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Marinette's P.O.V

My grip on Chat Noir didn't loosen even after the shock of knowing Sabrina had my Miraculous or that Chat was about to transform back at any moment. Everything was happening so fast and questions were still left unanswered.

Before I could let it all sink in, we landed. I shakily looked up at Sabrina then looked at the familiar surroundings of my balcony.

"Marinette, help me get him inside please," Sabrina pleaded, quickly de-transforming.

I snapped out of my mixed emotional state. There was no time to question what was going on. Right now, Chat Noir needs me to be strong. He let me lean on his shoulders during my time of despair, now it's my turn to return the favor. It's his turn to lean on me now.

I nodded confidently, slinging Chat's arm over my shoulders while Sabrina did the same. Chat's miraculous beeped in a panicky warning with only seconds before the hero returned to his civilian form.

Marinette kicked open her skylight with ease. The two teenage girls worked together to lower Chat down into Marinette's room and lay his unconscious body on the bluenette's loft. Just as Marinette was about to fully lay his head on her pillow, a green light filled the room and blinding both girls.

"Keep your eyes closed, Sabrina!" Marinette ordered, screwing her own eyes shut. Yet, the redhead had no reason to listen. She already knew who Chat Noir was but assumed that her fellow bluebell-eyed classmate had no clue of his true identity.

"It's okay, Marinette," Sabrina reassured, softly, "I already know his true identity."

"Y-You do?" I responded, shocked and trying to hide the hurt blossoming within my soul, "H…H-How?" Sabrina stayed silent for a while, gathering her words as she began to explain.

"He showed me because he needed me to be Ladybug for the time being to capture the akuma," She began, "He couldn't give me the earrings, because they were somewhere else and was too injured. So, he gave me this weird floating cat—genie thing to show me where the miraculous was."

I grimaced after listening to her story, unsure how to feel knowing that I was the akuma that hurt him.

I hurt my partner.

My best friend.

The boy who somehow wormed his way into my heart when I least expected it.

I'm the cause of his suffering and why he is laying here unconscious.

I hurt him.

I shakily sighed, hiding my face within my hands and taking in deep breaths. The idea of it all slowly wrapping itself around my brain, making it all suffocating just thinking about it. Why did I let myself get akumatized? Why did I let Lila, of all people, get the better of me?

"Can-" I paused to clear my throat after my voice cracked. Sabrina patiently waited for Marinette to gather her thoughts and continue with what she was going to say. After a long, steady exhale, Marinette continued, "Can you please check Chat for any injuries?"

Before I was able to get an answer from Sabrina, a low groan was emitted from an unknown source.

"Won't anyone help this weak and helpless kitty relieve his starvation with some stellar Camembert cheese," A scratchy male voice spoke in an overly dramatic way. That must be Chat Noir's Kwami. Their resemblance in the "over dramatics" was rather uncanny. I smiled a little at the mere thought.

"Plagg! We don't have time to deal with for cheese fetish!"

I perked up and heart lurched when hearing the familiar higher-pitched voice of Tikki scolding someone. I so badly wanted her to nuzzle the top of her head into my cheek and try to hug me. I missed her badly even though I just saw her this morning.

"Why don't you two go downstairs and get something to eat. I bet you're both hungry from working so hard. We can take it from here," Sabrina informed the Kwamis.

"Are you sure?" Tikki asked.

"Come on, Sugar Cube! She offered! Now, let's go eat some cheese!" Plagg said, enthusiastically. I heard Tikki squeak in surprise in their departure as the room returned to being silent again. I was stunned by Sabrina's confidence and quick-wit at resolving issues. The way she took charge and kept a cool head.

She would make a better Ladybug than me.

My hand was suddenly grabbed and held out. Two small objects were dropped onto my palm.

"I think these belong to you," Sabrina said, curling my fingers to close over the small objects. I could tell they were the Ladybug earrings from the point that gently poked my skin and the other end like a smooth, cool dome.

"Also, Chat is going to be alright. I checked for any wounds and found a pretty bad bruising on his back and chest. Besides that, I think he just needs rest," she added. Relief washed over me as a sigh escaped my lips. I reached out with my free hand and carefully felt around until weaving my fingers within Chat's.

I pulled his hand up, placing a loving kiss on his knuckles before holding it to my cheek. It was so weird holding his hand without the glove but it felt nice feeling the warmth of his bare hand brushing against my cheek.

"I don't think I can be Ladybug right now. My mental health isn't doing good and there is a high possibility that I could become akumatized again," I said, "So if it isn't too much to ask…Sabrina Raincomprix, I return the Miraculous of the Ladybug, which grants you the power of creation, back to you just temporarily. You will return it back to me once I am stable enough to fight again."

I hesitatingly held out my hand with the earrings with a smile and tightened my grip on Chat's a little.

"A-Are you sure, Marinette?" Sabrina stuttered, stunned. I gave her a confirmative nod of my head before feeling a soft touch. She curved her fingers over the palm of my hand and retrieved the jewelry. I set my hand back down to my side as I heard slight fiddling around.

"Thank you, Marinette. You won't be disappointed," she replied.

"I should be thanking you. You've done so much for me. I'm in your debt," I said, setting Chat and I's linked hands on my lap.

