Chat Noir, Mamabug, and Queen Bee said nothing. They just stared in shock as Alya grumbled and shakily got to her feet. "The Hell did she do that for? Stupid, violent little…"

She stopped dead when she looked over at Nino, who was just staring at her, wide-eyed.

"Babe?" Alya asked. "Um, hey. You okay? Need a hand?"

She reached out to Nino, but he didn't move in response. Instead, he just continued to stare at her.

"What?" Alya asked, her voice starting to shake a little. "So, she blew us back. Obviously, she's looking for something else, or it's just a trap. Now come on, let's try again with your shield and…"

"She wasn't lying," Nino said in a small voice.

Alya blinked. "What do you mean? Babe?"

Nino looked from Alya to the portal, and then back to her. "I touched the portal, first. It didn't hurt me, but when you touched it, it blew us both back." He looked off in the distance for a moment before looking back to Alya. "I got through because I love you."

Alya took a step back, her eyes wide as the implied accusation behind Nino's words started to unravel in her head.

"No, no babe that's, that's not it. I love you. I love you! You, you know that! I… You know what? She's full of it. There's no such thing as a true, perfect love, anyway. Love is imperfect, and that's what makes it beautiful!"

"No, she said we had to be in tune with one another. And true love, honest, true love? It's about commitment and compromise." Nino's eyes went wide. "Oh, my God." He looked to Alya.

"What" Alya asked, confused.

"Compromise," Nino said. He stood and closed his eyes as he composed himself. "When you said you were looking at other options for University, what schools did you look at?"

"What?" Alya asked, confused. "Are you serious? Carapace, this is not the time. We've got to…"

"What schools?" Nino asked again. "I found three in France that would work. They weren't my first choice, but they would work. What schools near dBs did you find?"

Alya stuttered and looked back and forth from the akuma to Nino. "I, look I don't remember, okay? I know… We can sort that out after this. We need to try again."

"No," Nino said. His voice wasn't loud. In fact, quite the opposite; he had gone very quiet. "When we talked about compromising for each other, I did my part and looked near where you wanted to go, but you never did, did you? You just kept your focus on going to school here."

Alya started to deflate a bit. "I, I meant it, I did! We just, it, I need a little more time to research, that's all!"

"That was weeks ago, babe." Nino said. He looked up at Alya, and while he was smiling, his eyes were glassy with tears.

"Babe," Alya said. Her hands went to her mouth. "I, you don't think… I love you. You know that!"

"I do," Nino agreed. "I know you do, but it's not…"

"It's not what?"

"It's… It's not the same."

Nino took a breath. "I've… I had made my decision concerning you in my life. When I see the future, there's no hesitation for me. I love you so much that I'm willing to move my career around you, but you… Only love me enough to move me around your career."

Alya sputtered, her mouth moving up and down.

"The akuma said it," Nino gestured to the barrier. "I believe you. I believe you love me, but I also know in my heart I'm sure about what I want, and it's you." He looked at her. "Can you honestly say the same about me?"

Alya opened her mouth, but then closed it. She hung her head.

"Um, guys?" Nino said to the others who were watching his love life turn into a train wreck in real-time. "I'm sorry. I, uh, don't know that I can help with this one. Um, I think… Can I have a minute?"

Mamabug nodded. "Yeah. Yes, of course. Take all the time you need, sweetie."

The group watched as Nino started walking for the stairwell. Alya moved to follow him, but he turned and said, "I think, um, I might need a minute to myself, if that's okay? Please?"

Alya locked up. She nodded. "Um, ye, yeah. Sure, babe. Whatever, um, whatever you want."

To her credit, Alya waited to break down until Nino was gone.

Mamabug walked to her and wrapped her up in a tight hug. "Hey," she said as Alya sobbed against her. "It's okay. Give him a few minutes to process, and then I'm sure he'll want to talk, okay?"

Alya nodded against her. "Yeah," she said, sniffing. She pulled back and quickly wiped her face off. "Yeah, you're right. You're right."

Mamabug squeezed her shoulder before turning to the other two.

"Queen Bee?" Mamabug said. "I need you to keep an eye on the akuma. She…" Caline looked into the blocked-off classroom. The students were huddled in a corner while Ms. Mendeleiev was looking at a picture of their boss as she lay atop her desk. She was twirling an owl pendant in her fingers while staring at a photo of the principal and sighing. Repeatedly. "Well, I was going to say she might try something, but she seems distracted."

