"You can't be serious. Master Fu knew and did nothing."

"I know what you're thinking Marinette, but it wasn't that simple." Tikki interjected.

"Yes," Wayzz began. "The familial connection Master Fu felt could have been any family member of Adrien's, alive or not. It could have been generations ago. We can't confirm since we're not in touch with Nooroo or Duusu currently…but this does not mean one of Adrien's living relatives is Shadowmoth."

"But I suspected Gabriel from the beginning…Master Fu didn't even think to investigate?"

"Marinette, you must understand Master was getting old. A fight would not have ended well, especially with you and Chat Noir just learning your powers. Paris would have fallen to Hawkmoth. All of us kwamis would have ended up in his hands. The power..Master Fu was, I'll admit, a coward for not investigating at all. But he wanted what's best for you, for Adrien and for all of Paris."

"So you see now why you can't tell Adrien your secret identity." Tikki concluded, causing Marinette to whip around to face her kwami.

"What do you mean?"

"With Adrien's suspected tie to Shadowmoth…it would be a disaster if he found out your identity."

"How so?" Marinette's voice dropped, watching her kwami closely.

"Well if he was in on Shadowmoth's plan.."

"You mean to say…you think Adrien is in on it?" Marinette's voice wavered. "You think Chat Noir is just waiting to betray me?"

"Marinette, I didn't mean-"

"Tikki, Spots On!"

"Marinette! Wait!" Wayzz called as the now transformed teen headed for her balcony. "Marinette!" She was gone in an instant and Wayzz turned to the other kwamis.

"What do we do?" Pollen asked, buzzing nervously around Marinette's loft,

"This doesn't feel right!" Sass shivered. "We must send someone after her."

"Who?" Mullo squeaked. "We can't be seen!"

"One of us will have to go for help!" Longg looked at the trapdoor Ladybug disappeared from.

"Chat Noir! We should get Chat Noir!" Fluff bounced excitedly. "I can get him in a flash!"

"I'll go." Wayzz offered. "I contributed to this. I should hurry. Who knows what Marinette will do."

"Do you know where he lives? What if he's not home?" Ziggy interjected, nervously chewing on some leftover fabric from one of Marinette's old projects.

"I know where he lives! I was given to my current holder there!" Xuppu excitedly cried. "I can get him! I'll go!" Xuppu flew to the trapdoor but stopped suddenly. "What does he look like?"

The other kwamis paused briefly, disappointment on their faces, before Pollen gestured to the pictures on Marinette's wall.

"Uh, duh." Pollen rolled her eyes as Xuppu nodded then took off towards the Agreste Mansion.

~•••••~

"Well this patrol has been uneventful," Chat Noir spoke into his baton phone. "But don't worry, M'lady, I've covered the whole city twice and looks like we're in for a silent night. I'll see you-M'Lady?" Chat turned just in time to see Ladybug flying across the skyline, her feet barely grazing each rooftop as she ran. He was even more bewildered to see a kwami of all things, chasing her down as they both barreled at top speed towards the same destination-his bedroom. "M'Lady!" He ran to her, catching her in his arms on the last rooftop before she could make the jump for his window. She crashed against his chest, crumbling in his arms, and the kwami came to a stop roughly beside them. He was fully focused on the kwami at first, all thoughts on what could have possibly caused the creature to chase her, when he suddenly became very aware of the sobs filling the air. "Bugaboo? Are you crying? Hey," Chat grabbed her by the chin gently and tilted her head up, finding her eyes full of tears as she trembled in his grasp. "Hey, what's wrong?" He turned his attention to the kwami. "What are you doing to her?"

"Me?" The kwami laughed. "I'm just looking for you! Not my fault bugette was too."

"What's wrong?" Chat Noir held Ladybug to his side, away from the kwami who giggled.

"I'm just here to keep Ladybug from going rouge and doing something she shouldn't! She's an emotional wreck!" Xuppu laughed loudly and Chat frowned, turning to the girl in his arms.

"Going rogue? What's he talking about, love? What can I do for you?"

"My kwami..she said.." Ladybug erupted into another fit of tears and Chat held her tight.

"Tikki? What did she say?" He was even more concerned now. He had met Tikki before and she seemed lovely and sweet, to say something that sent Marinette transforming and running to his arms…

"There's just so much." She looked up at him then, her eyes full of tears. "There's so much I need to tell you and I don't know where to start."

"Start from the beginning, bug. It'll be alright."

"I know who-"

"Ladybug! Chat Noir! There's an akuma!" Xuppu warned from the edge of the roof.

Ladybug and Chat Noir instantly followed Xuppu's line of sight, seeing the destruction off in the distance.

"Wait, what were you going to say?" Chat asked as Ladybug sent Xuppu back home, wiping her eyes with the arm of her suit.

"Nothing. I can tell you later. It's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Partners?" She asked, holding out her fist.

"Partners." He smiled as they fist bumped then watched as she took off towards the collapsing buildings. He had so much to tell her too. He hoped when it all finally came out they'd be stronger..but that didn't stop the fear from building in his chest as he followed the love of his life across rooftops.

~•••••~

"Marinette! Adrien's here to see you!" Sabine called up the steps Saturday morning as Marinette finished putting her hair into her signature style.

"Send him up!" She called back, checking to make sure the kwamis were hidden before unlocking her trapdoor.

"Hey! Ready for your photo shoot?" Adrien bounced into the room, pecking Marinette on the head as he examined the pieces she'd picked. "Perfect!"

"Thanks. I thought these would make a good representation of my style. Is the model ready?"

"She'll be there shortly. Don't worry. I promise she's beautiful, you're going to love the photos we get." Adrien began picking up garment bags to take downstairs and Marinette tried to ignore the jealously forming as she followed him.

"So you're sure this model is free to work? I don't think I can think of any models who haven't worked for Gabriel in the last ten years. He's got a big monopoly on the fashion world, that's for sure."

"I am absolutely 100% certain she is free to work. She hasn't worked for Gabriel ever."

"A model that's never worked for your dad? That's rare. Who is she?"

"You'll see." Adrien turned, kissing her lips and causing her to stumble. She caught herself at the curb at sighed. Maybe it would take a little more time to get properly used to Adrien kissing her, but she was glad to finally have another kiss on the lips. "I was thinking.." Adrien began, placing a few boxes in the backseat of the limo. "My dad and Natalie are out of town for a conference. After the photo shoot, would you want to come back to mine?"

"Sure! We haven't hung out as a group in a long time. I'm sure Alya and Nino-"

"I actually meant just me and you. I mean, we could have Alya and Nino over for dinner or to hang out for a bit if you want. But I was hoping I might get you to myself for the night. I've missed you." They locked eyes and Marinette suddenly lost her ability to speak, nodding her head instead. "Good." Adrien smiled, leaning over to kiss her cheek as they finished packing the car. "Come on, we don't want to keep our photographer waiting." Adrien slid into the car and agreed.

"The last thing I need is for our photographer or model to walk out last minute."

"Don't worry. I've got it all handled." Adrien reached for her hand, taking it in his own, and they rode in comfortable silence.

Pulling up at their destination Marinette took in the sight of the photographer setting up his equipment, no model in sight.

"Where's our model? She should be here already."

"Well actually," Adrien began sheepishly.

"What is it?"

"I've got a surprise for you."