"Did you get to see that old lady you told me about? Lily was it?"

"Yes, but she didn't say anything. Miss Bustier said she thought she couldn't remember, but I have a feeling she did."

Luka hummed in thought. He could hear the frustration in her voice. . "Are you sure you don't need anything, Marinette? I can ask Rose or Jules to come around if you want."

Marinette ran her fingers along the cord of the telephone, twisting her fingers around it. Luka was being very calm on the phone, but she could hear the slight strain there. He was worried about her, she knew that, but she didn't want him trying to come back early and she definitely didn't want Rose or Juleka coming around.

"No, I'm fine Luka, really. Actually I was thinking about maybe going away for a few days."

"That's a great idea Honey. A change of scenery might do you some good. Are you going to Paris?"

"Uh, no. Maybe I might go to Deauville Beach, get some fresh air, you know."

"I remember when we went there with the band, what was it three years ago now? That was the first time Ivan got seriously drunk." Luka chuckled down the phone.

"Mylène was so mad at us. She might be pint sized, but she can be fearsome when she wants to be." Marinette laughed along with him at the memory. They really did have so many good times together with their friends and the band. Things seemed so much simpler then, but the memories Marinette knew she would treasure forever.

"So are you going to stay at that same hotel? It did have a nice view there."

"Oh yeah, of course. Wouldn't stay anywhere else."

She didn't like lying to Luka about where she was going, but she couldn't tell him she was planning to stay in the past. She hadn't really thought through how she was going to do that, or where she should stay. Maybe she could ask Alya and Nino if they wouldn't mind her staying with them. One thing was for sure though, she wasn't going to find any answers staying here without Aunt Lily opening up some information.

Luka let out a long sigh. "I miss home and my own bed. It's been nothing but rain here in London and I'm having to share a room with XY. I swear that guy has no comprehension of personal space, or how to clean up after himself."

Marinette did feel sorry for him having to share with XY. Bob Roth as usual was being a tight arse by not giving them separate rooms. "I'm sure you must be very busy though. Bob had a fairly packed itinerary for you both."

"Yeah sure, but that doesn't mean I like it. I'm sorry this trip is being dragged out for another few days but I couldn't exactly turn my Dad down when he offered for me to perform with him at Hyde Park. Ugh, XY just pointed his watch at me because we're due at the studio. Have fun at the beach and make sure you take some time to relax alright. I'll see you when I get back okay."

Marinette hung up the phone and held the opal pendant Luka had given her around her neck. What is it that Aunt Lily wouldn't tell her? That old lady knew something, Marinette could feel it in her gut, but what?

In the distance the sound of a storm was rolling in. Marinette locked up all the windows and doors and secured the outdoor table and chairs. As the thunder rolled overhead, Marinette got dressed in one of her new dresses she had made, putting the opal necklace back on around her neck.

With the rain pouring down hard, Marinette went around to the back porch to open up the time watch. In a flash her senses were hit with the warmth of the sun, the smell of Adrien's rose bushes but also her ears could hear what sounded like an argument inside the house. Walking around closer to the front of the house, Marinette could hear two distinct voices, Adrien's and a woman. At first she thought maybe it was Chloé, but Adrien's tone was far too angry to be directed at his old friend.

Approaching one of the open windows, Marinette stepped over Plagg to hear better. The black cat meowed at her and she shushed him quietly. Plagg blinked at her before tucking his head back under his paws while Marinette listened.

"…. You can't expect me to just sit back while she is clearly lying to you. It would be remiss of me as your friend not to tell you that she isn't who she appears to be."

"So you know who she is now do you ? And since when have we been friends, Lila. You were jealous of Kagami and now you're jealous of Marinette. Why else would you have gone snooping around?"

"I wasn't snooping! She said she lived nearby and I just wanted to drop off some leftover material that I had since she mentioned she liked sewing. I didn't expect to find that she doesn't live here at all. There isn't even any record of her in Paris, or the bakery she claimed her parents owned. I was just…"

"You were just trying to dig up dirt like you always do. You know you're a real piece of work."

Marinette carefully moved the curtain aside and could see Adrien and Lila reflected in the mirror behind them. Adrien was standing with his arms crossed while Lila was leaning against his piano.

"Oh I can be a piece of work alright. I can show you things that you have only ever dreamed of. Kagami was too naive to show you how a real woman can love you."

"Don't you speak to me about Kagami." Adrien said vehemently. "I know you always hated her, but she was my fiancée and I did love her, despite what you might think."

"And Marinette?"

