Aah, sorry I didn't upload faster! I realise I left the last chapter at a really bad cliffhanger so sorry!

Hope you enjoy it!

Ladybug

I could feel Bloom's magic working even before we were freed.

"Sky, can you feel it?" I asked him excitedly.

"Yes," he said with a grin.

Soon, magic sparks had surrounded all of us.

"Ew, what is this stuff?" Chloe shrieked. But she was the only one. Everyone was looking at the magical dust in wonder.

"Sky, get ready. Bloom and Chat have done their part. Now it's our turn."

Within a matter of seconds, we were teleported back into the real world. I smiled at Bloom and thanked her. I then glared at Mistress Detention who had gotten me in this mess in the first place.

"People of Paris, leave! We'll deal with this!" I shouted. Everyone started to scatter.

"Sky, do what you need to do!"

"Got it!"

"Chat, Bloom, help Sky! And watch your backs!"

I grabbed my yoyo. "Lucky Charm!"

From the sky fell a single match.

Really? I felt like yelling. Not even a matchbox, but a single match?

I scanned my eyes around the battlefield regardless. My eyes fell upon Master Mind, who was getting free of his bindings. Bloom had probably tied him up, but she was too busy concentrating on Mistress Detention, her magic on Master Mind had probably weakened. I saw him reach for his cane.

My eyes fell upon Bloom, Sky and the book Mistress Detention was holding. She kept on tearing pages out and transforming the pages into weapons to attack them.

It then clicked.

"Bloom, look out!" Chat bellowed.

She turned around and gasped as she saw Master Mind firing from his cane. She crossed her arms in front of her, preparing herself for the shock.

I swung my yoyo, and landed in front of her. Spinning my yoyo as fast as I could, I shielded her from the oncoming shots.

"Ladybug!" she said appreciatively.

"Chat, destroy the cane! Sky, go with him!" I ordered. They nodded.

"Bloom, I'm going to need your fire power." I held up the match.

"Just give me the signal," she said, and raised her palms up again to shield us from Mistress Detention.

I flung my yoyo in front of me, and wrapped it around her book. She fought hard to not let go.

"Now!" I told Bloom, as I yanked the book away from her with all my strength. The tiny match was lit with a powerful flame and she put the book on fire.

I dropped the book before it could burn me, but after the flames tickled me I realised it was a magical fire, that would not harm me. However, the book disintegrated.

"NO!" two yells sounded, and I realised that Chat and Sky had succeeded in destroying the cane, which held the akuma.

"Time to de-evilise!" I said, and captured both the infected butterflies that were rising from the book and the cane. "Gotcha!" They weren't going to cause anyone harm anymore.

"Bye-bye petit Papillion," I said, waving at the two cleansed butterflies that flew into the air.

Sky and Bloom nodded to me, hinting that they were going to leave. Chat walked over to Madame Bustier while I went over to a very confused Monsieur Damocles.

"It's okay sir, there's nothing to worry about," I reassured him.

He smiled at me. "Thank you, Ladybug."

"Um, before you go, I was just wondering- where you feeling upset, or angry for any reason before?"

My head-teacher frowned as he thought about it. "Yes…yes, I was feeling very angry because a lot of the students weren't obeying the school rules today. I even heard someone was being very impolite to Madame Bustier, which shocked me."

I nodded. That would explain him morphing into Master Mind.

My earrings beeped. "Sorry, I've got to go," I said apologetically. I turned and smiled at Chat and raised one fist.

"Bien-"

"Sorry Ladybug, I have to go. I need to see if a friend is alright," Chat said hurriedly. He jumped and left without glancing back, leaving me hanging.

"-joué," I whispered, fighting the tears that were building in my eyes.

As I was swinging back to my house, I couldn't help wonder about my feelings. Why was I wanting something more from Chat? All this time, I was sure I didn't love him, that my heart was with Adrien but I kept on wanting to see his playful grin, his smile, and his arms around me. But now that I was opening up to him, it seemed he had been opening up to someone else.

I had lost my chance. Never realised how important he was to me when I had him. Now, someone else would be loved by him.

Yet Adrien…

I loved him too. I couldn't ignore my feelings to him, either. He was so accepting of me, as Marinette, not just Ladybug. He finally saw me as who I truly was.

I felt sick, down to my stomach. I was playing with two people, at the same time. Not only was I toying with Adrien's feelings, I was hoping something from Chat too. This couldn't go on further.

I decided it then, when I landed on my balcony.

I would have to stop loving Chat Noir.

I didn't realise I had been crying this whole time.

Bloom

"Marinette!"

I had left with Sky after the battle ended, and decided to wait for Marinette in her room. Sky had told me he was going to wait for Adrien.

I rushed over to her as I saw her walk down the stairs weakly and began crying. "Shh, it's alright, tell me what's wrong," I murmured, holding her.

She sniffed. "All…all this time, I thought that I would only love Adrien," she croaked, barely audible, "I never realised that I would start to fall for Chat Noir too!"

I gazed at her sadly. Poor Marinette. If only she knew…but I couldn't. It wasn't in my power to interfere with their destiny.

"What's your heart telling you?" I asked her softly.

She looked at me, her blue eyes gleaming with tears. "My heart…?"

"Yes. Follow what you feel."

She closed her eyes. "I love both of them. I can't lose either. But I can't cheat them both, too. That means I have to let Chat go."

"You don't have to," I offered. "All this time, you were still Chat's best friend, weren't you? Why can't you keep him as your friend? That way, you still have both the people you love in your lives."

Marinette opened her eyes slowly. "Is that, is that possible?" she quivered.

"Of course! Let Chat Noir be your friend, forever. Don't lose him from your life." I smiled at her.

