Marinette Dupain Cheng and Chat Noir were in her room, their lips touching and brushing against each other. She felt the cat hero hands caressing her face as he deepened their kiss. She could feel her heart racing, then sudden movement of Chat Noirs hands sliding down along her body.

The ex heroine gasped and sat straight up from bed. She felt her heart pounding and not in the fearful kind of way. That was no nightmare, and she was embarrassed to even admit to herself on what it was. She could already feel her cheeks heating up. It was just a dream! Marinette told herself, get a grip. She didn't even have dreams like this even with Adrien!

Perhaps, she was never meant to be with Adrien, and that's why she never had the courage to face her feelings to him.

"Are you okay, Marinette?" her kwami snapping her back from her negative thoughts.

"I'm fine, thanks for always getting me back on track." She smiled brightly to her non-human friend. She really did miss her spotted friend Tikki.

As Marinette got up from her bed, swinging her feet over she headed to her window sill and balcony. She had a similar balcony when growing up, she was glad she found a place with one. They were handy and peaceful. She stepped out into the cool air. It was still night, she checked the time. Of course, 3am. The witching hour, she thought.

Tempted, no one was out much during this time. Chat Noir was surely somewhere sleeping. It's been awhile. This, maybe this was the time for her to get things back into gear. How could she start saving Paris again if she didn't know how to be a superhero? Then again, when she first started she was thrown into it. This time was different. If she was going to be hero, she was going to do it right.

The ex heroine took in an deep sharp breath.

"Okay," she confirmed to herself, "Tiki", she called out to her kwami. Quickly, the spotted creature came to her side with interest.

"Spots on," Marinette commanded with a gentle voice. The kwami swirled into her earrings activating the the black spots inside. She was transformed back, but this time her outfit was completely different from the original one she had. It was more, efficient. She had shield guards in front of her forearms and shins. Her neck down to her chest was lined in black and placed with some type of armor. Her knuckles on her hands seemed to have the same type of armor around her chest area, not only to protect her hands when she punched, but also giving a more deadly blow. Her feet were also covered this time, more like shoes, yet it felt like she wasn't wearing any at all.

"Whoa," she said in awe, going to look at herself in the mirror. Her hair length had grown back down to her waist with her original style of pigtails. This was probably temporary she thought, admiring the color of her hair that she had. To protect her identity, and the original ladybug she was had the pigtails.

The new hero had also some type of new vest around her. It had the traditional chinese neck styles like in the pencil dresses. It was a nice touch, she would have to make a mental note of that to add into her new designs. She had the same kind of belt around her for her yoyo that was fastly grasped, but this time there were two instead of one.

"Wow, Tiki, you really stepped up." The new hero admired all around her. These were harsher times, and becoming more dangerous. So of course Tiki stepped up her powers, not only to protect her master but make her even stronger.

The new Ladybug took one of her yoyos at her side and began to make it go up down for a brief moment, then began to twirl it at her side.

"Alright, let's go." She confirmed, throwing her yoyo as far as she could from her balcony, latching onto something and she was off through the night.

Adrien Agreste woke straight up from his bed in a cold sweat. He was… panting? Wow, he never had that before from waking up. That was very much new for him indeed. He turned over to look at his cheap alarm clock he bought from a thrift store, the witching hour. He felt wide awake now, and now of course his head filled up with the civilian girl, Marinette. He groaned with frustration, getting up from his bed himself. He dragged his feet to his kitchen, opening the refrigerator peering inside what he had. A quarter of a gallon milk, three eggs, stacks of plaggs of favorite cheese and some left over meals he had that now were becoming mold. His face twisted from the expired food and thrown it out immediately.

"Cereal midnight snack it is," he said, grabbing the milk and going for the cereal from his cabinets. While doing so he also grabbed a slice of the cheese that were inside, Plagg immediately zooming over to grab his snack.

"What's up with you?" Plagg asked as he munched on his snack.

"Couldn't sleep anymore, I got this weird feeling." Adrien poured his cereal in a glass cup, for all his bowls being dirty, and forgetting to wash them.

"Like what?"

"Something about Ladybug. I have a feeling about her."

"Not this again," Plagg distressed, "I thought you liked that new girl now!"

"That's not about that!" Adrien glared at his friend, "I could feel her. Like the night she came back briefly. I think…" he thought carefully, "I think she might be back again. For good this time."

Plagg shrugged at his suggestion, "Could be."

Adrien quickly snatched Plagg into his fist, not squeezing tightly, just so he couldn't escape from him.

"Plagg," Adrien started, "that day, when we transformed back while fighting Dark Owl. You saw her, right?"

"Yes." Plagg confirmed, his cat-like eyes glowing into Adrien's green ones. This was odd, Plagg wasn't hesitating to answer him. He normally fights Adrien when grabbed like this. Though, he was being very calm about this. He was looking more like a cat every day.

"Who was she?" Adrien asked.

"I can't tell you." Plagg answered, closing his eyes. "Between a kwami and their master they are vowed in absolute secrecy about their identity. Same with where and how they got their powers. It's to protect from getting into the wrong hands, the wrong ideas." he explained cooly. His kwamis voice raspy and very firm. He opened back his glowing yellow eyes, looking up at his master.

