It had been 3 days since the fire.

The voice in the back of her head had gotten stronger. Her nightmares had come back, and in the middle of conversations she would freeze and hold herself. Her head hurt everyday, and she rarely got enough sleep. Fanna would try to make her rest, but everytime she shut her eyes his face would appear. Alya made sure that Fanna would sleep, and she constantly worried over her Kwami's leg, but when Fanna dozed off the voice would get louder and Alya knew she would not be in for a peaceful night.

Master Fu's funeral was today. Volpina went and paid her respects, as did Ladybug, Chat Noir, and the new green turtle man.

Chat Noir approached her first, and they sat together in silence. Everything felt numb, but it was better then pain. It was the only time she couldn't hear Hawkmoth now, when she was Volpina. But Fanna was still recovering, she wouldn't get to be Volpina for very long.

Chat looked just as weak, "Hi."

Volpina nodded hello, eyes still stuck on the urn.

"I'm glad you came." Chat said reaching out gently to put a hand on her shoulder.

Volpina tensed but didn't shake him off. "Shouldn't you be comforting your partner." It came out harsher than she meant it to.

"She doesn't want my help. She doesn't want anyone's help." Chat sounded sad.

"Who said I wanted your help?" Volpina hissed out.

"I need yours."

Volpina finally looked to the other hero and caught a tear rolling down his cheek. "Chat-" but she didn't know what to say.

"I just need to sit here with you for a bit. I haven't been to a funeral since my mothers."

"I'm sorry."

There was silence between the two of them again, and Volpina was glad to have someone she could help.

"I wanted to tell you that you have been nothing but a hero these past weeks." Chat looked at the urn, "He was proud of you. I know he was."

"He told me."

Chat smiled a little. "I'm glad he got to meet you."

Volpina tried to return the gesture.

"Volpina, you should join our team."

Volpina's jaw tensed and her smile was gone, "No."

Chat turned to her in shock, "What-"

"You heard me."

"I thought you wanted to join us?" Chat's ears drooped.

"That was before Ladybug snubbed me at every turn, before she claimed time and time again that I wasn't part of your team, that I wasn't your ally. That was before your idiot new teammate got in without even knowing how to use his powers, before he endangered himself and got my kwami seriously hurt." Volpina's lips pulled back in a snarl, "Don't come to me saying that you're proud, that you want me on your team when you've made it clear you don't-"

"Volpina-"

"Save it Tom Cat." Volpina turned away.

"I have always wanted you to be part of this team."

"Well then I guess your opinion must not count for much."

Silence fell between them.

"Volpina?"

The two hero's head whipped around to see Jade Turtle.

"Volpina I'm sorry about-"

"I don't want to talk to you." Volpina stood up and grabbed her flute.

Ladybug stood up at the opposite end of the room her blue eyes meeting with Volpina's. There was a long pause and everyone held their breath. Ladybug looked broken, she looked lost and the spite and fire that Ladybug looked at her with before was gone. All that was left was regret. If things had happened differently would Ladybug and her have been friends? If they had been on the same team, would any of this still have happened? No. They could never be friends. Volpina knew it. They were too different.

There was the sound of a flute and a poof of smoke filled the room. The smoke cleared and Volpina was gone. Ladybug fell to her knees and wept. Chat and Jade went to her side.


"My Dad's last words to me were I love you. He had been sick for a long time, but the last thing he wanted to do was tell his daughters that he loved them. And that's how I know that he loved his family more than anything in this world. My dad explored rainforests and deserts. He's been to coral reefs, to the tops of mountains. He's eaten the best and worst food in the world. He's seen everything, and for his last days he knew where he wanted to be. To him, we were more beautiful, more important, and more precious than anything in the world." The tears couldn't stop coming. "Dad, thank you. Thank you for loving us, for teaching us, and for accepting us. You will never be forgotten, and not a day will go by where you are not missed."

Alya stepped back from the mic and sobbed audibly as she found her way back to her seat. Nino stood up and held her close. She clung to him and held on to him for dear life.

I can make all the pain go away.

"Shut up." She whispered.

Nino frowned, "He's trying to talk to you again?"

Alya nodded.