Adrien glared at her. "What Marinette is to me is none of your business."

"Oh I think it is." She counted with a smirk. She moved closer to him, looping her arms around his neck.

"You think I was jealous? Ha! Kagami was the jealous one. That's why she didn't want me around. She knew you let me come around because you like to look at me while Nate painted. You know you could do so much more than just look now Adrien. I'll let you do whatever you want."

Adrien grabbed her wrists, removing her arms and pushing her away from him."I don't know what kind of fantasy world you're living in Lila, but I can see Kagami was right when she kicked you out. So why are you really here?"

"To see Nate of course." She smiled with fake sincerity.

"You know perfectly well Nate is in Paris until tomorrow. Try again." Adrien was clearly starting to lose patience with Lila's games.

"Can't you guess?" She asked in a sultry voice. "Or do I have to spell it out for you."

Marinette had seen and heard enough. Going to the door, she banged the door knocker loudly. Moments later Adrien opened it and his face was a mixture of delight and relief.

"Are you here for your riding lesson my lady?" He said a little loudly for Lila's benefit.

"Yes I am." Marinette replied, playing along. "Have I come at a bad time?"

"Not at all." Adrien declared, inviting her inside. "Lila was just leaving." He emphasised the last word so that Lila would get the message.

Judging by the look on Lila's face she got the message alright. "Well, it seems I was the one with the bad timing." Lila quipted. "You seem to always be around, aren't you Marinette, but please, don't let me get in the way." She said with a fake sincerity. "Perhaps after your lesson Adrien should accompany you home. You never know who could be lurking around the place these days."

Adrien glared at Lila as she gave Marinette a little wave and sashayed out the door. There was a simmering anger Marinette could see under the surface of Adrien's calm exterior. She wondered what else Lila must have said about her before she started to eavesdrop.

"Is everything alright?" Marinette ventured to ask. Adrien's eyes were still fixed glaringly at the back of the door but at the sound of her voice it was like a switch had been flicked and his face softened. "It is now that you're here." He said with absolute sincerity. "I thought you might have come earlier for your lesson."

"Oh, I was caught up on the phone." She said casually, then she froze at the quizzical look on Adrien's face. She remembered that in 1899, telephones were not that readily available in people's houses like they were in 1975. "Phone… phonograph." She corrected herself. "I was listening to music on a phonograph."

Adrien gave her a lopsided grin. "I don't know why anyone would want to listen to music on those scratchy things. It's so hollow and there's no life in it. If you want to listen to music, then listen to the real deal." Adrien pulled out the piano stool and invited her to sit down. "Tell me what you like, I probably have it here somewhere."

Marinette had to search her memory for classical pieces she knew. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." She suddenly blurted out, not sure even where she had heard of it before. Adrien looked a little surprised at the choice but flicked through his sheet music.

"Bach, right?" He asked as he searched. "Here it is."

He sat beside her on the stool, cracking his knuckles before resting his fingers on the keys. He began to play and the music filled the space all around them. Marinette closed her eyes, letting the music drift into her ears and straight to her heart. There was something decidedly romantic about the piece, and she could picture her and Adrien waltzing around a grand ballroom to the sound of the music.

"You know, this piece is quite popular at weddings." Adrien said, looking sideways just in time to see Marinette break out in an adorable blush. So that was where she had heard it. It was one of the pieces Rose had suggested for walking down the aisle to, but Luka wasn't a fan of it, wanting something more contemporary instead. It was just one of the many things they couldn't agree on when it came to getting married.

When she didn't say anything, Adrien continued. "You're fiancé, Luka right? You said he was a musician. Does he compose his own music?"

Marinette suddenly felt very self conscious of the ring that was still on her finger. "I guess you could say that." She said, unsure where this line of questioning had come from. Although considering Lila had just been there, maybe it wasn't such a surprise. "He plays a few instruments. Sometimes he likes to play Vivaldi on the violin when he's having a hard time writing new music."

Adrien nodded his head as he continued to play. "And he doesn't wonder where you are right now?"

Marinette bit down on her lip. "He's in London this week, performing."

Adrien hummed and they fell back into silence as he continued to play. Marinette could feel her heart accelerating, wondering what Adrien was thinking as he played. She watched as his fingers moved expertly over the ivories. He had clearly played his whole life and he put so much of himself into playing. It reminded him of the night she had seen him through the window, but instead of pain, she could feel love. There really was no comparison to hearing music like this. Or maybe it was just the fact that it was Adrien who was playing it. When he finished, Adrien rested his hands on the edge of the keys, a small smile on his lips.