"But if you

know," he paused, "she's someone you know."

It could be her, there was a high chance that Marinette is Ladybug. Though, there was still that slight chance that it's not her at all. Adrien opened his apartment window looking through the city of Paris.

"Claws out," he commanded and Plagg swirled straight into his ring without complaint.

With Chat Noir's suit he had almost no armor, still the classic impenetrable black leather. Though, now he had black gauntlets and it's signature look of having cat like claws, he had sturdier boots and a utility belt. His belt contained a couple items if in a pinch. Smoke bombs, zip wires, and couple of knives that were specifically designed and used for Chat Noir. He was an ally cat, you must be quick on your feet to avoid danger.

The young man perched on his windowsill temporarily and set off into the night, vaulting off with his baton to the ground and rooftops for him to fly through the air. He landed on a tall rooftop building, planting his feet into the ground as he landed in a crouch, then slowly stood up tall, admiring the view of his home. It was chilly, but his suit kept him nice and warm. When he was out in the streets protecting people during the harshest of summers and winters his suit kept him in the right temperature. No overheating and no freezing. The only thing that made him cold were his cheeks, quickly becoming rosy.

What was he even doing? It's the middle of the night and, he guessed maybe he was just bored and wanted to get out somewhere? As his eyes scanned it landed on the red and black spotted figure. Was he just imagining it?

He sprinted his way through the rooftops and neighborhoods to get a better look. She was in the flesh. Ladybug, with her long pigtails playing with breeze, training. Her superhero costume… it was, different. It seemed to have upgraded. Was she going to fight again?

The cat hero's heart began to softly pound against his chest, in awe of her. He shook his head and turned away from her. It's time to move on about his fantasy of Ladybug. One girl only ran through his mind now and it was the young civilian girl, Marinette from their school days.

He stood there for a good while hiding behind a building for Ladybug unable to see or hear him. He could hear her grunts and the wires of her moving and twirling of her yoyo. Training, huh? He thought, his arms crossed. His back pressed against the bricked chimney while he listened, and thought. He wondered if it would be the same once they started fighting again. And hopefully, trust each other like they did before.

Soon then, he could no longer hear her footsteps or her air punches. Instead, he heard her leave a different area. As he peeked around, she was swinging in circles of her yoyo and making landings.

He gave an exasperated sigh, she was just training. Who knows when she'll be back to fight? He'll give her time, he will admit that she's coming back eventually. He twirled his baton and put it back to his side. It was just best, to not go to Ladybug, to stop pestering her. It was best to pretend he never saw her in the first place. He'll be right be her side, once she's ready. He gave one more longing glance to his partner and went back to the night, heading to Marinette's home. He stood on her balcony, gazing through the glass sliding door. He was able to see her bed, she was probably sleeping. Yet, he hung around her balcony for a couple more minutes, and thought it was eventually time to get back some more rest.

As he left, the new heroine of Ladybug planted her feet right at her home, catching a glimpse of her alley cat partner, Chat Noir. He was awake at this hour? What on earth could he be doing? Ladybug began motion to throw her yoyo to follow but stopped in mid step. No, she thought, this was supposed to be secret. She'll be with him again soon enough.

"Spots off," She said and her spotted friend swirled back right in front of her.

"You did great, Marinette!" Tikki cheered to her master, Marinette couldn't help but smile.

"Thanks, Tikki. It's all thanks to you." She poked her tummy as they both laughed. Marinette then glanced to where Chat Noir had left nearby. She pondered at the thought of why he was doing here, why was he awake at this hour. She tugged her arm in front of herself , giving it a light grip.

"I wonder what he's thinking…" Marinette trialed in thought.

"You?" Tikki heroine felt herself blushing at the thought. That would be the dream wouldn't it. Like how she dreamed of Adrien would come and ask her out even to the movies. She was naive, and now apparently she was having much stronger dreams than that.

Marinette groaned, she cupped her face to hide the sheer embarrassment of herself. She was in love with a superhero that she'll never come to actually know. Maybe it's just a crush, she told herself, but it could be possible… if she were to come back soon. She just need just a tad more time, and make sure she was ready for battle.

Marinette checked the time on her watch, it was already five in the morning. She might as well stay up for the rest of the day. The rest of the morning she worked on her designs, even went to the local gym signing up a membership so she could get some of her muscle back. She even forced herself to stay outside. She made sure to bring her sketching supplies. She forgot, her secret spot for inspiration was right in front of the Eiffel Tower. She made a mental note that when she has an art block, she was sure to come back like she used to.

She finally submitted her designs for Alya to work on producing and the rest of the others.

That's right, she thought. Alya will have a new job, she wrote down that she would have to hire someone else next. Possibly promote someone instead, Mylene could possibly do it. She's been full time with Marinette ever since she opened her business. She's been confident in her abilities, but she does have to consider her job as acting and helping her father with his as well. There were endless options but also, why not do it herself? She's already working on a couple designs for Mr. Agreste, what's a few more?

