"Haha! That's really funny, Kitty!" I'm with Cat Noir, seated on a high rooftop in Paris. We're technically on patrol, but so far all we've accomplished is telling funny stories and jokes.

I don't even feel like I'm in my Ladybug suit, just Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Cat has been helping my parents out in the bakery while I have my sewing class.

"And it just plopped down on your head like that?" I giggle. Cat chuckles. "I was trying toss the pizza dough in the air just like they do on TV. They make it look so easy," I place my hand on Cat's shoulder. "Hey, what you do is important too. Best partner ever," I say.

"Aw, thanks, Bugaboo." Cat leans over and kisses my cheek. I interlace our fingers and lean close to him. "I like it when you kiss me," I say. "And you are flirty this evening, M'lady."

"I'm feeling frisky tonight," I tell him. Its a warm evening in Paris, and I feel very alive. "So, Marinette's dad takes one look at me and says its time to roll bread."

"I bet he got a kick out of it though," I smile. Dad and Mom love Cat. Would wouldn't love my partner?

My stomach growls. "Are you hungry?" Another growl comes from my hungry stomach. "I think my stomach is speaking for its self."

We drop down to street level, trying to find a little place to eat. "How about hear?" Cat asks me. "Anything sounds good."

Did I forget to eat lunch? A waiter comes over and takes our order. I look into Cat's eyes. "I've never seen you look so happy," I say.

"M'lady, you don't know how much I enjoy our time together. I get lonely," he says. "You get lonely?"

"Doesn't everyone? Besides you and Marinette I spend my time by myself."

I prop my chin in my hands. "What's that like?" I ask. Our meal is served, and Cat doesn't seem to see the chocolate soda in front of him. "Believe me there's always homework." "Are you sure sometimes our teachers aren't Hawkmoth in disugie?"

Cat laughs hard. "Oh, My Lady! That's…" he cracks up again. Even though I take my duties seriously, I need to let loose tonight.

Besides, its good to hear him laugh. Sometimes the stress, makes us forget about laughter. "What do you do for fun?" I ask.

Cat blushes. "Is it that bad?" I ask. "Just don't tell Princess," he says. Oh? "When she's at her sewing class I play with the rubber ducks in the tub," Cat tells me.

"Here's a secret. I like dancing video games. But I can't dance at all," I say. Cat's eyes light up with mirth as he pictures that. "I'll teach you."

"As terrible as Hawkmoth is, we wouldn't be together if not for him." Cat sighs. "I still can't figure out what he wants with our miraculous." "Well, most villains do like power."

"But there's different kinds of power. Why not use it for good instead of evil?" "Do we truly know anyway?" But we both know the answer already. Akumatizing victims is evil, which is why we must stop him.

"They are getting more powerful, Bugaboo. We need to be prepared for anything." "I'm actually been working on that. Its not ready but I'll show you soon."

I'm trying to come up with plans how to fight the villains better, and a ? "what if this happens?" guidebook. I know I have to think on the fly most of the time (literally!). But I like to be prepared. It really helps with my small sewing business.

Cat and I finish our meal, and we hold hands are we walk out the door. We decide to walk by the river Seine. "So, what's next for us, Bugaboo?" The water lapping against the shore is calming. "What do you mean, us?"

"M'lady, you know I want to date you. What is keeping me from you?" Heat fills me cheeks. "Its not that I don't want to," I say.

First, there's Adrien to consider. Second, I've seen what happens when I fall in love. "What's wrong with being best friends?" Great, my defensive mechanism is working again. Why can't I say yes? My emotions are a wall that I can't scale.

"Maybe we could go on some dates, as friends?" I'll try to compromise. He's been such a good Kitty lately. Not so over the top with flirting. And I am in love with him, deep down.

Besides, I want our "Cat and Mari" thing we have. I know Cat likes that side of me as well. "Well, there is this girl-" Cat stops. I know the girl is me.

"Cat, I just want to be friends for now, what we have is special." I want to make sure he loves me, the real Marinette me. Who has good and bad days, and likes being silly with her Kitty.

"I'm not saying no to forever, but need to stay a mystery to the ones I love." "But I get to know you better and better each day, Bugaboo."

He's right, because I'm finding out things about him as Ladybug I might not find out as Marinette and vise visera.

"We're like two puzzle pieces. Trying to figure out who we really are," I say. "That's what growing up is about. You never stop learning, never stop growing."

Each day is a new puzzle piece to the game called life. You either let people in, or sometimes like me for the sake of love you keep them out.

Maybe that's why Hawkmoth wants to merge our miraculous to get his one wish. Maybe there's someone he loves?

Sometimes I think Cat could be Adrien under the mask, but what are the odds? Is this another reason I hold back? I will watch closely, but I won't ask or reveal my identity.

I'll split my time between Ladybug and Marinette. Watching, growing. When the times comes, the mask will come off and I'll be standing with the love of my life. No more secrets, only love.