On Tuesday morning, there was another Valentine's Dance committee meeting, the last one before the actual event. Everyone sat around in the vacant classroom, some still eating breakfast, or sipping from thermoses. Rose was running over the list of refreshments for the evening. Marinette was sort-of-not-really listening. She was trying to work out where she was going to get a mask from by tomorrow. Getting one that actually matched her dress was going to be even more difficult.

Rose finished her monologue with an infectious smile. "Alya? Do you have any news?" she chirped.

The blogger raised her head from her phone, yawning. There were huge purple bags beneath her eyes, only partially concealed by her glasses. She looked exhausted, and Marinette felt sorry for her. She'd been in the same boat many times.

"Unfortunately, no," sighed Alya. "I spent a lot of last night searching for Ladybug and Chat Noir and trying to contact them. No luck, though." She twisted a lock of hair. "Sorry, everyone."

She looked so upset that Marinette slipped off her perch on the desk to comfort her. She squeezed Alya in a hug. "Don't worry," she whispered. "It isn't your fault."

Alya yawned in reply, and slumped down, resting her head on the desk.

Marinette returned to her seat and smiled at her co-committee members. "Um, anything else?"

No one said anything. Marinette forced out another beam. "Then let's get going!"

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If there was one good thing about being on the committee, it was that you got time off school. The entire group was going to spend most of Tuesday setting up. They'd planned to have it in the courtyard, hoping that it wouldn't rain.

Marinette was in charge of the tables. Putting on tablecloths, laying cutlery and glasses, and adding small vases. It was calming, repetitive work, with an excellent view of the balloon station. It was very entertaining to watch Kim try and blow up a balloon. At this stage, he was as red as his hoodie- from both puffing and embarrassment.

Adrien was helping put up streamers and balloons, as he was a taller student. He kept dropping things and seemed fidgety and restless. As much as she disliked him, Marinette could relate. She felt exactly the same way, but at least she was doing a good job of disguising it.

Marinette knew she'd made the right decision. But that didn't mean she wasn't scared out of her mind at the very idea of revealing her identity to her partner.

MLBMLBMLB

Marinette bit her lip, focused on her task as she attempted to slip her thread through a needle. She tried again and stabbed herself in the finger.

"Owww!" Marinette immediately stuck her finger in her mouth and began to suck on the tiny wound, something she'd been doing ever since she first began sewing. Once the brief pain was gone, Marinette tried again, successfully threading the needle. "Yes!" She pumped her fist in celebration and picked up her first sequin. This was going to be fiddly, difficult work, but Marinette was confident that she could accomplish it by tomorrow morning. She'd had a lot of practice with sequins, and wanted Alya to look her very best.

Glancing at her phone, she determined that she had half an hour before she needed to transform into her alter ego. Butterflies began to gather in her stomach, and Marinette did her best to shake them away.

Now was not the time to have a change of heart.

MLBMLBMLB

Adrien had been jittery all day, but now, jittery didn't even go halfway to describe his nerves.

"And I'll be wearing the latest Clara palette for eyeshadow," crooned Chloe, gripping his arm tightly. "And tonight, I'm getting a new manicure!"

"That's great, Chloe," said Adrien, attempting to gently pull his arm away. "Could I have my arm back, please?"

Chloe continued to babble, ignoring Adrien. "Oh, you have to see the shoes. They're to die for! They're Jimmy Choo, of course. Daddy bought them the other day. It's such a shame your father doesn't do shoes or makeup. I could have gone full Gabriel, how amazing would that be?"

Adrien glanced at his watch. Fifteen minutes before he was due to meet Ladybug and Master Fu. "It all sounds great, Choe. I'm sure you'll look excellent tomorrow evening. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go. It's urgent." He tried to pull his arm away again.

Chloe pouted and tightened her grip. "What's more important than me, Adrikins?"

Adrien smiled awkwardly. "I have a Chinese lesson."

Chloe smiled at him and pulled him closer. "Surely it can wait," she purred. "You have Chinese lessons all the time."

"My father would be furious if I was late."

Chloe sighed. "At least give me some combination."

"Uh, you mean compensation?"

"Yes, of course I do." Chloe fluttered her eyelashes and leaned in, pursing her lips and closing his eyes. Adrien panicked. He'd kissed Chloe once before, and it hadn't been a pleasant experience. There was no way he would do it now, where absolutely anyone could see them.

Just as Chloe's mouth was about to make contact with his, Adrien turned his head, and all Chloe got was his cheek. "Sorry, Chloe, I really have to go. My father might not let me come to the dance if I'm late for my lesson!" He snatched his arm away and ran off, waving.