Chloé nodded. "Can do. What are you gonna do?"

Caline looked at her for a sec. "I was going to grab another person, but, well... Have you ironed your feelings out concerning you-know-who?"

Chloé blushed and hugged herself.

"Right," Caline sighed. "So, let's not bring Sabrina up here, then."

"No, no! We can do it!" Chloé said a little too eagerly. "We can do it. I love her with all my heart, I do! I would die for her if I had to."

Caline cupped Chloé's cheek and smiled. "I know you would, dear. But I also know your feelings are a shit show right now."

"But…"

Caline glanced at Alya off to the side. "And what if something happens and you two get bounced back? Do you want to have to explain what's going on with you?"

Chloé was about to argue, but then gave up. "Yeah, okay. Point taken." She looked at Caline. "Wait. What about us?"

Caline thought about it. "My love for you is never in question, but I got the impression this was more for couples."

"She said true love," Chloé said, blushing. "And, um, you're my mom. And I think it would work."

"...I know it would," Caline smiled at her. She hugged Chloé and hissed her head. "Okay. I'm game if you are."

The two women looked at each other and clasped hands. They turned to the barrier and stepped forward, each hesitantly reaching out.

Their fingers started to glide through.

"It's working!" Caline said.

'I knew it! I KNEW IT!' Chloé thought. She did her best to keep from tearing up. 'My mom loves me!'

Chloé glanced at her. She blushed and smirked as she said in a wavering voice, "Was there any doubt?"

Caline squeezed her hand and smiled back. "Never, kiddo."

They were about halfway through the barrier when the pink energy around them changed to red.

"I can't move!" Chloé cried out.

"Me either," Caline said, struggling. "What's…"

"Ahem."

They both looked forward to see Romantica glaring at them.

Chloé and Caline paused.

The barrier glowed bright red as there was an energy buildup. Romantica screamed at them.

"COUPLES ONLY!"

"…Well shit," Chloé said.

Chat Noir ducked as Chloé and Caline exploded across the hall and slammed into the far wall. He rushed to help both of the smoking hot women up.

Literally. Bits of them were still kinda on fire.

"Here, let me help!" Chat anxiously said as he patted them down.

"Shit!" Chloé yelled while coughing. "I'm fine, alley cat. Watch the paws!"

"Sorry!" Chat said. He cringed as Chloé glared at him.

"That should have fucking worked!" Chloé snapped.

"Language, and I agree," Caline said as she patted down parts of her with her jacket. She glanced at Chloé. "It should have totally worked."

Chloé nodded and coughed. "Totally." She dusted herself off and pouted. "Well, we're back to square one. We need a couple. And if it's not you and me, then… Marinette!"

Caline blinked. "Um, I mean, maybe? We could get her and Adrien, but she really shouldn't…"

"No, I mean, Marinette!" Chloé pointed down the hall.

The heroes turned to see a familiar blue-haired girl peeking around the corner. The second she realized they had spotted her, she jumped a little and ducked back.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" Caline muttered.

Chat Noir bounded down the hall and was by her side in an instant. "What do you think you're doing here?" He demanded.

Marinette glared at him, her arms crossed. "Excuse you, kitty cat. I was checking on the heroes. I was concerned."

"So, you walked into a dangerous situation and put yourself at risk?" He half-yelled.

Marinette chuffed and glanced down the hall. "It's hardly dangerous. The akuma is hiding behind that barrier. This is a watch and wait until you figure out how to get in. She's not even attacking. Have you tried passing inanimate objects through? What about Carapace's shield? Ooo! What about teleportation? You could get Pegasus. I bet he could be here in a few minutes, you know, once someone gives him his miraculous."

"That's not your concern!" Chat said, his frustration clear. "You shouldn't be here!"

"Im fine! Really! Hey, what about Mamabug and Queen Bee? Could familial love get through? Have you guys tried that?"

"We just did. The akuma already…" Chat froze as he eyed her. "How could you possibly know about Mamabug and Queen Bee?"

Marinette looked to the side for a second. "I… Saw her change? Yeah. That's it."

Chat stared at Marinette for a moment.

"Look, I…" Chat's gaze softened as he lowered his voice. "I know, okay? About you."

"About me?" Marinette asked.