"My parents had their wedding dance to that song." He said, looking at the photo that sat on top of the piano. "At least that's what my mother told me. It was one of her favourite pieces to play. She loved the piano you see, that's why she taught me. Somehow, playing always made me feel closer to her. I haven't played this particular one for a long time now though."

Marinette placed her hand on his knee next to her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. The last thing I wanted to do was make you sad."

"It doesn't make me sad." Adrien picked up her hand from his knee and kissed the back of it. "It would be impossible for me to feel sad when I'm with you." He turned her hand over and pressed a kiss to her wrist, making her shiver at the intimacy of the gesture. He turned his head towards her, bringing his face closer to hers. "I don't care about anything Lila said, just so you know." His eyes had shifted into a kind of determination. "I don't care who you are or where you are from. You're here now, and that's all that matters to me."

He leaned in, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips. "I've been thinking about doing that ever since you left." He said, his lip curling into a cheeky grin. "Come on. Tikki is ready and waiting for you and I want to show you something."

Taking her hand, Adrien threaded his fingers with hers as they walked down the pathway towards the stables. Nino was walking Kalkki back, the young horse bucking a little as they did. When Nino saw them he waved. "I heard Flairmidable won another race over the weekend." He said, patting Kalkki's neck to try and calm him. "Félix must be happy."

"I'm sure he is." Adrien agreed. "And it gives him another excuse to gloat when he comes on Saturday."

"But wasn't Flairmidable your horse?" Marinette queried. "Doesn't that mean you share the win?"

"Not exactly." Adrien chuckled at Marinette's confusion. "Flairmidable was one of Mayura's offspring along with Tikki and Kalkki. Their father, Papillon, died last winter but he was a race horse from Felix's stables. After the accident, I sent Flairmidable to Félix for racing."

"The accident?" Marinette asked. Adrien let out a heavy sigh.

"Flarmidable was the one that broke out of the stable and ran down Kagami." He said, patting Tikki down her snout. "It wasn't his fault and honestly it was completely out of character. Something had to have spooked him badly. He was one of the best race horses we'd had, the right thing to do was to send him to Félix."

He could see the pained look in Marinette's eyes and he gave her a sad smile. "It's fine really. Once Kalkki goes, I'm only keeping Mayura because she was my mother's horse and Tikki because she's yours now."

Adrien thought the blush on Marinette's face was just adorable. "You shouldn't just give your horses away to just anyone." She said as Adrien opened Tikki's stall.

"But you're not just anyone." Adrien replied, getting down Tikki's saddle. "Anyway, Tikki chose you, not me." He grinned when Tikki nuzzled Marientte's face. "See, she agrees with me."

After taking Marinette for a few laps around the house, and letting her control the reins for a while, Adrien grabbed the bridle again and took Tikki down a different path that led down towards the lake. The sun was getting lower in the sky, but night was still a little while off. When they reached the shore, Marinette could see a small row boat. Adrien helped her down and then took her over to it.

"Come on, hop in." He said, holding her hand as she got in.

Adrien rowed them out towards the middle of the lake. The sunset painted the sky in the most intense splashes of orange, yellow and pinks. The colours of the afterglow reflected on the water and the boat ebbs and bobbed. Marinette could believe she could be closer to heaven than she did right at that moment.

"It's so beautiful." Marinette gushed as a gaggle of white swans swam across the water.

"You're beautiful." Adrien said, placing the oar in the boat and moving closer to her. He reached up, tucking her hair behind her ear and letting his hand linger to cradle her face. Leaning in, he softly claimed her lips with his, slowly pulling her closer to him.

As darkness fell, Adrien rowed them back towards where Tikki was quietly nibbling at the grass. Marinette looked up at the sky. She had never seen so many stars before.

When they arrived back, Adrien jumped out and held his out to Marinette. Trying to step out of the boat in her long dress, Marientte lost her footing, losing her balance and falling into his arms. The two fell back into the water, laughing like a couple of children.

"I knew you would end up falling for me." Adrien teased, and Marinette slapped him playfully on the arm before he pulled her in for another kiss, and then another and another until they had started to lose count. Eventually Adrien stood up and scooped her up into his arms, carrying her towards Tikki but stopping to kiss her once before helping her up into the saddle.

It was quite dark when they got back to the house, and Marinette had started to shiver. Plagg sat as a solitary sentinel at the top of the stairs waiting for them to return and looking spectacularly unimpressed at the empty bowl beside him.