Once he was out of sight, he slipped into an alleyway. "Plagg, claws out!"

MLBMLBMLB

Tikki cleared her throat, tapping her chosen on the shoulder. "Marinette? It's time to go."

It took the girl a few moments to look up. She had become completely absorbed in her work and was almost done. She held it up to inspect it. "Do you like it, Tikki?"

"Wow, it looks great!" exclaimed the kwami. "Good job, Marinette!"

Marinette gave a small smile before folding the dress neatly and putting her supplies to the side. "Ready to go, Tikki?"

"Just say the words!" chirped Tikki.

Marinette grinned, trying to ignore her nerves. "Tikki, spots on!"

The little kwami zoomed towards her, straight into her earrings, which began to glow. Marinette felt the Miraculous magic burst into her. She swept her hands across her face, creating her trademark mask. Flinging out her arms, the suit travelled up them and down her body, covering her like a second skin. With a pop, her yo-yo appeared, strung around her hips. Ribbons flowed out of her pigtails, and with a final kick, a fully transformed Ladybug stood in Marinette's room, the pink glow of her transformation slowly receding.

MLBMLBMLB

He'd been preparing himself all day for this, but his heart still gave a nervous flutter when Ladybug stepped into the room. She was so beautiful, and soon he would know her true identity. He grinned at the thought. Once they knew each other as civilians, there would be so many possibilities. He wasn't even disappointed that his plan hadn't worked.

Except that his plan was the whole reason that they were here. It had almost resulted in Ladybug being akumatized. Chat Noir's plan had caused her so much pain and anger.

Would she be able to forgive him?

Chat pulled out his baton and began to spin it nervously. Ladybug fiddled with one of her ribbons. Master Fu watched on in amusement.

"Ladybug, Chat Noir. Are you both still willing to do this?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Then let us proceed." Master Fu looked them up and down. "I have thought long and hard about the best way to do this, and I have come to a conclusion. You will both drop your transformations in front of each other, with your eyes closed. I will give you a few moments to prepare yourself. Then, when I give the word, you will open your eyes." The old man gave a satisfied smile. "And then I will let the two of you work out any...issues. Understand?"

"Yes, Master Fu," the two heroes chorused.

"All right. Do you need a moment?"

Both of the superheroes nodded. Master Fu smiled. "Very well."

Ladybug closed her eyes and put her hands over her heart, trying to stop the pounding. Her insides were twisting with nerves, and she was almost panting. This was one of the biggest risks she'd ever taken. Was she ready?

Of course you are, said Tikki in her head. You can do this, Marinette!

"I can do this," muttered Ladybug out loud. "I can do this, I can do this, I can do this." She breathed in, and out. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Deep breathing, Marinette. In, out. You can do this.

She opened her eyes, steeling herself for what was to come. She saw Chat standing with his eyes closed, lips moving, but no sounds coming out. Ladybug studied his face. It was easier to look at when his eyes were closed. The bright green sclera was pretty disconcerting. She tried to imagine what he would look like without the mask on.

Chat Noir's eyes shot open, looking straight at Ladybug. She squeaked and turned red, embarrassed to be caught staring. He didn't seem to mind and just gave her a small, sweet smile.

Master Fu watched the exchange silently. Then he cleared his throat. "Are you ready?"

Inhale, exhale. "Yes."

Chat Noir nodded. "Yes."

Master Fu nodded gravely. "Very well. Can you both be trusted not to peek until I say?"

"Yes, Master Fu."

"Excellent. Close your eyes."

Ladybug snapped her eyelids shut, trying her best to control her breathing. Calm down, Marinette. It's just Chat Noir. Nothing to worry about.

There was silence, except for the ticking of Master Fu's clock, and the sounds of their breathing.

"Drop your transformations."

Oh, god. "Tikki, spots off," whispered Ladybug.

From across the room, she heard her partner. "Plagg, claws in."

There was a whooshing noise, and bright light forced its way through Marinette's eyelids as she felt her suit and mask melt away. Now, instead of smooth, tight material, she felt cotton and denim against her skin.

There was perhaps thirty seconds of silence. Then Marinette felt Tikki settle on her shoulder. "Ladybug, are you ready?" she whispered softly.

Marinette breathed in deeply. "I think so," she breathed back.

Tikki must have signalled to Master Fu, because his voice broke the silence. "You may now open your eyes."

Marinette gasped as full realization hit her. No, she couldn't do this. She couldn't open her eyes!

"Ladybug," murmured Tikki. "You can open your eyes now."

