Chat Noir crouched on the school roof, gazing at the top of the boulangerie. He'd been hoping that Marinette would be on her balcony, as that would make it easier to approach her. But the rooftop was empty.

However, there was a glow from one of the top windows. It was curtained, and Chat couldn't see inside, but if there was a light on, there was probably someone inside. But if that person wasn't Marinette and Chat knocked on the window, awkward questions could be asked.

But it was getting late, and Chat was tired. He wanted to talk to someone now, not tomorrow.

The masked boy sprang off the school and onto Marinette balcony, his face washed in the pink glow of her fairy lights. A large rosebush made the cool air fragrant as he reached down and knocked on her trapdoor. "Marinette?"

There was a crash and a squeal from inside, and Chat smirked to himself, knowing of the girl's legendary clumsiness.

"Who's there?" Marinette called warily. She seemed to be very close to the trapdoor.

"It's just me," called Chat, then realized that he hadn't actually specified who he was. "I mean, it's Chat Noir."

After a moment, the trapdoor opened, and Marinette poked her head through, looking up at him. She stared for a moment, then hauled herself up onto the balcony. Straightening up, she turned to him and frowned. "What in the world are you doing here?"

Chat thought over his answer from some time before replying. "I need advice, and you're pretty much the only person I can ask."

Marinette raised her eyebrows. "Why not Ladybug?"

Chat sighed. "Because she'd probably hit me. It's about her."

Marinette flinched, but Chat didn't notice. "What's the matter with Ladybug?"

The superhero walked over the railing and stared out over the city. "It's, well, it's nothing, really," he began. "She's been really sad lately, and I've been trying to cheer her up. But she passed out this afternoon, and her kwami isn't well."

"What's a kwami?"

"It's this magical creature that gives Ladybug and me our powers. I'm just worried about her. It's hard to reach out because of the whole identities thing, but I want to help her."

"Talk to her," suggested Marinette. "Surely you can do that without revealing your identities."

Chat's shoulders slumped. "Yeah, I guess."

Marinette put her hand on his shoulder. "Sorry if that wasn't good advice," she said quietly. "But I know nothing about being a superhero."

Chat shrugged, and her hand moved with the motion. "It's fine," he said. "I'd better be going."

"Goodbye, kitty."

Chat smiled at her, then sprang off her balcony, melting into the shadows. Marinette stayed outside for a moment, pondering, before climbing back into her room.

MLBMLBMLB

The next morning was surreal. Marinette opened her eyes and stretched, waiting. It took her maybe a minute to remember that Tikki wasn't going to zoom into her vision, greeting her cheerily.

Marinette dragged herself to school. She had no wish to go, not after what Adrien had done. Now, she would have to cope with this on her own, without Tikki. Marinette was tempted to curl up in a corner and cry her eyes out, but she was trying to stay positive for Tikki's sake.

The second Marinette pushed open the classroom door, something flashed in front of her, grabbing her arm and pulling her down the hallway, Marinette struggling to stay upright.

The thing released her, and stood in front of the bluenette with her arms crossed and a furious expression on her face. "Girl!" she cried angrily. "You need to stop going A.W.O.L all the time. I called you five times last night, and you didn't pick up once. Where were you?"

Before Marinette could even think up a reply, Alya started talking again, her voice softer. "But, girl, seriously, are you okay?" Her eyes were concerned behind her glasses.

Marinette nodded, and sighed. "I guess I'll live," she said. "Don't worry, Alya."

Alya shook her head. "I am worried, Marinette. You're my best friend. Just promise you'll talk to me, okay? Don't do anything reckless. Now, on a slightly different topic, do you want me to beat up Adrien?"

Marinette spluttered. "What?!"

"Beat Adrien up," repeated Alya. "He's not here yet, or I would've done it already. But now that you're here, I have to ask permission. So, yea or nay?"

Marinette shook her head. "Alya, you don't want to get suspended again," she warned.

Alya shrugged. "I wouldn't do it in school."

Marinette sighed. "Just leave it for now. Don't physically harm him."

For a moment Alya looked disappointed, before a gleeful smile slid over her face. "Don't physically harm him?" she asked slyly.