She smiled at me weakly. "Thanks Bloom."

A sudden whoosh of black caught my eye and I sensed a presence. I stood up suddenly.

"Bloom? What…what's wrong?"

"Um, I think Chat Noir is here to check up on you," I said. "I can't have him seeing me here. I'll come back later, alright?"

I dashed down the stairs, hoping things between them would turn out okay.

If only they knew.

Chat

I landed outside her window but my timing wasn't exactly right. I would've fallen if it weren't for my claws digging into the sides of the walls of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery.

I had run home, just in time as my transformation was wearing off. Plagg grumbled, but he seemed fine when I handed him a whole plate of camembert. Of course, he was complaining that I worked him too hard, but I had to see Marinette. And the fastest way to do that was by going as Chat.

I clambered up and poked my head outside her bedroom window. I really hoped I wouldn't startle her.

Cautiously, I tapped twice.

Her head spun, and she stood to her foot sharply. But she didn't seem scared. As she came closer to the window, I noticed her eyes were red.

She opened the window. "What are you doing here, Chat Noir?" she asked.

I was surprised at how hoarse she sounded. It was clear she had been crying.

Great job, Agreste! You made her cry by making her worry about you!

"Can I come in? It's a little uncomfurrtable just hanging here."

She sighed, and let me in.

"Thanks. So princess," I said, using my old nickname for her, "what's wrong?"

She blushed and sniffed. "Nothing's wrong. I still don't understand why you're here."

"Meowch. Can't a protector come to see his princess?"

"Stop calling me that."

"Come on! I left as soon as I could to see if you were alright. And this is what I get in return?"

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Why would you want to see if I'm alright? We don't even know each other that well. And how would you know if there's something wrong with me anyway?"

I gulped. It was clumsy on my part. Of course Marinette would be suspicious. I knew her as Adrien, not Chat. And Adrien knew if Marinette was alright- Chat Noir would not.

"I…I came here as a favour from someone! A little birdie told me you were feeling a little down," I covered up smoothly.

"Oh yeah? And who was the bird?"

I raised my hand. "Can't say. Cat's honour."

She rolled her eyes but I could see a small smile forming at the tips of her lips. "Well, thank you for checking up on me Chat. Do tell this birdie of yours that I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about. Honestly." With that, she looked away.

It was clear the conversation was over. Oh well. Maybe I would have to try again later as Adrien, and see if that would work instead.

"Okay then. Bye princess."

I leapt from her window onto the streets below, feeling stranger than ever.

Marinette

Bloom's words had helped a little, but I couldn't explain it all to her.

Of course I would stay Chat's friend forever, but how would I deal with the fact that he would fall in love with someone, someday? That sometime, he would get married, have a future with someone that was not me? Would I still be able to be a friend to him, even then?

Seeing him made it harder. His puns, although terrible, were an attempt to make me feel better and I admired the fact he took his time out to care for a civilian. I was rejoicing inside when he came to check up on me, but it didn't make any sense. Chat didn't know me as Marinette, at least, not well. How did he know I was tormenting inside? Who told him, and why? And didn't he have a friend to check up on, as he hastily left me to go see her?

So many questions yet no answers. I felt bad for being harsh with him, but the last thing I needed was Chat Noir himself consoling me over my decision to leave him from my love life. I had decided I would love Adrien. And that meant I couldn't be too friendly with Chat.

After I had calmed down a little, I gave a cookie to Tikki. She said she didn't need one, that I should just rest, but I saw how weary she was. She fell asleep right after finishing it.

I lay on my bed. Bloom had called me soon after Chat had left, and told me she and Sky would visit tomorrow after school again. She had sensed my emotions, and realised I had needed some space.

I realised I needed to spend some more time with my friends. It wasn't right for me to stay holed up in my thoughts, and moping; I had to be out and about, doing things.

I decided I should probably explain what had been going on these past few days to Alya. I didn't want any more secrets to get in the way of our friendship.

Reaching out for my phone, I noticed I had a new message.

It was from Adrien.

Suddenly, I didn't feel so tired anymore. I sat up straight, and opened the message.

Hey Marinette!

I'm alright. Don't worry. Hope you're okay too.

I guess I hadn't realised you were feeling a little down today, and I'm sorry for not noticing. But to make it up to you, I was wondering if we could meet up at the Trocadero at 5, today?

If you don't come, I'll understand. I'll be here when you're ready.

Adrien

He was so sweet. But I wonder how he'd realised I wasn't feeling so great- Bloom probably told him. Or maybe, he probably took my worried fret too far.

I smiled. I had wonderful people around me to bring me up when I was down.

I grabbed my jacket and Tikki, and set out for my favourite place in Paris.

Adrien

It was 5. But she wasn't here yet.

I guess she just needed some time off. I respected that. We had gotten close, really fast, and I didn't want anything to ruin that. I owed so much to Bloom and Sky, for helping me realise the amazing people around me, one person particularly.

I got up and as I turned to leave, I heard a voice.

"Leaving so soon?"

I turned and grinned. There she was, on the top steps, walking towards me.

"Marinette," I breathed. She walked over to me and did something unexpected. She hugged me.

I stood there, shocked, until I breathed her flowery aroma and put my arms around her.

"Thank you," she whispered, "for being here for me. For understanding."

We stood there for some time, just the two of us. Marinette pulled away first and smiled shyly.

"What do you want to do?" I asked her, although I just wanted to be here with her.

She seemed to read my thoughts. "It doesn't matter. As long as I'm with you, I don't care."

We sat on the steps of the Trocadero, heads touching, watching the sunset, with nothing to interrupt us, nothing to be afraid of.

For the first time in a long while, I felt complete.

Thanks for reading!