Nino tipped his head down to whisper in her ear, "Hey Hawkmoth, fuck off."

Alya smiled weakly, "I don't think it works that way."

"Alya, I promise I'll find a way to stop him. I'll kick his ass for you."

Alya gave a sad laugh, "I don't think he's afraid of DJ's Nino."

"He should be." Nino smiled a little before pressing a kiss to Alya's forehead. "You need to eat something."

They walked to the sandwiches hand in hand.

"Hey Al," Adrien gave his friend a little wave, "Nice… Nice speach."

"Thanks." She reached to put a hand on his shoulder, "Are you ok? I know you haven't been to a funeral since…"

Adrien gave a weak smile, "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

Marinette joined them looking like hell.

"Mari," Alya wrapped her arms around her friend, "Are you ok?'

"Y-yeah." Her voice caught in her throat and she blinked away tears, "I'm so sorry Alya…"

"Thank you…" Alya pulled back biting her lip to stop it from quivering. "Can I talk to Mari for a second?" She looked at the two boys.

"Yeah, of course." Adrien grabbed Nino by the arm before the other man could protest.

"What did you want-"

"Why didn't you answer your phone?" Alya had a new interrogation face. It didn't have the same fire and determination as it did before. It looked sad, broken.

"I told you, my uncle's shop-"

"Don't lie to me."

"What?"

"I know he wasn't your uncle Marinette."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I know he wasn't your uncle. I talked to your mum about him and she never mentioned being related, and he sure as hell wasn't from your dad's side."

"You talked to my mum about him?"

"And you weren't at his funeral so I know he wasn't your uncle."

"I was at his funeral, and I don't remember seeing you there."

"I was there and the only people our age were Volpina and Ladybug, so unless you're Ladybug you're lying through your teeth to me."

Marinette panicked, "I'm not Ladybug Alya!"

There was silence as a few people turned their heads. Alya hissed angrily, "I know you're not Ladybug Marinette, you're nothing like her. So why are you lying to me?"

"Nothing like her?"

"Why do you keep lying to me? Did I do something wrong? Is this why you don't want to live with me!" Alya hissed in pain.

Yes! Use that anger!

"Alya are you ok?"

"Shut up both of you!" Alya squeezed her eyes tight.

"Alya what's going on?" Marinette placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.

She's trying to hurt you! Fight her back!

"Let go!"

Adrien got to the two girls first and pulled Marinette back, "Hey Alya it's ok. Breathe."

Alya listened to Adrien and took a deep breath pushing Hawkmoth to the back of her mind.

She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I think we could use some air." Nino said calmly. He held Alya's hand and led them both out of the room with a gentle wave to Marinette and Adrien.

"What did I say?" Marinette watched the two of them leave sadly.

Adrien shrugged with a sigh, "You probably didn't say anything. Alya's… She's been pretty messed up lately."

"Her dad just died of course she is." Marinette snapped, still a little hurt and worked up.

"I didn't mean because of that." Adrien grabbed a glass of water, "She's been having a really rough time, she lost her job, and then she's going to get kicked out of her apartment soon." Adrien took a sip of water, and looked at where Nino and Alya had gone. "Don't tell them I told you this but… Something really weird is happening. Alya has headaches all the time, she never sleeps, sometimes we'll be talking and in the middle of a sentence she'll just cry out in pain, or mutter something. Nino won't tell me what's going on, but I know it's not good."

"How did I not know?" Marinette stared at Adrien in shock.

"She doesn't tell anyone. She doesn't like other people helping her, she's a lot like you that way."

Marinette looked at Alya who was wrapped in Nino's arms just outside the window. Alya's brown eyes met her's and their usual friendly and playful looks were gone. Marinette looked to her full of regret. She had lost her friend.

"It'll only be another hour." Nino said switching his turn signal on.

Alya looked out the window at the cars they passed. It was a gloomy day, and the weather was getting colder.

Gloomy. Just like you.

Alya made a face at her reflection.

Is this your grand plan? To hide from me forever?

She closed her eyes and covered her head.

You could cower in fear… Or you could join me.

"I won't."

Nino spared a glance at her, eyebrows furrowed in worry.

I'm closer than you think after all.