"…And the miraculous."

Marinette locked up.

"…About me?" She asked again.

Chat nodded. I've known for a while, now."

Marinette's eyes went wide. "You… You know? Whaaaaaaaaaat do you know? About things?"

Chat took a deep breath.

"I know that you used to be Multimouse," Chat said.

Marinette blinked. "Wait, what?"

"I know you were a hero, and that it must be terrible to be sidelined," Chat continued, oblivious to the look on Marinette's face. "But this is no place for a civilian, especially one in your condition. Just leave this to us, okay beautiful? We've got this. I promise."

Marinette's eye twitched. "You think that this is because I was Multimouse? I… Wait. How do you know about my condition? And did you just flirt with me?"

"No! Yes? I don't know!" Chat flashed a nervous smile and rubbed the back of his head as he frantically backpedaled. "Um, I'm… I am friends with Adrien Agreste! Yes. He confided in me? Yeah. That's it."

Marinette stared at Chat for a moment.

'She knows,' Chat thought.

"Um, congratulations?" Chat offered, clearly sweating.

Marinette stared harder.

'SHE KNOWS!'

"That jerk!" She blurted out. "We were supposed to tell people together! Ugh! This, this is… I'd expect this sort of behavior from you, but not him! OOOOH!"

Chat blinked. "Wait. Me?"

Marinette continued, oblivious. "Well, just for that, I'm telling Ladybug! Yeah! See how he likes that!"

'Oh, thank God.' Chat thought. 'Well, at least she doesn't know. I can still tell her myself. I can… Wait, what?'

"Wait, wait, wait!" Chat said. He put up his hands in a 'hold on' gesture. "Let's not get crazy, here."

"I mean it," Marinette said, scowling. "If you get to know, she gets to know."

"How would you even tell her?" Chat asked. "I can't even tell her! Not that I would, I mean. I just…" His ears drooped. "I haven't seen her in a while."

Marinette looked off to the side, slightly flustered. "Yeah, um, I heard. Sorry about that." She moved some of her hair behind her ear out of nervousness. "And I, um, I have my ways."

"You have ways?" Chat asked, skeptical. "What ways?"

"Private ways?" Marinette said. "That are private? Between me and her?"

"You tell her private things?"

Marinette nodded. "I, um, I tell her everything. Especially private things. Yes."

Chat's eyes went wide.

'Oh, my God. She knows her! She really, actually knows her!'

Chat swallowed.

'They DID date!'

Chat felt the room getting slightly warmer.

'I wonder if they've made out?'

"That's so hot," he said. "I mean, it's so hot, um, in here? Woof! Tooooo hot for this. Definitely not safe for you, at any rate. Um, let's get you outside, Marinette."

"Chat, wait! I can CHAT I CAN WALK, DAMMIT!"

Marinette kicked and swung at Chat Noir as he effortlessly lifted her in his arms and bolted for the stairwell. In less than a minute, they were outside with the crowd.

"There you are," Chat said, smirking. He set her down and patted her head. "Now, stay out of trouble, Miss."

"Miss?" Marinette sputtered as the crowd stared at them. "The Hell, Chat? You've had dinner at my house! I… Ooooh, you're dead, kitty." Marinette growled. "This isn't fair, and you know it!"

Chat just grinned and winked before launching back towards the school with his pole.

Marinette stood and watched Chat Noir leave. After a minute, Sabrina wandered through the crowd and stopped beside the flustered girl.

"Hey," Sabrina said.

"Hey," Marinette said back.

"So, he benched you?" Sabrina asked. She offered Marinette some gum.

"He benched me," Marinette grumbled. She took the gum. "Thanks."

"Don't even mention it," Sabrina said. She checked her phone. "You get used to the sidelines after a while."

Marinette eyed her. "Beg pardon?"

"Just saying," Sabrina said, her eyes still on her phone. "Juuuusssst saying."

Notes:

Uh oh, Ladybug fans! We're running out of possibilities! Who will finally break the barrier and help defeat this amorous akuma? Will Nino and Alya work things out? Will Marinette ever get more than a comedic cameo in her own story?

Next time...

Caline takes a desperate chance at Chat Noir's expense!

Alya and Chloe have it out!

Someone is taken against their will!

Plagg gets some screen time!

And... Could this be the dawn of a new hero?

ALL! NEXT! CHAPTER!