Outings became less frequent for Marinette and Cat. Their groceries were delivered to the house. Marinette worked from home where she was safe. They were content with their living situation and more impotently, they were happy with each other. The only time they left their safe haven was to visit Marinette's parents who were always happy to see them. Currently, they two were getting ready to head over to the bakery for a dinner and family game night. Marinette had already informed Cat that she was going to beat him in Ultimate Meca Strike to which he replied:

"Don't be too sure about that Princess, I just might surprise you,"

The car ride to the bakery was comfortable and quiet something they both liked. When they got there they were confused to find it was so dark. Even though the bakery itself was closed at this hour the lights from the upstairs apartment should've been on. Surely they hadn't forgotten. Marinette shrugged and fished the key to the bakery from her purse before unlocking the door and stepping inside. She led Cat up the stairs calling out for her parents as they climbed.

"Mom, Dad," she called out as she stepped into the strangely dark kitchen.

"Hello, Marinette," Theo greeted coldly as he stepped out of the shadows.

"Where are my parents?" Marinette inquired as she backed up into Cat's arms for her protection.

"Don't fear your parents are merely out cold," Theo said as he pointed to where Tom and Sabine were bound and gagged.

"What do you want?"

"Why you of course and I will have you, my dear,"

"Over my dead body," Cat growled as he transformed into the very menacing cat creature that had rescued Marinette all that time ago.

"That can be arranged," Theo said brandishing the butcher's knife he was holding.

Cat pushed Marinette back and lunged for Theo. Theo was ready for him and easily dodged the attack before turning around and stabbing Cat in the leg. Cat yowled in pain as he dropped to the floor all while Theo watched looming over him with a manic grin that could rival that of the Joker. Marinette snapped as Theo drew closer. When he was within arms reach she grabbed the knife and tossed it aside before kicking Theo so hard he flew across the room and slammed into the counter causing most of the china to fall and shatter on his head.

Theo groaned as Marinette stalked forward clutching a metal rod that had become lose and had fallen away from a shelf. She then proceeded to beat Theo relentlessly with it until he was black and blue all over. Tossing her weapon to the side and ignoring the clattering sound it made as it struck the tile. Instead, she rushed to Cat who was moaning in pain. Quickly she grabbed the first aid kit and haplessly attempted to sew the wound for the time being.

"M-m-Mari?"

"Shh, Cat it'll be alright you'll be alright,"

"I-i-failed,"

"You didn't fail Cat,"

"What?"

"There's a reason my Papa calls me his ladybug,"

The luck of a friend.

Marinette recoiled in surprise as Cat started to glow green. It grew brighter and brighter and brighter until it was blinding causing Marinette to cover her eyes. When the glow faded away and Marinette dared to look at Cat she didn't see a humanoid cat creature. Instead, she saw the most handsome young man she had ever laid eyes on. Belatedly, she realized that there wasn't any damage anywhere any longer nor was Cat bloody. It was like he had never been hurt in the first place.

She held her breath as the man opened her eyes.

"Marinette, you've cured me,"

"Cat?"

"Call me Adrien,"