Alya's eyes shot open and she looked in her rear view mirror. Riding on top of the car behind them was a tall man, dressed in long dark robes, his masked face grinning as he reached his hand forward.

Alya screamed and shoved the steering wheel to the left.

"Alya! What's going on?" Nino grabbed hold of the steering wheel and brought them back onto the road.

"He's behind us!" Alya had turned around to stare at him.

"Alya, who is behind us?"

"Hawkmoth!"

"Where?"

"He's on the roof of that car!"

"Alya nobody's there!"

"He's there!"

"He's not." Nino reached out a hand and gently put it on her knee, "Breathe."

Alya closed her eyes and counted to ten with Nino and opened them again. Hawkmoth was gone.

"He's not there."

"He's not there." Nino said back.

Alya reached down and grabbed her boyfriend's hand, "Thank you."

"It'll be better out here. He won't be as strong."

Alya nodded. Fanna had told her that too, but the car ride had been difficult so far. It seemed the less grip Hawkmoth had on her mind, the more he fought to keep it.

"I love you."

Nino smiled like a dork, "I love you too."

Things got better the more they kept driving and the aching pain in Alya's head was disappearing.

Nino's grandmother lived by the ocean. Her French was fairly good but she preferred to talk in italian, which Alya did not speak any of. Her conversations with the woman were limited to, "Do you plan to marry my grandson?", "How is your hobby going? With the superheros?", and "Have you learned italian?" The woman wasn't particularly fond of her either, which didn't help.

They arrived at Nino's grandmother's around 3 pm and already Alya was rethinking the trip.

"Alya you're being crazy. Nona loves you!"

The rang the doorbell and Alya put on her best smile.

"Ah! Gianino! I'm so happy you came!" The older woman smothered her grandson in a hug, "Look at you! So tall and grown up!"

Nino laughed responding back in itallian to her. "Oh Nona! You remember Alya!" Nino switched back to french.

The older woman's face fell. "Yes. I do."

Alya held out her hand for the woman to shake, "It's good to see you again."

Nino's grandmother looked at Alya's hand and then turned back to Nino, speaking in fast italian. "What ever happened to that other girl from school?"

"Who?"

"The beautiful one! She was itallian you know! I spoke to her a lot! So sweet! Why do you never bring home that girl?"

"Be nice!"

Nino's grandmother turned back to Alya, "So, have you learned anymore itallian? I have some books in the back I used to teach my neighbor."

"You speak fluent french Nona!" Nino laughed a little and gave Alya an apologetic smile.

"Itallian is such a beautiful language. Can I help it if I am proud? I am itallian, your father was italian, you are-"

"Half italian." Nino finished.

"Yes and you should be more proud."

With that the old woman lead the way into her house. As Nino grabbed their bags Alya excused herself to use the washroom.

"I want to tell him."

"So tell him." Fanna floated out of her chosen's pocket once they were safely in a bathroom.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because he would worry."

"Why?"

"Because I would be fighting Hawkmoth. The very same Hawkmoth that he is trying to get me away from."

"But you are fighting Hawkmoth regardless, whether you tell him does not change the amount of danger you are in."

"But it changes the amount of danger he thinks I'm in."

"But you have a kwami, you are not as helpless as he believes."

"I guess."

"There is something else isn't there?" Fanna looked up to her chosen.

"What if he hates Volpina? I'm not really that popular in Paris."

"If he loves you then he loves Volpina. You are her." Fanna shrugged her shoulders, "Can we go for a walk later? It's so cramped hiding all day."

"If you're up to it." Alya gave her Kwami a smile.

"Oh, and Alya," Fanna said as she moved back towards Alya's pocket, "I'll always be here for you, even if this stupid Tod doesn't, I will always stand by Volpina."

Alya left the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen were Nino and his Grandmother were chatting in italian.

"I'll bring our suitcases upstairs." Nino said walking over to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll help."

"I've got it. You can stay and talk to Nona."

"Are you sure?" Alya tried to give a look to Nino but he didn't see her, he was already out of the room. Alya sighed and sat at the table with the older woman. "How have you been Ms. Cillo?"

"So sore dear. I'm getting old, it's so sad. But I'm sure you understand."

