Note: There's good evidence that the "Christmaster" episode takes place before "Weredad." In this story, Marinette hasn't made a false confession of love to Chat Noir.

Chapter 3

Adrien said, "Plagg, I need to transform again."

"Aww! Again? We just got home. I want to nap and digest my cheese," said Plagg.

"Plagg, claws out!"

Chat Noir vaulted out the window and headed to Marinette's house. He had to speak with her as soon as he could.

Chat Noir rapped on the skylight that led from the top-floor balcony into Marinette's room.

Marinette was working on a project in her sewing area. She heard the knock and came up to her bed loft. When she saw it was Chat she went outside.

"Yes, Chat Noir? What is it?" Marinette asked.

"I need to ask you something," said Chat. "There was an akuma incident today. A young boy was involved, Chris Lahiffe."

"Chris? I babysat him this afternoon. I'm sorry he got akumatized – it was probably my fault. He was sort of upset when he left."

"Chris summoned Santa Claus and chased him with toys he brought to life, so that he could get an early Christmas present."

"So... that's what it was all about."

"An a-mew-sing fact about you came up, too."

"Umm... what was it?" Marinette asked in a nervous voice.

"At the end of the battle, Ladybug was knocked out. Santa gave us a ride to the hospital in his sleigh. I talked with him on the way there – and your name came up in the conversation. Santa Claus said you were one of his elves. Do your parents know you're an elf?"

Marinette gave a little gasp and put her hands over her mouth. "No! It's not true."

"Why did Santa say it, then?"

"I know why. When I was babysitting Chris, he got curious about a big box of presents I have in my room. They're actually birthday presents for the next thirty-five years that I made for the boy I like."

"You made birthday presents for thirty-five years? You must really care for this guy."

"I do, so much. But I was afraid if I told Chris that he would tell his brother and it would get back to A- to the guy I like. So instead I made up the story of being an elf on a secret mission to guard a cache of presents for Santa. Chris got riled up about getting a robot action figure as an early present. That must be why he was akumatized."

"But why would Santa repeat the story about you being one of his elves? He doesn't lie. Right?"

"It's because he thought it was true! That wasn't the real Santa Claus. He must have been created by Christmaster's power, just like the giant toys. His believed what Chris believed."

"How did you know his villain name was Christmaster?"

"Umm, it was on the news! Some of his living toys interrupted a broadcast, and that's what they called him."

"Okay, but there's one more thing I need to ask. Santa Claus also said Ladybug was the best-behaved kid in the world. Maybe it's true, but more likely..."

"I suggested to Chris that Ladybug was the best, and he agreed because she saved Paris so many times. I was also the one who gave him the idea that the best kid in the world could get a present early."

"Ladybug said that rule before Santa did. He congratulated her on knowing the rules of Christmas."

"I don't know... a lucky guess?"

"I talked to Nino, the older brother of Chris. He told me how Ladybug used being the top person on the list to get an early present, the same toy Christmaster wanted, as bait for him."

"That makes sense. If Santa told her he thought she was the best, it would be only natural to use the early present exception that way."

"Nino said that Santa only checked the list after she wrote a letter asking for the present. How do you think she knew she would be at the top?"

"I... I give up! I think you knew all along and you've been playing cat and mouse with me."

"Cat and bug, that is."

"I admit it – I'm Ladybug. I left too many clues connecting me with the case. But I wish you hadn't followed them up. This puts me and my family in danger."

"I'll keep your secret."

"Unless you get mind-controlled again. Or akumatized."

"I'll be careful. It was important that I talked with you, and told you that I knew."

"I guess so..."

"If you had to go on pretending you were the best kid in the world, it would hurt the trust between us."

"You're right, I didn't think that through."

"I also thought you might want to talk through the guilt."

"Guilt?"

"The guilt for killing Santa Claus."

"What do you mean?"

"He was a friendly being who saved our lives from the giant action figures of ourselves. He had a mind of his own, even though his memories were false. You knew that doing the Miraculous Ladybug cure would wipe him out, not return him to the North Pole."

"I had no choice! Paris was all messed up, and I was hurt. I would have lost my secret identity if I was treated at the hospital. I always do the cure at the end."

"I know, but I saw sadness on your face. You knew it would be the end of him."

"I think he knew, too. The way he said goodbye, and then added 'Until next Christmas!', it was like he was sacrificing himself and making it look all right for your sake."

"Let's not blow it off as nothing. Let's take a minute and mourn for him."

They stood side by side in silence for a minute. Marinette put her head on Chat's shoulder and began to cry. A moment later, he was crying, too. They held each other and wept.

A while later, Chat said, "About that big box of presents... You started to say who they were for. The name started with 'A'. Is it... Adrien Agreste?"

"Yes, and I was just working on another present for his fiftieth birthday. I'm completely crazy for him."

"Even though you told him to his face that you're so not into him, and that all the pictures of him in your room are because you're into fashion?"

"Another big lie has come back to bite me. I was totally lying out of embarrassment that he saw all those pictures of him when the camera crew of 'Fill My Shoes' went into my room. Wait... how do you know what I said to Adrien? Nobody else was nearby."

"Claws in."

Marinette looked at Adrien in shock.

"Oh no! You're him? I've just admitted..."

"That you're crazy for me and you've made me a lot of presents."

"I'm so embarrassed! I've ruined my life!"

"No... I don't mind. May I have one early, or are you strict about the rules of birthdays like you are about Christmas?"

"Of course you can have one."

"Thank you."

"I've loved you since the second day of school, when you gave me your umbrella. You're kind and sweet... and..."

"And you're wonderful, the cat's meow. I've loved you as Ladybug from the first day we met in costume."

"I'll get you one of the presents now. You're the top kid on my list."

"And you're the top of mine. Instead of an early present, may I have a kiss?"

She gave him one.

The End