"Ignore him." Adrien said, helping off Tikki. "He's lying because Alya would have already fed him. Go on inside while I take Tikki back to the stable. I'll only be a minute."

Marinette petted Plagg as she passed him and made her way into the lounge room. Someone had already started the fire in the fireplace and Marinette stood in front of it warming her cold hands. It wasn't long before Adrien came back in. He opened a chest under the window, taking out some blankets and towels.

"Thank goodness Alya got the fire going." He said, laying the blankets on the floor and handing a towel to Marinette.

"Is she like your maid?" Marinette asked. Adrien shook his head. Taking the towel out of her hand he stood behind her and started drying her hair.

"I told you she can be a bit of a mother hen. I guess you could say she acts a bit like a housekeeper, making sure Plagg gets fed and that the fireplace gets started at night. It's not part of her job description though, she just does that herself. Clearly she thinks I can't look after myself." He chuckled. "I think she's probably hoping you could take over."

"Oh." Marinette exclaimed, her heart racing faster in her chest at the way Adrien was looking at her in the mirror. "Are you in the market for a housekeeper?"

Adrien took the towel off her head and threw it on a chair. "I think you know you mean a lot more to me than that, Marinette."

There was something almost palpable in the air as he spoke, his hands resting on her shoulders. "You're so beautiful, even soaking wet. You really should take this dress off though. You'll catch your death of cold."

Adrien's fingers lightly brushed the back of her neck as he moved her damp hair away to find the buttons. Marinette shivered when she felt his lips on the bare skin of her shoulders as he unbuttoned the dress. She still had her undergarments on, but they were just as soaked as the rest of the dress was.

The only light in the room now the fireplace cracking behind them. As Adrien undid the last button her dress slid down and pooled around her feet on the floor. He gently turned her around to look at him. Her breathing had become ragged, but so had his and his darkened eyes were full of desire.

Adrien cupped his hand around her face, running his thumb across her bottom lip. Marinette closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. "I've never felt like this about anyone before." He said hoarsely, his other hand resting on her hip. "There's something so addictive about you, like I can't get enough being around you, can't get enough of your lips or your touch. You are everything I never knew I wanted."

Adrien's hand slid up her back and into her hair as his lips danced against hers. Sweet, gentle, intoxicating, Marinette had to bite back a moan as she felt his fingers entangled in the ribbons holding her bodice on. Her own hands blindly searched for the buttons on his shirt, still damp and clinging to him. She slid the shirt off his shoulders and found him to be incredibly toned underneath.

"Alya and Nino won't be coming back will they." She asked breathlessly as she felt her garments become loose around her.

"No." He murmured as he trailed a line of kisses down her neck. "It's just you and me tonight."