Alya took a deep breath and tried to smile, "I'm only 20 Ms. Cillo."

Nino's grandmother made a face, "You just look so old dear." She pointed a finger towards the dark circles under Alya's eyes, "How did they get there then? More of your superhero hobby?"

"I haven't been sleeping well," Alya said as calmly as she could, "My Dad just died."

For once the other woman gave her a look of comfort, "I'm very sorry to hear that. When Nino's Father died… It was very hard. I didn't sleep either."

Nino came back in the room with a cheery smile, "Alright! Shall we go for a walk?"

It was a very long walk, not that they went very far, but Nino's grandmother couldn't move very fast and when she got particularly excited about a part of the conversation she would come to a full stop to finish her thought. The three of them made it to the ocean despite the delays. The wind was cold and salty by the water. The air was full of the cries of gulls and the fast itallian that was passed between her boyfriend and the old woman.

Alya was a little glad to be excluded from the conversation, she enjoyed the sounds of the waves and the cool air. Nino had been right to bring them here, she needed the quiet more then she realised. She wished it was warmer and they could go into the water, she wanted to feel the sand in her toes and run up and down the beach in the warmth of the sun. That's what they used to do at the beach. They were crazy teens running all over the place, splashing innocent bystanders. It was the best part of summer break. Nino would always be the last one in the water, Adrien would be the first one to push him in. Marinette would always have the nicest swimsuit and the sweetest smile, her eyes were a bright pop of colour that matched the water.

Alya thought about her at the funeral. Dressed in black, the dark circles under her eyes matching Alya's. Her eyes matched the ocean today. Cold, dark, unsettled.

Alya missed the beach.

Nino was helping with dinner when they got back, so Alya went to read outside, so she could let Fanna out. Her kwami's leg was healing well, but neither of them had enough strength for Fanna to maintain a human form. Instead the little red fox bounded across the yard rolling in the grass and breathing in the fall air. Alya sat against a tree and watched her kwami with a smile. Fanna trotted up to her after a while and sat in her lap. Alya's hand found the fox's head and she petted her soft fur. Fanna hummed happily.

It was beautiful here. Nino's grandmother had a very cute house. It had a large yard that surrounded it and a big old oak tree beside the house. In the corner of the yard was an old shed with two bikes leaning against it. One looked like it must have been Nino's as a kid.

"I like it here." The kwami said softly nuzzling her head closer to Alya's hand.

Alya smiled, "I'm glad."

"Alya?"

Alya looked towards the front door where Nino was calling from. "Here." Fanna darted off behind the tree.

Nino made his way towards her, "I thought I saw a cat or something." Nino looked around confused.

"I think you need new glasses." Alya said with a laugh, as she felt Fanna's energy return to her. Fanna must have gone back to her smaller form.

"It's nice out here." Nino said sitting down beside her.

"It is."

There was a small pause and Alya smiled and leaned her head on Nino's shoulder.

"Alya… I just got a call from work."

"Hmm?"

"They want me to come back sunday."

"Sunday? I thought we were supposed to stay 3 nights not 1."

"Something came up. But I was thinking, since it's so nice here and Hawkmoth seems to be too far away, maybe you should stay while I go back."

"Stay?" Alya lifted her head.

"Yeah, you could even stay for a week or two while I work."

"A week?!"

"Yeah."

"Nino I'm not staying her for a week."

"Or two-"

"Nino!"

"Alya it's a great plan! You need a place to stay, my grandmother is always looking for company. It's free! Plus you're far away from Hawkmoth!"

"Are you listening to me? I said no Nino! I'm not living with your grandmother for a week!"

"Then what do you plan to do? You're getting kicked out of your apartment soon and you won't even hear my plan."

"I've heard it Nino! It's not happening! Your grandmother hates me!"

"She doesn't-"

"Nino she does! She always has! She doesn't want us to be together!"

"Alya-"

"It's not happening!"

"Alya it is happening! I already talked to her about it!"

Alya stood up, "You do not control me Nino Lahiffe! You don't get to decide what I do!"

"Alya I'm looking out for you! I'm helping you! You're not in good space to make big decision-"

"I CAN LOOK OUT FOR MYSELF NINO!"