Marinette shook her head fiercely, feeling one of her pigtails smack into her kwami. "I c-can't."

"You can."

Marinette could hear Chat Noir breathing. "Has he looked yet?"

Tikki's voice was soft. "Open your eyes and see for yourself."

Marinette squeezed her fists. Why couldn't she just open her eyes?

"It seems both of you refuse to look." Master Fu spoke suddenly. "Are you both still willing to go through with this?"

"Yes!" cried Marinette.

"Then we'll try this again. On the count of three, both open your eyes. One…"

Marinette pressed her nails into her palm.

"Two…"

MLBMLBMLB

Adrien could feel Plagg's breath on his cheek, smelling strongly of Camembert.

"Two…"

Adrien couldn't say why he didn't open his eyes the first time. Something had stopped him. This was what he had always wanted- to know the identity of his lady. But somehow, now that the moment was finally here, he couldn't bring himself to look.

"Three."

Adrien Agreste opened his eyes to see his partner's face for the first time.

MLBMLBMLB

"Three."

Marinette felt her heart stop as the words pierced the air. Then she threw all caution to the winds and opened her eyes.

MLBMLBMLB

Adrien didn't know what he was expecting when he looked at civilian Ladybug for the first time. A complete stranger that was also his best friend, perhaps. A girl he'd never seen before, yet knew so well. Someone that just looked like Ladybug.

He wasn't expecting this.

MLBMLBMLB

Marinette wasn't sure if she regretted her decision or not. She now saw exactly what Fu had meant when he said that Chat Noir had caused her pain.

Oh, he was going to be sorry.

MLBMLBMLB

Marinette Dupain-Cheng was someone Adrien had once regarded as a friend. Lately, she'd been acting as though they were enemies, and Adrien now knew why.

He'd messed up. Big time.

MLBMLBMLB

Adrien and Marinette stared at each other, jaws hanging loose, faces full of shock and in Marinette's case, growing anger.

She advanced towards him. Smiling sheepishly, Adrien spread his arms, under the impression that she was going to hug him.

Huge mistake.

Marinette lunged at him, punching him solidly in the stomach. The model doubled over, wheezing.

"You-you-you...ugh!" She went to hit him again, face bright red. "Idiot!"

Adrien dodged her fist and backed off. "Marinette-" The name felt strange in his mouth, "-calm down!"

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" spat the girl, still furious. "I hate you!"

Adrien felt like he'd been socked in the stomach again, except that Marinette was three metres away from him. Ladybug, his partner and friend of more than a year, hated him.

He was shattered.

Master Fu could obviously see that this was not going well. He swiftly stepped between the teenagers. "I think you need some time alone to process this," he said quickly. "Marinette, stay here. Adrien, follow me." He limped out of the room.

As Adrien walked out the door, he turned briefly. Marinette knelt in the center of the room, her face in her hands. She was completely still, and Adrien felt a stab of remorse.

He left Marinette alone, closing the door quietly. Master Fu led him to a small, quiet room, closed the door, and left him alone to sort out his thoughts.

Adrien was stunned. He'd never expected the bold, confident, sassy, beautiful superhero to be his shy, sweet classmate.

Except...Marinette wasn't shy, at least not around others. She would happily strike up a conversation with pretty much anyone. And Marinette was confident, too. She'd made a great speech in front of the whole class when she was running for class representative, and she wasn't afraid to argue with Chloe, was had a notoriously sharp tongue. Actually, Marinette was very similar to Ladybug, in both looks and characteristics. Adrien hadn't seen it because...well, because Marinette had always acted like she was terrified of him, except for the cold way she'd treated him lately. But why would she be scared of him? She wasn't around anyone else….

Wait. Ladybug liked Adrien. Marinette was Ladybug. Oh, god. She liked him, and Adrien had been such an idiot. Broken her heart when he rejected her the first time, then given her hope when he took her to get ice-cream and complained about Chloe. Then he'd told Ladybug that he liked Marinette, and then she'd seen him kissing Chloe, and he was a complete idiot.

Well, he supposed that he'd processed everything now. He also knew that he had to apologize to Marinette at once.

If she would let him, at least.

Hi! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. It took a few days because a) it was the weekend and I had commitments and b) I wanted this to be the best it could be, because it's kind of an important chapter. This story is NOT complete yet, there's still a few more chapters to go. So just hang tight for a week or so!

In response to one of my reviews, which asked me to watch my language; I don't have a problem with that at all, but did I cuss in the story before? I don't think I did (apart from the 'bloody hypocrite' thing, but I say that all the time at school and my teachers don't care), but I'm too lazy to go through and check. Thanks for reading!