In the back of her mind, a small twinge of conscience was telling Marinette this wasn't a good idea. She didn't belong here, she didn't really belong to him, but as he laid her down in front of the fireplace and lavished his love across her skin she could no longer think about what was right and wrong. All she could think of was how she wanted him and she let herself fall over the cliff into the abyss of his love.

~~~~~

It was early in the morning of the picnic when a knock came to Adrien's front door. Marinette was in the kitchen making breakfast when she heard Adrien greet someone enthusiastically.

"Come in, I want you to meet someone." She heard Adrien say. Footsteps approached and Marinette almost had a double take when Adrien and someone that looked like his twin walked in.

"Marinette, this is my cousin Félix."

Félix held out his hand to her to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I already heard about you from Chloé."

"Oh, really?" Marinette asked, shaking his hand. Félix tilted his head and looked her up and down.

"Well she said you needed better style, but you weren't too unpleasant to converse with."

Marinette blinked at him but Adrien just laughed. "Don't worry, coming from Chloé, that's actually a compliment."

"I'll take your word for it. I have to say though, anyone would have thought you two were twins."

Adrien grinned while Félix rolled his eyes. "I should have warned you. My mother and Félix's were identical twins and we both took after them."

Félix gave Adrien a playful shove. "Speak for yourself. You and I both know that I'm clearly the better looking one."

Marinette offered Félix to share breakfast with them, which he accepted, humming contently as he ate the fresh croissants. Despite their matching looks, Marinette soon found Félix had quite a different personality to Adrien. He was exceptionally well groomed, his hair slicked back neatly and a tie around his neck, unlike Adrien who's hair was more loosely tied and he rarely did up his top buttons. Félix was clearly highly intelligent, but he wasn't boastful. He also had a more conservative way of speaking and yet there seemed to have been a wicked sense of humor there, if the stories they told from their childhood was anything to go by.

"You know this one here was a real life hero when we were what? 15 or 16?"

Adrien looked somewhat embarrassed. "I don't know about hero?"

"Well she called you one." Félix counted. He leaned across the table towards Marinette. "One of the ladies that worked for my mother almost drowned once, Adrien dived in and dragged her out of the water."

"Anyone should have done the same." Adrien said humbly.

"Maybe." Félix mumbled as he bit into his third croissant. "But I ran into her husband the other day. Funny, he didn't look a day older, but then again he was already pretty old right? Anyway, he said he was intending to visit Paris soon and he would look you up."

"Really? I'd like to see him again. I'm sure Nate would too. He would remember him."

"Where's Nathaniel these days?" Félix asked as Marinette cleaned up the dishes. "Is he still living like a hermit in your attic?"

"He's probably still asleep." Adrien replied. "He's been working day and night on his current project so he said he wasn't coming to the picnic. He came back again from Paris yesterday and was working late into the night."

Félix gave him a mischievous smirk. "And what were you doing up late into the night to know?"

Marinette was sure her face flushed scarlett. Over the past several days, Marinette had hardly left the house, spending every waking minute with Adrien. Nathaniel only smiled when he came back and found her there, wearing Adrien's shirt no less, but he never asked any questions and hid back in his attic to work. Félix however seemed to be much more observant.

Marinette and Adrien were spared having to answer when a shrill voice called out "Adrikins" from outside. Going to the window, Adrien found Chloé outside riding a tan horse, joined by Lila on a jet black one.

"Adrien, is Félix there with you? I couldn't find him in the hotel anywhere this morning."

Moments later the front door opened and Félix walked down the stairs. "Felikins." Chloé exclaimed excitedly. "Look, I'm riding. See, I told you I could. I'm mad at you though. I wanted to show you my new hat this morning and you weren't there."

Marinette joined Adrien on the porch and watched Félix walk over to Chloé, take her hand and kiss the back of it. Marinette was surprised to not only see a small blush dust Chloe's cheeks, but there did seem to be genuine affection in the gesture. "My apologies my dear for my early departure, but I hesitated to disturb you from your beauty sleep."

The two continued to converse, clearly flirting with each other. "Oh you two lovebirds! Can you continue this at the lake?" Lila finally said in a sing-song voice. "We must not leave sweet Alya and Nino waiting after all their hard work setting up the picnic for us."

She was giving absolutely no indication of the altercation her and Adrien had only a few days earlier, chatting with Chloé and smiling sweetly. A picture of innocence.

Once they were all saddled, the group steadily made their way towards the picnic. Lila decided to show off her riding skills, racing ahead of them. Chloé, getting competitive, wanted to race after her, but Félix managed to talk her out of it. She was doing fine, but clearly was a novice like Marinette was. Marinette had to marvel at how well Félix handled the temperamental Kalkki. He clearly had good horsemanship to keep the feisty stallion in check.

It was a long way around to the other side of the lake where Alya and Nino had gone ahead to help set up. Lila fussed over the baked goods, lavishing praise on Alya for all her hard work.

"You said your parents were bakers, right Marinette?" The Italian asked, acting innocent. "In Paris wasn't it? I bet you must have learned a few baking tips and tricks from them?"

Her voice was sweet, like liquid honey, but there was an unmistakable leading edge to the question. Adrien of course jumped right in, wrapping a supportive arm around Marinette's waist.

"She makes the best croissants! So flakey and buttery. I don't believe there are any better in the whole of France. Wouldn't you agree, Félix?"

