression on his face. Marinette's expression quickly turned from concern to anger and shock as the black hole in her mind where Adrien's thoughts should be returned.

"M-master?! Wh-Why did you block our connection? Adrien…I have to…"

She attempted to rise to her feet, but found herself unable to do so, as though all strength had left her suddenly and slumping to the floor. Tikki wasn't in any better condition, sinking slowly into Marinette's waiting hands.

"I am sorry to have to do this, Marinette, Tikki," Master Fu said, his voice holding a tone of, "it's-for-your-own-good" to it." Marinette narrowed her eyes as he continued. "I need to be sure that you will be able carry out the task I need to give you, and to give you the best chance of success." He turned towards the window, hands clasped behind his back. "Chat Noir has become too unstable, too unpredictable, and too dangerous. Wayzz has kept me informed of his deteriorating mental health." Wayzz shrunk back behind Fu as Marinette leveled a glare at him. "Wayzz must obey me, I am the master of his Miraculous, after all," Fu explained. "The end of your conversation tonight was what I had feared; Chat Noir has seen it possible that he could destroy everything in a moment of instability. We must reclaim his Miraculous as soon as possible, before it's too late. I had to cut off your connections to Adrien and Plagg so that you would be able to not give away our plans accidentally."

"Your plan is going to be a bit difficult to carry out if I can't even stand, Master," Marinette deadpanned, still angry.

"The strength-zapping potion will wear off in a moment. I just needed to be sure you would hear me out before running off," he explained.

"Master, Adrien will be beside himself if he wakes and I'm not there!" Marinette tried to reason with him. "The connection-"

"All the more reason why we should act quickly. Now could be a prime opportunity while he's unconscious to prevent the unthinkable," Fu said shortly.

Marinette was conflicted. "Adrien has always been the best partner I could hope for, my best friend. He will feel I betrayed him by taking his gemstone away, and Plagg! I can't do that to him! He-"

"Marinette," Fu cut through her rambling. "You are to be Guardian. And sometimes being the Guardian means we do what is right instead of what is easy. For the protection of the entire world. Chat Noir, in his current mental and emotional state, is a threat. You know that he is. You must do it."

Marinette's mental imagery played her conversation with Adrien just that morning. She was Ladybug; she would always do the right thing. But, was this really the right thing? Tears pooled in her eyes and ran down her face as she bowed her head. "Yes, Master. I will do as you ask."