Dead silence fell between them. Alya huffed annoyed and started to walk away.

"I just want you to be safe Alya. I'm just so worried." Nino called out to her, "I love you."

Alya kept walking.

She ignored Nino's grandmother who told her to wipe her shoes off. She just stormed into her room and slammed the door shut. She looked at herself in the mirror. Was she really such a wreck Nino didn't think she could handle anything?

"Alya.." She heard Fanna's voice on the other side of the door.

"Leave me alone Fanna."

"Alya I'm coming so we can talk."

"Why? So you can tell me I'm volpina? That I can do this? That I should just get over it already?"

Fanna went through the door but before she could open her mouth Alya had grabbed her necklace.

"I'm sorry Fanna I can't be Volpina twenty four seven! I just can't be the hero right now!"

Alya threw the necklace off onto the bed. She grabbed a sweater and stormed out of the room. Nino was at the front door and trying to get her attention. She refused to give it to him. She stormed right out of the house and in a desperate attempt to give herself space she hopped on one of the bikes leaning against the shed.

It smelt like rain and the temperature had dropped significantly. If Alya wasn't so angry she would have clued in that she should turn back. Her legs turned the pedals at an alarming rate and the wind in her ears blocked out all outside noise.

You left your kwami behind. How interesting.

"Shut it fuck head!"

My, that was obscene.

"Fuck off you flaming pile of horse shit!"

So this is the great Volpina's plan? To yell curse words at Hawkmoth.

"Oh and your plan is so great. Annoy me until I give you a vague ass memory. You're such a fucking great mastermind!"

You don't know what I have planned!

"Oh… Did I touch a nerve there?"

Hawkmoth didn't respond and Alya allowed herself to feel a little bit proud.

Volpina, isn't there someone you love?

"Yes, and if you hurt him I will cut your throat."

There is someone I love very much Volpina. But I can't find her. I need your help to find her.

"Too bad I hate you."

But I don't need much from you. All I want is to talk to Fanna.

"Too bad she's not here."

Volpina please. I just want to find the woman I love.

"Fuck off."

There was a roar in the back of her mind and a wave of anger flooded her, rising louder like a drum.

YOU WILL HELP ME!

Alya's hands went to her ears and she tumbled off of her bike to the ground.

YOU WILL FIND HER!

The voice was too loud, her head hurt, her legs hurt where they had scraped along the ground.

"Do you need a hand?" There was a hand in front of her in a spotted red suit. Alya looked up to see the blue eyes of Ladybug peeking out of her mask.

"Don't touch me."

"But you love me."

"I don't." Alya got up on her own, the world around her was dark. She looked around for Hawkmoth, "Why me? Why are you harassing me?"

"Because you're the only one who knows me." Ladybug said with a smile and her hands on her hips.

"What?" Alya looked back at the hero.

"You know me the best out of everyone Alya. Better then Chat, better than Jade Turtle, better then I know myself."

"I don't know you at all." Alya snapped.

"Yes you do. You know every battle better than anyone else."

"You could just go to the blog if that's what you wanted." Alya turned away again, "Where the hell are you Hawkmoth? Come and face me!"

"I bet you even know who I am."

"I don't!"

"You do. You've always known. You've always been so close Alya, to knowing everything. You're holding yourself back."

"Great, glad to hear it." Alya didn't spare Ladybug a glance.

"You don't believe me but you do know. You've known since we were in school together."

Alya froze. "We went to school together?"

"You found my book." Ladybug gave Alya a smile and took a step forward.

"I guess." Alya stared back at Ladybug.

"You're so afraid to know the truth. You pretend you want to know, but you've been disappointed by me before haven't you?"

Alya just stared. Ladybug was shorter then her, ladybug had blue eyes and dark hair.

"That's why it has to be you Alya. Because you know best of all that I'm human, that I can make mistakes. You know me better then anyone. You know me."

A tear rolled down Alya's cheek, "I didn't want it to be you."

"You always wanted it to be me." Ladybug stood in front of her, her mask was gone and freckles spotted her cheeks.

"No!" Alya shouted pushing Ladybug back. "This isn't real! Marinette is not Ladybug!"

Thank you Alya. You should rest for now.

"No!"