His cousin nodded his head slowly, thinking back over breakfast. "Indeed, I must concur. They were, in a word, delicious."

"No fair." Chloé pouted, folding her arms. "Why didn't you bring some to the picnic? You simply must make me some, Marientte. I must try it for myself."

Lila was trying to conceal her visible annoyance that the conversation had turned into Marinette's favour. Adrien continued to watch Lila closely, but the Italian simply moved the conversation to something else.

"Alright everyone, listen up now." Chloé later announced, clapping her hands. "I'm organising a little scavenger hunt. I'm having a new table commissioned, and I want the top of it to be totally encrusted with shells. You will break off into pairs and each pair will have a small pail. The first team to fill their pail wins."

"Ah, Chloé?" Alya said, folding her arms. "This is a lake, not a beach. How are we going to find shells?"

"You are such an ignoramus Alya. Of course there are shells, I've seen them myself." Chloé insisted with an air of disgust. "Tell them Felikins."

"Don't call me that." He grumbled under his breath. "She is right through. They aren't as common, but freshwater shells do exist."

"There you see." Chloé gloated like a petulant child. "I wouldn't want anything as common as seashells for my table. Besides, it's a gift for my darling Felikins". She cooed, cuddling up to his arm. Félix looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but where he was. "Now take your bucket and your husband and go find me my shells."

"And what's in it for me?" Alya asked, still looking skeptical.

"My eternal gratitude which you should be thankful for." The blond responded with a flick of her hair. Alya looked decidedly unimpressed and Chloé let out a huff. "Fine, how about a night in the hotel, all inclusive."

Alya shrugged her shoulders. "Good enough."

Soon the couples all broke off to explore the lake and look for the elusive shells. Lila, being the only one on her own since Nathaniel decided not to come, volunteered to stay behind to keep an eye on the picnic.

Adrien and Marinette walked hand in hand exploring along the edge of the lake. Marinette took off her shoes so that she could paddle her feet in the cool water. "Oh look." She said, bending down.

"Careful Marinette, your dress is getting wet." Adrien jumped in, helping to hold it up as she bent into the water. Marinette held up a spiral shaped shell.

"Chloé was right, their were shells here." She grinned, and Adrien chuckled at how pleased with herself she was for finding one.

"You don't have to find the shells you know, it was just a wild goose chase so Chloé could have Félix to herself."

"I don't mind." Marinette replied, picking up another shell. "Besides, don't you want to spend a night in the hotel?"

Adrien shrugged. "I can think of better places than the Bourgeois Hotel. Besides, Chloé would never leave us alone to enjoy it." Marinette squeaked when Adrien suddenly picked her up. "And if I'm going to take you to a hotel, I guarantee we will want to be alone."

Soon they found themselves a shaded tree, kissing and talking until sometime later they could hear Chloé screaming out for everyone to come back.

"I'm engaged!" She bounced around when they had all gathered around the picnic. "Félix and I are getting married!" She held up her hand showing off quite a large diamond solitaire.

"Oh Chloé, I'm so happy for you." Lila said, giving the blond socialite a hug. "I know Félix is a man of honour who understands the commitment of an engagement."

Lila might have been speaking to Chloé, but her eyes were on Marinette. Adrien had noticed too, and moved to put his arm around Marinette's shoulder. Pleased she had at least ruffled them, Lila turned back to Chloé. "You really need a proper party to announce your engagement."

"You're right." Chloé said, the wheels already ticking in her head. Then her face lit up. "A ball!" She announced. "We need to have an engagement ball! Oh this will be the event of the year. Félix, we need to get back and see Daddy right away and book the ballroom."

Chloé practically ran to her horse, calling at Félix to catch up to help her on.

"Take Kalkki with you." Adrien called out to him. "You're taking him back to London with you anyway, might as well get used to him."

"I'll catch up with you later." Félix called back, giving Adrien a salute and following his newly minted fiancé. Lila went with Chloé and Félix, hardly acknowledging the others as she left.

"That's right." Alya declared, throwing her hands up in the air. "Everyone bugger off and leave me to clean up the mess."

"I'll help you honey, don't worry." Nino said, kissing his wife on the cheek.

"Marinette?" Adrien gently touched his hand to her back. "Is everything alright, you look pale?"

"Yes." She said, smiling for him. "Everything is fine."

"No, it isn't. It's what Lila said wasn't it?"

Marinette shook her head. "It wasn't just Lila." She looked up at him, touching his face with her hand. "I feel we have such little time left."

"Don't be silly." Adrien said, taking her hand from his face and kissing the inside of her wrist. "We have all the time in the world."

"I don't want to leave you."

"Then don't." He gave her a chase kiss on the lips before pulling her into a hug.

"Hey, are you two going to help or just canoodle over there?" Alya called out.

"I'm coming." Adrien called back. "Tell you what, why don't you go ahead on Tikki. She knows the way. I won't be far behind."

Marinette felt confident about riding Tikki back alone. She had been very calm the whole way there and Marinette was feeling comfortable. As she approached Tikki, she seemed to have been acting a little off, which wasn't like her.

"Maybe you just want to go home too girl." She said, stroking her main. She wondered if she should call Adrien over to look at her, but he was busy helping load the wagon. Deciding it was nothing, Marinette pulled herself up into the saddle, landing with a plot. Immediately, Tikki whinnied and riled up onto her back legs, throwing Marinette and taking off.

The last thing she remembered was Adrien's voice calling her name before she blacked out.