Marinette grinned, and slung an arm around her friend's shoulders. "Come on, Alya. Let's get to class."

The two girls pushed open the classroom door. Adrien's eat was till empty, and Nino was at his seat, texting at a furious pace. He looked up as the girls passed and smiled. "Hey, Alya, Marinette."

Marinette gave him a smile, and Alya blew him a kiss, causing Nino to blush and drop his phone, and Marinette to giggle. Taking their seats, Marinette let her eyes wander the classroom. Chloe was speaking loudly to Sabrina, looking around to check if people were noticing her.

"So anyway, I'm sure Gabriel will do a fabulous job. He designed that gown I wore to the Christmas Ball, remember? I looked stunning in that, don't you agree? Even Prince Ali said so!" She flicked a glance at Rose, and smiled evilly. "We're very close, the Prince and I. If it wasn't for Adrien, I'm sure we would be a couple."

The door banged open and Adrien stumbled in, looking more dishevelled than Marinette had ever seen him. He was suffering a from a serious case of bed hair, there was a pillow crease across his face, and deep bags under his eyes. He spilled his belongings onto the desk, puffing.

Marinette quickly turned away, in case he looked up and saw her staring. That would be mortifying.

"Hey, bro," she heard Nino say. "I've been texting you, where've you been?"

"Oh, just traffic and all that. Nothing unusual."

Marinette glanced at Alya, who was staring daggers at Adrien- daggers dripping with poison. Marinette prayed that Adrien wouldn't look up and see Alya's expression.

He didn't, thank the Lord. He was too distracted by Chloe jumping out of her seat and draping herself over his desk, squealing stupid pet names.

"Adrikins!" she cried, pouting. "Where have you been? I was so worried!"

Adrien laughed awkwardly, inching away from her. "I got stuck in traffic, that's all."

Chloe giggled. "Oh, silly me! I just can't bear the thought of spending a day without you," she simpered, fluttering her eyelashes so that it looked like two hyperactive butterflies were clinging to her eyeballs.

Adrien just looked uncomfortable as Nino sniggered beside him. "I'm sure you'd live, Chloe."

She sighed. "I suppose. But anyways, are you all ready for our fitting tonight? Such a shame our Saturday booking was cancelled, but it's fine. I'm sure we'll win the cutest couple award! I mean, of course I'm beautiful." Chloe put her face very close to Adrien's, causing him to flinch. "And you're the hottest boy in Paris."

Adrien's face was the same colour as Nathaniel's hair. He choked and pulled away. "U-uh, thanks C-chlo," he stammered, embarrassed.

She pursed her lips. "Oh, don't worry. I completely understand," she said sweetly.

Adrien looked confused (and red). "You do?"

Chloe gave him a seductive gaze. "Of course, mon petit chou. I understand if you'd rather do this in private. Your father wouldn't mind you to my house tonight, would he?"

Forget Nathaniel's hair, Adrien was now the colour of Kim's jumper. He coughed loudly and scrambled out of his seat, muttering something about needing a drink.

Disappointed, Chloe slid back into her own seat, giving Kim a sugar-sweet smile as he gaped at her. Marinette felt sorry for him. Ever since Valentine's Day last year, when Chloe had put that photo of Kim online, the whole class had known about Kim's crush on Chloe. After listening to Adrien's exchange with Kim a little while ago, Marinette could tell that Kim hadn't grown out of his crush yet- despite the fact that Chloe treated him the way she might treat a piece of chewing gum under her desk.

A few moments later, Adrien crept back into the classroom, evidently trying to escape Chloe, who was deep in conversation with Sabrina. Luckily for him, she didn't seem to notice him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Nino snickered beside him.

"Looks like you've got yourself a girlfriend, bro."

Adrien shoved him gently. "Shut up," he muttered, flushing pink.

Nino fluttered his eyelids. "Oh, don't be like that, mon petit chou." The DJ cackled loudly.

Adrien glared at him, then whipped around to check that Chloe wasn't listening. "I don't like her, Nino, okay?"

