Adrien's POV

A few hours later, the doctor comes back with the results.

"There is no internal bleeding or lasting damage as far as we can tell. The only thing we found was that she is anemic. Some girls get that way on their periods, and it can lead to dizziness. As long as she takes some over-the-counter iron supplements, she should be fine. You said her cramps were stronger in school?"

"Yes, sir." I reply, having gone back to clutching her hand. It helps calm me knowing she's here.

"It could be from any number of factors. The iron deficiency could have added to it, but so could have stress. I would say keep her home for a few days, maybe until her period is over, just to make sure nothing like this happens again. It will also give her time for that bruise to heal. She probably won't be able to move very much as a lot of movement involves the abdominal muscles. I'll send over a prescription for pain meds, and alternate between heat and ice on her stomach. The ice will help the bruise more, but heat is better for cramps. I can write a note to excuse her absences."

"Thank you, Doctor. When can we take her home?" Mrs. Dupain-Cheng asks.

"Well, you can get started on discharge paperwork now, and as soon as she wakes up, you should be able to leave. I suspect she was only out this long because she was so tired, another symptom of anemia."

Marinette's parents leave with the doctor to fill out paperwork, and I'm left alone with Marinette.

"You're going to take it easy, Marinette. No strenuous activity. If there's an akuma, Rena, Carapace, and I can capture it. You can purify it when the fight is over and fix everything, but I am not having you get hurt like this again. God. I love you so much, Mari. This kills me." No, she's not awake yet. I just felt the need to lecture her while she can't argue back. She's so stubborn.

Tikki and Plagg have been asleep in my shirt for a couple hours. I felt them move when the doctor came in, but I can hear their light snores again, so they must be more relaxed.

I'm so glad that nothing serious is wrong. I don't know what I would do if something was.

Mari wakes around 3am, when her parents return to the room after finishing the paperwork.

"A-Adrien? Mama? Papa?"

"Hey, Mari. You gave me quite the scare when I found you passed out. How did you get that bruise?" I ask innocently.

She looks down. "Holy sh-itake mushrooms. I don't even know. Where am I?"

"The hospital. Adrien brought you in and called us. What's the last thing you remember?"

"I just remember getting an akuma alert and going to the bathroom. I must have fallen into something on my way back to my room." I know she's lying, but I'm not going to call her out. I'm not even going to tell her I know she's Ladybug. I want her to tell me because she wants to, not because she was forced to.

"So what's wrong with me?" She asks, looking worried.

"You're just a little anemic besides that bruise. The doctor said you need to take some supplements. He sent some pain meds to the pharmacy for your bruise and said to alternate between heat and ice."

"W-When can I leave?"

"As soon as you get dressed." I reply, which instantly makes her blush. The gown opened towards the front, so while it is tied shut, she could easily see her bruise through the gaps.

I give her the clothes they removed from her and leave the room to give her some privacy. Her parents stay behind to help her. With my enhanced hearing, I can hear the sounds of pain she makes as she moves, and guilt bubbles within me. I should have been faster. I know what Plagg said, but I can't help how I feel. I know the anemia is not my fault, but the bruise could have been avoided if I was closer to her or faster getting to her.

As soon as Mari is fully dressed, her mom opens the door to let me in. I had grabbed a wheelchair while I was in the hall, knowing she would be embarrassed to be carried, but in too much pain to walk.

There are fresh tears on her face, and it sends pain throughout my being. We wheel her to the car, and I climb in the back seat with her. I wrap my arm around her shoulder, and she dozes off on mine. During her nap, Tikki sneaks back into her jacket, Marinette none the wiser about what happened.

I have a quick discussion with her parents on the way about her Saturday detention. I explain the situation (about Lila threatening her, not anything else), and they say they will call the school and handle it.

When we get back to the bakery, I help get Marinette situated in her room. I give her the chocolate I was saving for what's now today, and I make sure she is comfortable before I go home. I sneak in through the window and go take a shower, knowing I'll have to be a trooper and make it through the day on no sleep. It was worth it, though, to know Marinette is alright.