It was pouring rain as the woman walked back home from the farmer's market. It was cold October rain, the kind that chilled you to the bone if you got stuck in it. She held her umbrella a little tighter, and readjusted the bags in her arms. It was far too cold, maybe when she got home she would have a nice, long, hot bath. She could light some candles and wait out the worst of the storm in her nice cozy bathtub with a good book.

All thoughts of a bath went away however, because up in front of her she saw something lying in the grass. As she got closer she saw the bike, and the soaked young woman lying there. She ran up to the woman crouching beside her, the woman was out cold, and she must have been lying there for some time. She looked around for anyone to help, but she was alone, everyone else was staying inside for the storm. The woman grabbed hold of the unconscious woman's shoulders and with surprising strength lifted her up to sitting. With some difficulty and repositioning of grocery bags, she had the young woman slung across her shoulder and was making her way down the road once more.

Her home was fairly big to be living in alone. It was originally a Gardener's cottage to a much larger one, and it had plenty of bedrooms, a neat little kitchen, and a warm main room with a little fireplace. The woman placed the girl down on the couch and went about closing the windows and putting her groceries in the kitchen. Next she grabbed a stack of towels and began to dry the woman off as best she could. Lastly came the blanket that was wrapped securely around the unconscious woman's frame. With a sigh of content she grabbed some logs for the fire and went to work on starting it.

Alya woke up to the smell of soup and burning wood. She was freezing and wrapped the blankets around her a little tighter to her.

"You're awake?"

Alya turned her head to the woman, who looked to be in her late 30's.

"Where am I?" Her voice was hoarse and she shivered mercilessly.

"This is my home. You were unconscious out in the rain. My name is Eleanor Gillet."

"Alya Cesaire." Alya looked around, "I was unconscious?"

"Yes. We can talk later, you need some dry clothes. I've laid some in the bedroom upstairs go put them on."

Alya stumbled off of the couch and climbed up the stairs. It was much colder without the warm blanket around her. She found the clothes easily. A pair of sweatpants, some warm looking socks and a sweater. She happily put them on and balled up her wet clothes. Back downstairs the woman who had saved her was putting a bowl of soup and some bread in front of the couch.

"You can give those to me, we'll just put them right next to the fire."

Alya obeyed and sat back on the couch.

"Eat up."

She took a sip of the soup and tried not to frown. It basically tasted like hot water, but she was glad for the warmth.

"I'm afraid I'm a terrible cook." The woman said as she hung Alya's clothes in front of the fire.

"No, it's perfect thank you." Alya took another sip before eating some bread. "Is it alright if I use your phone my boyfriend will be worried sick."

"The power's out from the storm, but when it comes back up the phone is yours."

Alya nodded and put her head in her hands. This was bad. She was alone with no way to contact Nino or Fanna. Why did she have to be like this? Why couldn't she be calm? And now they were all in danger. Especially Marinette.

"Is there a reason you were lying face down in the grass?"

Alya looked up at the interruptions to her self deprecating thoughts. "Oh, I fell… I guess I hit my head."

It sounded a lot better then, "A crazy magical super villain is trying to control my brain."

"Does it still hurt?"

Alya experimentally moved her head, "A little. Just a small headache." She dipped some of the bread in the soup, "Thank you for rescuing me, Ms. Gillet."

The woman smiled, " Call me Elle." She raised an eyebrow skeptically, "So, why were you riding alone in a rainstorm?"

"Well… It wasn't raining when I left and I wasn't really thinking ahead."

"An angry storming out bike ride?"

"Yeah…"

"I see."

"Everything is just…. I think I might have ruined everything today."

Elle nodded with a small humm, "what happened?"

Alya took a deep breath, "I told my friend's secret to the worst person I could possibly tell."

"Why?"

Alya stared at her watery soup, "It was an accident. I didn't even know her secret but I just kind of figured it out and when I did I was too shocked and I just let it slip."

Elle nodded again with a sad smile, "Does she know yet?"

"No… And I'm really not looking forward to telling her." Alya took a sip of her soup, "I just feel like the biggest idiot in the world. Only I could destroy my friend's life and my own relationship in the same day. And now I've managed to knock myself out and have no way to contact anyone."

