******Okay this is a shorter chapter, but it gets good. Hope you like it!

Chapter 11

-Chat Noir-

He didn't want her to be alone, but she was already running away. He tried calling her on his staff, but she didn't pick up. She was gone. Again. Chat wanted to hold her and tell her that it would all be okay, to remind her that he would always be there for her, as her lover or as her friend. But he still had a decision to make. He headed off across the rooftops, his mind buzzing with thoughts of his lady. He stopped at the park, sitting down on a bench and running a hand through his hair. He wanted so badly for her to come back, and to know who she really was to protect her and if possible, help her with her decision. But she'd made it clear that it was her problem and she didn't want him to solve it for her.

He was lonely again, so he leapt back up to the rooftops and scanned the city. What better time than now to go and see his Princess? He wanted to see how she was doing anyway. Chat stepped onto the balcony and bent to knock, but he heard hushed voices beneath the hatch, and was that crying? Was everything okay with his Princess? He knew he shouldn't listen, but his worry overtook him, and it was hard to not hear with excellent cat hearing. He heard what he thought to be Marinette's voice speaking to someone, "I just don't know what to do! Luka is so sweet, but that song was for someone else! I mean Adrien's Adrien! He's an absolute dream and I've liked him since he gave me that umbrella. And he helped me get my friends back and stood up for me!" Chat felt his cheeks turn pink under the mask, but he couldn't help but be concerned for her. He hated hearing his Princess cry.

An extremely high voice answered her, "Marinette, don't discount Chat Noir either! He was so sweet to you and he's always got your back!" Chat heard Marinette sigh, and the further this conversation went, the more uncomfortable he grew with listening. "You're right. They're all on even ground. I just wish I knew what each of them thought of me." Chat tried not to gasp as the high voice answered Marinette again, "Why else do you think Luka shared his song with you Marinette?" Marinette was quiet, so the voice kept going, "And Adrien stood up for you against Lila, Alya and Nino." Marinette still didn't answer. "Plus, you already know how Chat Noir feels about you. He's liked you from the beginning. It's not like he hasn't told you." The last remark felt like a punch in the gut, the truth slapping him in the face. He felt a fear grip him and he turned away from the balcony, heading off as fast as he could for home.

-Marinette-

There was no way she could do this. Deep down, she knew Tiki was right, but she didn't want to accept the truth. Luka, Chat or Adrien? She could never be sure. Her feelings were so mixed up, she just wasn't getting anywhere. It was a loop of doubt and confusion that she couldn't seem to escape. "I just don't know Tiki." she finally said, picking up her pillow and hugging it for dear life. "We're definitely at a crossroads then," Tiki said gently, zooming over to her holder and cuddling her tear-stricken cheeks. "It's going to be okay, Marinette." She assured, and after a very long time of just sitting in silent thought, Marinette's exhausted brain gave up and she slumped down on her bed, falling asleep. Tiki stayed up later after tucking Marinette into bed, sighing at her holder's predicament. She pulled out Marinette's list and studied it. The sweet girl had tried, but there wasn't much Tiki could do for her right now. They'd have to try again tomorrow.

-Adrien-

Adrien detransformed as soon as he set foot into his room again. The second Plagg fell into his hands, he thrust a piece of Camembert at his kwami and began to interrogate him. "Is it really what I think it is?" He demanded of the kwami, trying to wrap his brain around what he'd just heard. "I dunno what you're talking about?" Plagg answered, trying to sound innocent. "Who was that Marinette was talking to that she trusted so much? I mean it sounded like she was talking to a little kid, but the person really seemed to know what they were talking about, even if they sounded like a little kid!" Plagg shrugged, tossing the cheese into his mouth to avoid answering. "But Marinette's at a crossroads!" Adrien went on and Plagg groaned, "She's trying to pick between me, other me, and Luka!" Plagg moaned again at his holder's obliviousness and flew up to get another piece of cheese, "And what are you going to do about that?" He asked back to Adrien almost absentmindedly. It was Adrien's turn to sigh. He flopped down onto the couch in his room.

"I mean the way she was talking about Chat Noir made it sound like she's. . .Ladybug. Is that possible?" Plagg still didn't answer him, he wanted the silly boy to figure it out for himself. Adrien kept going, "I guess it makes sense. . I've never confessed my affection to anyone but Ladybug and the person Marinette was talking to told Marinette that Chat Noir had liked her from the beginning and he'd told her that." He paused for a minute, processing information. "So. . ." Plagg prompted. "So it makes sense that my Lady and my Princess are the same person! Haha!" he exclaimed. Plagg sighed in exasperation, now they were getting somewhere. "Let's be sure first, huh buddy? What other evidence do you have?" Adrien thought for a moment before counting on his fingers, "Marinette's never been akumatized, and neither has Ladybug. Marinette looks a lot alike Ladybug, we found that out when she and I cosplayed Ladybug and Chat Noir. Plus, Marinette's always there for people, she's loyal, kind, and-" Plagg cut him off, "Okay enough of the sappy stuff. Clearly we have some evidence for it. But now the big question mark. What are you going to do about it IF Marinette is actually Ladybug?" Adrien smiled with confidence, "I'll make her my Queen."

****It's the moment you've waited for, hope you like this new start