Marinette was careful not to trip on the steps leading out of the bakery. Safely on the ground, she looked back at Adrien.

"I hope you don't mind, but I told my driver we would walk tonight." He smiled at her. "The theatre isn't far and it's so nice out." The weather was indeed perfect.

"No...no problem….I walk….I mean, I don't mind walking." God, what am I even saying?!

Adrien smiled at her and offered her his arm saying, "Shall we, my princess?"

Did he just call me his princess? Oh, God. Say something Marinette. Say something. Do something. ANYTHING!

"Marinette?" Adrien asked, looking worried. She still hadn't moved. He glanced down at his arm. "Is something wrong?" He started putting his arm back down.

"NO!" She quickly grabbed his arm before the offer was gone. "I uh...let's go! Haha…" I'm gonna die. They started walking down the street, Marinette clinging to his arm for dear life.

"You know, I'm not going anywhere." Adrien said, "You don't have to hang on so tight, although, I can't say I mind."

"Sorry," she said, loosening her grip. "I'm just...just..."

"Nervous?" he asked. Is it that obvious? Oh, but of course it is.

"Yes," she answered meekly.

"It's ok. Me too." She looked up at him. He was being honest. What does he have to be nervous about?

"I've wanted to take you out for so long that, now that I'm doing it, I'm afraid I don't know what to say." He was staring at the ground. They both stopped walking. She stared at him. Shocked to hear this confession from him. He turned and his eyes locked with hers. She was suddenly transported back in time to when Adrien had given her is umbrella. The moment she first started crushing on him.

"I...I don't know what to say either. I never know what to say to you. So I don't say anything."

"I've noticed." he said it with a sly smile. "Why is that, exactly?"

"I don't know. I just...you're so…" Marinette sighed. I'm totally blowing this. "You're perfect and I'm just...just…"

"Perfect?" Adrien raised an eyebrow, "You think I'm perfect?"

"Yeah, I mean, your so kind and talented...not to mention you're a model..." She muttered. God, what am I saying?

"Hmm...ok. I think I can work with that." He slipped out of Marinette's grasp, reached up and ruffled his hair turning it into a complete mess. To finish off the new look, he untucked his shirt and turned his pockets inside out.

"There! I can't help the kind and talented part, but is this better?" Marinette looked at him head to toe. In truth, he still looked perfect, but the gesture made her smile. "Ha! You're smiling! I got you to smile!" He looked like a kid in a candy store. Laughter bubbled up and out of Marinette's mouth. Adrien laughed too and pulled Marinette closer to his side.

"Come on, Princess," he said as he caught his breath, "Let this not-so-perfect boy take you to a movie, ok?"

"Ok." she answered as they started walking again. She leaned into him.

They walked in silence until they arrived at the teature.

"Wait here," Adrien told her once they stepped inside. "I'll be right back." She watched him as he walked up to the counter. There was a brief exchange that she couldn't hear, but Adrien quickly returned with two tickets and bag of popcorn.

"What are we seeing?" she asked, as he handed her the popcorn.

"It's a surprise." He said with a grin. Marinette laughed.

"Ok. If you say so!" He led her deeper inside the theatre and together picked out two seats somewhat towards the back. The theatre was mostly empty.

"There's not a lot of people here." Marinette noted once they had sat down.

"Nope. This is an old movie and they don't play it very often. It might not be popular, but it's one of my favorites."

"An old movie? What do you like so much about it?"

"The hero," he answered simply, grabbing a handful of popcorn and tossing it into his mouth. "You could say he's one of my idols. This movie is actually the reason I took up fencing."

"Really?" Marinette grabbed a piece of popcorn for herself, hoping he would tell her more.

"Yeah, but don't worry, it's not an action movie or anything. If I'm honest, it's actually more of a romance." He blushed. "Please don't tell everyone that I like romantic movies."

Marinette chuckled.

"Ok, I won't."

"Thanks...bu...princess."

The lights dimmed as the movie started to play. On the screen Marinette read "The Mark of Zorro". He wasn't kidding when he said old! She thought.

The film was in shot in black and white. The actors spoke English, but French subtitles were provided. Marinette knew enough English that, for the most part, she didn't have to read them. She watch in amazement as the plot unfolded. It didn't take long for her to see why Adrien liked the film, or why it inspired him to start fencing.

But the main hero reminded her of another masked fighter. Has Cat Noir seen this movie? She wondered. She watched in amazement as Don Diego flirted with his love. If Cat is trying to imitate this guy, he's doing a pretty poor job of it! What a sec. I'm on a date with ADRIEN! Why am I thinking about Cat!

She cautiously glanced over at Adrien, he was leaning forward in his chair, face in his hands, silently mouthing words. What is he doing? Wait...is he quoting the movie? Oh, my, God. He knows every word!

Marinette chuckled under her breathe. He looked up at her suddenly.

"Stop it," he muttered.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "But how many times have you seen this?" Even in the dimly lit theatre, Marinette could see his blush deepen. He put his arm around her and pulled her close.

"Shhh...watch the movie." Marinette turned back towards the screen and, after a moment, leaned her head on Adrien's shoulder. He squeezed her even tighter and Marinette relished the feeling.