Elle reached out tentatively and put a hand on Alya's shoulder. "Hey, it's alright. You're still alive, everyone is healthy and fine. Feelings get tumbled around and hurt all the time, but they also get fixed all the time."

Alya looked over at the woman and felt like crying, "What am I going to do? What I did… What if my friend doesn't care about me anymore? It was a bad mistake Elle, it could hurt a lot of people."

Elle was thoughtful for a moment then said "My fiance caused an accident when we were around your age. He was being stupid and reckless and because of that my best friend's life was in danger. He was too scared to help her and she died."

Alya stared wide eyed at Elle, "And you forgave him?"

"It took a long time." Elle said seriously, "But I did. It was, after all, an accident. It was a mistake he made as a young irresponsible man, but I saw him grow and learn from those mistakes. I loved him Alya, and I knew I couldn't blame him for the rest of my life."

"How can I be sure she'll forgive me though?"

"You can't. But there is hope. Stranger things have happened." Elle frowned, "You said you ruined your relationship?"

"My boyfriend and I got into a huge fight and he tried to explain himself at the end and he told me he loves me, and I just walked away." Alya held her head in her hands, "How could I even do that? Why hasn't he realized that I can't do this? He's going to realize it now, it's going to be the end of us."

Elle gave her a gentle smile, "I've done much worse. What was the fight about?"

"He just made this plan to leave for a week and didn't tell me. He's making decisions for me because he thinks I'm weak."

"Maybe he just doesn't want to see you hurt?"

Alya nodded, "I get it. I know he's trying to look out for me, but I kind of need to be in on these plans, you know, before he dumps my in a forest with his grandmother who hates me."

Elle laughed a little, "Does he do this a lot?"

Alya shrugged, "We're usually pretty great at communicating. I think he's afraid to tell me things now though."

"Why's that?"

"My dad just died," Alya said softly stirring her soup with her spoon, "I think he's afraid I can't handle anything anymore."

"I'm really sorry for your loss."

"Thank you."

"I've lost a lot of friends, and sometimes all it takes is time, but you can't rush healing."

"I think I'm starting to get that."

"You should tell him that you want him to talk to you." Elle said taking another bite of bread, "Sorry if I'm overstepping."

"No, it's fine. I guess I don't have anyone to talk about this stuff with."

"Really?"

"My best friend and I… We're going through a rough time, and now that I blabbed about her secret… I don't even know if we can be friends." Alya said with a sigh, "And my other friend, while he's my boyfriend's best friend so he's not very impartial."

"Life Is the worst sometimes." Elle said with a sad smile.

"What about you, are you married now?" Alya asked with an awkward laugh.

"No.." Elle looked at the ground, and Alya regretted saying anything. "I was engaged about 12 years ago… My fiance passed away before we could get married."

"That's horrible."

"I really should move on I guess. It's been 12 years. But it's hard to move on when you're still dealing with stuff from the past."

"I get it."

"You and your boyfriend, are you two serious?"

Alya shrugged, "I guess, we're not getting married or anything yet, but yeah. I really love him. And he's one of my best friends."

"He sounds nice."

"He is. Honestly he's the greatest guy I know." Alya took the final sip of her soup, "And now he's probably running around in the rain like a maniac looking for me."

Elle smiled again, "I'm sure it'll be alright. As soon as the powers back we'll give him a call."

There was a quiet pause, "Can I get your impartial opinion?"

Elle nodded.

"I want… there's a big part of my life I can't share with people and I want to share it with him, but I don't know if he'll react well or not. I don't want him to worry… i just don't want to do anything I'll regret you know?"

Elle thought for a moment, "Alya my life is full of regrets, regrets that haunt me still. But I don't regret letting people into my life. I've lost my friends and my family, but I don't regret the time we knew each other." Elle smiled sadly, "My biggest regret was hiding how I felt for so long. Maybe if I had shared my secrets sooner things would have gone differently. You don't have to tell him, but you can't know he'll react badly until you tell love him don't you?"

Alya nodded, "I love him so much that it scares me."

"Tell him then."

They ended up clearing the table and playing cards. Elle told Alya she had moved out here after her fiance died, "There was just too much of the past where I lived before."

