Dear Reader, this story is the polished version of 'It Took Just A Peek' so feel free to compare both if you wish, I think you'll notice the difference. For example, this version is much longer and more detailed. I hope you enjoy – thanks for reading!

Chapter One

Trying to withhold his grunt of pain between his clenched teeth, Chat Noir winced as he held a hand against his battered ribs while he got to his feet. A muscle in his cheek twinged with the grinding of his molars. He really had mistimed his last taunting jibe at Super Guitar Villain. Yes, Hawkmoth had gone environmentally friendly – recycling his akumas into something shiny and newish.

The black cat of Paris straightened his spine and cracked his neck as he reached for his baton. "Awesome solo my ass," he muttered to himself as he shook his blonde mane, ambling back into the game. Chat Noir could never understand why Hawkmoth chose to resurrect previous akumas that didn't work. They'd been defeated before, so why would the man think things would change on the second go around?

Although given the beating he'd been taking, Hawkmoth had upped the ante on this one. And Super Guitar Villain really liked smashing the feline half of the miraculous duo into buildings with obvious relish. Perhaps he hated cats, the singer did have a crocodile for a pet after all. Or perhaps he felt bad about hurting a woman. But as the thought went through Chat Noir's mind, it was quickly dismissed as he saw his partner being hurtled his way by yet another awesome fucking solo.

Chat Noir barely had time to brace himself for the impending impact, widening his stance and holding out his arms. Ladybug smacked into his torso with enough force to send them both flying through the large window at Chat's back. Together they tumbled, somehow managing to slam down a flight of stairs and crash into an open storage room. The back of Chat's head and shoulders smashed into the wall while the rest of him thumped to the floor, his arms flung backward with his momentum to release Ladybug who lay prone over the top of him.

Scrunching his masked eyes closed with a grimace that flashed his clenched teeth, Chat Noir raised his foot and slammed the open door closed. He needed a moment to breathe. Heck, he needed Ladybug to unleash some magic power to fix everything, starting with his bruised body. But that would require a few prior steps, and they'd both already used their powers. As if to remind them, the miraculous ring and earring set sounded their warning chirps.

Ladybug let out a moan of pain as she pushed herself up with her arms. Normally, Chat Noir would have been quite happy to have his partner laid across his body. Even throwing her a flirty comment in the hopes that she might actually flirt back. But neither of them was in the mood for such banter.

"I hate Hawkmoth," Ladybug growled as she balanced herself on all fours.

"I second that motion. Does that mean we're entitled to take his miraculous off him now?"

Ladybug tilted her head his way and chuckled at his wane grin. But then the smile dropped from her lips as her blue eyes narrowed on his face. "You're bleeding."

Chat walked his shoulders up the wall as he adjusted himself into a more comfortable sitting position. "Where?"

"Your cheek, just below the edge of your mask." She informed him while raising a gloved hand to touch the hollow of his cheek, beneath the scratch.

It was then that Chat Noir became aware of Ladybug's position. While he'd been attempting to regain his usual equilibrium, his partner had shifted to straddle him. Green eyes dipped to take in her lithe form, drinking in the elegant hourglass figure which had grown more curvaceous and enticing with maturity. Dropping his gaze lower, Chat observed that her knees bracketed his hips and her thighs pressed on his as she leaned forward. Damn, he wanted to explore every contour of her body… with his tongue.

Swallowing hard, Chat Noir blinked away the naughty thoughts seeping into his mind. Now was not the time. Lifting his eyes to hers, his pulse ratcheted up a notch as he watched her inspecting him with worry lining her beautiful face.

Yet his voice clearly dropped an octave when he spoke. "Must have been when we smashed through the glass. Is it bad?"

Her gaze suddenly riveted to his. Surprise flashed across her features at his tone but then her pupils dilated enough to be noticeable. The breath caught in Chat Noir's lungs as Ladybug's hand lowered to cup his jaw, her thumb straying awfully close to the corner of his mouth. Her tongue flicked out briefly to wet her lips, "No, it's not bad."

They continued to stare at each other, both seemingly lost in the moment that was unfolding between them. Chat Noir eased himself forward ever so gradually. Wanting to close the distance, but also afraid that he'd spook Ladybug the second she realised what he was doing. Yet his right hand had a mind of its own, coming to rest on Ladybug's hip with the lightest of pressure.

The combined sound of their breathing became louder, drowning out the noise of Super Guitar Villain's destruction beyond their tiny haven. Ladybug laid a hand on his chest, leaning towards him. Anticipation had his heart pounding and surely, she had to feel it beneath her palm. Both were deaf to the final warning chirps of their miraculous. Only as the flash of their magic dropped did they realise the magnitude of what was happening.

Eyes widened, jaws dropped and then they sat motionless, staring at each other in shock. Adrien forgot to breathe he was so stunned. In his mind, he'd always imagined Ladybug to be someone unknown. The reality had his brain spluttering to a stop, totally in limbo. For a whole three seconds the pair stared directly at each other before slamming their eyelids closed.

In that moment, an unmasked Chat Noir learned that Ladybug was Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng. His freaking classmate through school and his friend. And she had been under his nose the whole time. Right there, within reach and he'd been utterly clueless. For seven years.

But his train of thought was derailed by the whiny demand of his kwami. "Cheese!" Plagg said directly in his ear, making Adrien turn his head and open his eyes. Impulse had him reaching for his inner shirt pocket but his hand bumped into Ladybug's, uh make that Marinette's upper arm.

"Sorry," he rasped as he dipped his head bashfully, while his cheeks burned. His styled blonde locks were not as useful in hiding his face. How he longed for his floppy Chat Noir mop.

Marinette shot to her feet, apparently uncomfortable with her current position on his lap. Adrien cocked his head to the side subtly, wanting to see her expression. Her cheeks were just as flushed as his felt. Clearing his now tight throat, the model eased himself tentatively to his feet as he handed a wedge of camembert to Plagg. He attempted to slip his hands into the pockets of his jeans but winced a at the pain in his ribs.

A resounding boom had both their heads turning towards the closed door.

"We have to get back out there," Marinette muttered absently. She glanced at him before shyly looking away. "Tikki, are you ready?"

Green eyes darted to the red kwami. "Yes, I am."

"Tikki, spots on!"

It was not possible for Adrien to keep his mouth closed as Marinette transformed before his eyes into Ladybug. But what struck him dumb was the way his partner sunk her teeth into her bottom lip, looking at him nervously. "Um, are you…" her masked eyes diverted to Plagg.

Without taking his gaze from Ladybug, Adrien uttered, "Plagg, claws out!"

The second he was clad in the black catsuit, Ladybug's shoulders relaxed a little. When she spoke though her voice wavered slightly. "Ready for round two?"

Chat Noir plastered on his most reassuring grin, even if it was forced. "Always, milady."

It took everything he had to keep the expression set on his features as he saw a quiver run through Ladybug's body at his usual endearment. Then she shook her head briefly and opened the door. Back to the chaos outside.

For those of you who have read 'It Took Just a Peek' you'll notice this story start is different and much expanded.

Now then, how do you think our superhero duo will react when the action is over and they have time to ponder what just happened? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the review box below.

Thanks for reading :)