Nino shrugged, still smiling diabolically. "Sure. But didn't you say that you have a crush on some girl who's pretty famous? Chloe would fit that description."

Adrien muttered something that was too low for Marinette to hear. Alya simply made a growling sound, and Marinette got the feeling that Alya was not planning on keeping her 'not beating up Adrien' promise.

MLBMLBMLB

Marinette's day had been absolutely horrible. Tikki wasn't there, Adrien was there, and Chloe was practically hanging off Adrien and constantly banging on about some stupid fitting. Marinette wasn't jealous, it was just annoying (and a little gross) to have to watch and listen to Chloe all day. Marinette made a mental note to bring earplugs tomorrow.

At least Alya was honouring her promise, although she was still glaring at Adrien, much to the boy's confusion. He had no idea why Alya was so mad, but he was too exhausted from dealing with Chloe to ask the blogger. He was also kind of scared. He and Alya were friend, but right now she looked like she'd rather sock him in the face than talk to him. He was glad when his car pulled up in front of the school, although Alya was still staring at him in a way that made Adrien glad that looks couldn't kill.

MLBMLBMLB

As soon as she'd greeted her parents and let them know that she was going out again, Marinette was flying out the door, running as hard as she could, occasionally stopping at roads. She was desperate to see Tikki.

Master Fu was meditating as Marinette opened the door. Wayzz was snoring peacefully inside a matchbox on the table, and Tikki was nowhere in sight. Marinette felt panic rise up inside her.

"Ah, Ladybug," said Master Fu without opening his eyes. "I suspected you would be here soon."

"Where's Tikki?" asked Marinette anxiously. "Is she alright?"

Fu put his index finger to his lips. "Calm down. Your kwami is much better, but is not at her full strength yet."

Relief flooded through her. Tikki was better! "Can I see her, please?" asked Marinette.

Fu opened his eyes and got to his feet. "Of course, come with me." He hobbled over to the sideboard with the phonograph on it. He pushed in a code, and a back box with red embellishments rose up, very similar to the one Ladybug's earrings had been in. Master Fu took out the box, and placed it on the mat. He motioned for Marinette to kneel with him, then opened the box.

Curled in the middle, on the black section of the center circle, was Tikki, breathing lightly. Marinette let out a cry of delight, and Master Fu smiled.

"You may pick her up, if you wish," he said gently.

Carefully, Marinette cupped Tikki in her hands, but the little kwami didn't wake. Marinette looked up at Master Fu. "Can I take her home?" she asked hopefully.

With a small smile, Master Fu nodded. "Yes, you may. But be very careful. Too much negative emotions will drain her powers."

Marinette's breath caught in her throat. "Is that why she got sick in the first place? Because I was sad?"

"Yes, Marinette. Miraculous holders are not immune to Hawkmoth's akumas. Your feelings of pain, anger, and sadness were making you a very easy target. And if Hawkmoth did get you under his control, we would all be doomed. So Tikki expended all her power into making sure you were protected. But it is a very taxing action, and once she committed she could not stop. You just got more upset, and it drained Tikki's powers horribly. That was why you collapsed as Ladybug. If you hadn't brought Tikki to me when you had, the consequences would be terrible."

"Tikki could have d-died?"

Fu shook his head. "Powerful forces such as kwamis do not simply die. I would compare it to dropping them into the Mariana Trench with bricks attached to them. Yes, they would be gone for an extremely long time, a millennium perhaps. But they would be back eventually."

Marinette went pale. "I could have done that to Tikki?"

"Yes, you could have."

"Oh, no. No, no, no, no." Her lip trembled, and Master Fu put his hand on her arm, looking worried.

"No negative emotions, Marinette!"

Hi! I know this chapter took a long time to get to you, but there are many reasons for that. My teachers decided to pile on the homework, and I got writer's block. I had lots of sport over the weekend, too. I also found out that I'm having an allergic reaction to the cream I use on my face, so I now have red blotches and a bit of acne, which is a pain in the neck. But anyway, that's kind of irrelevant to the story, and probably really annoying to read. I will try my best to get the next chapter to you in a few days, though it depends on how much stuff I have on. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!