Raven landed back in Adrien's room and quickly transformed back. Kiismet immediately attached her small form to the swollen appendage, as Ella collapsed to her knees.

"New... new rule... injuries inhibiting as Ella... means no becoming Raven..." Ella panted out, eyes screwed up tight in pain. Kiismet nodded against her skin.

After a few minutes, Ella moved to the couch and laid down. Though she told herself she couldn't fall asleep, the warmth of the fabric and the exhaustion from everything quickly lulled her to sleep.

Adrien was quick to transform back once he returned home. He assumed Ella had gone home once the bubbles vanished, but as he landed in his bedroom, he saw she hadn't left- but rather fallen asleep on his couch. The teen couldn't help but smile at the peaceful look on her face, but he noticed she was protecting her wrist; the one he noticed was wrapped earlier.

"How does she keep getting hurt?" He asked Plagg, who lazily floated up beside him.

"I dunno, but she'll tell you if she wants." The kwami flew away to find some camembert, Adrien sitting beside Ella's head. Deciding to just let her sleep, the boy pulled out his phone and scrolled through the 'Ladyblog' of Alya's until Nathalie knocked on his door for dinner.

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute. A friend got caught up in the attack earlier and she's asleep right now." The older woman gave Adrien a disapproving look at the news, moving to see who was on the couch beside the teen. Nathalie, upon seeing the girl, actually could understand- seeing the injuries the girl supported.

"Alright. See that you're down for dinner soon."

"Thanks, Nathalie."

Once the door was shut, Adrien sighed and turned back towards Ella.

"Ella? Ella wake up." He didn't touch her, choosing to move from the couch a few steps away. The girl twitched before her eyes blinked awake. She sat up straight, her eyes wide and scared.

"Hey Ella it's fine. You're in my room, you came in here during the party." Adrien spoke, his voice calm and light. Ella was quick to calm down, her eyes finding the blond.

"Did I fall asleep?"

"Yeah- it's fine, don't worry. Do you wanna eat? My dad's assistant just let me know dinner's ready, if you're hungry."

"I'm sorry- I don't wanna intrude anymore than I have. And I have homework to do, so I should get going." The girl moved to get up, but winced when pressure was put on her wrist. Adrien moved, a hand on her shoulder to keep her sitting.

"Wait- let me bandage that for you. Letting it stay loose won't help it heal."

"No it'll be fine- I don't wanna-"

"You're not being a bother. Now wait here while I grab a brace." Adrien smiled to show he wasn't mad or anything before turning to his bathroom. He should have a spare brace in there from old fencing and karate injuries. Once he found one that was small enough for Ella, he returned, finding her curled into a ball staring out the window.

"This view is beautiful..." She spoke, noticing him approach.

"Yeah, it is. Here- let me see your arm." Adrien gently coaxed the limb over to him and attached the brace. Ella winced when he tightened but he whispered apologies until he was done.

"You really didn't have to, but thanks..." Ella whispered, her cheeks hot.

"No problem, Ella." Ooh it was bugging the crap outta him- he wanted to ask how she got hurt but he knew that was gonna scare her back behind the walls he was trying to bring her around.

"I think I should go, so you can go eat... umm..." The girl looked around for a moment before finding her bag and digging in it for a moment. Adrien watched as she produced a wrapped box.

"Happy birthday, Adrien."

"Thanks Ella!" Adrien couldn't help the wide smile that erupted onto his face. Ella smiled at him, that cute smile where her dimples showed- Adrien swore he would see it in his dreams.

"You can open it later, I really don't wanna make you miss dinner."

Adrien finally relented, walking Ella to the door and out to the gate where he waved goodbye till she vanished around the corner.

"You are whipped, you know that?" Plagg asked, as Adrien returned to the house.

"No I'm not. Quiet, you."

"I told you you could do it! But why didn't you want him to open it in front of you!?" Kiis whined, fluttering around Ella's head. The pair were back at the school, Ella having just got out of the shower and washed her clothes; she was gonna sleep in the locker room for the night.

"Cause I didn't wanna see his face if he didn't like it! I'd rather just deal with him never mentioning it again if he doesn't like it."

"Ugh fine, but I doubt he won't like it- it's a present from you!"

"Shut up Kiis!"

At eight once again, Ella made her way to the bakery, leaving her supplies at her desk. With her bag containing only her wallet and Kiismet, she picked up her order with a words of thanks and a message from Marinette that she was running late. So Ella sat on the school steps, eating her muffin and watching the students gather. Eventually Marinette and Alya joined her, watching Chloe freak out about Adrien's gift not showing up till next week.

"Ha ha, serves her right." Alya chuckled, nudging Marinette.

Wheels on gravel alerted the three girls to that now familiar limo pulling up and Adrien getting out wearing a sky-blue knitted scarf.

"Hey girls!"

"Hey that's my scarf! He's wearing my scarf!" Marinette quietly freaked, grabbing Alya's arm. Ella smiled, seeing a familiar book cover in his hands too.

"Hey dude." Adrien greeted Nino, before the girls approached.

"Yo, nice scarf, Adrien. Off the chain." Alya commented, winking at Marinette.

"Yeah, can you believe my dad got this for me? He's so awesome- he's been giving me the same lame pen for three years in a row."

"Wow. I guess anyone can change. Adults can be cool when you least expect it." Nino chimed in.

"Speaking of adults, I know my father said you were a bad influence, but-"

"We're good, Adrien- don't sweat it. We're buds. Always and forever." Adrien smiled before turning to Ella.

"Thanks for the book, Ella. I stayed up late reading it, I couldn't put it down!"

"You're welcome." She smiled, the motion dropping a little when Adrien stepped closer.

"My dad happened to see me walk you out on the security camera and he wants to meet you. Don't worry-" he spoke hurriedly at Ella's expression, "I told him you're my friend and didn't mean to stay so late. I'll talk to him more if he insists on it, okay? I'm not gonna make you do something that makes you uncomfortable."

Ella took a deep shaky breath before nodding. Adrien's smile returned, patting her shoulder.

"I'll see you in class, okay?"

"Yeah, of course." Ella nodded and Adrien walked into the building with Nino. It took her a moment to reboot her brain and insistent poking from Kiismet inside her skirt pocket, but Ella soon followed the boys and other students inside.

"You gotta tell him the scarf is from you!" Alya turned to Marinette, taking in the girl's happy/sad expression.

"But did you see how happy he was thinking it was from his dad?" Marinette couldn't help it; Adrien's father seemed so cold and Marinette didn't wanna take away that spark of joy the teen felt thinking the gift had been from him.

"You're too sweet, girl." Alya gave Marinette a hug, one the girl returned, but sighed at Alya's words, her blue eyes finding the retreating back of Ella ahead of them.

"What I wanna know is how Ella got so close to Adrien, that he interrupts conversations to go talk to her like that... He did it this morning too, when he was talking to Nino and stopped to follow her!" Alya sighed, physically moving Marinette over to the doors. This was gonna become a problem... one Alya had a feeling was gonna end with a broken friendship.