"But did you see that sword fight at the end?" Adrien asked after the movie. "He was like ha, and ha, and HA!" He leap around with an imaginary sword, hoping to make her laugh. It worked. Marinette had agreed to take a walk through the park before heading home, and they had been discussing the film along the way. Adrien finished his imaginary sword fight by leaping onto a park bench with a grade flourish of sword play. Marinette applauded what she supposed was his victory. He grinned and bowed to his audience of one, before returning to her side. "But really, tell me, did you like it?"

"I did," she answered. "And I have to admit, it was quite romantic too." She isn't stammering anymore. He noted to himself.

"Yes, it was romantic. Especially while sitting next to prettiest girl I've ever seen." He whispered as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.

"Aww...would you look at that?" He looked ahead to where she was pointing. A string quartet was playing near the fountain. Several couples had gathered to dance along to the slow waltz. Marinette was pointing at an elderly couple. They moved slowly, but the love in their eyes was stunning to behold. Adrien nodded, smiled.

"Maybe that will be us, someday," he mused.

"Dance with me!" Marinette demanded suddenly.

"What?" his eyes opened wide with shock.

"I said, 'dance with me'" She grabbed Adrien's hand and pulled him in the direction to the fountain. He laughed her boldness and didn't fight her. He let her drag him along. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him, her eyes shining brighter than the stars. Then he saw it.

Ladybug. It was suddenly clear to him. Everything made sense. Marinette was Ladybug. Ladybug was Marinette. Of course she was. Who else was as brave and kind as the mysterious hero. Who else could make his heart race like it was right now. Why didn't I see it before? You're right here. You've always been right here!

Cat Noir was perched halfway up the Eiffel Tower, waiting for Ladybug. He, of course, had just seen her, but the crime fighting duo always met up on Friday at Midnight. And since Ladybug didn't know he was Adrien, Cat Noir was waiting patiently for her.

Gah, I should have kissed her. He regretted. He kept replaying moments of their date in his mind. There had been a moment when they were dancing in the park that he almost kissed her, but Marinette had come so far that night with her awkwardness that he hadn't wanted to push his luck. Instead, he had settled for a quick peck on the cheek right before she disappeared behind the bakery door. Next time. I'll kiss her next time.

He spied a figure moving across the rooftops of Paris. Well...the next time I see her as Adrien. He corrected himself as he got to his feet. Soon enough, Ladybug pulled up next to him with the help of her trusty yo-yo.

"Good Evening, milady!" he greeted her with a quick bow, as per usual. "It is a puuuurfect night, is it not?"

"Yes...yes it is Cat." He looked up at her, she was smiling, staring out into the night sky, completely ignoring his pun. Of course, he knew why she was so distracted, but he also had to keep up the charade.

"Bugaboo...you're not listening to me!" Cat Noir whined.

"Yes I am!" she snapped, turning to look at him. "You said it was a…" she trailed off.

Yeah. That's right Ladybug! I managed to get a cat pun past you! He struggled to keep a straight face.

"Hey, it's alright milady. You seem rather distracted. What's on your mind?" She smiled at him.

"Oh, nothing. I've just had a wonderful night. That's all."

"The weather is mewtiful, but I get the feeling you aren't talk about the weather." He answered with a grin. She narrowed her eyes and glared over at him.

"No, I'm not talking about the weather."

"Hot date?" He leaned in closer to her. She was blushing under her mask.

"Uh….yeah….d...date," She backed away from him. "But we shouldn't be talking about this! We aren't supposed to know each other's identity."

"I wasn't asking who you are. I just wanna know about this guy you're dating." Naturally, he knew all about her date, but if Cat Noir wasn't curious, Marinette would definitely catch on. "Gotta know my competition, Bugaboo."

"Would you stop calling me that?" she argued firmly.

"Hey. You can go on all the dates you want, milady, but you will always be my bugaboo. After all, we were friends first!" he pretended to hurt, intentionally curving his lips into a pout. Ladybug's face softened.

"I'm sorry, Cat. You're right. We were partners first. And me dating someone isn't going to change our friendship." She placed her hand on his shoulder, smiling softly.

I really should have kissed her. He lamented to himself before answering.

"So...I can still call you bugaboo?" Her smile vanished and the typical dumb cat face, as Cat Noir would describe it, appeared.

"Cat…"

"Ok! Ok!" He backed off and raised his hands in surrender. "I'll only call you bugaboo on special occasions."

"Ugh," Ladybug moaned while Cat Noir snickered. "We are supposed to be discussing Hawk Moth, you know."

"I know that, but I was feline chatty tonight."

"Cat…" she warned him, but ignored her.

"Besides there hasn't been an akuma attack since Tuesday and we still don't have any leads on how to get to Hawk Moth."

"I guess you're right. Still no ideas on how to figure out who he is or where he is hiding?"

"Not yet, but I'll keep thinking, milady." He yawned. "It's getting late. Perhaps we should call it a night."

"Yeah, I'm pretty worn out. Best get some sleep before there is another attack." She agreed. He nodded and turned to take his leave. "And Cat? Thanks."

"For what?" he asked, glancing back at her in confusion.

"For being my best friend."

"Of course, milady. Your friendship means everything to me." She needed Cat Noir and Adrien. Each in their own unique way. And he was alright with that. Maybe someday, he thought, Maybe someday I can tell you that I'm both.