This was the first time that she was actually… busy. She wasn't late, she wasn't sad. She was for once quite content. She was working on everything she needed to be done. The hero Chat Noir came to her mind, she had to be sure to thank him. And maybe… She shook her head as she thought

"Would it be too fast?" she thought. She procrastinated and was unbelievably incapable of confessing to Adrien but she had a good feeling she'll be able to with Chat Noir. She decided with a good nod to herself that she'll confess but only at the right moment. Hopefully if there is one.

She did think of the alternate reaction if she was rejected she would be okay with that. Because she would finally have an answer and she could understand the complications of a hero and civilian in a romantic partnership. She could do it as Ladybug… Though, she thought it would be best to do it in her civilian form.

"Too fast for what, Marinette?" Tiki, her spotted friend asked.

"Hmm," she trailed but couldn't help but giggle at the thought of her accomplishing her goal. Her younger self would be outraged. "To confess to Chat Noir."

"You really are stepping up your game! I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks Tiki, I couldn't have done it without you too." the heroine grinned.

Adrien Agreste, restless from no nights sleep. His arms were spread and watched the ceiling as if it were television. He couldn't bear this. He wanted to tell her, he possibly soon one have to tell Marinette. The problem was when and how. He needed to get his mind off of things. Maybe to see her but he couldn't do it as Adrien. He sat up and swung is feet over to sit at the edge of the bed. There's no other choice. He had to see her as Chat Noir. Maybe they could work it out together. He hoped, like he had done with Ladybug. Though, this was much different. He could even put her in more danger, and he couldn't possibly reveal himself. He swore an oath to his kwami. No one, not even his closest friends or family should know. He wondered how Ladybug felt about it as well. It was so stressful, he knew he wouldn't be able to suppress his feelings any longer. If the moment was right to him he'll just blatantly say it. That's what he should have done in the first place with Ladybug, but it was quite too late for that now.

He groaned with frustration, why did he have such a difficult life. Why was he even chosen to be even have a kwami.

"Hey, Plagg," he called out to his cat like creature.

"Ya?" He asked with a mouthful.

"Why was I chosen to become Chat Noir anyway?"

The supernatural creature floated over to his master, the young man turned his head to face him as he laid down in his bed.

"I can't really say for sure, because I didn't choose you."

The blond man flipped over and sat up straight, his brow quirking up in confusion.

"You didn't?"

"Nope." Said Plagg, slowly floating down while Adrien placed his hands together for him to land on.

"But if I had to guess," Plagg paused in thought, "you're selfless. You'd do anything for those who are in need. Which is rare for you for being brought up in such a exquisite household."

Adrien frowned, "and what is that suppose to mean?" He asked.

"Nothing, don't worry about it. But like I said you'd do anything, especially for the ones you love. An example…" The kwami floated back up and zoomed over to his bookshelves, pulling out a thick blue book and opened it's pages then deciding on one. Adrien scooted off his bed and walked over picking up the book, analyzing it's pages. Plagg pointed with his paw like hand to the girl with black pigtails, smiling and glancing over to Adriens direction.

The young man sighed as he looked at the book, if it weren't his obsession with Ladybug then maybe… just maybe there could have been something between them. How could he have not notice all this time? It was so obvious! He flipped through the pages of his yearbook with his classmates of all the fun times they had. There were a few photos every now and then of Marinette glancing in his direction. He exhaled a mournful sigh and closed the yearbook.

"What do I do, Plagg?" He asked to his cat-like friend.

"What do you think you should do?" He countered-asked his master. The TV from his living den was on, showing the guests arriving at the ball in exquisite ball gowns with lights dimly lit to show the path. From there it showed a picture of Marinette, who she was the guest of honor at Gabriel Agreste's Masquerade Ball. It was her new big debut. He was going to give her own line that she had designed. He stared at the young woman's photo on the television screen. Of all people with his father, she was the guest at his ball?

He paced around in his apartment, thinking of what he should do. He rubbed his chin in thought with this hand, considering his options.

"Let's just go with my gut, Plagg," he looked at his kwami, not protesting anymore than he usually does.

"Claws out."

Once he transformed, he vaulted out from his windowsill. He sprinted towards the ball in the chilly cold night. He felt his cheeks starting to sting from it. He ran through alleyways, climbed and hopped over buildings till he planted his feet at the Louvre at the ball. Soon then, it had began to snow. He scanned desperately through the crowd of people, trying to catch sight of her at all, till he spotted her.

There she was, hurrying out from a far with her red ball gown with black lace weaving around her torso and black tulle complimenting the red. She was beautiful, she always had been but he was blinded by the sight of - As if on cue, even from far away Marinette had spotted the black cat hero across from the Louvre, as if she could gaze right through him.

Marinette had placed her mask on, it was red but it didn't have the black polka-dots but with matching lace with her dress.

"So that's what Plagg was saying…" he trailed in thought, watching the girl finally breaking her gaze and peering inside the building.

After all this time, everything fell into place. Marinette was Ladybug. Ladybug was Marinette. He had fallen for the same woman twice.