To be honest, I could've uploaded this Chapter a day sooner because I had nothing else to do, but I decided to take a mini break and leave this Chapter till today, don't worry I think I've worked out when every week I'll be updating this, you'll be seeing updates from this around twice a week and maybe three if I'm lucky.

So that Means every Sunday/Monday and every Wednesday/Thursday, expect an update around those days. However those dates aren't always going to be like that since on February 8th I start my graphic design course which means I'll have less time to work on things like this, but I'll talk more about that when the date is closer.

Anyways, hope you like what you've been reading so far. I'm not sure how long this story is going to be but I feel like I should pace it more...or speed it up I don't know. Oh, and if you also didn't get the idea already, this story contains my speculations from the show, so some of it may turn out right or wrong, no judging. ;)

Enjoy the Chapter! :D

Miraculous Ladybug (C) Thomas Astruc/ Zagtoon

Chapter 8 – Stressful Thoughts

Chat ran back downstairs and saw that Ladybug was knee deep in battle with Hawkmoth's latest victim. Grabbing his baton, he leapt down and jumped high while waving his baton in a circular motion, proceeding to hit the woman. But then, he and the woman were in a sword fight, which luckily gave Ladybug some time to figure out how to stop her.

She didn't think of using her lucky charm just yet, even though she wanted to be back in time for school, she figured that there just might be a way to stop this akumatised victim without the use of her lucky charm, or Cat Noir's cataclysm for that matter.

There had to be way to grab the long needle and thread so she could capture and cleanse the akuma that was hidden inside. She swang her yoyo at it in an attempt to grab it while Chat kept the woman distracted. However the woman had quick reflexes and with a flick of her needle, the string from the yoyo fell to the ground and then eventually returning back into its case.

"Chat, keep her distracted while I think of an idea."

The black cat rolled his eyes, it wasn't as if he wasn't distracting her, he thought.

With a whizz of her yoyo, Ladybug decided to use her lucky charm so she could get this attack over and done with, she was sure that by this time she would be late for school. After a bright flash of bright red light, the object appeared and landed in Ladybug's hands.

"Scissors? What will these do?"

Chat saw the lucky charm, which was a pair of scissors completely covered in red with black polka dots to match a ladybug's colours. "Are you sure that's going to cut our way out of this?"

Ladybug rolled her eyes as she heard Cat Noir attempt to make another pun with her lucky charm. She looked around, seeing potential items that could help her in defeating the akumatised victim. An idea buzzed in her mind, but she required Cat Noir to use his cataclysm to make her plan work.

"Chat, use your cataclysm, over there!" Ladybug pointed.

Chat turned to the table, he didn't know why he had to use it on that, but shrugged as he summoned his cataclysm and proceeded over to the table. Then with luck, the woman jumped onto the table and flicked her needle to create a live dress to attack him. Luckily, Chat was able to use it on the table and the woman fell.

Ladybug threw her scissors directly at the thread that was keeping the woman and the needle connected. It fell within an instant and Ladybug cleansed the akuma. The woman reverted back to normal and the pair fist bumped each other.

As Ladybug was about to leave, Chat grabbed her hand. "Wait, I need to ask you something."

He couldn't hold it in any longer, his curiosity was killing him. He wanted to know more than ever if she loved Adrien who was secretly Cat Noir, or if they were someone else.

Ladybug heard her earrings beep, warning her that she didn't have much time left. "Make it quick, I'm going to change back soon." She said in a hurry, not seeing the worry and deep emotional feeling in Chat's eyes.

Chat took in a deep breath before asking, he had to make it quick. But then he started to have second thoughts, what if she didn't love him without the mask, more importantly he had been ignoring how Ladybug could have fallen in love with Adrien if that were to be the case, did they know each other in real life? He wondered.

He pressed his lips firmly together, building the confidence and simmering the curiosity with the question he had been dying to ask when she spoke of his name.

"Remember that Adrien guy you mentioned?"

The heroine widened her eyes and raised an eyebrow in suspicion; she didn't think he'd raise her crush again since she knew he wasn't the kind of person to be nosey in other people's business. A light shade of pink brushes against her normal coloured skin, tinting it to a small shy blush as she thought about Adrien.

"Yeah...?" She asked, almost nervously.

Chat bit his lower lip; he couldn't back out of the question now. He was either going to be the happiest person in the world, or will forever have to respect his lady's wishes and stay away from this other Adrien. He sincerely hoped that it was him under the mask that she loved, yet he had heavy doubts because there could be many other guys with the same name as him that she has affections for.

"I'm sorry for bugging you about it but, does he live here, by any chance?" He asked, rubbing his hand on his neck nervously, a movement he would usually make as Adrien.

Ladybug felt her heart race for a small moment; Chat might actually know the Adrien that she has feelings for. Biting her lower lip and looking down nervously, she responded.