"Believe me, giving me this honor to be a temporary Ladybug and for the things I've done with Chloe, you don't owe me anything. I was in your debt all along. This is what I'm going to do to repay you for everything you've done for me, my family and all of Paris," Sabrina responded. Then added, worryingly, "But, Hawkmoth probably knows my identity now. Is that going to be a problem?"

I pursed my lips in thought when an idea sprung into my head and a smirk appeared on my face.

"Nothing like a little makeover and an illusion can't fix," I explained, my thumb doing circles on the back of Chat's hand.

"M-Makeover? Illusion?" Sabrina questioned, eyebrow probably quirked up.

"Tikki has told me that she and uh—Plagg can modify the suits and genetic makeup a little to give a different look. Then, we can have Rena Rouge hide somewhere during an akuma attack and create an illusion of you with Chloe," I explained the plan.

"A-Alright," Sabrina said.

"I'm going to try and sneak you some cookies for Tikki at school and before you leave," I mourned, frowning, "Please take good care of her."

"Of course, I will," Sabrina promised. I felt a comforting squeeze on my shoulder, making me smile sadly.

"Marinette!" I heard Tikki shouted, frantically and felt a slight breeze rush by.

"What's wrong, Tikki? Is there another akuma?" I asked, worry clutching at my stomach.

"No, you're-" she didn't finish her sentence when I heard the trap door open.

"Marinette!"

I felt my soul leave my body at the moment of hearing my father's voice. I quickly turned around and opened my eyes to meet his frantic and fear-filled brown ones. My to my displeasure, I forced myself to let go of Chat's hand. Sabrina had enough time to lay down next to Chat to hide.

"H-Hi, Papa," I greeted, nervously and scrambling down from my loft. Papa practically ran over to me and embraced me tightly, nuzzling his face into my hair.

"La bonté, Marinette. You scared me so much," he said. I returned his hug and apologized profusely, placing a kiss on his cheek reassuringly. Soon, he left with a promise to return later to play video games with my favorite dessert and hot chocolate. Once the trapdoor closed, I was able to breathe again and everyone came out from their hiding places.

Tikki flew over to me and collided with my cheek, hugging it.

"I'm so glad you're back too," the red bug said as I chuckled then a frown replaced my cheery smile.

"Tikki…" I began, holding the Kwami within my cupped hands. She looked up at me concerned and waited for me to continue. I leaned down and kissed the top of her head softly.

"You're going to go be with Sabrina for a little while," I explained, "It's not going to be forever…just…until I feel better. Okay?" I watched as her antenna's drooped just like Chat's ears when he was sad but there was an understanding look drawn on her face.

She slowly flew up and kissed my forehead, lingering a little to rest her forehead against mine. Both of our eyes were closed, soaking in each other's presence until she backed away a little.

"I understand and look forward to the day we reunite once again," she replied.

"Yuck! Do you have to be all mushy in front of me? I'm trying to eat here!" Plagg complained, holding some cheddar in his tiny arms. Tikki rolled her eyes as I smiled fondly at the Kwami's interaction. Sabrina came down from the loft as I gave one last goodbye to Tikki.

"Bye, Tikki. I love you," I whispered, kissing the top of her head one last time.

"I love you too, Marinette," she replied, fondly. She flew over to Sabrina and nodded, motioning to the redhead that she was ready. I quickly snuck downstairs and put some leftover cookies in a box then returned to my room. Sabrina was already transformed and ready to head out.

"Are you sure you don't need anything before I leave? What are you going to do with A—Chat!" Sabrina quickly corrected.

"There's not much you can do. He'll be safe here until he wakes up and transforms again," I said. Sabrina smiled and hugged Marinette tightly, saying, "I wish you the best of luck and call me if you need anything."

I wrapped my arms around her small frame, "Thank you, and I will."

She let go. In the blink of an eye, she was gone. I was left alone with Plagg, who was taking a nap on my computer's keyboard. A knock came from my trapdoor, making me jump and staggered to stand in front of the Kwami of destruction to hide him.

Papa's head poked into the room, smiling fondly as he waved a game controller tauntingly in the air.

"Best 3 out of 5?" he asked. I let a grin settle on my features, leaning against my desk.

"You're on old man! I've been practicing my victory dance!" I teased, earning a "hurt" gasp.

"Old man!" he dramatically spoke in disbelief. I laughed before following him downstairs to join in on the video games and snacks. It felt like forever since the last time I've played video games. We played for hours until a yawn escaped my lips and eyelids grew heavy with sleep.

"I think it's time we head off to bed," papa said, placing a kiss on my cheek. I nodded in agreement, rubbing my eyes and putting our dishes in the sink.

"I'll take care of the rest," Papa said, ushering me towards the stairs that lead to my room, "You go and rest. You had a rough day."

"Okay," I agreed, heading up the stairs, "Goodnight, Papa. I love you."

"I love you too and make sure you say hi to Chat Noir for me," he said, smugly.

"Will do," I replied and entered my room. I closed the trapdoor when the words finally hit and a blush consumed my face. I marched back to the trapdoor to go and yell at Papa.

"Marinette."

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