Alya told her about school, her old job. It was easy to talk to Elle, she felt like the woman understood what she felt, that they had more in common than either of them knew.

The lights popped back on after 2 hours. Alya ran to the phone and called Nino.

"You're where?"

"I crashed. This nice woman let me stay at her place. I wanted to call you but the power was out. Nino I am so sorry I shouldn't have just left."

"No I'm sorry for doing that. I thought I could protect you out here, but I should know better then to try and control you."

"I love you."

"I love you too Al. I'm coming to pick you up."

Nino was at the door in 20 minutes and tackled her in a hug the moment he saw her.

"This must be your boyfriend." Elle said with a laugh.

Alya laughed lightly, "Yes. Nino this is the woman who rescued me."

"Eleanor." Nino's grandmother said sternly.

All heads turned to Nino's grandmother as she stepped in the door.

Elle's face dropped, and she averted her gaze, "Hello Ms. Cillo."

"Thank you for finding Alya." Nino said offering Elle a smile, "I hope we didn't cause too much trouble."

"No trouble at all." Elle gave Nino a smile, "I'm just glad you're alright." Elle gave another smile to Alya.

They packed themselves back into the car and Nino's grandmother gave a humph as they waved goodbye.

"Nonna, what is the matter?" Nino asked as they turned back onto the road.

"I don't like that woman." The old woman responded in italian.

"Why not? She saved Alya." Nino pointed out in the same language.

"She used to be friends with your mother,"

"What? She knew my mother?"

"Yes. I just said that."

"Nonna we have to go back and ask her about Momma."

"No! I will not be part of that crowd."

"And what crowd is that? Hmm?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"What's wrong?" Alya leaned forward.

"Nonna is being a stubborn old woman again."

"Gianino! Don't call me such things!"

Nino laughed a little, "Don't be so rude then!"

"I am not the rude one!" The old woman turned to Alya, "Alya tell him I'm not the one being rude!"

Alya looked at Nino and smiled, "She's right Nino."

"See Nino! This nice girl agrees with me! I always told you she was a keeper!"

Alya smiled and Nino held in a laugh.

Alya was alone in her and Nino's room having tucked Fanna into the dresser's drawer after apologizing profusely for leaving her behind. She enjoyed the brief silence as she lay on the bed reading the last chapter of her book.

There was a small knock on the door.

"Come in."

Nino's grandmother stepped inside the room and Alya shot up to a sitting position.

"What are you doing up here?" The old woman asked as she looked around the room.

"Reading."

The woman hummed taking a seat by the window in the lone chair. "What book is that?"

"The Grave Gourmet. It's a mystery book."

Nino's grandmother hummed again.

"Ms. Cillo.. I'm sorry for any trouble-"

"Nino tells me I am too harsh on you." The woman interrupted her with a raise of the hand.

Alya didn't know how to respond.

"I can't help worry that you left today because of me."

"No I-"

"Do not lie to me."

"It wasn't just you." Alya admitted. The old woman nodded. Alya put her book on the nightstand and turned to fully face Nino's grandmother. "I just… I want to know why you hate me?"

"I do not-"

Alya raised her eyebrow, "Don't lie."

The woman sighed, "I am sure you are a wonderful girl, but you have a dangerous hobby and I've done my best to keep Nino away from it."

"Dangerous hobby?"

"You're superhero hobby?"

"Oh," Alya nodded, "It's not as dangerous as you think Ms. Cillo. Sure I chase around Ladybug, but I am much more careful now then I-"

"No." The woman met Alya's gaze, "I do not mean you chasing Ladybug. I mean it is a dangerous interest to have."

Alya frowned confused, "What do you mean?"

"These heroes of yours, they are dangerous. Their lives are dangerous. I have spent my life keeping Nino far from them." The old woman looked sad, "Nino's mother, she was dangerous, it was no shock to me when she left."

Alya stared shocked at the woman. She had never heard Nino say anything about his mother.

"I am sure you are a good girl, but you most understand. Nino is the most important thing to me. I will protect him." She stood up and made her way to the door. "But you are the woman he loves, and I will love you too."

"Thank you Ms. Cillo."

The woman smiled, "Call me Nonna dear."