Marinette had hardly left her room since Saturday night and it showed. There were tissues everywhere as well as scraps of paper. She had tried writing letters to both Adrien and Cat Noir, explaining her feelings, but she could never finish them. She compared them side by side to try and figure out who she loved more, but she failed at that too. Marinette loved them both. And she didn't see how she could choose between them.

It, technically, would be easier to date Cat Noir since he knows I'm Ladybug. She had told herself. But she didn't know how Cat Noir felt about Marinette. Adrien likes me as Marinette, but could he forgive me after seeing that picture?

Her mind kept winding itself in circles. Both Adrien and Cat Noir had tried to see her on Sunday. She had almost let Cat Noir in, but quickly decided against it. She just wasn't ready and she didn't know if she ever would be.

Thankfully, her parents had been more than understanding through the whole ordeal . After seeing the morning news on Sunday, her father had tried to come talk to her about it, but she asked him to leave her alone, that she wasn't ready. He had nodded and left only to return shortly after with a platter of cinnamon rolls and chocolate croissants. Marinette loved her father. Always so understanding. Her parents had even agreed when she asked if she could stay home from school on Monday morning. Whenever she had come downstairs to fetch something, they asked her if she was ready to talk, but when she shook her head, they both went back to what they had been doing.

Marinette knew that she couldn't do this forever, but after two full days of isolation, she was starting to feel a bit braver. If only I could decide who I love. It was the only thought that was holding her back now. She felt she could face the rest of it if she knew the answer to that one, overwhelming question. Perhaps it's time to talk to Tikki. She considered, glancing over at the desk drawer that contained her earrings.

"Marinette?" her mother called up to her, interrupting her thoughts, "Dinner is almost ready, could you set the table?" I'll talk to Tikki after dinner.

"Sure, mom," she hollered down. She went down stairs and headed into the kitchen. Her mom was at the stove, cooking, while the tv was on in the living room. Marinette opened the cabinet where the plates and cups were stored and started setting the table as requested.

"And now a special report," the reporter on the tv was saying, "Earlier today, our own Nadja Chamack sat down with Cat Noir to discuss the recent rumors in an exclusive interview."

Marinette froze and turned towards the tv. Her heart racing.

"Hello, Cat Noir," Nadja was saying on the screen. "It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you again too, Nadja. It's been a while." Cat Noir was saying. They were both seated in dark blue lounge chairs and the camera kept switching views as they talked.

"Here sweetheart, let's turn that off," Marinette's father had come into the room and was reaching for the remote.

"No!" She screamed, running towards him, a plate still in her hand. "I...I want to hear what he has to say." Her father nodded and walked off towards the kitchen.

"There's been a lot of rumors flying around about you, recently, and a picture too." Nadja was saying, "Are you here to set the record straight?"

"Yeah, I mean, the attention is flattering and all, but none of what is being said is true and that's just not cool."

"So tell us, Cat Noir. Who is this girl in the picture?" The image of them kissing appeared behind them.

"That's Marinette Dupain-cheng, she's a good friend of mine."

What is that stupid cat doing? Marinette wondered.

"Well, she certainly appears to be more than just a friend." Nadja commented, pointing towards the image.

"Yes, well...that's actually from quite a while ago. It's true, we had a brief fling, but it was never anything more than that."

He's lying. Why is he lying to her?

"Things didn't work out between you two?"

"No. She's a great girl, don't get me wrong, but we were both in love with different people. It was never going to work between us."

"Different people?"

"Yeah," Cat Noir nodded, "I think most people know I've always had a thing for Ladybug and Marinette...well, she really likes this boy at her school."

"I see. So why do you think this image is just now surfacing?"

"I don't know, for sure, why, but I heard that Marinette started dating that guy she likes. He's really popular, so I figured that some jealous girl might have shared it. You know, to try and break them up or something. You know how high school girls can be. All about the drama."

Cat Noir leaned back into the chair, completely relaxed. Marinette's eyes grew wide. Is he trying to help me? He's trying to make the story go away?

"Aw, young love. It can certainly bring out the best and the worst in people." Nadja added. Cat nodded his agreement.

"So," the reporter continued, "Marinette got her man, but have you had any luck with Ladybug."

Cat Noir grinned. Oh, no. Kitty, what are you doing? Marinette watched in horror as he leaned forward to answer Nadja's question.

"Why, yes, Nadja. I have."

"Are you saying you're officially a couple?"

No, no, no, no, NO! CAT NO!

"Yes, I am. I asked her out and she finally said yes."

Oh, he is so dead! Marinette swore to herself,

"Wow. I believe you've waiting a long time for this. What changed?"

"Well, it just happened slowly, I think. Over time, we just got to know each other really well. It takes a while when you have to wear masks, but eventually Ladybug fell for my charms."

Double dead. Marinette was gripping the plate with both hands, imagining it was Cat's neck.

"So you don't even know each other's identity?" Nadja looked shocked to realized this.

"Of course not! That would put us both in danger. I'm willing to do anything to keep Ladybug safe, even if it means never knowing her true identity."

But you'll gladly go on television telling lies about her, you dumb cat!

"You really love her, don't you?" Nadja said, smiling sweetly.

"Yeah, I do. She's my everything...she's…" he turned and looked straight into the camera. "She's my princess."

The plate fell to the floor and shattered, but Marinette didn't even flinch.

"Marinette!" she heard her mother hollered as she came over to help clean up the mess, but Marinette couldn't respond. She stared at the tv screen in utter shock. She couldn't even hear what they were saying anymore. The world had blurred around her.

No way. It can't be. No. It's impossible! IT CAN'T BE! Cat Noir is NOT...no...it couldn't be...Adrien?