Chat looked down at the akumatized victim. Boulanger cackled as she waved around her weapon. As her spoon twirled around, it sent a stream of what looked like sugar at people, turning them into statues that dissolved into piles of crumbs. The same happened to buildings, animals, and plants.

Chat flipped on his phone and called Ladybug. She didn't answer twice, so Chat shrugged.

"Hopefully she comes soon," he muttered. Then he jumped down to face Boulanger. "Hey, bread-head!"

Boulanger turned around and chuckled. "Look what the cat dragged in."

She sent a stream of sugar at him. He dodged it with ease. "Is that all you've got, pieface?"

Meanwhile, Marinette was finishing the last delicate stitches on her new winter toque. She hurried downstairs to find her parents, only to find the bakery empty.

Marinette frowned and called her mom, but she didn't pick up. She called her dad, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Shaking her head, she walked outside and was startled to see Chat Noir fighting a bakery-lady that looked an awful lot like Sabine.

"Oh no," murmured Marinette, dread sinking in her stomach like a stone.

She hurried upstairs and transformed as quickly as possible. Then she swung out onto the streets and dropped neatly next to her partner.

"Sorry for the delay," she rushed.

Chat gave her a nod. "No problem. Let's just try to finish this, quick," he said. Then he leapt forward and attacked.

Ladybug frowned. He'd lacked his usual cheer when he'd spoken. Ladybug sighed. It was worrying. Could something be wrong.

"Ladybug, watch out!" shouted Chat.

Ladybug ducked and rolled out of the way as Boulanger skimmed her hair and skidded to a halt on the other side of her. Ladybug didn't even have time to consider the fact that Chat hadn't called her M'lady.

"Are you unsteady? Or should I say, unbready?" Boulanger laughed.

"Okay, that was even worse than Chat's puns," she grumbled. Then she ran forward, swinging her yo-yo.

Ladybug dropped neatly on her porch, transforming back. Tikki fell into her palm.

Marinette's eyes widened. "Let's get you some macarons." She went through her porch trapdoor, down the ladder from her room, down the stairs, and entered her parents' bakery.

"Oh, my dear!" cried Sabine, rushing forward to hug Marinette. "I can't believe I lost control of my emotions and let Hawk Moth get to me!"

"Don't blame yourself, Mom. Everyone gets upset," soothed Marinette. "I just came down for some macarons.

"Here you go," said Tom. He handed her a little bakery box. Marinette opened it to find it filled with green tea macarons.

"Thanks, Dad. You're the best." Marinate kissed her dad's cheek, then went back to her room, smiling.

The next day at school, Alya ran forward. "Girl! Did you see the new scoop on Ladybug and Chat Noir?" she gasped, breathless.

"Uh, no?"

"Here! You've got to see this!" Alya shoved her phone in Marinette's face. She took it.

"This is Nadja Chamack! Don't be bemused, it's just the news! I'm here today with guest star, Alec Cataldi. Today, we have some top-info on Paris's superheroes, Ladybug and Chat Noir," introduced Nadja, the reporter. A video played in the corner, with short clips of Chat talking to Ladybug. Nadja turned to Alec. "Don't you think Chat has been rather... normal towards Ladybug?"

"I do, indeed, Nadja. Chat seems to have suddenly fallen out of love with Ladybug overnight. No more stupid puns, no more m'lady. What is going on?" Alec winked at the camera. "Stay tuned for more news this afternoon!"

The video ended. Marinette froze. She hadn't noticed he'd been different towards her yesterday, but she realized Nadja was right. "Wow," she breathed.

"I know, right! This is so exciting!" Alya grabbed Marinette by the shoulders. "Omigosh, I have to make a LadyBlog on this!" Alya dashed away, already tapping furiously away on her phone.

That night, Marinette gazed up at the stars. She twirled a lock of hair absently, thinking about Nadja's report. That afternoon, they'd talked more about why, what had happened, would it affect the dynamic duo.

"Hello, Purrincess," came the familiar voice from behind Marinette.

She whirled around. "Chat!"

Chat leapt down from the roof and smiled. "Couldn't sleep?" He smiled.

"I just kept thinking about that news report today," confessed Marinette.

Chat's impish grin faded immediately. "Oh."

"What's really happened?" she breathed, hardly daring to look into his eyes.

Chat paused. there was a long silence.

"You did."