"Yes...he does. Why do you need to know?" She asked, starting to feel more suspicious than shocked and anxious.

The black cat's eyes widened in surprise, she caught him off guard. Luckily, Ladybug's miraculous beeped a second time as a final warning that her transformation was going to wear off. With a flick of her yoyo she waved goodbye and left the mansion, not seeing the relief and overjoyed expression forever planted on Chat's face. He cheered in realisation that Ladybug did in fact like him back, but then he felt shut down as he realised it was the other him that she had feelings for, and not Chat Noir.

If only she knew.

Then, he heard a grunt from behind; he turned to see Nathalie crying in the doorway in fear. Chat walked up to her and rested his hand on her shoulder in assurance that everything was alright. Nathalie turned slightly to see the blonde black cat standing next to her; she blinked in sudden shock as she examined the teen.

"Adrien!?"

Chat gasped, he didn't know how to react, he stuttered a little before running away in a panic. The only thought in his mind was how did Nathalie know it was Adrien? No one else could tell the difference but somehow Nathalie could, he began to think about all the possibilities, he did have to admit that he was around Nathalie more than he was around his father Gabriel.

But yet, since his mother's disappearance, Gabriel had hired Nathalie as a personal assistant. He couldn't make the connection, something wasn't right and he couldn't figure out how. He wanted to check on his father to see that he was alright, but only assumed he went somewhere safe to hide from that woman and was now safe and sound.

It remained on his mind as soon as he reached the school, running towards the front door when he bumped into Marinette. The navy haired teen fell to her knees from the bump, resting a hand on her head as she looked up, her pupils immediately vanishing as she looked up at the blonde teen, a shade of red crept across her cheeks as he helped her up.

"Are you okay? Sorry about that." He apologised, rubbing his neck after lifting her back up.

Marinette posed a shy grin in assurance that she was okay. "I'm fine Adrien, thanks." She said with an awkward wave.

Adrien smiled in reply, glad that his friend was alright from the fall. He gestured her to their classroom as they walked together, while Marinette kept her head down low. The blonde teen smirked slightly in adoration that she had feelings for him.

When he started to think about it more, he realised that two girls actually had feelings for him. It made him feel on top of the moon, he was wondering if Ladybug was Marinette but their personalities didn't match well. Adrien knew Ladybug better than anyone else, and knew that she was brave, smart and confident. Marinette was a little the opposite, she was still smart, but she was more shy and clumsy from time to time. He actually found it a little cute when she was like that around him.

They arrived to their classroom, everyone stared at them, especially the pair's best friends Alya and Nino. The pair sat in their usual seats and then their best friends stuck to them like glue asking many questions about their whereabouts, why they were late and why had they arrived at exactly the same time.

"I woke up late." They both said, luckily not in synchronisation of one another.

For the remainder of the lesson, Adrien tried to draw lines as to how Nathalie knew just by looking at Cat Noir that he was Adrien. Meanwhile Marinette wondered why Cat Noir wanted to know so badly exactly who she liked, it made her feel suspicious that Chat was going to go after Adrien, she bit her lip in anxiety as she looked down at her crush, who was concentrating on his work.

Alya and Nino had asked many other questions to them, but they both decided not to answer any more questions until later just to be on the safe side and not get called on by the teacher.

However, by that time Nino pushed it aside. Alya on the other hand, was slightly suspicious. She wasn't surprised at all that Marinette was late, but Marinette and Adrien arriving at the same time was enough for curiosity and suspicion to boil inside her.

"You two arrived at the same time, is there something you're not telling me?" She asked, pointing a finger at her accusingly with a demanding expression.

Marinette could think of one thing that Alya didn't know about, she smiled sheepishly.

"C'mon, tell me." Alya demanded, poking her best friend as she glared at her.

This caught Marinette off guard, she jumped and gave a disturbed and shocked expression to Alya, who was now crossing her arms in impatience, giving her an annoyed look.

Marinette shook her head, focusing on the subject at hand. "Alya, there's no need to worry. We just both arrived at the same time that's all." She ended, scratching her head nervously. "But yet...I wonder why he was so late..." She trailed off, thinking about the events from that morning.

She remembered Chat telling her that he was already on his way to school, which meant that Adrien should've been in class, why did he only show up at the same time than she did? Perhaps he got lost or decided to walk most of the way? She thought.

"I do too, but I bet it's nothing bad. Glad to hear that it was only a coincidence." Alya said with a smile of assurance.

Marinette nodded gleefully, still thinking about earlier with Chat telling her that Adrien should've been at school earlier. Maybe he had something else to do? She couldn't take it off her mind.

Meanwhile, Adrien was scared to go home now, since Nathalie said his name while he was under the mask as Chat Noir. It made him cringe and shudder at the thought, yet he wondered deeply how could she have known? He understood the amount of time they spent around each other but yet it didn't make sense for someone like her to figure it out.

