Adrien gaped as she dropped away. He hadn't even see the yo-yo string until she had safely pulled out of the free-fall, momentum building into the swing that propelled her out over the rooftops.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

But he still didn't understand what had happened.

He had shut his eyes and let the magic slip free. But it had been only after Ladybug had left with that heartbreaking look on her face that he felt quite so vulnerable.

Shivering as the wind whipped his hair, he leaned back against the Tower's frame.

"So," Plagg landed on his shoulder, a green eye peering over at him. "That went well."

Adrien pulled the noxious smelling cheese from his pocket. "I don't get it, Plagg."

Plagg snatched it up eagerly. "Obviously."

Frowning, Adrien pulled his feet up close, wrapping his arms around his legs to conserve warmth. "I mean, I don't get why she just left."

The black Kwami groaned, rolling back onto Adrien's shoulder.

In so many ways, Adrien was hands down one of the best kittens he had ever worked with. He was so agile and quick-witted with the proper sense when to move with and move against whatever was thrown at him.

Unfortunately, it clearly used up every last bit of sense the poor boy had.

He sighed, sitting back up and looking the kid in the eye. "Well? What was it that she said?"

Adrien looked down at his ridiculous orange shoes. "She said 'Sorry'."

Plagg narrowed his eyes, reasonably sure that wasn't all she had said.

"Am I so awful without the mask that ist should send her away?"

"I doubt it." Plagg snorted; this hand-holding business was more of Tikki's strong suit. "She's worked with you before right, as Adrien?"

Adrien looked up, confusing clouding his eyes. "Right."

"So?" Plagg took another bite, taking care to savor it. This was going to take a while for sure.

"So, who I am isn't the problem." His lips relaxed, but his eyebrows still scrunched together. "But then, what is?"

Plagg sighed, chewing another large bite with messy enthusiasm. "Did she say anything else?"

The kid sat in silence for a few minutes, struggling to recall. "I think she said, 'I'm just a friend.'"

The cheese spat out of his mouth before he could control the involuntary reflex. Plagg glared at the messy wet bits scattered across the well-traveled grating, debating whether it was worth seeing if any bit of it was salvageable.

Grated cheese.

Plagg snorted at the absurdity. The kid must be pretty darned floored if he let that pun opportunity fall through.

"Well, then. That's your answer?"

"Wait." Adrien turned, looking at him head on. "What's my answer?"

"Really?" Plagg arched a brow. At least now he knew very well where Tikki was hiding. Trust her ridiculous sweet tooth to find some of the best digs in the city.

Absently, he wondered if the bakery had anything with cheese baked in. It seemed entirely likely that he'd be spending quite a good deal of time there - once the kid got his act together.

He was close to outright pouting. "I wouldn't be asking if I knew."

"Alright, kid." Plagg chided. "If it isn't who you are, maybe it was something you said."

Adrien looked up at that, interest and questions sparking in his eyes. "You think she knows me? Outside of the mask?"

Plagg grinned. "I wouldn't be at all surprised."

A slow smile stretched across Adrien's face.

"But, if she left so quickly, chances are those words must have hurt her."

Blinking, Adrien stood up slowly. "Was it something I said?"

"Purrhaps…" Plagg hedged. This was getting into dangerous territory for him. Tikki would have his head if he didn't let the kid puzzle it out for himself.

Pacing the metal floor, Adrien started and stopped. "So I know her and must have hurt her feelings - all without realizing it?"

"Seems like it." The kwami confirmed.

Head lowering, Adrien's shoulders fell. "I just wanted Ladybug to like me."

Plagg bit his lip to keep from smiling. That at least was very much not the issue. "So you go and apologize."

"I can do that." Adrien's head shot up, as he shot out to the edge of the rail, scanning the skyline in futile hope. "But I don't know where to find her…"

"I dunno kid." Plagg rolled his eyes as he lingered just above Adrien's shoulder. A smirk settled onto his lips as he slanted his eyes down at his helpless holder. "Maybe she left a few breadcrumbs for you to follow."

Author's Notes:

Sorry, not sorry for all the puns.

Thanks to Enberlight for beta-reading and letting me bounce ideas off of her. At least one of the puns in this chapter is entirely her fault.