However it was puzzling that Nathalie had arrived shortly after his mother went missing. Adrien wanted to have a little talk with his father about that, it started to seem all too coincidental and suspicious for him. He hoped that he would have a spare few minutes to at least talk to his son; Gabriel seemed to always be upstairs in his private office. Adrien understood why since he was a fashion icon because of his designs, but he couldn't understand why he couldn't bond more with his son.

"You okay dude? Looks like you're zoned out." Nino stated, looking at his almost pale best friend.

Adrien was snapped back into reality as soon as he heard Nino's voice; he turned to Nino to see him with a raised eyebrow of confusion.

"Oh, don't worry. It's just complicated family stuff."

Nino immediately nodded, understanding that Adrien had family issues with his father. Gabriel was too strict and controlling for a father, he felt like Gabriel didn't like everyone to be free and live their own life, he wanted everything precise. He wanted to give the orders, make the schedules for Adrien, he was the kind of father that wanted to know exactly what he was doing at every single moment, like a protective father would do, yet this father was over extreme on the protective mark. Nino was thankful that he allowed his son to go to a public school instead of being home schooled.

Near the end of lunch, Adrien went to the bathroom alone. He needed to talk this out somewhere with someone only he knew about. So as soon as he closed the door behind him in the empty bathroom, Plagg flew out of his grey open jacket and smirked at the teen.

"So, it seems you're at the borderline of screaming hooray and screaming no?" Plagg joked, exaggerating 'hooray' and 'no'.

Adrien sighed. "I just need some time alone to figure this out. The only solution I am seeing here is to reveal my true identity to her. Then everything would be fine."

Plagg rolled his glowing green eyes in a moan, Adrien wasn't thinking about the negative side of things. Sometimes he thought Adrien was too optimistic.

"Did you even think of her reaction? You do realise she doesn't like you in that way as Chat Noir. I've told you this before!" He exclaimed.

The blonde ruffled his hands through his hair in frustration. "I can't see another way out of this!" He cried. "The only way for things to work out between us is for me to reveal to her who I truly am."

Without even letting his kwami respond, he shoved Plagg back inside his jacket and left just as the bell rang for the next class to proceed.

Marinette was having similar thoughts to Adrien too, if she could reveal to Adrien who she really was then things would turn out alright. But then she remembered those doubts she had of that turning out well. She sighed at the thought, if only there was a better way to solve this love struck problem. Marinette was glad that Adrien liked her, but it was the wrong her he had feelings for, which made her feel heavy inside and having absolute no clue what to do about it.

Neither of the pair could stay like this forever, both of them couldn't work out any way outside of revealing who they really were. It was frustrating, and they wished that if that were to happen that everything would turn out alright in the end, but Adrien's kwami and Marinette gave certain doubts that the other wouldn't like who they really were underneath the mask.

Yet both of them had a strict rule to follow, it was the solid cemented rule that they were given when they were chosen. It was to not tell anyone else that they were a crime fighting superhero. It was a hard life for the two of them, and they both felt like there was a part that they were missing but they just couldn't pinpoint it.

Later that day, Adrien had nothing else on but to go straight home, his heart began to race as his mind shifted to that morning before he left for school. He was in awe and disbelief that Nathalie knew who he really was. He was beginning to doubt that he heard Nathalie say that, perhaps he just heard wrong or wasn't really paying attention.

When he arrived home, no one was there greeting him. He looked around suspiciously before darting to his room, glad that Nathalie wasn't around, just in case if he heard right that morning.

"I really hope Nathalie doesn't know." Adrien hoped, as Plagg flew out, darting for the cheese on Adrien's desk.

Plagg sat on the desk with his cheese that had been sitting there since last night, and had now stank the room out; Adrien opened a window to get some fresh air from the disgusting stench from the cheese. He plummeted onto his bed in deep frustration. He felt like his life was total chaos, when it was in fact just his love life and double life.

It was complicated, that's all he could say about it. He wanted to fix it more than ever; he actually wanted another akuma attack to happen right then and there so he could talk to Ladybug again. He didn't dare call her again after the two times he did in the past week. He respected her personal life, yet he wished he knew more about it. Ladybug seemed to know him in her personal life.

Ladybug was indeed someone that Adrien knew outside her secret identity; however he didn't know who she could be. But more importantly, he wanted to know more than ever how did Nathalie know about his secret identity.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Plagg quickly hid as Adrien walked towards the door.

He opened to see Nathalie standing there.

Ha-ha cliff-hanger, all of you can shoot me now XD oh wait, please don't! Otherwise this story will never be completed! D: Lol. Sorry, but that seemed like such a great spot to end it so I'm ending it there. In this chapter I'm using another one of my speculations behind Nathalie, hoped some of you have worked out what my speculation is, but don't reveal it just in case. ;)

So I'll see you guys around episode 17 of MB. I'll see you then for Chapter 9! ^^